Blogger Priest

A year has passed since I read with deep dismay an article by my brother priest, Fr. Peter Daly.  It was entitled, “I’m done with the Knights of Columbus” and appeared in the National Catholic Reporter (dated June 3, 2020). 

The title accurately encapsulates what his 1,300 words would attempt to justify.  The stated cause for his defection is the contention that the Knights of Columbus injected themselves into a partisan campaign at a moment of national crisis over racial bigotry by inviting President Donald Trump to use the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., as a photo op for his political campaign.

He begins by spelling out his credentials to speak on this issue: a priest and Knight for thirty some years, fourth degree, a council chaplain and a faithful friar of his local assembly.  He elaborates about what he has done for the Knights, and the order certainly appreciates his sacrifices for our brothers; but absent is any acknowledgment of the faithful men and the many and overwhelming good deeds they performed to support him, his parish and the local community.

Since Fr. Daly gives his own credentials, I suppose I should say something about mine.  I was ordained May 17, 1986 – a month before Father Peter Daly returned from studies in Rome. Like Fr. Peter, I am a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, a Knight for most of my priesthood, fourth degree, a council chaplain, a faithful friar of the local assembly, past chaplain of the Bishop McNamara chapter, and past Maryland State Chaplain.  I grew up in Prince George’s County, MD and have served in three parishes located here for over 25 of my 35 years of ministry.  Since Fr. Daly implies a political and racial bias in the Knights, it should be confessed that there are so few Republicans in this county that the local elections are over with the Democratic primaries.  Today, Prince George’s County’s population is 79% minority and 14% white. I have personally witnessed its transformation with the civil rights fight of the 1960’s and the efforts at school integration in the 1970’s.  One of my sisters also still lives in the county.  Back in 2008, I personally started a new council here in Mitchellville that is composed of African-Americans, Asians and a few whites. No less than my brother priest, I take to heart the many concerns from our community about racial or ethnic justice and rights.

I am indebted to Fr. Daly for helping out my brother’s family in Calvert County, one composed of both black and white members.  We will always love him.  Having said this, Fr. Daly writes his column in an independent Catholic newspaper that embraces dissent and represents those critics that have defamed the Knights of Columbus as a “hate group” for its upholding traditional values about human sexuality, marriage, family and the unborn.  I regretfully suspect this defection has been long in coming and because of a number of issues.

The article suffers from an egregious tunnel vision that fails to focus upon the heart of Columbianism.  The Knights of Columbus is the most dynamic and active movement of Catholic men around.  If I had my way, every Catholic man would be a Knight and all our ladies would work with them in auxiliaries.  Even as Fr. Daly says, “I am done. I am quitting,” the Knights are using their resources and even risking their lives so as to LEAVE NO NEIGHBOR BEHIND during the coronavirus pandemic and now as everything begins to reopen. 

Like my brother priest, I am often disappointed by what goes on in our Church and society; but I could no more leave the Knights than I could disown my family.  Father McGivney’s brotherhood of men has become an essential organ in the body of the Church.  Indeed, there has been a push away from independent halls to parish-based councils. Despite the many storms that have sought to capsize the Barque of St. Peter, the Knights true to their patron Columbus, help man the sails and care for the rigging, as we sail to the promised shore.  I am confident that the order will never abandon the Church.  We as priests should be just as steadfast on their behalf— the spiritual sons of Father McGivney are among the most active men in the Church.  The Knights of Columbus is more than a club; the late St. Pope John Paul II spoke of the Knights of Columbus as “the strong right arm of the Church.”  I would argue that they are the good right arm to every devout and hard-working priest.  On this account, I would beseech our men to pray for Fr. Daly and for his future return to our brotherhood. 

