Jesus, at the Last Supper, not only instituted the Eucharist, the Sacrifice of His Body and Blood, but he also commanded us to “do this in remembrance of Me” (Lk 22:19) “In the institution narrative, the power of the words and the action of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, make sacramentally present under the species of bread and wine Christ’s body and blood, his sacrifice offered on the cross once for all. In the anamnesis that follows [the institution narrative], the Church calls to mind the Passion, resurrection, and glorious return of Christ Jesus; she presents to the Father the offering of his Son which reconciles us with him.” CCC 1353-1354
During the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, Christ is not resacrificed at each Mass. Instead, we enter into that one moment in history where Jesus’ sacrifice conquers the ultimate evil, death. Since death is a reality that impacts all people of all times, his victorious suffering stands outside of time. "Therefore, during the Eucharistic sacrifice, the veil of time is torn open and we kneel in the presence of that divine moment, which conquers what appears to be unconquerable.”[1]
Again, the Catechism confirms, “The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice…In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner.” [CCC 1367]
As we are present in this true, and active sacrifice of the Mas, we ought to respond in a sober yet joyful way—in other words, with a sense of reverence. The same reverence that Moses assumed when he encountered the Burning Bush and that astonished Peter, James, and John when they witnessed Christ’s Transfiguration. We live in a world that never stops to smell the roses. Because of this - it takes us all true focus and practice in order to give the reverence and attention required during Christ’s sacrifice offered up during Mass. The liturgy should pass beyond our human senses of sight, hearing, touch, etc., and touch the heart and soul. The liturgy can only achieve its true purpose if this occurs. The Holy Sacrifice of Mass must reach the human soul in its depths this way, or it fails. Jesus expresses this necessary impact when he quoted this passage: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” [Isaiah 29:13]
It is easy for us all to simply go through the motions. To sit, stand, kneel, and recite the prayers we’ve been reciting since childhood. However, if we do not open our hearts to allow Christ’s sacrifice to transform us, then we are not truly participating in the Mass, as expected. The Eucharist is the true center of our whole Christian life CCC 1324-1327 and we must ‘stop and smell the roses,’ giving Christ’s true and active sacrifice the utmost reverence, prayer, and heart that it deserves.
Mass Reverence Tips
- Wear your “Sunday Best”
- Bless with Holy Water upon entering God’s house
- Genuflect before entering your pew
- Fold your hands during prayer
- Bow head and/or fold hands at the consecration of the Eucharist
- Participate in all prayers (spoken or sung)
- Give proper discernment regarding your state of grace in receiving the Eucharist
- Kneel in prayer after reception of the Eucharist
- Remain at Mass until (at least) the final blessing
[1] Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Dr. Brant Pitre