Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1500196
12 JUNE 2023 | DENVER CATHOLIC W hat do we see at Mass? Often enough, we encounter a mundane vision of outdated architecture, some empty pews, those who made it there struggling to pay attention, and liturgical ges- tures that have grown overly familiar. If only we could look deeper, we would see Calvary open- ing before us, we would see Christ offering his flesh and blood at the Last Supper, a myriad of angels and saints joining us, and an open road leading us to the heavenly Jerusalem. It takes faith to grasp this and without it, it's no surprise why many people feel like they don't need to bother showing up. They only see the outside, the shell of our sacramental ritual that lacks life without access to what lies hidden within. Attending Mass is the most important thing that we do each week. At the Mass, the great wedding feast of the lamb, the bridegroom waits for his bride to come, offering an incom- prehensible gift: his entire self — body, blood, soul and divinit y. If we truly understood what it was, then how could anyone even consider refusing this invitation? We need to know that Jesus treasures each one of us as his invited bride. He doesn't just think of his Church as an anonymous whole, because the Church is his own body, mystically composed of all the bap- tized. Every Sunday he waits for you, know- ing the gift he wants to give you. He knows exactly what you need, what you will bring to Mass — all of the burdens, fears, expectations and hopes. He has an answer for them all and BY DR. R. JARED STAUDT Director of Content for Exodus 90 Worshiping Jesus during Mass, Adoration and beyond Seeing More E U CHAR I STIC D E VOTIO N