Mass - Robert Barron - Episode 1

Summary

The video script delves into the significance of the Catholic Mass as the ultimate way to connect with Jesus Christ. It highlights Vatican II's call for active participation in the Mass and emphasizes the sacred mysteries that allow worshippers to encounter divine realities. The Mass is described as a supreme form of adoration, play, and worship that brings humans closer to God. It concludes with a reflection on how the Mass unites Christ and his mystical body, urging full conscious engagement from believers.

Takeaways

• 📖 The Mass is the supreme way to relate to Jesus, serving as the ultimate form of prayer and adoration.
• 🙏 Vatican II emphasized that the Liturgy is the source and summit of Christian life, calling for full, conscious, and active participation in the Mass.
• 😔 Participation in the Mass has significantly declined in recent years, with only 20-25% of Catholics in the West regularly attending.
• 💬 The Mass is a two-fold encounter with Jesus, first through the Liturgy of the Word, where we communicate, and then through the Eucharist, where we share a meal with Christ.
• 🕊️ The Mass is a mystery, where concrete physical elements, like bread and wine, put us in contact with divine reality.
• 🎭 The Mass is the supreme form of play, according to theologian Romano Guardini, as it is done for its own sake and anticipates heavenly worship.
• 🌍 The Mass connects all of creation to God through right praise, where humans, as priests of creation, lead in adoration.
• 👼 The Mass is linked to the eternal praise of the saints and angels in heaven, lifting our voices to echo theirs in worship.
• 📣 The Mass is a call and response between Christ the Head and his mystical body, symbolizing a love affair between God and humanity.
• 💒 Active and full participation in the Mass is essential for experiencing its true spiritual power and aligning ourselves with God's divine will.

Q & A

What is the primary way Christians are called to relate to Jesus according to the script?

Christians are called to relate to Jesus through the Mass, which is described as the most intense and privileged form of adoration and encounter with the Living God.

Why does Vatican II place a high emphasis on participation in the Mass?

Vatican II emphasizes full, conscious, and active participation in the Mass because it considers the Mass the source and summit of Christian life, the highest form of worship and the ultimate encounter with Christ.

What did Monsignor Reynold Hillenbrand criticize regarding Mass attendance in the past?

Monsignor Reynold Hillenbrand criticized the fact that only 50-60% of Catholics were attending Mass on Sundays in the 1960s. He would be more alarmed by current attendance figures, which are now around 20-25% in some Western countries and even lower in others.

What analogy does the speaker use to explain the structure of the Mass?

The speaker compares the structure of the Mass to a visit from a friend: first, there is conversation (Liturgy of the Word), then a meal (Liturgy of the Eucharist), just as we typically talk to a friend before sharing a meal.

How does the speaker define the term 'mystery' in relation to the Mass?

The speaker defines 'mystery' using Jeremy Driscoll’s definition: a mystery is a concrete something that, when encountered, puts us in contact with a Divine reality. The Mass is filled with such mysteries.

What does Romano Guardini mean by calling the Mass the 'Supreme form of play'?

Romano Guardini calls the Mass the 'Supreme form of play' because it is done entirely for its own sake, not for any practical purpose, making it a higher activity than work, which is done for external goals.

Why does the speaker emphasize adoration in the Mass?

The speaker emphasizes adoration because it aligns us with God. In adoration, we are 'mouth to mouth' with God, acknowledging His supreme worth and giving Him the highest form of worship, which fulfills our deepest identity.

What does the speaker mean by saying that Mass has a 'cosmic dimension'?

The speaker means that during Mass, humans join with all of creation in offering right praise to God, thus leading all of creation in a cosmic chorus of worship. This is reflected in the symbolism of Gothic cathedrals, which depict elements of nature.

How does the Mass connect Earthly worship to heavenly worship?

The Mass connects Earthly worship to heavenly worship because it allows the congregation to participate in the eternal praise of the saints and angels. This connection is explicitly stated in prayers like the 'Holy, Holy' during the liturgy.

What does the speaker mean by describing the Mass as a 'call and response' between Christ and His mystical body?

