Sometimes when I come to mass, I can be preoccupied with some project or some family matter, and it seems I can go through the whole liturgy, without actually being mentally there.

I love being in the presence of the Lord, but the quiet time can let my brain go active.

So, to compensate for this, I have been starting to participate, that is, add active steps to engage with the mass.

First off, at the start of the service, the priest always does what is called the “Penitential Act, that starts with some sort of sin reflection, then the Kyrie, and ends with a prayer of absolution from the priest. I always try to pay enough attention to be able to do a sign of the cross as Father finishes that prayer. I do this as a way of accepting his blessing.

Second of all, at the start of the Communion rite, Father says prayers, and blesses the bread and wine before starting the last supper prayers. I always try to do a sign of the cross on myself as Father does the same on the Bread and Wine.

I do this, because the bread and wine up to that point, are not different from any other bread and wine. But they are blessed by the priest in anticipation of becoming the Body and Blood of Christ. In the same way, when we come to mass, we are not any different from any other human (except having been baptized, I suppose), so I accept the Priest’s blessing of the gifts with blessing of myself in preparation for receipt of the body and blood of Christ.

And then when the priest raises up the Body of Christ, and then the Blood of Christ, I observe the juxtaposition of the Crucifix and the Eucharist/Blood, and say “My King and my God”.

I find it interesting that the words to Panis Angelicus – Bread of Angels, was written by my patron saint – Thomas Aquinas.

In addition, “My King and My God” were the words spoken by St Thomas, the Apostle, after he put his hands into the wounds of Jesus after his resurrection.

So if I manage to stay engaged enough to remember to do these things, I consider that I have concentrated fairly well. Sometimes I just have to acknowledge that I missed.

If this helps you, then it was worth sharing. If you do similar things, please share them so we can learn from each other.

Regards

Tom Neugebauer

Seized by Christ