ENGAGE - THE HOLY MASS | KAIROS GLOBAL | JANUARY 2019

Author: Cyril Abraham

Intro: The Eucharist, an Invitation and a Response to that Invitation – Cyril Abraham delves deep and explains.

“If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy.” -  St. Jean Vianney

There is so much that can be written about the Eucharist. Many saints and learned men have already spoken and written much about it. I am sure we all have our versions of experiences to share. I am merely touching the shadow of the shadow of the shadow of such holy writings. I will mainly touch on just 2 aspects here, ‘the Invitation’ and ‘the Response’. Let’s get straight into it. 

The Invitation

An invitation to the Final Meal with Jesus – First and foremost, the Holy Mass is an invitation to become part of the final meal with Jesus, for all those who were not present at the Last Supper – which is basically you and me. What an honour it is to be present at a meal with the Creator of the world. To miss a meal like this or to choose another instead of this meal, is to choose to do what the prodigal son did out of sheer hunger – to eat the pig’s food while his father set a banquet inside the house where even his servants had food to spare. What is better than to sit with Jesus and listen to his own words and eat off HIS own table!

An invitation to mingle with the elite – As St. John Chrysostom puts it, “When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the Divine Victim immolated on the altar.” It’s not just the angels but also the saints and our own Mother Mary who is present at the Holy Mass as she was right under the cross with Jesus during his passion. Where else would we rather be if not right under the nose of our Saviour while he is breathing HIS last!

An invitation to witness the passion and death of our Lord – If we ever get bored at Mass (irrespective of whether it is due to length, language, poor music or dated sermons), it is because we expect entertainment from it. Since when did a sacrifice or death ever become a source of entertainment? The Holy Mass is an invitation to be right under that cross on which hangs our salvation. Where do we find ourselves when HE hangs on the cross every day? Are we busy with what we think is important when the busiest of all persons is busy dying and providing new life for us! “The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross”, says Thomas Aquinas

An invitation to Communion – to be one with HIM - “Let the entire men be seized with fear; let the whole world tremble; let heaven exult when Christ, the Son of the Living God, is on the altar in the hands of the priest. O admirable height and stupendous condescension! O humble sublimity! O sublime humility! That the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides Himself under a morsel of bread” – St. Francis of Assisi. He invites us to abide in HIM and seeks to abide in us, so we may live life to the fullest (Jn 10:10b), so we may bear fruit in plenty (Jn 15:5).

The Response

To accept the invitation - “The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death” – Pope Benedict XV. The least we could do when invited for such a feast is to say ‘YES’ and make time and space to take part in this utmost form of worship, since it is, as the church teaches us, “the source and summit of Christian life” (CCC 1324). This is where we find true rest (Mt 11:28). Where else would we rather be! What else would we rather do! If not be present at the feast set by the one who sets a feast on our table every day.

To surrender to the Holy Spirit – Once we are in, we must surrender to the host, the Holy Spirit. It is now HIS business to take care of us and lead us to the experience we can’t achieve of our own (Rom 8:26-27). It is in dropping all our guards here and now, that we will taste victory that is being won by our Saviour on the cross. We must consciously detach ourselves from all worldly things in our life and attach ourselves to the bosom of our Master. We cannot have the best of both worlds, we must choose. Complete surrender is the mark of true humility and conversion. 

To Eat and Drink of HIM – The crux of any invitation no matter what the event, is the food. If we are not prepared to eat and drink of HIM, we are basically setting ourselves up to be hungry and thirsty again (Jn 6:35) and refuse to accept life into ourselves (Jn 6:53). What profit is it to eat all the good food and drinks money can buy that only sustains us and not eat the food and drink that gives us life itself!

To die to self and live in HIM and for HIM – Every Holy Mass inspires and encourages us to die to ourselves and live for HIM (2 Cor 5:15). Indeed, every Eucharist is a reminder to die with HIM so we can live with HIM (Rom 6:8). Dying here is inevitable if eternal life is our target! Dying here is essential if discipleship is our lifestyle! Dying here is crucial to our life after death!

The invitation is open to all but not all respond. For those who respond in the positive, Jesus promises eternal life and for those who choose to ignore, reject or refuse, what else can I say!

Cyril Abraham encountered God during his University days and has since been an active member of Jesus Youth. He is a gifted preacher and currently lives with his wife, Raifiel in Canberra, Australia.