At this past weekend's Masses here (and throughout the state of Arkansas), we heard from Bishop Taylor about the start of the three year Eucharistic Revival that started approximately on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord. In it, he spoke especially to and about those who already are participating weekly in the celebration of the Mass. He asked all of us to reflect on how our actions before, during (and I say after we receive Jesus in Holy Communion) gives witness to our faith in Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist we celebrate and receive. He spoke about observing "a reverent silence" in the body of the church before Mass.
I feel confident in saying that most of us grew up being taught by nuns and/or parents, that such a reverent silence not only allows the space to prepare ourselves for Mass, but that such a silence should ALWAYS be observed out of respect for Jesus present in the tabernacle before, during, and after Mass. Such silence or maybe a softer term is quiet, also allows the person who chooses to stay after Mass in personal prayer to not have the distraction of hearing people talking. This week's bulletin contains the "Padre Pio Prayer After Communion" which I hope you will cut out and use either in church after you have received Holy Communion during and/or after Mass in church or in the adoration chapel, or at home when you return from celebrating the Eucharist.
Two more things I want to address, in following up on what the bishop recommended, is the respect and reverence that is due to the Eucharistic Lord after one has received Holy Communion. This happens when we stand, kneel or sit and speak to the Lord and listen to him who has graciously and lovingly come into our bodies through Holy Communion. This means staying until the Prayer after Communion, the blessing and the dismissal (and hopefully through the singing of the recessional hymn). In my mind, the only exception to this is a person who's health condition is such that they need to leave Mass earlier than the dismissal for health reasons. What a blessing it would be if we had the same number of people who are leaving church soon after receiving Holy Communion (which I believe is a serious sin of disrespect to Jesus), staying after the Mass has ended for precious time and prayer with Jesus.
I said earlier that there were two more things that I wanted to bring up about our disposition in church when we come to Mass, but I think I'll save it and other reflections for another pastor's column. I pray you strongly consider what has been presented in this column and seek to make your experience in coming to Mass more fruitful while you are there and a blessing throughout the week ahead.
I feel confident in saying that most of us grew up being taught by nuns and/or parents, that such a reverent silence not only allows the space to prepare ourselves for Mass, but that such a silence should ALWAYS be observed out of respect for Jesus present in the tabernacle before, during, and after Mass. Such silence or maybe a softer term is quiet, also allows the person who chooses to stay after Mass in personal prayer to not have the distraction of hearing people talking. This week's bulletin contains the "Padre Pio Prayer After Communion" which I hope you will cut out and use either in church after you have received Holy Communion during and/or after Mass in church or in the adoration chapel, or at home when you return from celebrating the Eucharist.
Two more things I want to address, in following up on what the bishop recommended, is the respect and reverence that is due to the Eucharistic Lord after one has received Holy Communion. This happens when we stand, kneel or sit and speak to the Lord and listen to him who has graciously and lovingly come into our bodies through Holy Communion. This means staying until the Prayer after Communion, the blessing and the dismissal (and hopefully through the singing of the recessional hymn). In my mind, the only exception to this is a person who's health condition is such that they need to leave Mass earlier than the dismissal for health reasons. What a blessing it would be if we had the same number of people who are leaving church soon after receiving Holy Communion (which I believe is a serious sin of disrespect to Jesus), staying after the Mass has ended for precious time and prayer with Jesus.
I said earlier that there were two more things that I wanted to bring up about our disposition in church when we come to Mass, but I think I'll save it and other reflections for another pastor's column. I pray you strongly consider what has been presented in this column and seek to make your experience in coming to Mass more fruitful while you are there and a blessing throughout the week ahead.