Results May Vary

Nov. 1, 2023

Regardless of our feelings and expectations, the Mass and the sacraments are opportunities to glorify God and receive his grace

By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

Nov. 1, 2023

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

Ads for health and beauty aids often include the disclaimer “Results may vary.” I wonder if they do that for customers, like me, on whom their products are not likely to work very well. But the same can be said of almost anything: If you send flowers to your wife after a big argument, results may vary. The flowers might do the trick, but they might not.

The same can even be said of the Church’s sacraments, though with a very important caveat. While a medication may not be potent or only partially so, the sacraments are always 100% potent. Even if the priest is unworthy, validly consecrated bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. Even a sinful priest can absolve from sin; his human weakness does not prevent the Lord from reaching people with his presence and grace.

Nonetheless, results may vary. Imagine two people participating in a well-preached and reverently celebrated Mass. The Lord speaks when the Scriptures are proclaimed. The sacrifice of the Cross and the victory of the Resurrection are again made present as bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood. Leaving Mass, one parishioner might say, “That was a wonderful Mass. It really helped me,” while the other says, “I was bored and didn’t get anything out of it.” The same could happen if the Mass is poorly preached and celebrated: One person may leave closer to the Lord and the heart of the Church, the other dissatisfied. Yes, results may vary.

What if, as we enter a church, we simply asked the Lord to help us to grow in holiness and charity — to share more deeply in his goodness and love — as individual persons, as a parish, as a Church?

What accounts for different reactions to the same Mass? Several factors, I think. One is the expectations we bring. Some come to Sunday Mass looking for an emotional lift. Others may be looking for an inspiring homily or for liturgical music to their liking. Still others arrive unprepared, distracted or enmeshed in sin. The Lord is present in his saving power, yet what unfolds before their eyes may wash right over them, leaving them unmoved or disappointed, possibly never to return.

To be sure, this puts pressure on us priests. Most priests I know work very hard on their homilies and strive in God’s grace to celebrate the Mass and the sacraments worthily and joyfully. But we are inadequate to meet everyone’s expectations, even the expectations of regular parishioners whom we know well. Your priests are also keenly aware that results may vary.

What should we really be looking for when we take part in the Mass and share in the sacraments? An emotional lift is nice, as is a homily that hits home. Beautiful liturgical music that touches our soul is wonderful. Yet the gift the Lord wants to give us through the Mass and sacraments is much deeper, richer and more beautiful than what we feel.

So let me propose that we come to Mass with two ideas in our minds and hearts: Before anything else, the liturgy is not something we do for God but something God does for us. As the liturgy itself puts it, “Our desire to thank you is itself your gift.”

Second, the purpose of the liturgy is to glorify God and to sanctify the Christian people. What if, before Mass began, we prayed for the grace to join with the whole Church in giving God glory? This is how we reorient our lives toward him — and in redirecting ourselves to God, we also redirect our families, our work and creation itself to him. When we give God glory, we discover afresh our true human dignity, the purpose of our lives and the authentic source of our joy.

Finally, what if, as we enter a church, we simply asked the Lord to help us to grow in holiness and charity — to share more deeply in his goodness and love — as individual persons, as a parish, as a Church?

If we did this, results would vary — they would improve!

Metal bucket at draw-well in European village.

Results May Vary

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