The Important Stuff

What is most important right now? This is a question I must always ask myself to ensure that I am focusing on the most important task at hand. This is a freeing feeling to recognize that something does not need to happen right now and that something more pressing needs to take precedence. I have come to recognize this with several aspects of parish life that I thought should be done ASAP but realized it could wait.

However, there are also things that we can sometimes ignore because we do not want to have the difficult conversation or suffer the consequences of doing the right thing. The Saints were marked by their ability to act uprightly and justly despite the persecutions, obstacles, and other difficulties they encountered in seeking to love God and their neighbor. The Saints always acted according to what glorifies God first and did not shy away from the trials that would come their way as a result. What is the point of this reflection? That when we act as individuals do we act with the intention of glorifying God? When we act as a parish do we act with the intention of glorifying God? When we act as a Family of Parishes do we act with the intention of glorifying God? Or do we act out of our own selfishness and desire to fit in? Do we act in fear of how people will respond to us? Will someone abandon me if I seek Christ first? These are all important questions to ask ourselves and to ask the Lord to purify our intentions.

The Catholic Church calls the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, “the source and summit” of the Christian Life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324) Meaning that the Mass is the summit of the Christian Life’s purpose: to give glory to God in all things. At the same time, it is at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that we receive the source of graces that we need in order to glorify God in our everyday lives, whether that be at work, at chores, at school, at home, in the grocery store, and yes, even on the road. The Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross at Calvary continues to pour graces upon us through the Mass. Jesus is not sacrificed again but instead, His once for all sacrifice on the Cross continues to be made present throughout every time and every land in the Holy Mass. What a great gift Christ and the Church has given us in the wonderful Sacrifice of the Mass.

Should we not then seek to give greater glory to God at Mass? For the Mass is the most important thing, not just in our faith journey but in our entire lives. That is why all our priests are so serious at Mass and why they are so focused on “doing it the right way.” That is why we want to express by our very examples that Mass is the most important thing in the world. This is why when I am celebrating Mass, I see myself at the foot of the Cross asking our Lord Jesus crucified to pour out an abundance of graces upon each of you. This also why the Church asks that priests try to not celebrate many Masses in a day. When you try to pray Mass as a representation of the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ it is an exhausting reality. This is even more the case with Sunday Mass, which is why I try to ensure that the priests of our family do not have to celebrate many Masses in the lead up to Vigil and Sunday Masses. I want to safeguard our spiritual and emotional reserves for the height of each week which is Sunday Mass (the reason Sunday Mass is obligatory for Catholics.)

Thank you to all parents who bring your children to Mass. I cannot imagine how difficult that is for each of you. But know I want them at Mass, as does our Lord. The most valuable thing your children can see you doing is praying, especially praying at Mass. So, keep up your commitment to Christ and His Church. 

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Jarred Kohn