Daily Mass Challenge

It was 7:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More church. There were about 15 to 20 people present for daily Mass. Fr. Mike Tugwell, the rector, walked out of the sacristy to offer Mass this Monday morning. It might have been the second time in my life I attended Mass on a day that was not a Sunday or a major feast, like Christmas.

There was no music. There was no homily. Just the Mass ... and it changed my life!

I truly listened to the prayers of consecration that were said at this Mass. This is My Body ... This is My Blood. I had a St. Thomas moment, My Lord and my God (Jn 20:28). I had an encounter with the living Christ.

Walking up the aisle, I remember as if it were yesterday, I am receiving the Lord in my hands. Returning to the pew, it felt like electricity was going through me and it was very unexpected.

Is this true? Did I receive the body and blood of Jesus? There was a joy like no other. After Mass, I walked back to my dorm with this quiet joy and peace, which was very new to me and lasted the whole day.

I thought, “Let me go tomorrow.” So, I did. It was not fireworks or electricity like the day before, but that quiet joy was still very present. All week I had the same conviction and joy of starting my day, literally, with Jesus.

For the past 30 years, I have attended daily Mass. That week of going to Mass in my junior year of college changed my life. I realized how hungry I was for God’s love, word and very presence. When I was a newly vowed Brother, I would often challenge students I met with to go to daily Mass for a week and see if life was not different. Some took me up on that challenge and encountered Jesus in a powerful way.

It was not the music, the slam dunk homily or some beautiful painting or mosaic in the Church that pierced their hearts. It was Him, the Bread of Life Who is the Life for the World (Cf John 6:32-33).

I make this challenge to you. Maybe you can’t attend weekday Mass every day, but start with one day. You will taste and see the Lord’s goodness and joy!
 

God Bless,
Br. Patrick Reilly
BH General Superior Brotherhood of Hope