Chapter 4: Rite Makes Might: The Difference Mass Makes

This last chapter left me with the strong desire to hold on to all this insight. I don't want to forget it in a week or two. I want my love for and understanding of the Mass and Our Lord to just keep deeping. "The Mass is the marriage supper of the Lamb." We consume the Lamb.... Here God gives us His very life. Am I willing to totally give him myself to Him.... Totally. Really? (Lord I believe, help my unbelief.) I am thankful that the Lord is so forgiving because I am so weak. .................... "By dipping your fingers into holy water, you renew the covenant begun with your baptism.......... thus renewing your obligation to live up to the rights and duties of the New Covenant. You will love God with all your heart, and mind, and soul, and strength; you will love your neighbor as yourself." Lord, help to to live in this way......... Isn't awesome that as Catholics we have so many visual reminders of our relationship with God? I love to "Sign" myself in public as a visiable testamony of my Catholic faith in the Lord and I am then challenged to live that faith as a greater witness. ........... I take from this book so much. ..... It is a privilege to receive HIM!

Pt. 3, Ch. 3 Parish the Thought!

"Meet you in heaven' is the phrase that comes to mind after reading this section. The chapter, reinforcing that we are all part of God's clan or family, reinforcing the call to help each other to "seek the Lord and He shall be found." We don't want to leave anyone behind .... left behind because we do not try to reach them. ...... Hahn says each Mass is a Family Reunion.... (don't we dress like it) ................ The sign of our family is "the sign of the Cross" another "Catholic" thing with more meaning than we realize... It is our mark ... our spiritual family tatoo. ....... I also mean to reflect more on the line on p, 151 "Grace makes up for the weakness of human nature. With His help, we're able to do what we couldn't do by ourselves: namely, love perfectly and sacrifice totally." Hahn closes the section with "The Eucharist changes us," and I think I see that in myself. First you start getting more out of weekly Mass, then you are drawn to daily Mass and then to Eucharistic Adoration once, twice or more a week. With this comes change including a greater awareness of my own sinfulness and a desire to serve. I continue to pray, "Lord make me into the woman you want me to be." Major change is needed.............. Our common sainthood begins now. Lord help me to love people enough to draw then to the table. ...... I don't know if this all makes sense but that's all folks ... for tonight. Meet you at Mass....... sooner or later.

Pt. 3, Ch. 2: Worship is Warfare

This topic is coming at me from all sides.... Spiritual Warfare. I have two books started on the topic. (Catholic Warrior and God's Armor) Fortunately they are balanced out with my two books on Eucharist ... our source of power.....................One of the hightlights of this chapter is the reminder of a neglected part of our spirituality and armor, the angels. "...angels are on our side, fighting constantly, even while we sleep." "The angel who protects you and the saints who intercede for you are more numberous." (p. 132) .... than the enemy. "Revelation shows that it is the saints and angels who direct history by their prayers." (p.132) WOW! wow! oh! how little we call upon their assistance. We have body guards and armor we don't use... or at least not as much as we should........... "We stand on the earth as the elements stand on the altar. We are here to be transformed: to die to self, live for others, and love like God." (p. 135/6) We are the gifts on the altar at Mass. We are praying to be transformed. We are living sacrifices who become living tabernacles, living monstrances carrying and show Chist to the world. Is that really me or the me I want to be. Lord transform this unworthy sacrifice. I quest this transformation begins as it says on p.138 when we "identify our own sinful habits and begin to root them out. All the while, we need to grow in the wisdom and virtue that make us more like Christ." "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner." The Mass allows us to self examine and should be prepared for with frequent Sacramental Reconciliation. (Good intentions don't get me there often enough.) ............ Lord help us to win this spiritual life or death battle. I ask for the intercession of all the angels and saints.