His negative animus is so acute that he even condemns the construction of the Shrine to Pope John Paul II as a scandal and argues that it deprived struggling parishes and schools of 60 million dollars.  In truth the loan was for 54 million and the American bishops hoped that costs would be recouped by visitors.  This did not happen and the Knights came to the aid of the Church, bought it and remade the facility into a religious shrine.  Today it is a wonderful resource for prayer and education. Yes, we can argue the practicality of the initial purchase; the Archdiocese of Detroit suffered a loss of $34 million.  Was this a theft to the poor?  Would he tell us to sell this facility and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception down the street?  How about selling St. Peter’s in Rome and all the Church’s works of art and sacred manuscripts?  No, there must be a balance in what honors God, what we safeguard for the ages and what is needed for our various ministries and outreach.  Jesus said, “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me” (John 12:8). The Shrine to St. John Paul II gives honor to a saintly pope; but more importantly, as a church it celebrates the abiding presence of Christ and his saving work. It should not surprise us that the immoderate newspaper for which he writes frequently took issue with this Pope. Had the Knights not bought the building and it had been torn down— there would have been nothing to show for the sacrifices made. The Shrine today celebrates the Pope who recognized their fidelity to the teachings of the Church, the nature of the family and the sacredness of human life. 

The priest’s rationale for leaving depends upon an interpretation of events and motives that deserve serious scrutiny. The bylaws of Columbianism forbid the involvement of our order in partisan politics.  However, the fourth degree of the Knights urges our men to be patriots. (A clarification should be made that patriots love their country and support her when she is right and correct her when she is wrong; by contrast nationalism is a sin that asserts “my country right or wrong.”)  We might agree or disagree with the policies of various elected officials but we are still obliged to show respect for persons and for the offices they hold. Unfortunately, there is a lack of civility that has infected our national discourse and our bonds in the faith.  No matter whether we personally like him or not, we as Knights would be obliged as patriots to respect our nation’s commander-in-chief no matter whom he might be— President Obama or President Trump or today President Biden.  Unfortunately, left and right, how many times have we heard the exclamation, “He’s not my president?”    

Certainly Fr. Daly has a right, as does Cardinal Wilton Gregory, to make a personal judgment call about President Trump’s visit to the Shrine of St. John Paul II. However, as a correction to his article, the event was planned prior to the riots.  The local Archbishop and others were invited to witness the signing of a document that would place U.S. foreign policy soundly on the side of promoting religious liberty, especially where believers are threatened as in the Middle East, Africa and Asia (China).  As background to this, the Knights of Columbus has adopted devastated churches in the Middle East so as to help in rebuilding and in the retention of the faith.  Many of these war-torn families had seen their fathers, brothers and sons beheaded for witnessing to Christ.  Given the photo of the President holding up a bible outside the burned St. John’s church a day earlier, excessive acts in dispersing the protestors and what proved to be inflammatory statements— the cause for the gathering was lost in the news and the Knights were stamped as bigots, even if in an indirect or unintended act of calumny.  As a result of the invited churchmen being absent, the document would later be signed at the White House.

The expressed cause for Fr. Daly’s defection seems to be predicated upon a grave fallacy.  Does he really believe the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus intends to enter a “partisan campaign” and/or to take “the side of racial bigotry” and/or to strip citizens of their “Constitutional and human rights”?  Maybe his emotions are running wild as this is an absolutely ludicrous claim. 

Cardinal Wilton Gregory’s statement was indeed stinging:  “I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree. Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the rights and dignity of human beings. His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth. He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.”

While it has his name attached, it sounds like a statement composed by committee. There is a failure to separate divergent events: the visitation of the shrine and the efforts by authorities to take back the streets.  Regardless, I would concur with Fr. Daly that those who disagree with any or all of it should reflect upon the message and not seek to kill the messenger.  The Cardinal (then Archbishop) rightly has a claim to the support of his priests and the flocks they shepherd.  Notice that while Fr. Daly can mention what some regard as fringe right-wing religious groups; the Knights of Columbus has chosen the route of respect, yes, even when possibly maligned.  Indeed, during the unrest, Supreme introduced the Novena for National Unity & an End to Racism for Trinity Sunday.

One could certainly question the timing of the event.  Further, as one of his priests, I would be among the first to argue that the Cardinal as the lead shepherd of his flock in DC and five Maryland counties has every right to make judgment calls and to correct his children in faith.  Unfortunately, others like Fr. Daly have made a false assessment to fan the flames of unrest against an organization that is part of the answer, not the problem. 

