Getting ready

 

pic - Zbynek Pospisil - Getty Images

It is as easy to arrive 10 minutes before the start of mass than it is to rush in the door as the priest is arriving at the sanctuary to begin the mass. In a way the mass begins before anyone arrives.  Someone might have to put on the heating if it is winter and someone has to prepare the altar along with the various items for use in the liturgy.

The priest may be hard pressed for time coming from another church or pastoral duty. For those of us privileged to arrive without various particular concerns and logistics we do well to settle in and enter into the reality of what we are about to do together as a community and not just what ‘they’ are doing ‘up there’ in the sanctuary or in the sacristy.

It may be that we have done well to organise a small household of young children to make it here at all for Sunday mass.

If it all possible, a quiet meditative preparation for what is to happen can be immensely beneficial.

What is happening now?

How am I right now?

Why am I here?

What do I want to receive from this?

How can I best contribute by way of personal intention, attentiveness or joining in the responses or singing?

Are there particular persons or situations I wish to offer in this Eucharist?

Could I pray especially for all those about to minister at this celebration and especially the priest or preacher?

Are there particular individuals in my circle whom I want to bring here at this time in prayer? Neighbours, family, acquaintances?

What about the persons around me right now?

Are there particular worries, failures or sins I wish to present here in silence?

All of this is, in one word, RECOLLECTION

We aim to arrive early in order to re-collect – collect again the various strands of our lives right now.

Personally speaking, I find it helpful to mull over this short prayer called the ‘Collect of Purity’ which happens to be used by Anglicans at the beginning of the service of Holy Communion:

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.  [Book of Common Prayer, Church of Ireland]