Homily for 25 th Sunday of OT, Year C (Part II: Preparation for Holy Mass) A saint of the past century suggested that after receiving Holy

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1 Homily for 25 th Sunday of OT, Year C (Part II: Preparation for Holy Mass) A saint of the past century suggested that after receiving Holy Communion, we should already begin to prepare for the next time we can receive the Body and Blood of Christ, so as to prolong the experience of The Lord dwelling within us. A similar approach can be applied to our weekly celebration of Sunday Mass. As we exit the church building after Sunday Mass has ended, it is of great value to already begin preparing for the upcoming Sunday. We can do so through the weekly practice of reading over the prayers and readings for the upcoming Sunday. By reading both the prayers that the priest will recite during Mass and the readings we will hear, we can allow The Lord to speak to us through these texts and give us some considerations to ponder. It maybe that we find what we have prayed over are what the priest will preach on during his homily or we may go in an entirely different direction than the approach he takes. In that sense we are being double nourished by both what the Lord has spoken to us during our own time of private prayer and hopefully with what the priest offers in his homily.

2 In addition to this spiritual practice or another that you may already practice, another essential way to prepare for the upcoming Sunday Mass is to ask whether we need to partake of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We may already make this sacrament a regular part of our Christian lives or it may have been many months or years since our last confession. Our Church has consistently taught that all Catholics are to make a confession at least once a year and that if we desire to receive Holy Communion during Mass, we must be certain we are free of any mortal sin since to receive the Eucharist with mortal sin on our souls is a grave sacrilegious action against Christ and the Church. Even if we are sure that no mortal sin resides within us, making confession a regular part of our lives can give us a heightened awareness of where we succumb to sin and also give us the spiritual fortitude to break free of those sinful habits that have taken root in our lives. Frequent confession was the means by which countless saints grew in their love and devotion to the Holy Eucharist, seeking more and more to be free of all sin and thus make their time of Holy Communion with Christ one

3 of incredible intimacy and gratitude. Both St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. John Paul II were known to go to confession on a weekly basis and little needs to be said about the evident saintliness of these two disciples of Christ, who nonetheless knew that they were sinners and desired to make reconciliation with Christ a continual part of their Christian lives. When Sunday arrives, we should consider how we can spend our time before Mass to be one where our mind, body and soul is ready to enter into the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Each of us has our own living situations and family dynamics which will make getting ready for Mass an easy or quite challenging experience, and so each of us will need to consider what we can do to prepare ourselves for Mass. Growing up in Millarvile, we had a minute drive to get to Mass so we often prayed the rosary as a family, which sometimes worked and sometimes turned into a quick moment of prayer followed by prolonged conflict! Something similar may occur in your family. Also, the Church asks that we fast from all food and drink, expect water and medications, one hour prior to receiving the Holy Eucharist. By fasting, we show our willingness to make a small sacrifice of love to Christ,

4 affirming that He is the true food of everlasting life and that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Once we are in the church building, we can enter into a more intimate time of preparation for Mass. For many this will come through the recitation of the Holy Rosary, which when prayed together as a parish community is a beautiful witness of our love for Christ and His Holy Mother. For others, there is a desire for a time of quiet, private personal prayer, using a book of set prayers or taking the time to speak silently with the Lord. Others will prefer to spend the time socializing before Mass, catching up with friends about the week that has unfolded. Because it is difficult for those who would prefer the time before Mass to be that of quiet personal prayer to have multiple conversations unfolding around them, it is noble act of charity to take any conversations we desire to have with others outside of the church building, either going outside or into the parish hall, so as not to disturb those who need some quiet moments of prayer, which for many are the only quiet time they have to pray on a weekly basis.

5 Another important consideration for each of us to make before Mass begins is to call to mind those we will be praying for during that Mass. While it is the sacred duty of the priest to offer the bread and wine that becomes the Body and Blood of Christ on behalf of the entire congregation, his offering is not the only one that should be made at Mass. Each of us is called to offer our own spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. What I mean by spiritual sacrifices is all the intentions you desire to offer to God during that Mass. Imagine them being placed beside the host that the priest places on the golden paten (that is the circular metal plate he uses to place the large host upon) and poured into the chalice with the mixed wine and water. These intentions could include prayers for family and friends who are sick, an end to violence around the world, assistance in finding new work, help in school, resolution of conflicts with family, friends and co-workers, the ability to pray more often, for those who have died, and the countless other intentions that we are invited to offer up to the Lord. If we do not take a few moments before Mass begins to consider what we will offer to the Lord at that Mass, we will likely forget to do so and miss an opportunity to

6 intercede on behalf of others or make petitions to God for our many ongoing needs. With our own private and communal preparations for Mass complete, we are ready to enter the sacred mysteries of our redemption. As a point of interest, you may wonder how a priest goes about preparing himself for Mass. While I cannot speak for every priest, allow me to share with you some of the prayers I recite privately before Mass begins. If you have wondered why I always try to have about 10 minutes before Mass begins to prepare myself alone in my vestry, please know that I am praying during this time and not playing Pokemon. First, I recite the prayers that are assigned to each of the sacred vestments that I wear. Firstly for the amice, which is the white cloth I wear around my neck. It symbolizes protection against Satan and I pray that my mind and heart will be focused on the celebration of the Holy Mass. Then I put on the white, body length robe known as an alb. It symbolizes integrity and I pray that I be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb of God to offer Mass with a pure and contrite heart. Around my waist I tie a long rope

7 known as a cincture. It symbolizes purity and chastity and I pray that I continue to live my call to chaste celibacy with humility and devotion. Next I put around my neck a scarf like vestment called a stole. It symbolizes the office of the priesthood and I pray that despite being unworthy to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, that God in His mercy will permit me to do so. Finally, over top of my other vestments I put on the chasuble. It symbolizes charity and I pray that I may accept the ways in which Christ will place His Cross upon my shoulders. After these prayers are complete, I have a number of set prayers I recite to help me push aside worries, concerns and distractions and have a mind and heart ready for the celebration of the Holy Mass. I would like to leave you today with one of these prayers: Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Heavenly Virtues, Cherubim and Seraphim; holy men and women, and especially my patrons: intercede for me that I may be worthy to offer this Sacrifice to almighty God, to the praise and glory of His name, for my own welfare and also that of all His holy Church. Amen.