I want to conclude with a very pointed and personal appeal:

“Father Peter, you can forsake us if you want— we cannot stop you.  But few of our men will follow you.  As Knights, we will keep you in prayer and continue to live out our discipleship.  We are proud of our past, contrite about our failures and filled with hope about our future.  You could have walked with us as we continue to pursue service in FAITH, FAMILY, COMMUNITY and LIFE.  Nevertheless, our bishops as a national body still support us and most priests are happy to give us their religious leadership.  As a faithful friar, you could have done much to encourage programs promoting racial justice as an essential element of our patriotism.  Instead, you walk out the door and in asking others to follow you, deliberately seek to undermine our brotherhood at a time when we are most needed.  You make much of what the Supreme executive officers make as salaries, and yet, most our men work for nothing but the glory of God and the love of neighbor.  As the Maryland State chaplain to the Knights from 2018 to 2020, as a former chapter chaplain, as a faithful friar and as a council chaplain, I can say with a clear conscience and a grateful heart that the Knights are the reason why I can sleep at night.  When many so-called Catholic organizations repudiate our faith and values— when a majority of our people (coronavirus or no coronavirus) have abandoned the practice of their faith— when much of our society mocks the Church and maligns the priesthood— when even elected Catholic officials celebrate the legalization of aborting children nine months in the womb— when the sacred institution of marriage, family and human sexuality is distorted— the Knights of Columbus remains the one most significant organization that has stayed true to what we believe— always in solidarity with faithful priests and bishops.”   

“I am a Catholic and a Knight and I will live and die a Catholic and a Knight.  I cannot speak for others, but for me to break from the order would be like a shepherd saying, ‘I’m done with it, you won’t listen, I hope the wolves eat you!’”

“I appreciate your candor and take you for your word that this defection is a matter of conscience.  However, such should also reflect right judgment and the truth.  It is upon this that I would take exception.  Further, I think you are seriously wrong in urging others to abandon the order.”

I will keep you in prayer.

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Is the title of this article accurate? Yep, pretty much. I wonder if this means the FSSP will no longer be able to staff parish churches? The document would seem to limit the old Mass to special oratories and religious houses. It specifically says the Missal of 1962 cannot be celebrated in parochial or parish churches. I wonder what this will mean in the Archdiocese of Washington? It is currently offered in a number of our parish churches.

The Pope explains:

“Ever more plain in the words and attitudes of many is the close connection between the choice of celebrations according to the liturgical books prior to Vatican Council II and the rejection of the Church and her institutions in the name of what is called the “true Church.” One is dealing here with comportment that contradicts communion and nurtures the divisive tendency — ‘I belong to Paul; I belong instead to Apollo; I belong to Cephas; I belong to Christ’ — against which the Apostle Paul so vigorously reacted (1 Cor 1:12-13). In defense of the unity of the Body of Christ, I am constrained to revoke the faculty granted by my Predecessors.”

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While I have always argued for freedom to engage in either the old or the revised ritual, this is definitely more restrictive than under Pope Benedict XVI. I hope we can keep peace in the Church.

Article 1 – The revised Missal under St. Paul VI and St. John Paul II are given preference as the unique (Vatican II) expression of the “lex orandi” of the Roman Rite. Okay.

Article 2 – The local diocesan bishop has exclusive authority to permit or forbid the use of the 1962 Missal. Ouch.

Article 3 – If the old Mass is currently permitted in a diocese . . .

• Groups desiring it must not deny the validity and legitimacy of liturgy reforms. Okay, this is good.
• Bishops are “to take care not to authorize the establishment of new groups.” Oh my . . . hoping it will die out?
• The old Mass is restricted to one or more locations for celebration but not parochial (parish) churches and without new personal parishes. Oh my goodness, I can hear the screaming and hollering already!
• Even the particular days for when the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII may be celebrated must be designated and must use currently approved vernacular readings. This infers that it will not necessarily be daily.
• The priest who would say the old Mass must be delegated by the bishop and all such priests must be appointed or approved by the bishop to offer it. That is going to upset a number of guys!

I suspect many of my friends feel hurt and betrayed today. I do not know why we had to have these changes, but we need humility and we need to pray for healing in the Church.