The speaker means that the Mass is a dialogue where Christ, the head, calls out through the priest or bishop, and the congregation, as the mystical body, responds. This interaction reflects the unity of Christ and His followers in worship.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 The Mass: A Divine Encounter

The Mass is the most profound way to connect with Jesus Christ, surpassing other forms of prayer and adoration. It is not a lecture or performance, but a sacred mystery that brings us into contact with the divine. The Vatican II called for full, conscious, and active participation in the Mass, seeing it as the source and summit of Christian life. However, church attendance has drastically declined, with as few as 20% of Catholics regularly attending. The speaker emphasizes that many Catholics who attend may not fully grasp the significance of the Mass, which is central to their faith.

05:00

✝️ The Mass as a Personal Encounter with Christ

The Mass is Christianity’s most privileged encounter with Jesus Christ. It isn't just a philosophy or moral system, but a relationship with a person—Jesus. The two major parts of the Mass—the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist—mirror how we engage with friends, first by talking and sharing, then by dining. During the Mass, we speak with Christ and then share a meal with Him, as His body and blood are offered. This sacred moment underscores the Mass as the pinnacle of Christian life, which many Catholics neglect despite Christ being the center of their lives.

10:01

⛪ The Mass as a Mystery and Sacred Encounter

The Mass is referred to as a 'sacred mystery,' where concrete, physical actions and symbols lead us to encounter divine realities. Drawing from theologians like Abbott Jeremy Driscoll, the Mass is a series of ‘mysteries’—visible, tangible signs that put us in contact with God. Every element of the Mass, from the procession and incense to the consecration of bread and wine, serves as a conduit to the divine. This 'mysterion' of the Mass allows participants to encounter the transcendent in a very real and present way.

15:02

🎭 The Mass as the Supreme Form of Play

Romano Guardini, a key influence on several Popes, described the Mass as the 'supreme form of play.' This concept challenges conventional thinking, which often prioritizes work as the most important activity. In reality, work is subordinate to a practical end, while play is done purely for its own sake, making it higher and more precious. The Mass, seen as a form of play, reflects this truth: it is the most 'useless' yet most beautiful act we can engage in. The Mass’s ceremonial elements, such as vestments and processions, mirror the serious and joyful nature of children’s play, pointing to the higher purpose of liturgy.

20:04

🌍 The Mass as Cosmic Worship

The Mass is a moment of cosmic worship, where humanity, as priests of creation, leads all creatures in offering praise to God. Just as the procession in a liturgy culminates with the priest leading the congregation in worship, creation’s procession culminates with humans leading praise to the Creator. The concept of 'adoration,' derived from the Latin 'ad ora' (mouth-to-mouth), reflects our intimate alignment with God during the Mass. This act of adoration allows us to fulfill our deepest purpose, aligning all creation in praise of God. The Mass is thus a moment where we are truly ourselves, fulfilling our role as leaders in cosmic worship.

🎶 The Mass as Heavenly Praise

The Mass is not only a sacred moment on Earth but also a participation in the eternal praise of Heaven. Far from being distant or separate, Heaven is closer to us than we are to ourselves, and during Mass, our praise echoes the praise of the angels and saints. Vatican II emphasized that the Mass should never be viewed as a passive event or performance. Instead, it is a dynamic act of worship, a 'call and response' between Christ the Head and His mystical body—the Church. This mutual exchange allows us to fully participate in the divine praise that links Earth and Heaven.

Keywords

💡Mass

The Mass is the central religious service in Catholicism, a ritual where believers encounter Christ through the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the video, it is described as the 'great prayer' and the 'Supreme form of adoration' where people come into contact with the Divine, emphasizing its spiritual importance for Catholics.

💡Liturgy

Liturgy refers to the form and structure of public worship in the Church. The video describes it as having two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word (where Christ speaks to believers) and the Liturgy of the Eucharist (where believers receive Christ’s body and blood). Vatican II emphasized that liturgy is the 'source and summit of the Christian life,' highlighting its importance in Catholic faith.

💡Vatican II

Vatican II, or the Second Vatican Council, was an ecumenical council of the Catholic Church held from 1962 to 1965. The video references Vatican II's call for full, conscious, and active participation in the Mass, encouraging a deeper understanding and involvement in the liturgy by all Catholics. It reflects a significant shift in the Church's approach to worship.

💡Adoration

Adoration refers to the worship and reverence given to God. In the video, it is explained as aligning oneself with God, being 'mouth to mouth' with Him. The Mass is described as the highest moment of adoration, where believers offer praise and come into communion with the Divine, fulfilling their purpose as creatures made to worship.

