Celebrate in The Spirit 

We have seen that the Mass, like nothing else in Christianity, draws us together in the experience of relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit. We are one in the Spirit: united with God and with each other in celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus—the central mystery of our faith—through which we received the gift of divine Life. 

The Mass is a celebration of life. Divine Life. To celebrate is to “single out for grateful remembrance.” 

Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19; see 1Corinthians 11:24). 

It is especially, and weekly, in the Mass that we experience the fulfillment of Jesus’s promise: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). 

We need to unite ourselves to the Spirit at Mass so the Spirit can unite us to everyone and everything else. The Spirit is the “bond of unity” between the Three Persons of God and between all the persons of the People of God. In the Spirit, all that is Good and True in Being is made One in love.

Eucharist is the “sacrament of unity in the Church.” It is also called “the sacrament of love.” 

ACTION: At Mass, be “one in love.” 

PRAYER: Come, Holy Spirit. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings on the USCCB website here

Easter season is the time to focus on the Holy Spirit. Starting on Easter Sunday, we will look carefully at how the Spirit is proclaimed, invoked, and presented to us in the Mass. Lex orandi, lex credendi: “As the Church prays, so she believes.”

After that, we will reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22), and at how the Spirit enters the life of those who believe.

As you read these reflections, ask for the gift of Understanding. Ask to really understand what you believe, what you see and hear at Mass. Go deeper into understanding the Mass than you ever have before. We experience the Faith when we become aware of its mystery. We hope you reflect deeply on the Mass and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and find yourself more and more drawn into the mysteries of our Lord in the Mass and in His Gifts.