The Mass without communion rails, sign of peace, etc. is not centered on us, the laity. It is centered on Jesus Christ our high priest with the rest of us, whether clergy, religious, or laity gathered in community(read unity) around and with him who we worship.
Of course we each have our role to play in that worship, most of us are lay people, at least one is an ordained priest, and so forth. I personally have nothing against communion rails, receiving on the tongue, etc. but the point still is that the Holy Mass is still a communal celebration of a sacrifice in which we eat of that who is sacrificed. While it is true a lay presence is not absolutely required, our presence there impacts every single one of us gathered around the Lord present both in Word and in Sacrament at that celebration as well as those who join us around the world in offering that same single sacrifice.
I cannot imagine that Jesus who touched and healed lepers, asked that children be allowed to approach him, who ate with sinners and the unclean, washed the filthy feet of his disciples would require a barrier between us.