💡Mystery

In the context of the Mass, 'mystery' refers to the spiritual realities hidden within the physical rituals of worship. The video explains that the Mass is a 'Mysterion,' a concrete something that brings believers into contact with Divine reality. Each element of the Mass, from the procession to the Eucharist, is part of this great mystery.

💡Eucharist

The Eucharist is the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood, consecrated and consumed during the Mass. It represents the most intimate encounter with Jesus Christ. The video emphasizes the Eucharist as the high point of the Mass, where believers share a meal with Christ, making it the 'privileged encounter' with Him.

💡Participation

Participation refers to the active involvement of the congregation in the Mass. Vatican II emphasized that Catholics should fully, consciously, and actively participate in the liturgy. The video laments the decline in Mass attendance and stresses the need for deeper engagement with the worship experience, rather than passive observation.

💡Worship

Worship is the act of showing reverence and adoration for God. In the video, worship is described as the central purpose of human life. The Mass is the 'Supreme moment of worship,' where humans lead all creation in a chorus of praise to God, aligning themselves with the divine order through right worship.

💡Priest

A priest is a religious leader who conducts the Mass and leads the congregation in worship. The video highlights the role of the priest as 'a man of the Mass,' whose primary function is to lead others in this sacred act of worship. Priests embody the connection between Christ and the congregation during the liturgy.

💡Sacred

Sacred refers to something holy or set apart for divine purposes. In the video, the Mass is described as a 'sacred mystery'—a moment that transcends ordinary life and brings believers into the presence of God. Each element of the Mass, from the words spoken to the Eucharistic elements, is part of the sacred encounter with the Divine.

Highlights

The Mass is the most intense and privileged way to relate to Jesus Christ.

Vatican II emphasized full, conscious, and active participation in the Mass by all Catholics.

The Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life, as stated by Vatican II.

Only 20-25% of Catholics in the West attend Mass, reflecting a decline in participation.

The Mass is a mystery that puts us into contact with the Divine reality.

Christianity is not primarily a philosophy or moral system but a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Mass has two major divisions: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which mirror human relationships.

The Mass is the most intense encounter with Jesus Christ, especially through the Eucharist.

The Mass is a concrete mystery, a physical act that puts us in touch with the Divine.

The Mass is the supreme form of play, done for its own sake and as the highest form of human activity.

The Mass is an anticipation of heaven, where eternal praise and adoration occur.

Worship in the Mass is the moment when human beings are most aligned with their true purpose.

Bad praise leads to disorder and trouble, as illustrated throughout the Bible.

The Mass connects earthly worship with the eternal praise of the saints and angels in heaven.

The Mass is a call and response between Christ the Head and the members of His mystical body, uniting them in divine worship.

Transcripts

foreign

response

between Christ the head

and his mystical body

[Music]

we are called to relationship with Jesus

there is no more intense privileged way

to relate to him than at the mass

it's the great prayer

Supreme form of adoration

[Music]

the ultimate form of play

[Music]

the way by which we encounter the Living

God

[Music]

it's a mystery that puts us into contact

with the Divine reality

[Music]

the mass is not a lecture or a

performance

that we witness from a distance

[Music]

in the mass

[Music]

foreign

[Music]

calls of Vatican II

was for all of us fully consciously and

actively to participate in the mass

Vatican II also said that the Liturgy is

the source and the summit of the

Christian Life it put a huge premium on

the mass it wanted more and more of us

to be more fully participating in this

great prayer

just recently I was reading something by

a hero of mine Monsignor Reynold

hillenbrand who was a leader in the

Liturgical Movement in the last century

he was giving a talk around the year

1960.

