Faithful Friday 3

When I began this journey the only thing I really knew or thought I knew about Catholicism was that the schools made you wear uniforms and were expensive, somehow they had decided that drinking was not a sin, and that they of course worshiped Mary. I was born and bred as a true southern baptist, accustomed to going to church on Sundays to hear the preacher's entertaining sermon and some Grammy award winning worship music. I had no idea that catholics went to "Mass" with a "priest" who "gave" a "homily." Seriously, the first couple of times I felt as if I was in a foreign country looking around thinking what in the world are these people doing? I'm glad I didn't work out first with all the kneeling and standing we are doing. So, I thought it would be fitting to discuss what exactly happens during Mass which was one of the first lessons Ruth taught me.

The purpose of Mass isn't socialization or entertainment of any kind. We go to give ourselves to God and in return receive God. This was very difficult for me because I was used to singing a few songs and then being entertained in a sense with several good stories and a biblical outline to fill in.
When you first enter the church everyone is supposed to be silent. It is meant to be a time of prayer and preparation.

I. The Introductory Rites
This is when everyone stands and we sing a song as the priest and the alter servers process to the front of the church. We greet each other and make the sign of the cross before we pray. What I have learned is that making the sign of the cross is sort of like when protestants pray and say "in Jesus name" at the end. Well, the sign of the cross is similar except there are motions with it and it is done at the beginning and end of a prayer.
We then pray the penitential act together. We acknowledge our sins, what we have done and what we have failed to do and seek forgiveness and grace.
We then praise God for his goodness by singing Gloria.
An opening prayer is prayed and they are often short but profound and typically go along with what season we are in. An example would be, "Father, help us to seek the values that will bring us lasting joy in this changing world. In our desire for what you promise, make us one in mind and heart."

II. The Liturgy of the Word
Scriptures are read from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and the gospels. Everyone stands during the gospel reading to honor the words that Jesus spoke and we all trace a cross on our mouths, our foreheads, and our hearts, that God's Word would be in what we say, in what we think, and in the depths of our souls. All of the readings are somehow related to each other as well as the readings that were the previous week and the upcoming week.
I love knowing the readings ahead of time so that I can be prepared and familiar with them before Mass. I also love knowing that because Mass is a daily occurrence, every single hour Mass is being celebrated somewhere in the world. The feeling of unity is simply astounding.
Then there is a short homily given by the priest that is similar to the protestant sermon. This is where the priest ties the readings together and teaches life applications.
We then profess our faith which I actually love to reflect on because its just a reminder and cause for gratefulness.
We pray general intercessions for the less fortunate of the world, our leaders, and others.
We take up a collection.

III. Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Offertory is brought forth which consists of bread, wine, and offerings for the church and the poor.
The priest and alter servers prepare the alter and the Eucharistic prayer is prayed. We are invited to lift our hearts up to the Lord. This is a prayer of thanksgiving since Eucharist means "thanksgiving".
The priest recites the narrative of the Last Supper connecting what we experience in Mass with Jesus' institution of the Eucharist. This is when as Catholics we believe consecration occurs meaning the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus. This major difference will be discussed in further detail and separately later as it was one of the biggest faith hurdles for me.
We all hold hands and say the Lord's prayer and the offer each other signs of peace which means shaking hands or hugging the person next to you and saying, "peace be with you."
We then participate in Communion, receiving the body and blood of Jesus in the form of bread and wine. Each time I am in line the song that comes to my heart is Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary.
We walk back to our seats and kneel for a time of thanksgiving.
The priest blesses us and tells us to go out into the world and glorify God with our lives.
We sing one more song and we are out the door.

I have come to see such beauty in the sacredness and rhythm of Mass. It is a comfort to my soul. It hasn't always been that way though and next week I will discuss some of the many struggles I had to work through in order to appreciate the Mass for what it is.