Romans 5:2, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:42; THE MASS PDF Link
The Final blessing. This is an exhortation to go and take the faith that we have just received with us into our daily lives. The priest gives us his blessing and every time we are blessed by a priest, this is like Christ himself blessing us. We are to go and spread the faith we just received to all whom we encounter and live it.
In the book of Romans, chapter 5 verse 2 it states,
“through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”
Think about what just happened at mass. The Lord’s word was just spoken to us and we got to receive the Lord physically. There is so much grace associated with that. This is a joyful moment! We now get to share this with others! If we label ourselves as Catholic, that means something. It's not just a title but a way of life. It is now our opportunity to share what we just heard with others. Take the faith with us outside of mass. We have just received so much grace and if thats not enough, the priest gives us a final blessing and then, “Go fourth, the mass has ended.” or "Go in peace, the mass has ended” We are being asked to share what we so firmly believe in.
We need to be here for the concluding part of the mass. We shouldn't skip this last part of mass to be the first ones out of the busy parking lot. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to leave. Here's what we miss when we leave mass early - The concluding prayer: A prayer which the priest leads and brings the whole congregation to pray together to give thanks to God for this Holy Sacrifice and to have a recap of the over all theme of that mass.
We also miss the final blessing. What is a blessing? “A blessing is a solemn act that calls upon and invokes the aid of God upon the person, asking that God grant him divine favor and sanctification. In the case of Mass, the blessing is called down upon the people for sanctification that they may go forth from the Mass renewed in zeal for their mission and strengthened to resist evil and grow in the spiritual life.” (The Mass Explained, Ian Bozant) We don’t want to miss this prayer of being renewed in zeal and strength.
When we leave mass, we are going into the battlefield again. We need help and strength and grace. We get filled back up again at mass to go out and keep running the race set before us. We have moments of joy and moments when we are in need. Let us not take mass for granted but instead actively participate in this gift the Lord is giving us here on earth and spread it everywhere we go.
“Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
-St. Teresa of Avila
How is God speaking to you in this post or today's reading? Enter a comment below or click HERE if you are reading from your phone. (Commenting is optional, but always grace-filled.) Thank you for letting us into your life and for being a part of ours!