Part 3 chapter 1 - Lifting the Veil

This chapter reminds me of the phrase, "back to good." It is a chapter that makes me want to quickly read more. It makes me anticipate with eagerness the next Mass I will attend. It also makes me yearn to help lift the veil from the eyes of others who have no idea of the TREASURE, the LORD, the GOD they are receiving or are neglecting to receive............ "I will be with you always" takes on new meaning when we really begin to understand Christ's Eucharistic presence. .................. "First confess your trangressions, that your sacrifice may be pure." (Didache) How deeply we are called to confess and how sincere our repentence should be. How unworthy we are, yet we have been made worthy by the blood of Christ and invited to the table by the host, the Eucharistic Christ. I am overwhelmed with awe just to reflect on this, over and over again. ............ On p. 127 Scott says "Yes, be attentive! .....The Revelation of Jesus Christ has an immediate and overwhelming impact on our lives. We are the bride of Christ unveiled; we are His Church. And Jesus wants each and every one of us to enter into the most intimate relationship imaginable with Him.......He loves us, how close He wants us to stay - and how permanent he intends our union to be." "Come Lord Jesus" is our song .....Yet, he is here .... Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity at Mass. HOW priveliged we are!

Guest --- Please post your comments

I have been contacted by a guest reader. Any guest are welcome to send an email if you would like to join our next online book study blog and please feel free to make comments on our postings. It is nice to know others are interested.

Part 2 Chapter 4 "Judgement Day"

Wow it sure seems good to be reading your reflections and reading the book again. I honestly have to say that the reason I have neglected this study over the holidays is because I got caught up reading another book called, "No Wonder They Call It The Real Presence" by David Pearson. It is a book containing the reflections and experience of about 10 people who are committed to Eucharistic Adoration. It is an easy read but powerful book. Reading that and now again the Lamb's Supper I feel really called to spend daily time before the Eucharistic Lord. I need the Lord's help to discipline myself to do so. ............... Now back to Ch. 4 of "The Lamb's Supper"........ This chapter was thought provoking and called me to reflect on something we never hear much about ... sin and judgement.... (p. 104) "Yet God's justice, like His mercy, apprears everywhere in the Bible." Just as the lack of discipline, leadership and guidelines in many homes leads to rebellious children, Just as we see a breakdown in families we see the same thing in our church.......... "Sin comes from our refusal to keep the covenant, our refusal to love God as much as He loves us. Through sin, we abandon our status as children of God. Sin kills the divine life in us." Dr. Hahn does a great job showing how this happens and it effects. .............. Hahn also notes that we get the word martyr from the Greek work for witness which challenged me to ask myself if I am really willing to die to myself (martyr) to be a witness for the Lord? ..... so much to reflect on... so many choices...................... " While the chalices of the covernant bring life to the faithful, they mean certain death to those who reject the covenant. In the new covenant, as in the old, God gives man the choice between life and death, blessing and curse." .............. The section "Hooked on a Failing" describes the just effects of sin on individuals and on nations. We often see in our own lives how "in many case, they (disasters) are the most merciful of wake-up calls." not that anybody wants them.....God wrath is part of God's justice..... as painful as that is we see how restorative it can be. .............. "Elsewhere in Revelation, we see that the saints enter heaven and "their deeds follow them" (Rev.14:13). Our works are integral to our salvation; indeed, they'll be the stuff of our judgement." Lord, give me the strengh of character to stay in covenant relationship with YOU and may I take all the opportunities you provide to perform Godly deeds that will follow me to my judgement. May we all avoid occations of sin and stay close to our just Lord.

Part Three, Chapter 1

Knock, Knock, yes Lord it's me again. Please grant me Your wisdom to understand all the greatness of seeing how the Mass is heaven on earth!

There is a lot packed in this chapter and so much to comprehend – I want to devour it all and not miss out on all that it wants to tell me. Toward the end of the chapter he writes, Revelation is as familiar as the life we live, and even the dullest Mass is suddenly paved with gold and glittering jewels. I am slowly understanding how/why the Mass is heaven on earth. As he states, all this time the Church has been teaching this right there in the Catechism.

