Sacrosanctum Concilium (Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy) proclaims that in the Eucharistic Liturgy, among other things, the faithful are “set aflame with Christ’s insistent love.” Does this happen? If we are honest when we look at our experience, it is a rare occurrence that we feel inflamed. A word of caution—our felt experience is neither a necessary nor reliable yardstick for measuring God’s activity in our lives!
To understand why our hearts might not be set aflame, we can get help from the Constitution. It observes that if the Liturgy is to produce its full effects, we, the faithful, must come with the proper disposition and that our minds be attuned to our voices. Developing the proper dispositions is a task that each person must strive for. The work of integrating our voices, minds and hearts calls for full, active, and conscious participation. The Council Fathers were aware that for centuries when the faithful came to Mass (Eucharistic Liturgy) they were observers rather than participants. Some of this passivity was addressed prior to the Council through Latin/English Missals and the “dialogue Mass.” For our hearts to be “set aflame with Christ’s insistent love” we must look to full, active and conscious participation.
Active participation means, at the very least, we are praying the words, singing the hymns, doing the gestures, and listening attentively. But this is just a first step. More importantly is our conscious participation. What might this look like?
Among other things, conscious participation means that we are aware that we are involved in the sacred mystery of Jesus Christ being present in our midst offering his once for all sacrifice to the Father. Knowing this ought to have a profound effect on our consciousness and awaken sentiments of humble gratitude and worship. Conscious participation also means that our words and actions (be it signing our forehead, lips and heart) are not rote--that we are present to our words and actions.
It is very easy to get into a routine and do and say things automatically. It’s a good coping mechanism as we go about our very busy, maybe too busy, lives. Therefore, we have to make a conscious effort and work hard to be present to what we are doing and hearing. Taking some time before the Liturgy begins to remember what we are about can help. Some people have the practice of setting aside time at home, either Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning to prepare for Liturgy.
Let us each take the time to examine our behavior during Liturgy. How conscious am I of what is really going on in the ritual? How present am I to my words and gestures? Our answers to these questions can be a starting point for our becoming more conscious of what we are doing and bringing the proper dispositions to our Sunday gatherings.