and he was bemoaning the fat

that only 50 to 60 percent of Catholics

were attending Mass on Sunday

only 50 to 60 percent you know what the

figure is now

in the west I'm like in our country it's

maybe 20 25 percent

go to other parts in Europe and

Australia gets down to 10 15 percent

if you had told the fathers of Vatican

II that in the year 2017 that would be

the level of participation in the mass

Vatican II wants us

fully involved and fully understanding

fully participating in the Liturgy but I

think first of all many many have fallen

away from him

but secondly even a lot of Catholics who

do come to mass I'm increasingly

convinced don't fully appreciate what it

is they're participating in

so my talks today are all about the mass

you know in many ways it's my favorite

topic because as a priest I'm I'm a man

of the mass

when I was Rector at Mundelein Seminary

outside Chicago I used to tell the

students all the time you're preparing

to become men of the mass all that you

do comes from the mass returns to the

Mass finds its life and energy in the

mass

so it's my favorite topic and I think if

Vatican 2 is right it should be the

favorite topic of

everybody in the church

let me Begin by invoking a friend of

mine Father John Muir he's a priest in

the Phoenix diocese and John was a

former student of mine at Mundelein

and um John is is the best amateur

golfer I know he golfs like

72-73 and for about five years the week

after Christmas I would go to Phoenix to

play golf with John for a week

well like all great golfers he's a

terrific putter right so one day we're

walking up the

Fairway and I said to him John give me a

little help here with reading greens you

know how do you read a green so well and

he said well first look at the mountains

and I just laugh at the mountains he

goes yeah putts tend to break away from

a mountain

then he said read your way in from the

mountain until you get to the green then

we'll start reading the green and I

always think of John when I'm

approaching a big topic like the mass

I think first we have to get the big

picture we got to look at the mountains

first so in this first talk that's what

I'll do I'll talk about some basic

themes around the mask but then we're

going to move in and we're going to get

to the green we're going to read the

green carefully in the next five talks

I'll kind of walk through all the

elements of the Mask

so first the big picture the mountains

here's the first general theme I want

you to know about the mass

the mass is a great Encounter With Jesus

Christ

in fact it's the privileged Encounter

With Jesus Christ

so Christianity is not a philosophy

primarily

it's not a moral system primarily not a

sociology not an ideology

Christianity is a relationship to a

person it's a relationship with this

Jesus

and we can relate to the Lord in all

sorts of ways but there is no more

Intent no more privileged way to relate

to him than at the mass

think for a second of the two major

divisions of the mass

so we have the Liturgy of the word and

then the Liturgy of the Eucharist right

well they correspond precisely to the

ways we usually relate to friends when

they come over

right when someone comes over to visit

typically we talk for a while

no one comes to the door and say Here's

dinner you know no first we sit down and

we talk we share stories experiences Etc

and then typically we move into sharing

a meal

so with Christ

at the mass we encounter him him in

person and first we visit we talk he

speaks to us

we speak back to him and I'll say much

more about this now in the ensuing

tongues

and then after we visit

we sit down for a meal

not an ordinary meal but one at which

Christ himself is the host at which his

own body and blood are served there is

no more intense encounter with him

possible than the mass now can you see

why the Vatican II father said this is

the source and Summit of the Christian

Life and why everybody it's so tragic

that 75 of our own brothers and sisters

in the Catholic faith regularly stay

away from the man's

oh Jesus Christ he's the center of my

life

Jesus Christ is what it's all about and

yet

I regularly stay away from the

privileged encounter with him

see that's the problem we're facing

here's a second General remark about the

mass

the mass is the Great

mystery

you know the beginning of the mass the

priest will say let's prepare ourselves

to celebrate these sacred Mysteries

that lovely word Mysterion in Greek

mysterium and Latin mystery

what's a mystery

here's a definition from a friend of

mine and one of the great experts in the

Liturgy Abbott Jeremy Driscoll he's the

Abbott up at Mount Angel in Oregon

here's his pithy definition of a mystery

it's a Concrete something

that when you bump into it it puts you

in contact with a Divine reality

that's a cool little pithy definition a

mystery a Mysterion is a concrete

something that you bump into and it puts

you into contact with a Divine reality

do you see how the mass in its entirety

is a set of mysteries

from the procession of the ministers

to the candles to the incense to the

proclamation of the word to the

transfigured elements of bread and wine

to the blessing offered by the priest or

the bishop all of it is a great

Mysterion

a concrete physical something that we

encounter that gives us access to the

Divine reality

in the course of the talks this morning

now I'm going to be telling you all

about these Mysteries and how they open

us up

to the divine

here's a third general idea about the

mass and here I'm taking an a lead from

romano gordini and if you know that name

Romano guardini despite his very Italian

name was a German born and German

writing Theologian in the last century

very influential upon John Paul II

Benedict XVI and Pope Francis

in fact Pope Francis went to Europe to

do doctoral work and he wanted to write

a major paper on romano guardini and

just very recently by the way they were

proposing the beatification of this

great figure so here's an idea from

guardini

he says the Liturgy the mass is the

Supreme form of play

what way seems counterintuitive I

thought the mass is the most serious

thing we can possibly do

well that's the point

see we tend to get it precisely backward

we think work

is what's most important work is serious

stuff for serious people

play is kind of trivial it's superficial

it's unimportant

precisely badly

work is that activity which is

subordinate to an end Beyond itself

right

so I work on my car that I might get it

to run so I can go and go places and do

things I want to do

I go to work

so I can make money and do things that I

really want to do

work is for the sake of something else

[Music]

