Go in peace to love and serve the Lord

	Sixth of a six-part series
	Related articles ... Six-part series on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal: November 14, 2003 issue: • Part five of six: --     'Do This in Remembrance of Me' November 7, 2003 issue: • Part four of six: --     The Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving October 31, 2003 issue: • Part three of six: --     The Altar, the Cross and the Book October 24, 2003 issue: • Part two of six: --     Why make any revisions in the Mass? October 17, 2003 issue: • Part one of six: --     How to enrich our experience of Mass Other related articles: November 21, 2003 issue: • Foundations of Faith --     Why we kneel, bow and pray as one at Mass • Bishop Banks' Corner --     Changes help express wonder, awe November 14, 2003 issue: • Foundations of Faith --     Ministers help us receive Holy Communion often October 17, 2003 issue: • Compass Editorial --     Focusing on Instruction August 22, 2003 issue: • Bishop Banks' Corner --     The church's source of energy August 8, 2003 issue: • Bishop Banks' Corner --     Current Mass links us to Apostles

By Diann Wimmer
Diocesan Director of Worship

The Mass may be described as an experience of the eternal banquet of the Lord. Believing that eternity begins here, one may view the Mass as a taste of heaven on earth. On the walls of the catacombs, early Christians traced images of celebrating the Lord's Supper. They considered it the height of joy and the best way for their beloved to be with the Lord.

Who is at the Lord's Supper today? God's invitation seems to reach out to the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the well and the not-so-well, the black, the brown, the yellow and the white. God seems to have a guest list of the faithful who respond to the invitation to share in the eternal banquet on earth.

It is helpful to realize that the Mass has the customs and rituals of the Lord's Supper. Like any invitation, the guests follow the plan of the host. There is a surrender and a gracefulness in following the celebration of the Mass.

Participating in all the Sacraments, including the Mass, requires attention to a well-defined ritual. The prayers will be the traditional prayers of the centuries, the music will support the rite and the postures and gestures will express the faith of the people as they celebrate the feast and the season of the Church Year. Many personal likes and desires will be set aside. Therefore, coming to Mass is a generous and graceful event.

The directives of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal begin with the foundation of the theology and tradition of the Church. It is interesting and exciting to learn more about the intent and history of the Mass. Selected recent books include Guide to Keeping Sunday Holy by Pope John Paul II, Guide for the Assembly by Card. Joseph Bernardin, Forming the Assembly to Celebrate the Mass by Lawrence Mick and Guide for Sunday Mass by Card. Roger Mahony.

However, the most challenging test, as well as the criteria for entrance into God's Kingdom, is the message we hear at the end of Mass, the sending forth: "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord." Since the Mass is a pattern for living the Christian life, we are asked to go out to our families, cities and the suffering world to make them places of peace, love and service. The Gospel of Matthew, 25:35-36, explains this in detail: Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, invite the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead.

When reading the challenge of the Gospel message, I consider the recent directives to be easy requests. Indeed, bowing, kneeling, standing, singing and participating fully in the Mass will require attention and memory. It will prepare us, as a pilgrim people, with a firm foundation in prayer and community.

While Catholics are called to unity and peace, each parish will have its customs, particular architecture and music. When visiting the nearby parishes, honor them by joining in their music, postures and prayers. Learn from church history that fighting, inquisition, reporting and division do not serve the Liturgy or the people.

Let the Green Bay Diocese be a Church of faithful celebration of the Mass and generous dedication to the final imperative: "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord."

If you have specific questions about the Mass or the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, e-mail: dwimmer@gbdioc.org or call (toll-free) 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8311.