The focus of Gaudate Sunday – and the third week of Advent – is joy!
In pondering this joy, I also lament those who began their lives as Catholics but have strayed from the Church.
One woman recently told me she really wanted faith for her family, so she gave her children “the foundation” of baptism, but their family no longer goes to church. She mentioned wanting to start attending again, so I immediately invited her to return at Christmas. She replied, “Yes, but not this year …”
What struck me most in this conversation was that, while she has faith and Christian values, she is clearly missing the relationship and joy inherent in the Mass.
An Ascension video entitled Are You Doing Mass Right? discusses ways to participate fully in the Mass. In this six-minute clip, Father Jonah Teller shares inspiration from St. Thomas Aquinas, who called the Mass “an act of religion,” clarifying that religion consists of outward actions reflecting what is happening within our hearts.
God gives us the gift of these outward actions through the sacrifice of the Mass, which is Jesus: “It is his heart being offered up to the Father for us, and that’s what’s happening at every single Mass” around the world.
Father Jonah also reminds us that, as baptized Catholics, we are priests. We are not all ordained priests as he is, but we have the power to worship and are called to minister and lead others to faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that every baptized person “is called to be subject to others, to serve them in the communion of the Church” (CCC 1269) and to “share in the priesthood of Christ” (CCC 1268).
Embracing our own priesthood must begin with fully entering Christ’s sacrifice through our participation in the Mass. When we do so, we can indeed go forth joyfully to serve the Lord. Father Jonah offers three suggestions to assist us, encapsulated in the acronym “BLP,” which he pronounces “blip.”
B is for “bookend.” Father Jonah suggests “bookending” our Mass attendance by arriving at least five minutes early and remaining at least five minutes afterward. During this time, he encourages us to allow our hearts to settle so we can communicate with God and hear his voice. While I like to read the Mass readings ahead of time, Father Jonah notes that even just sitting and staring at the crucifix could help increase focus and open our hearts to the sacrifice.
L is for “listen.” Father Jonah recommends particularly focusing on the prayers chosen for each liturgical season, noting that truly listening to these prayers helps “equip you to participate.” He reminds us that the word “Amen” means “Yes. That’s true. I believe.” Each time we say this, we are “signing off on everything that the ordained priest has said.” So, we must prepare (“bookend”), listen, and then add our heartfelt “Amen” to the prayers of the Mass.
P is for “place.” Father Jonah invites us to “place” our lives on the altar. As the gifts are brought forth, we are encouraged to put our hearts on the altar alongside the bread and wine. In “this profound spiritual action,” we embrace our baptismal priesthood, “uniting [our] sacrifice to Jesus Christ.”
By placing our hearts in the chalice or on the paten, our perspective changes, allowing us to offer a “good” Mass, no matter what is happening in our lives. If we are enduring suffering, we unite it to Christ. If we are feeling particularly joyful, we unite our happiness to Jesus. Regardless of our mood or situation, placing ourselves on the altar joins us to Christ. “It’s the love of Jesus Christ that gives [Mass] meaning,” and we enter into that love through our participation.
The pink candle on our Advent wreaths reminds us that “Joy” was born in a humble stable. May we also recognize that joy is born in each of us whenever we open our hearts and minds to the love of Christ, present in every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Let us pray to effectively minister to those who have strayed from the Church so they, too, may find true joy.
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