in spite of, and despite of...

It's worth reflecting on the following words from an Italian Catholic brother...

How much I must criticize you, my church,
and yet how much I love you!

You have made me suffer more than anyone
and yet I owe more to you than to anyone.

I should like to see you destroyed
and yet I need your presence.

You have given me much scandal
and yet you alone have made me understand holiness.

Never in this world have I seen anything
more compromised, more false,
yet never have I touched anything
more pure, more generous or more beautiful.

Countless times
I have felt like slamming the door of my soul in your face
– and yet, every night,
I have prayed that I might die in your sure arms!

No, I cannot be free of you, for I am one with you,
even if not completely.

Then too–where would I go? To build another church?
But I could not build one without the same defects,
for they are my defects.

And again, if I were to build another church,
it would be my church, not Christ’s church.

No, I am old enough, I know better.

by Bro. Carlo Carretto (1910-1988)

10 ways to get the most from the Mass

Attending Mass for as early (and typical) as we remember can sometimes make it meaningless, even when it is the most worthwhile thing in the world. Here are ten things we can do to make sure we keep it "new" and meaningful every time...

1. Set a schedule and stick to it. Make sure you set yourself to put the highest priority to the Mass, versus just "going only when everything's done". For example, if you woke up late accidentally and washing dishes will make you late, set them neatly aside first and prep for church immediately.

2. Focus on God, not yourself, and more importantly, not on others. You're there to praise God and not to judge whether you're better than others or not, and not even whether they are acting properly or not. You'll only get irritated and definitely get distracted. So unless you're going to do something to correct them, don't mind them. The priest and the ministers aren't doing a good job? Bored? Again, keep your focus on God. You're there to praise God, and your perseverance despite the distractions make it more meaningful.

3. Come early. Just as in concerts or movies, having the best seat makes a lot of difference. Make sure you're settled way before the Mass starts. This way, you have time to clear your mind of things not related to the Mass as well.

4. Pray for a meaningful Mass. Coming in early is not just about having good seats. Praying before Mass helps clear your mind, and helps put you in a prayerful mode.

5. Read the readings beforehand. The Mass readings are meant to be heard, not read during the Mass. That's why it's not advised to have a "handout" and read it together with the lector or priest. However, it is understandable that factors such as audio quality or environment noise can make you unable to understand the words. Reading the readings before the Mass allows you to stay in the context of "hearing", while at the same time, ensuring you understand what is being read.

6. Smile and greet people. The Mass is our way celebrating as one community, as one family. It should allow us to lift each other up so that we can be more present to God. It doesn't matter if they'll reciprocate or not. If they reciprocate, then be inspired. If not, it is still your way of giving yourself to others. Remember that the more we give ourselves, the more we open ourselves to God as well.

7. Turn off all distractions you can control. Vibrate mode doesn't cut it. Turn that phone off, or silent it. Unless you're expecting to be involved in a life or death occupation, it's not worth missing even a second of focus. Have children? It's expected that they'll be easily made anxious, but consistency in talking to them and explaining the importance of a sacred disposition before the Mass will help them "grow" into it faster. Ask them to imitate you, and please don't "scare" them. Their growth in the Mass should be something worth remembering for good reasons, and not something dreadful, when dad or mom keeps scolding them.

8. Participate with piety. Stand and sit as appropriate. Sing as much as you can with all your might. Kneel even when there are no kneelers. Think of it as a holy choreographed song and dance number for God and with God. But do them with reverence always in mind. Do them all with God and His holiness in mind. Act with sacredness, and sacredness will always be with you.

9. Have regular confession. God loves us unconditionally and personally, but that means we should also respond with all that we can. Regularly cleansing ourselves of sin before we face Him in the Eucharist shows how much love we have for Him. Remember how you took the longest bath and wore the flashiest clothes during your date? At Mass, where our date is God, we shouldn't only dress with our best Sunday clothes, more importantly, we should ensure that our soul is all neat and clean as well.

10. Receive the Eucharist. The Mass is the highest form of prayer, because it is in the Mass that all the mysteries become as real as they can get. It is in the Mass that God meets us, not only in Spirit, but also physically. The Eucharist, after all, is not a mere symbol, but Jesus Himself -- body, blood, soul and divinity! And it doesn't end there... Jesus, in His humility and love for us, in a non-cannibalistic way, enters our lives literally.

BONUS: Expect to receive. The Mass is a free and overflowing channel of grace, regardless of who is ministering it, and regardless if the readers sound like croaking frogs, if the choir sings badly, or if the priest talks senseless during the homily. However, we need to open ourselves in order to receive. The more we open, the more we expect unconditionally, the more we'll receive.