The Final blessing. This is an exhortation to go and take the faith that we have just received with us into our daily lives. The priest gives us his blessing and every time we are blessed by a priest, this is like Christ himself blessing us. We are to go and spread the faith we just received to all whom we encounter and live it.

This has to be my favorite parts of mass! I mean, of course right, we are about to receive our Lord and savior and be apart of heaven touching earth! How are we supposed to receive him? Should I run up excitedly to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Well no, besides the fact the people might think I’m a little crazy, I want to be in a state where I know who it is I am receiving and what that means.

"Agnus Dei" or "Lamb of God", originates from John the Baptist. John proclaimed Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes way the sins of the world” -John 1: 29.

At every mass we hear these words of peace and in our modern American culture, take it as an opportunity to shake the hands of those around us, kiss our family members, give the two-fingered sign for peace, wave, hug the cute guy in the pew near us, etc. Though we appear to be an overly affectionate bunch, many times this opportunity of blessing is over looked and steamrolled by how many people we can come in contact with.

Many of us know The Lord’s Prayer, but just like The Creed, we should recite it with faith and full knowledge of what we are saying. Today, let’s meditate on the main themes in The Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer is shown both in the gospel of Matthew and Luke. Matthew has 7 main petitions while Luke has 5.

I was an alter server for many years. I learned a ton during that time and really attribute my desire and love for the mass to those very formative years. During those years, I not only became very efficient & precise at the job, but grew to know every word that was said and I knew everything that was being done and the names of everything as well. Though I knew all the words, I found that I wasn’t listening to what was actually being said; which now realizing this, just breaks my heart some.

During this time of our “seventh inning stretch,” we are supposed to be preparing ourselves and our hearts for the breaking of the bread, the ultimate sacrifice. Just as the alter is prepared.

Our General Intercessions are also known as the ‘Prayers of the Faithful,’ or the Universal Prayer.

Just like the pledge of allegiance, or the National Anthem, when we stand reciting The Creed, through our vocal cords and body language, we are showing that we believe in, stand for, and would defend what we are saying. That’s a big commitment. And one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Today, we encourage you

“No one—no individual and no community—can proclaim the Gospel to himself: “Faith comes from what is heard.” Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), # 875

This is a great way to see a homily. No matter how good or not so good we think a homily might be, we need to hear and listen to what the priest has to say.

The climax of the Liturgy of the Word is the Gospel. This is where we hear of the encounters of Jesus Christ; of his life, his ministry, and his preaching. During this time we stand to show our honor and reverence towards the Gospel, could you imagine if you were slouched over with your head in your hands while the Word of the Lord was being proclaimed?

During the Liturgy of the Word, there are two readings and a psalm sandwiched in-between and the Gospel. The responsorial Psalm is usually either sung or read by a lector. Before the Responsorial Psalm, there is a period of silence that is placed right before we hear the psalm. It's a factored-in pause so that we can

Mass is broken up into two parts. The first part of mass is the Liturgy of the Word and the second part of mass is the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We are fed in two ways at mass. The Liturgy of the Word spiritually feeds us and teaches us about the ways of God

“Glory to God in the highest!” This is an exclamation! These words are being sung to the creator of the universe constantly in heaven! Think about that for a second, Choirs of the most beautiful voices singing praise to our God, to our creator of all things! He is being praised in heaven.

As we will discover together, the Mass is like climbing a mountain. This “mountain experience” gets higher and higher, better and better, as we progress through this prayer time together. The Penitential Rite is just the next high we have during Mass.

Everything up onto this point as been an individual act: we enter the Church, we’ve blessed ourselves, we’ve entered the pews, maybe said a prayer to two. And then begins the opening rites: music begins and we sheepishly sing along in community as the procession of the servers and priest of the Mass enter in. Christ becomes present for the first time, through the procession of the Word. Christ is the Word, and just like on the Road to Emmaus, he presents Himself to us at each Mass. He is present with us! Do we recognize Him?

When we walk into a church on Saturday night or Sunday, preparing to enter for mass, it isn’t like when you enter the mall or a restaurant; music blaring, people talking loudly and walking fast eagerly trying to get from one store to another.

“We must consider how to rouse one another to love & good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another”

Have you ever argued with your family about not wanting to go to Mass? “But I don’t want to go! It’s boring! I don’t get anything out of it.” If these were our very words or maybe the unspoken feelings of our heart – they are a relatable statement to all of us.  Do we find Mass boring?