When the Mass Hits Differently

By Mary Ella Wielgos

You know how when you read Scripture, the same passage can hit you differently on different days? The same is true with the Mass. Even though the Mass is celebrated the same way day after day and we know by muscle memory when to sit, stand, kneel, what to say, etc., if we are open to it, various parts of the Mass can hit us differently each time we celebrate the liturgy. If we are open to it, the Spirit can show us the deeper meaning behind the elements of the Mass.

For example, lately, the “Lamb of God” has become the sweetest part of the Mass for me. I’m not sure why, except to say that I began to realize I was falling into a pattern of not thinking about what I was singing or doing. I fell into a pattern of joining in the singing when I decided I was finished offering peace to my neighbor, which sometimes meant I wasn’t singing until the second line or even the third. Goodness, that’s a rough admission.

But, slowly and more deeply, (and thanks to the Holy Spirit for hitting me over the head), reality sunk in that at that moment in the Mass, God Himself is on the altar. I decided I needed to pay closer attention to what I was doing and where my heart was. I felt drawn to sing this litany in a more prayerful way like I never had before.

Collectively as a parish family at that moment in Mass we join our voices together in His most holy presence and acknowledge Him as Savior, plead for His mercy, and beg Him for peace. And we do this just before we gaze on Him and tell Him we are not worthy to receive Him, but trust in His grace and mercy to heal us. I’d say that’s a pretty profound moment.

As His disciples and leaders of St. Max, may our hearts’ desire be to grow in understanding of the profound gift of the Sacrifice of the Mass and may the Holy Spirit continue to hit us over the head at just the right time.