Number 1: �God asks us to make one day
holy. God asks us to set aside one day to refocus
physically, mentally and spiritually. We live in a
secular world. Going to Mass helps us see everything
from a different perspective. We begin to see in the
depths of our being that God is in charge. We can let go
our own agenda because we know that God will inspire us,
guide us, and strengthen us for the week ahead.�
Number 2: �Jesus gives us the gift of himself.
When we go t o Mass, we are doing what Jesus commanded his followers to do.
It is a command to love and to be loved by God.” Jesus offers himself
to us in the Word of God (bible readings) that we hear and
in his Real Presence, offered to us in the Blessed Sacrament at Communion
(the Mass).�
Number 3: �We
need to be part of a community. When we come together at
Mass to pray and worship God, we fulfill a deep need
inside of us to be in communion with other people. The
other parishioners - even if we don't know all of them -
give us support, affirmation, and encouragement in our
attempt to live the Gospel message. They help us to see
that we are not alone. They remind us that we are all a
part of the Body of Christ.�
Number 4: “God has a special message for us.
When we listen to the readings, the homily, and the prayers of
the Mass, God speaks to us in a special way. We should come away
from each Mass with at least one inspiration that will impact
our lives in some way. We just have to pay attention and be open
to what the Lord is trying to tell us”.
Number 5: �We need to talk to God. When we
go to Mass. we speak to God through our singing, our communal
responses and prayers, and our personal prayers from the
depths of our hearts. During the Mass, we have the opportunity
to ask God for what we need, promise God that we will do what
He wants us to do, and thank God for the many blessings He has
bestowed upon us.�
Number 6: �People need prayers. We can
pray for other people anytime, but when we pray for others
during Mass, we pray in a special way. It doesn�t matter if
the other people are separated from us by distance or by
death, The Mass brings us together in the Body of Christ, and
we become the communism of saints. It is part of the cosmic
dimension of the Mass that unites heaven and earth by reaching
across time and space..�
Number 7: �We
need to stand up for What we
believe. Being a
follower of Jesus is
counter-cultural. At every Mass,
we have the opportunity to stand
up and proclaim what we believe
publicly. We admit that we
believe in God, in Jesus, in the
Holy Spirit, in the Catholic
Church, in the communion of
saints, in the forgiveness of
sins, and in life after death.
It is a powerful statement of
allegiance and an opportunity to
recommit ourselves.�
Number 8: �We
need to acknowledge that we make
mistakes. At every Mass, we have
the opportunity to review the
past week. We admit that we have
sinned in thought� in word. in
deed, in what we have done and
What We have failed to do. We
seek forgiveness� and we are
assured that God still loves us.
Before we receive Communion, we
admit that we are not worthy and
ask God to heal us. Going to
Mass helps us to strengthen our
commitment to live moral lives.�
Number 9: �We
need ritual in our lives. Mass
is a ritual, which means that
through the repetition of
prayers, movements, and the
changing of bread and wine into
the Body and Blood of Christ we
are formed, disciplined, and
consoled. The 'sameness' of the
Mass carries us along the
spiritual journey -- even when
we don't 'feel' like praying.
The 'sameness' of the ritual
allows us to be transformed on a
soul level, even if we are
unaware of what is happening.�
Number 10: �We
need to experience something
bigger than ourselves. When we
go to Muss, we share in the
death and resurrection of Jesus.
When we offer our ordinary lives
to God through Jesus, We enter
into God�s great plan for the
world. We are strengthened by
the Eucharist and sent out into
the world to bring the Gospel
message to all people. The Mass
gives meaning and purpose to our
lives. It gives us a sense of
destiny and offers the kind of
peace that the world cannot
give. It helps us develop a
sense of wonder and awe. It
helps us to see that there is
something bigger than
ourselves.� |
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