In the absence of the Mass, Jesus remains

What happens when all of a sudden we are told that there will be no Mass on Sunday and other holy days of obligation like during the Easter Season? What should our worship be like? For all those who religiously follow their obligation and devotion, it must be very disheartening, frustrating and sad.

Watching the Mass (on-line, TV or listening to the radio) is not at all complete compared to being there where we could participate. Worship is an act of deep faith. We can still have spiritual communion. Whether in our houses or somewhere we can lift our prayers in songs and meditation.

Now that we feel distant from the Church and only a few could have the luxury of time to visit the adoration chapels and spend some moments of silence and solitude, let us remember Masses are being said privately by our priests, bishops and our Holy Father himself in his chapel. As a clergy, I unite the intentions of the faithful near and far. I got to receive prayer requests on my phone, in the FB and calls. I have been requested to offer prayers and I got to hear the homilies of my brother priests.

But my ministry is still with and for the people in the name of Christ. The Mass is now missed and being revived by the people. The Mass is not time, place, motion, or structure. The Mass is our life, as the Body of Christ, where we all belong. Some places do not have regular Masses. Some countries restrict the exercise of religious freedom and expressions, and the faithful do not have the luxury and the privilege to attend the Mass.

Friends, we know we love the Eucharist so dearly. The Church understands this situation, difficulty, and disruption. But then we are still called to deepen our prayer and unite our prayers to all, especially the burdened, the broken and the blessed. We need Jesus in the Eucharist. It is our life, our faith, and our family. My hope is that once we resume and go back to the Church, a sense of deep and lasting enkindling of our love for the Mass will ensue and we will be more Christ-like, passionate to love and treasure.

 'ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND THE EUCHARIST, YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE THE CHURCH. NOT BECAUSE THE CHURCH WON'T LET YOU BUT BECAUSE YOUR HEART WON'T LET YOU.' St. Vincent de Paul