As long as I can remember, going to mass has been part of our family. At the Catholic school that I attended from preschool to High School, school masses were also regularly scheduled. Going to mass for me is a special gift - wrapped up with warm memories of family and community, and tied up with my strong bond with Christ. But time and time again, the Lord takes me to a whole new level of awe, a deeper sense of appreciation as I rediscover the intricate beauty and wonder that is the Holy Eucharist.
My special memories include My First Communion, of course... all those Misa de Gallo, Christmas, and New Year's Eve masses...
And then there was my sophomore year in High School when we studied Theology and the History of the Catholic Church - when we dissected every single part of the Holy Eucharist! I had a newfound respect for the early Christians who were persecuted in the name of our Lord. I felt so fortunate that we were so free to practice our own beliefs without any fear of persecution. I felt a brand new admiration for the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and all the details that go under each part. "Do this in memory of Me," had more meaning than ever. Jesus said those very words, and I got to celebrate His memory with my community every single time I went to Mass!
I rediscovered the Holy Eucharist in such a personal way that I never again felt that going to Mass was an obligation I had to fulfill every week. It was my way to remember Jesus in the final hours before His death - a weekly reminder that I have to share in His cross and resurrection.
And of course there was that Mass that catapulted me into a spriritual quest: "The Mass is over. Your mission begins." And the 1995 World Youth Day experience... (Serenity and Service: My Spiritual Journey, January 2009)
All those masses spent serving with the St. Patrick's Youth Council, either wheeling the patients at Laguna Honda Hospital or singing in the choir...
The mass held during our wedding, where Edison and I, our story and our love, were the highlight of Fr. Ray's homily...
Masses for Edward's and Alison's Christening, where we were reminded as parents, the grave duty that is expected of us in raising the next generation of Christ's followers...
Now that Edward and Alison are attending Holy Angels School, I take delight in proclaiming the Word of God as a Lector during school family masses. I have profound hope that my children will be able to find joy in actively participating at masses when they are called to serve.
And then there was that HAPAC Retreat just this past August. I came out of that retreat with my spiritual batteries fully charged! There was one part when, once again, I was reminded about the importance of the Holy Eucharist in nourishing my spiritual life. Fr. Joepel talked about Eric Ladell, the hero in the movie "Chariots of Fire," who refused to run and represent his counrty in the Olympics during a race that fell on a Sunday. Eric said, "Sunday is the Lord's Day and I intend to keep it that way."
Fr. Joepel continued, "Some families don't go to masses when they are on their vacation. I ask them why and they would say, 'Of course, Father, we are on vacation!' We take vacation from going to mass, as if the Lord takes a vacation from giving us blessings."
Gulp! Did he know that we didn't go to mass when we went to Hawaii in July? Or when we visited our cousin at Long Beach in August?
What a big wake-up call to "Keep holy the Sabbath day!"
I used to think that "Jesus would understand" if we couldn't go to masses during vacations. But I resolved right then and there that I would be as eager in searching for a church and its Sunday mass schedule, as I would be in researching about the other details of our future family vacations. The mass should just be a part of the itinerary. I then thought, "Why didn't I think of that before? It would be great to celebrate the mass at other cities, too!" In the Philippines, there is a saying that when it is your first time to go to a certain church, you get to make a wish. That is a good incentive, huh?
After the retreat, we had lunch at the Holy Angels Convent. And as if the Lord wanted to seal the deal with me, I saw a poster by the dining room door:
Jesus of Nazareth
Requests the honor of your presence at a dinner
To be given in His honor
Oh, my! How do you RSVP to that?
With a BIG, resounding "Yes, Lord, I'll be there!" - naturally... :D
Dear Lord, Thank You for giving us the gift of celebrating Your memory. I pray that more and more people will rediscover what a beautiful thing the Holy Eucharist is! Bless and guide us - parents, grandparents, godparents, and teachers - as we prepare Edward and his classmates for their First Communion. Amen.
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