Let’s be honest, we all know that we should go to church. Our desire for God is written on our hearts. For most of us we are most keen to this desire when we are going through difficult times. We know He’s there for us when we need Him, but we neglect to maintain a personal relationship with God. I’ve come up with a list of three steps of true Christian worship: Punctuality, Preparation, and Participation.
Better Late Than Never Does Not Apply
1. Punctuality
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tells his disciples to stand watch and pray. He goes on ahead to be alone with His Father in prayer and when He comes back He finds them asleep. They, like us, knew they should be praying, but they let laziness, sleepiness, or whatever other excuse come before their obedience to the Lord.
We make excuses all the time. But what will our excuse be when Jesus comes for us and we’re not ready? He said that He would come as a “thief in the night.” He comes to us every day in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It’s the party mentioned above. It’s the Wedding Supper of the Lamb spoken of in the book of Revelation. It’s Heaven on Earth. Do you really want to miss that? Is one more hour of sleep really worth missing that?
Let’s Get Ready to Rumble
2. Preparation
Not only are we called to attend this celebration, we’re invited to participate. There’s more to Mass than just being present. We are part of the wedding party and our presence is a big part of the festivities. But as we get ready for Mass there are things we should do to prepare ourselves. Our state of mind and even the clothes we wear make a big difference.
“Your experience of the Mass will change if you try to get there a little early, so you have time to settle your mind and prepare your heart. Try to enter the sanctuary slowly, reverently and without speaking. Spend a few minutes kneeling and talking to Jesus Christ with real intimacy in the silence of your heart.” ~ Archbishop Jose Gomez
Just as we study and review our notes before a mid-term, there is much preparation necessary before attending the Holy Mass. But don’t take my word for it. Try it! I’ve done it myself and it really makes a difference. Arriving even five minutes early to quiet your thoughts and put aside the preoccupations and stresses of our overly busy lives allows us to empty ourselves and leave space for Him to fill us with Himself. Read through the readings beforehand and reflect on them. Ask God what He is trying to tell you through his Word. Then when Father gets up on the pulpit to preach his homily, you can compare notes in a sense.
Get in the Game
3. Participation
Now you are ready to go. It’s important to remember that Catholicism is not a spectator sport. You’ve made it to the greatest celebration, you’re on time and prepared to join with your community in the worship of and communion with our God. Don’t show up only to stand on the sidelines. Get in the game! Offer your prayers for the community. Speak to Lord in the silence of your heart. Receive Him in Word and Sacrament through the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Following along in your missal can help you to really hear the prayers that the priest is offering on our behalf. Repeating the words of the prayers with meaning bring you closer to the Lord. Singing along to the hymns and psalms unite you to your community, the Body of Christ. This is true Christian worship as it has been for 2000 years. A lot has changed, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” And it is to He that we give worship and praise. It is He who receive really and truly in the Eucharistic meal.
“We should go to Mass every week aware that we are sharing in the spiritual worship that has nourished the family of God since the day of the Resurrection.” ~ Archbishop Jose Gomez
So I urge you—as does our shepherd Archbishop Gomez—to think about that the next time you are considering skipping Mass because you were out late the night before. Realize that our worship is important. It is essential. Jesus said “Do this is in memory of me.” And so we do every day. In every corner of the world and in every language…
“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ~ Philippians 2:10-11