In my life recently, I’ve noticed how much the Holy Mass has really become the focal point of my day. It’s the place where I get to unload the troubles, imperfections, and sins of my day. Further, it’s the place where I get to abandon it all. It’s the place where I get to begin again.
A Celebration
When I look at the readings, they remind us of this reality. Our first reading says that it is “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines” (Isaiah 25:6). These words anticipate a time to come when all will participate in a celebration. It is a celebration beyond the stretches of the imagination. Notice that the author here repeats himself, so as to emphasize the extravagance and magnificence of this future feast. When we move to the Psalm, it speaks of desire —- desire for the house of the Lord. Looking at the Gospel, it retells the scene of Jesus healing the infirmed and giving bread to the crowds in what is commonly known as the multiplication of the loaves. When we put this Gospel scene in context with that great feast yet to come on His holy mountain, we’ll realize that these readings point us to the Holy Mass.
Feast
It is the holy Mass that becomes our sumptuous feast where grace upon grace falls upon us and we consume the flesh of God. Here we will feast upon rich food and choice wines, “juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” No more will the priest alone worship in that holy temple. Now, all the world will come to live in His holy temple. No longer will Christ be healing us of our physical infirmities alone. At this new feast, we will bring all our human imperfections under the sun and all will be made whole and real again at this feast.
Christmas is an anticipation of that great feast and moment of redemption when the God-man draws all to Himself on that holy mountain of Calvary —- a moment we get to celebrate every day in the house of the Lord at Holy Mass.
May we be ready to meet Him.
