For some years working with the youth, I once had a good conversation with one young girl who converted to the other sect of Christianity. She said that the reason she moved to that sect is because of the way of celebrating the prayer. In that sect, she said, it is more enjoyable by singing many songs, jumping, laughing, and clapping in every good sermon. She said that this is my church that I want! At the end of our conversation, she told me that the Catholic mass is so boring and unenjoyable and soon will be left by the young people. Let us reflect upon this experience.
First, Eucharist is a moment of prayer…
Good conversation actually. Yet, there is something important that must be corrected before I go to the solemn celebration of the Eucharist: prayer. What does prayer mean? Conversation with God. If you and I agree with this, then our prayer is not about praising God too much or making noise in the church with clapping, jumping, and singing aloud. Our prayer is not only talking to God and praising Him in gratitude and the proper way, but also listening to Him in silence. His words through the liturgy bring us to a deeper understanding of Him. How can I enter into my prayer if I only praise Him without letting Him convert, talk to, or change me? In doing so, we may know that the good way among the best ways of praying is to let God change my life. How? Let God talk also with you in prayer, in silence. Our prayer is a moment of conversation, not a concert!
Second, Eucharist is about remembrance of Him…
“Eucharist is really boring (kneeling, standing, sitting, slow songs, etc.)." Eucharist is about prayer, and perhaps you and I already understood the meaning of prayer. We celebrate Eucharist in order to be united with God the Father in the sacrifice of Jesus as the Lamb of God. 'Do this (Eucharist) in remembrance of me!' Jesus said to us. Eucharist, first and foremost, is about the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are invited to reflect on the wondrous works of God in saving us from sin: the incarnation, life and ministries of Jesus, suffering and death, until His resurrection. The Holy Spirit accompanies us to understand this mystery by celebrating the Eucharist. Then, by receiving the holy Eucharist, we are united with the Trinity who saves us. We make a deeper friendship with Him!
Our attitudes remain in ‘active’ participation: not jumping, clapping, or dancing during Eucharist; rather, we take a moment of silence, listening to the Word of God, giving thanks for the sacrifice Jesus had done on the cross, and go in peace. Kneeling, standing, sitting, etc. are ways of being active in liturgy. Again, if you feel bored, then ask yourself honestly: How deep is my relationship with God actually? Do I pray properly? Does the Eucharist really help me to have a good friendship with God?
Eucharist, in the line of our prayer, is not changing God; it is changing our way of praising God. Conversation with God, through Eucharist, always begins with listening to Him.
Last, it depends on me
Eucharist transforms us. It changes how I enter my personal relationship with God. It helps me to deepen the mystery of God that saves me every day. I am grateful that Eucharist always transforms my way of thinking and acting. Though I sometimes feel boring, tired of many things, angry, feel nothing during mass, etc., God always fetches me by saying, “My son, go back home. You are too far from me!" You and I may get this meaningful conversation if we really open our hearts to Him. We are not satisfying God by doing a concert; rather, we let Him change our hearts in prayer, silence, and a proper way.