The most important work we do as a community is to gather in the kingdom of heaven in order to receive our Lord’s gifts with thanksgiving. In fact, it is the most important work we do of any kind. To be sure, caring for our family, putting in a good day on the job, helping and serving others (especially those in need), praying for and supporting one another—these are all important tasks. But the assembly of the faithful in Church is the most important, by far, because the Mass places us in heaven itself.
When we are at Mass, we are in heaven. We stand with the saints, as they support our prayers and encourage our praise. We receive the ministry of the holy angels, as they serve us by their chants and songs, as well as by ushering us closer to the holy altar. And most of all, we see and hear Christ present Himself as our means of salvation.
Yet too often we do not see or understand that we are in heaven when we are at the Mass. Perhaps this is because our spiritual eyesight is too often clouded by the cataracts of weak faith. Or perhaps it is because we are too distracted by what we are sure are the necessary pursuits of this world’s goods. Whatever the reason, our prayer, every time we walk into the church, should be that Our Lord help us see where we truly are, and what is actually occurring in front of our face.
Yet once our vision clears, we will have two simultaneous reactions. The first will be to fall on our knees. For by seeing the Mass, we will see both the depth of Our Lord’s mercy, and how little we are worthy of it. We will perceive that His sacrifice is pure love, and that His love asks and demands nothing but that we receive. And then the words, “Lord, I am not worthy,” will not be vainly repeated, but said with a sincere heart. And our “Amen” will not be half-hearted or hesitant, but authentic and full-throated because we will know, without a doubt, how grateful we are to receive the abundance of Our Lord’s compassion.
The second reaction will be never to leave, and never to think of a clock. For we will be so overcome with the joy of our salvation, and so ecstatic to be with Our Lord, that we will think and saying nothing except, “Lord, it is good to be here.” For to be at Mass is to be with the Lord. And to be with the Lord is to be with all that matters. So where else would we want to go? And what else could ever compete?
What we might not readily understand, however, as we stand in heaven during the Mass, is that slowly, gently, kindly, the Lord God is drawing us into His soothing and invigorating embrace. Deep down, below the conscious level, I think we actually do understand this. I think, in a level deeper than reason, we truly know that as we approach the Eucharist, we are approaching God in the flesh. However, we resist God drawing us near, and we instead step back—perhaps even to the last row of pews—because being close to God terrifies us. And what terrifies us is not so much that we know ourselves or even that God knows us. What terrifies us is that perhaps we might not get to be who we want to be, that our individuality will be diminished or erased.
But the closer we get to God, the greater personness is enhanced. The more intimate our life in God, the more we become who we truly are. And the Mass is designed to assist us with this. And so the more we see the Mass for what it truly is—the kingdom of God enfolding in our little church in this place—the more we will not only believe God, but also be elevated far above what we imagine to be good and true and right for us.
Our prayer, then, as I said, should be that we begin, perhaps in dribs and drabs, to see the Mass as we worship in church. By the prayers of the saints, may the Holy Spirit grant this.