play is done entirely for its own

sake

play has no purpose outside of itself

therefore it's higher than work

it's more beautiful it's more precious

than work

you know in this very church just a

couple weeks ago

there was a gathering of the Knights of

the Holy Sepulcher and I'm a proud

member of that group and this was the

mass for the installation of new members

and we're writing this church it's

filled up like it is today

and boy the Knights of the Holy

Sepulcher they know how to how to dress

for their ceremonies the men are in

these long capes emblazoned with the

Jerusalem cross they have these kind of

jaunty Berets on the women are in Long

Black gowns and montias well there were

all kinds of priests and Bishops up here

all in you know Mass vestments Bishops

with the tall miters and then for the

installation itself the Bishops came

down wearing miters and they took these

great swords out

and they dubbed the people as they were

received well I was sitting right over

here I remember thinking what a

wonderful form of play this is you know

and we're all doing what kids do when

they play We're dressing up now see I'm

saying it this way on purpose just to

make the point as Chesterton observed

children always know how to engage in

serious play

see kids know instinctually play is the

more serious thing and we tend to knock

that out of them we convince them oh no

no work work is what's more important be

real practical no kids understand play

is the most serious and we tend to dress

up when we play

so think of the mass now as the Supreme

form of play

it's the most useless thing we can do

and by that I mean it's the highest

thing we can do

when I used to teach philosophy of the

Seminary years ago and I was introducing

students to this Arcane discipline of

philosophy I would use that line I'd say

gentlemen we're about to engage in the

most useless study that we can

and they would do just what you did they

would laugh you know and I say no no I

mean that is the highest praise

that's why for example we refer to

philosophy as one of the liberal arts

just like literature and so on liberal

Liber in Latin means free right

what are they free from they're free

from utility

they're free from practicality they're

done for their own sake like watching a

baseball game like engaging in a

philosophical conversation those are

forms of play the mass the mass is the

Supreme form of play by the way it's

what we will do forever in heaven

now I know if you've been to some bad

liturgies that can be a little

depressing you know so I get that but

see in principle in principle that's

what heaven is it's a place of utter

uselessness because we'll be in the

presence of the Supreme good

Mass

in its

playful uselessness is a great

anticipation of Heaven

here's a fourth General theme

the mass is the Supreme moment of

worship and brothers and sisters this is

such an important point I think

I think it's one of the best ways to

read the whole Bible the Bible is about

right and wrong forms of worship now

here's what I mean

go back to the very beginning of the

Bible go back to the Book of Genesis

as God brings forth creation and that

beautiful poetic text

let there be light and there was light

and let the Earth be formed and so it

was and let the Earth be filled with

animals and plants of every kind and let

it be filled with things that crawl upon

the Earth right and then evening came

morning follow the first day evening K

morning follow the second day notice

please this stately procession of

elements coming forth from God

what does that remind you of seeing we

Catholics are kind of clued into that

it's a bit like a liturgy isn't it like

a liturgical procession

the elements coming forth

very important

what shouldn't we do with these things

now think of of sun and moon and Planet

the Earth the mountains animals we

shouldn't worship them right and in the

ancient world at one time or another all

those things were worshiped

the author of Genesis is saying don't

worship them they're creatures

but but

precisely because they come forth in

this orderly liturgical way

we understand their purpose

they are meant to turn toward the

Creator in right praise

now who comes at the end of a liturgical

procession

the one who will lead the praise right

so all the ministers come in imagine

that the servers and the ministers and

the Lecter and the incense Bearer and so

on all coming forth who comes at the end

but the priest or the bishop who will

lead the praise

who comes at the end of the great

procession of creation

but human beings

now we get it now we get it

our whole purpose

is to be the priests if you want of

creation

leading all of Creation in a great

chorus of praise to the Creator God

in that act of adoration

we realize who we are meant to be we

realize our deepest identity and that

word I love by the way adoration mass is

the Supreme moment of adoration

Adora in Latin Aura means Mouse doesn't

it

to the mouth of when you adore you are

mouth to mouth with God it means you're

aligned unto God so here we are aligned

unto God consciously worshiping him and

