Saturday Reflection: Assisting at Mass

As a wordsmith, I notice how certain words that have specific meaning sometimes drop out of our vocabulary, either individually or collectively. One such word is "assist" when speaking of the Mass. Many people speak of "going" to Mass describing their destination, or they'll "be" at a certain Mass at a certain time. But I don't hear the phrase, "I'll be assisting at Mass." My ears perk up if I hear it because it is so unusual.

But, what we "do" at Mass is assist. And why is this so? Because Jesus Christ, when he bore our sufferings and sins on the Via Dolorosa, bore our current sufferings, future sufferings and included all of us, warts and all, in the great offering of Love to the Father. The crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus is a participatory sacrifice.

Protestantism seeks to describe Christ's death on the cross as a substitutionary atonement, which it is. But, it is more than just that. Reducing it to merely substitutionary is to distort it...make it something that only Jesus goes through. The phrase "Jesus suffered so that I don't have to" is an unfortunate interpretation of Christ's death at Calvary. It makes our cross bearing as a criteria for discipleship meaningless or at best optional. This is a gross distortion.

When we come to Mass, we enter the great Portal into eternity and come to the one great eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We bring ourselves to the Father through Jesus because Jesus has already included us in the Beloved. We cannot add anything to the Mass...add anything to the sacrifice of Jesus, or even add ourselves as if we are an after thought. We are NOT an afterthought. Christ included you and me in His sacrifice of Love to the Father, which makes assisting such an infinite priviledge and responsibility. This is why we assist at Mass. We have been called into it. We cannot deny it or refuse it without damage to our souls. Plus Sunday assisting at Mass is not some pesky law created by men to keep the Church coffers full. This is a ludicrous statement that deserves no more mention.

Prepare for Mass tomorrow by praying before a crucifix, or spend time in Eucharistic adoration; contemplate this unfailing Truth: Christ died for you so that you could participate in his sufferings, death, burial and resurrection. You have been baptized into his death. You therefore, must participate with Him in His life.

Don't just go to Mass on Sunday, ASSIST our Lord and Christ in the offering of Himself in the ultimate Love Gift to the Father. He's already included you, loved one! Don't take this lightly. Pax!