Summer Sundays

This column has recently spent some time and space under the rubric of “summertime spirituality”. The thought was put forth that the slower pace of the summer might be a good time to reflect and take stock of prayer in our lives. Now that we have passed through our heat wave, we’ve learned to walk a bit slower and even to seek out the shade in our lives. Perhaps, even spiritually, we’ve seen the good to be gained by taking life easier and finding some refreshment to our busy lives.

After taking a look at the use of scripture, the more frequent use of meditation, and even some of the so-called “popular devotions”, we have seen the need for daily time to pray and seek out the Lord. It might be time to reflect on Sunday worship as the “source and summit of Christian life”, which we read about in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council.

Throughout the summer, our usual numbers at Sunday Eucharist have been observably down a bit. How often arriving parishioners note that “everyone’s away” or “the folks must be at the beach.” The priests have met lots of visitors who explain that “we’re not from here” or “we’re just on vacation.” One can only hope that our parishioners have found a welcome home with some other worshiping community on their vacation.

Vacation Worship
One of our more notable Catholic customs is for vacationers to search out the local Catholic church and learn the times of the Sunday Masses. Even now one can go on-line to check that information nationally before leaving on vacation. Sunday worship with other believers, both resident and traveling, offers a breath of fresh air to our faith life. We might find a new look among the other worshipers, a different sound to the music, and a new voice and mind from the local homilist.

Sunday Eucharist, whether with our home parish or with another community, is the “source and summit of Christian life” as the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy describes the liturgy. Our daily prayers and devotions bring us to Eucharist on the Lord’s Day and from the gathering of the Church on Sunday we are able to continue our Christian journey in the week to come.

Beyond Obligation
The desire to celebrate Sunday Eucharist arises from beyond an obligation to assist at Mass. Hopefully it comes from more than a personal need. We come to join the Catholic Community on Sunday because we are invited by the Father and moved by the Spirit to celebrate that which is central to our faith and our lives. Viewed as an obligation, one might be tempted to take a vacation from Mass, but viewed as invitation the question is why would one not accept the call to remember the Lord’s death and resurrection which is life for us. Beyond obligation and invitation, worship is a blessing in our Christian life.

Remembering
Central to Sunday worship is remembering. In the words and actions of the liturgy, we remember the saving deeds of the Father in Christ. In a real sense, this remembering allows us to journey from our everyday blessings to their culmination in the prayer of Christ before the Father. We bring with us our daily spiritual journey. We are confirmed in that journey in the gathering of other believers. As we remember the fidelity of the Father in Christ among us, we are enabled to move forward in faith with renewed hope.

If we pray each day and search out the Lord, the Sunday liturgy is the outcome of our journey. In our daily journeying and personal prayer, one might still feel alone in the quest for God and in our personal struggles. Sunday worship invites us to remember that in fact we are not alone. We are in Christ and we live in the one Spirit of God. In worship we experience that we are one in the Body of Christ, the Church.

At Sunday worship we hear God’s Word. We are nourished and fortified in that Word which is proclaimed and celebrated. We become that Word for one another and we are visible witnesses of the presence of Christ in the world.

At the Lord’s Table, we are gathered in the Lord’s own prayer of thanksgiving and blessing before the Father. We remember our blessings which are overflowing in the Christ. This praise is summarized as we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. The sought after transformation of our prayer is realized in the food which we receive. We receive the Body of Christ and we become the very same Body of Christ for the world.

Devotions and Sunday Worship
Devotions and personal spiritual exercises brings us to worship. In our daily prayers, in our reading of the scriptures, and in our doing of charity we are brought to the Lord’s Table where we recognize him. It is there where we are gathered with our brothers and sisters in the world into that oneness which is the Christ. It is from the same Table that we are fed and fortified with the Lord himself to return to our daily tasks. As we receive broken bread and a poured out cup, we are challenged and missioned to be broken and poured out for the life of the many.

Our personal devotions are informed and enlightened by the power of God’s Word and sacramental signs, where we encounter the living God whom we search out. Sunday worship, whether at home or on vacation, is, indeed, the “source and summit of Christian life.” Sunday worship is where believers are gathered by the Father in Christ to hear his Word, to give thanks, and to be shaped into the Body of Christ. Our hope for more fervent prayer begins as the Church gathers to pray. Our Christian life calls us to pray and live the mysteries which we celebrate.

CDH