Revelation means ”unveiling” (Greek word for apokalysis). It was amazing how God compares His love for us as a marital love. We are the bride of Christ unveiled, we are His Church. He wants our TOTAL love, He wants us to stay close to Him ALWAYS and stay in union with Him. The Apocalypse was the lifting of the veil of a virgin bride, taking place before the marriage was consummated in sexual union. Spiritually speaking then, from that moment we rise up from Egypt (earth) to worship in heaven (Mass), we are with God. Mass, heaven on earth! Knock, knock, I think I’m getting it!

I will finish the way Scott started the chapter. He writes that Revelations shows us The Presence. It makes me understand much more the meaning, “I am with you always.” God is here with us in His fullness . . . Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity ­- whenever we participate in Mass and receive the Eucharist.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me". JoAnn

Part II, Chapter 4 - His Mercy is Scary

God’s covenant makes us part of His divine family, which means we are family, united spiritually with our God – awesome! When I knowingly sin I automatically am out of grace with His covenant love. I like how Scott stated that God’s wrath is more of a “fatherly” love and discipline, so we can ask forgiveness, go forth, and try, try again.

We are all called to be God’s witnesses here on earth. In Greek the word “witness” means “martus” or martyr. This is something I need to reflect more on. Every choice I make is for God or for me (selfish and worldly). I have a long way to go! God must get tired of me “repenting”! I never thought about getting “hooked” on sin but always failing and trying again …and again to do God’s will. Yes, and what did Isaiah say of sinners: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil”. We can slowly see the demise of the people of our nation. God calls us to be part of His divine family, living here on earth, to be in the world but not of the world. Our attachment is to do God’s will here on earth. Does God need to give me/us a “wake up call” to come back to Him, with ALL our heart, mind and soul?! I must truly be a “witness” and do whatever it takes to be a martyr for God! In every Mass Scott says we stand before the judgment seat, asking for His mercy to bind ourselves to be part of God's covenant. JoAnn

Post when you can.... and a question

I know this is a busy time of the year. I have not even been able to sit down lately and just read which is something I really enjoy. So post when you can and may your Advent and Christmas season be blessed........... Oh..... We do not have a lot left of our current book. ....... Do you have any interest in a Lenten online study using Archbishop Chaput's book "Living the Catholic Faith: Rediscovering the Basics"? It has a study guide available. (We will have copies of both at the Martha & Mary Women's Conference. Or do you have any suggestions.

Ruth: Part 2 Ch. 3 Apocalypse Then!

I enjoyed this chapter treasuring every reference to the Eucharist………….. With all the talk these days about being “Left Behind” it was good on p. 93 to read about the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, and with it the end of the world of the Old Covenant as being the primary reference. This is wrapped up on page 94 when it shows that Parousia means “presence,” and Jesus’ presence is real and abiding in the Blessed Sacrament….to this day……..”For the Church is the kingdom already begun on earth, and it is the place of the Parousia in every Mass.” The Mass means so much to me that any new insight that shows its importance is appreciated. I want everyone (all of us at Mass) to appreciate it and reverence it more and more …what an awesome and humbling worship service that would yield. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.Angels – On p. 98 we read that we are never alone in our battles as Michael and the faithful angels fight on the side of the Church – and this, Revelation show us, is the side that wins..... I think about and seek the intercession of the saints in heaven but never ask my angels for help....a lesson never learned. There is so much to learn and I feel that my faith walk and knowledge are as a drop of rain compared to the sea. ….. The more I learn the more I know that there is so much more to learn. ….. Our glorious faith cannot be contained because it is the Lord Himself. ………...... Our country needs to take heed of the fate of Ephesus. “…Ephesus was warned that unless they charge their ways, they would suffer the same fate as their elder brother, Israel. I can witness, having been to Ephesus, that it is now a pile of rocks, a tourist attraction for Moslem’s and Christian, and a place that prohibits the expression of the Christian faith. …”it should cause us to tremble.” What is the fate of our country to be?” Yet, we are to “be not afraid.” …………….. The closing section states on p. 102 that “The Mass is where Christians joined forces with the angels and saints to worship God.” Lord, help us to be aware of the forces we are with each day at Mass, as we worship you, and so unworthily receive you. My Lord and My God!