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I read a short posting recently where someone spoke about complicity in evil within the communion of the saints. It seemed to me that such a notion needed reflection. Can sin exist within the communion of the saints? It is my understanding that serious sin fractures one from this unity as the damned ultimately can have no part in it.  Further, there is no parallel or correspondent communion of the damned.  If one were to regard heaven as a profound sanctoral unity or intimacy in the Lord; the damned fractured from God and one another might cry, “Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell” (the devil in Milton’s PARADISE LOST).

The pilgrim Church participates in and is one with the Church of glory and in purgation.  The souls in purgatory suffer from the effects of sin, but as saints in the making they would no longer be able to commit transgressions.  While the holy Church or mystical body of Christ on earth is composed of sinners, the body is holy and benefits from the good that is done by members.  The pilgrim Church is wounded by sin and still fully claims for her own those who have committed venial sins (for which there is the remedy of contrition or sorrow).  While the spiritual character impressed upon the soul at baptism is permanent (once a Catholic, always a Catholic); nevertheless, faith can sour and earthly humans can fall into mortal sin, suffering the loss of sanctifying grace.  Such believers are spiritually dead and if they should die in this state are eternally damned.  It is sin, including grievous, that targets our Lord in his passion and cross; i.e. his sacred heart.  Repentance, sorrow for sin and the absolution of the sacrament can steal a soul from hell and return him to good standing within the communion of the saints.  But sin has no place and cannot touch the heavenly communion. The denizens of heaven know only joy and cannot be manipulated or grieved by the damned.    

I have often argued for the necessity of the sacrament of penance along these lines.  Some will argue, “Can’t I just go directly to God and tell him I am sorry so as to be forgiven?”  My response is yes, God does indeed hear the cry of sinners and he knows our hearts; but the Catholic faith is both personal and corporate or communal.  The absolution of the priest gives assurance to our hope for forgiveness and salvation.  It grants us both actual graces and sanctifying grace.  It recognizes how we are united with one another in the peace of Christ.  It makes possible our healing as part of something larger than ourselves— as members of the body of Christ, the Church.  That requires the sacrament of penance or reconciliation.  

It is true that our unity with one another presses upon us an obligation to respond that humbly acknowledges divine providence and our calling to be a voice for the voiceless and the hands of Christ to work in the world for charity and justice.  Silence in the face of evil incurs the guilt of complicity.  Enabling or encouraging the evil of others signifies cooperation with iniquity. When practical examples are listed, that is where the critics attack you.  Speak for the desperate immigrant escaping oppression and wanting a better life for his family and you are condemned for betrayal of fellow citizens in taking the side of invaders.  Speak for the unborn child and you are condemned as a chauvinist who is prejudiced against women and their rights over their bodies.  Speak for those on death row and you are charged with being soft on crime and deaf to the plight of victims.  Speak for the poor and their need for welfare and universal healthcare and you are charged with the dark label of socialism and of swindling the rich so as to pamper bums and other never-do-wells. Racism is a particular difficult matter because you can be a voice for justice and be actively engaged in opening doors to all, peaceful protest, promoting acceptance— and still get labeled as a bigot for not seeing all the places where racism can hide, for an affection toward ancient heroes that are now vilified, for disavowing violence, for not doing what others feel is enough or charged with privilege just because of the lighter skin within which you were born. When it comes to such issues, no one has the exclusive corner on moral blindness.         

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I sometimes worry that we overly politicize the Church.  Certainly, we must take positions on certain questions that reflect Gospel mandates, the natural law in morality and the Social Gospel.  This in itself will anger those on the right and left who immediately identify themselves with a political party.  Instead of trying to conform our world to the values of faith, such people try to force the dynamic blocks of Christian faith into the restrictive parameters of the faddish popular forum, much like forcing wooden stars and triangles into the round hole of a cognitive puzzle.  Much of the anger and frustration comes from trying to make something fit that just does not belong. 