leading a whole chorus of Praise of all

creation

that's the biblical vision of the good

life of the rightly ordered life

where's trouble come fellow Sinners so

we all know this story

trouble comes from

bad praise

and I challenge you go through the whole

Bible I challenge you to find an

exception to that when Israel goes off

kilter it's because of bad praise

worshiping not the Creator but the

creature

whether it's Idols whether it's

political Powers whether it's it's the

your own culture whether it's the king

whatever when you worship and that

word's lovely too by the way Worship in

English is from an older English word

worthship

what's of highest worth to you see

there's the that's the question

Paul tillick said then the great

Protestant Theologian he said all you

need to know about a person you can

learn by asking one question

what do you worship

it's very penetrating Insight all you

need to know about a person you can

learn by asking one question what do you

worship because what's of highest value

to you will now become the ordering

principle of your whole life right

human beings are meant to worship

worship God and in that process draw all

of creation into this great chorus of

praise

now now the mass the mass and I'll talk

about much more detail as we go but the

mass is the moment when we are most

ourselves

because we've gathered

in adoration odd Aura mouth to mouth

worth shipping giving highest praise to

God and that's why there's a cosmic

element to every Mass read Joseph

rossinger on this over and over again he

stresses the cosmic dimension of the

mass that's why if you go to the great

Gothic cathedrals

you'll find they're covered inside and

out

with symbols of of nature of planets and

animals and the Stars

right right as we give right praise to

God we're leading all the creation a

great chorus of praise

that's what's happening at Mass

and that's why at Mass we are most our

selves

now listen this is happening at 6 30

Mass on Tuesday morning right I I all

this Grand language but that's the

Wonder of it as even 10 people gather 6

30 Mass on a Tuesday morning that's

what's happening

I love that line from Thomas Merton

when he went to The Abbey of Gethsemane

as a young man just to go on Retreat and

he was he's being drawn into the

Catholic world

but he did that Retreat there and then

he wrote afterwards I found the Still

Point

around which the whole country revolves

without knowing it

beautiful see what he had found was the

Liturgy he'd found the mass the mass

adoration right praise

here's something I'll say more about it

as we go too the link to heaven the link

to heaven

do you know there's a song and I'm not

bad mouthing the music of it but the

lyrics I Don't Like

it's a song that says it's not in some

Heaven light years away but here in this

place is Where We Gather I feel what I'm

talking about gather Us in here we are

not in some Heaven light years away well

first of all heaven isn't light years

away that's like Jupiter or something I

mean Heaven's not like physically heaven

in fact is closer to us than we are to

ourselves right

but the point is it's precisely in

heaven that we are When We Gather for

Mass why because our praise here below

is meant to participate in and Echo the

Eternal Praise of the Saints and angels

in heaven

May our voices be one with theirs we say

later in the mass right at the Holy Holy

well who's who are we talking about

there but the angels

see gathered in adoration rightly

ordered May our

praise here below Echo and participate

in theirs the mass lifts us up

to Heaven again I'll say more about it

as we go

that's why it's so important and this

Vatican II was so insistent upon this

that the mass is not like a lecture or a

performance right that we come to to

witness from a distance

great Prayer by which we are rightly

ordered unto God there is your full

conscious and active participation in it

how about just um one more general idea

the mass is a great call and response

between Christ The Head and the members

of his mystical body let me just say

that again because I'll come back to

this theme a lot the mass is a great

call in response

between Christ The Head and the members

of his mystical body

you know read the great Song of Songs in

the Old Testament which is a beautiful

love poem it's like two kids in love and

they spend the whole poem calling out to

each other

well of course the mystics of our

tradition have seen that as a symbol of

our love affair with God

so think of the mass now as not just

something set up here that I guess we

respond to it what said up here what

said by the priest or the bishop is

meant to be the call of Christ

our response is the response of his

mystical body

so that we come together

see we're most ourselves watch now when

we are gathered together as members of

his mystical body ordered to God and

write praise does that make sense and

the mass is what affects that the mass

is what affects that moment

which is why it's the source and Summit

of the Christian Life and why we're

meant fully consciously and actively to

participate in it

[Music]

foreign