“How would Christ solve modern problems if He were on earth today? For those of my faith there is only one answer. Christ is on earth today, alive on a thousand altars.”
G.K. Chesterton
I don’t know a clearer way to say it, “You are invited!” All are invited to mass. The doors are unlocked. The sanctuary is open. There’s mercy for all. Yes, the invitation is not ours to adapt, change, augment, or refine. But the Bridegroom Jesus is hosting and many of your brothers and sisters will be attending all over the world. When I attend another family’s wedding I don’t show up in my Halloween costume. I don’t presumptively sit in the chair designated for the bride’s mother. I don’t crash the wedding (shout out to some of my favorite funny actors Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson). But, I do attend and join in a huge choir of people who are there to celebrate a covenant that is about to be established. You are invited! Your name is on the guest list!
Please come. Please listen and follow along with every prayer that is prayed. Decide if you want to say “Amen” or withhold that affirmation. I think everyone including God would just prefer an honest response, not a contrived one. And that’s what the process of initiation into the Catholic Church is all about…honest conversations along the journey. Here’s some prompters for you if you are interested in that journey.
First, examine your heart. Why are you at mass? This is all about Jesus. Make it all about Him. If you are Catholic, this opportunity is no less for you. Ask yourself if you are really engaged. Or perhaps you need to re-discover a faith that lived in your father and mother and in your heart as well when you were younger? Maybe you should attend the same conversations that newcomers do. There’s no shame in that. I know many parishes have people that attend meetings for those interested in joining the fellowship of the Catholic Church. As I’ve already mentioned, if you are not a member of the Catholic church you are still 100% invited and you have many options during the Eucharist.
I know I’ve been so long winded in this piece on the Eucharist. And yet I skipped over so much. I have left out all the quotes I’ve underlined in the Cathechism, a recent article in the Little Rock paper by Father Erik with amazing statistics, a sermon by Father George Sanders, a former Protestant pastor who is now a Catholic priest helping so many understand the Eucharist, and all my notes from my amazing leader and mentor Scott Immel at Saint Francis. Scott was the first person to meet with me, hear my story, and guide me through the process of entering the church. He led me in the process from beginning to end and has even been so gracious as to meet with my wife and kids to explain things to them. He truly gets that each person is on their journey. He helped me understand how simple and beautiful the invitation to the Eucharist can be.
There’s the irony. I’m sure you see it in the world out there.
There’s the mystery. I truly hope you can experience it as you encounter Christ.
Here’s the Teaching. I truly hope you can benefit from it.
And this is my invitation, Come and See! I hope you accept it as the Catholic (comes from the word “universal”) Church celebrates, ‘gives thanks’ (Eucharist) and remembers until He comes again.
Amen.
This is part 4 of a series. Click to read Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3. Or even better read this short homily from Father George Sanders from Hot Springs, AR. He covered so much in a short time and really helped me understand the Old Testament backdrop of the Eucharist.