Those on the right might validly stress the preeminent value of the sanctity of life against abortion.  This is as it should be, but such should not be dismissive of the other pressing issues of the day.  Indeed, they should work harder to demonstrate how other threats to life and dignity begin with it as the nucleus.  Those on the left would correctly remind us that there are other issues besides abortion; but, often with a disconnect that allows it to be wrongly eclipsed by a host of other matters.  There are topics on the table dear to the two reigning parties and reflective of a modernity that do not square well with the kerygma we have inherited.  The bishops would implore us to take up the pressing moral and social challenges of the day— but to do so without taking partisan sides. This often leaves clergy bewildered with impotent preaching because it is never explained how this might be done at a time when the two main parties are stringently polarized behind certain issues.  Mention the topic of pro-life or anti-abortion and many immediately tag you as a Republican.  Use the label of pro-choice or reproductive rights and you are quickly assessed as a Democrat.  What are the other concerns?  Republicans like to think of themselves as supporters of states’ rights over federal intrusion, of increased funding for police, of traditional marriage restricted to a man and woman, of capital punishment for the most dangerous criminals, of a strong military, of the right to bear arms, of walls and secure borders, of low taxes, of incentives for business and job development, etc.  Democrats are known for the expansion of federal government, for a preference of funding for domestic programs over military hardware, for defunding the police, for gun-control, for welcoming immigrants (illegal ones), for an end to the federal death penalty, for wider access to welfare and food stamps, for the rights of workers and unions, for women’s rights (including abortion) and now for LGBTQ rights.  While there is little room for dialogue on abortion given that many politicians (even Catholic ones) have voted against the Born-Alive bill, there is a growing hesitance for the two parties to discuss almost anything today in good faith.  Religion is increasing invoked for positions taken although more on the right than the left.  Indeed, it seems that many bishops increasingly fear the secularism from the Democratic Party as a threat to religious liberty. The Church, both her leadership and her members, have become drawn into the debates.  A number of these matters accent what might be called the pelvic issues:  marriage and same sex unions, the nature of gender and abortion. When the matter is the sanctity of human life and the dignity of persons, many would call into question the veracity of one’s claim to be a Christian believer.  Many of us feel that there is no such creature as a pro-abortion Catholic.  The USCCB desperately wants to avoid a political litmus test.  However, there is a conundrum.  Are there some matters (as with abortion) that would not make the reception of Holy Communion a sacrilege before God and a scandal before the faith community? 

Borrowing a theme from Trump, (a name that makes some bow the head and others spit), many are saying that we need to MAKE THE CHURCH GREAT AGAIN.  But, what they are really saying is that they want a “great” purge.  While the reception of the Eucharist gives the impression of normalization, we need to emphasize that God knows our hearts and minds.  He is the one to render ultimate judgment. We can ask that certain people refrain from taking Holy Communion; but we also have to renew the invitation for any and all to come to Mass.  While we have emphasized the Mass as a spiritual meal, we must also remember that it is an opportunity to offer ourselves at the oblation of Calvary.  It is this sacrifice that can transform hearts and minds.  Over time it may help dispose us so that we can be fed and not poisoned by the food for the journey.  The Eucharist is food and medicine to many; but to those who are not in right relationship with the Lord, it would be like a person allergic to shell fish having it for a meal.  It will make you sick or bring down judgment. Remember, the one sin that most arouses the ire of Christ is hypocrisy.

The Church was “great” even when it was reduced to eleven fearful apostles and a few crying women.  Again, the Church is great because Christ is great— he is almighty God in human flesh— God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-good.  He is great because he freely willed to come down from heaven to earth so that we might be able to go from earth to heaven.

The greatness that we should pursue is how we might allow the awesome wonder and glory of Christ to shine out to the world through us— in other words, how we might become that light in the darkness, shining for all to see.  The expansion of the Church was certainly part of the apostolic mission given the commission of Christ to go out to the entire world and to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  I suspect that they were aware of the “greatness” of the Church even when it was an embryo of what it would later become.  The proclamation of the kingdom of God was readily identified firstly with the person of Christ and later with the Church as his mystical body.  The fire or drive of St. Paul was most definitely an ambition to expand the saving dispensation among the Gentiles.  Later, at the council of Jerusalem, one imagines that the Jewish-Christian leadership were markedly surprised if not aghast at the growth of the Gospel and the establishment of churches in the Greek and Roman pagan world.  They were aware that theirs was the Church of a saving covenant that fulfilled the one covenant established by God with the Jews.  The many martyrs for the faith would intensify a sense of the Church as a unique entity, made stronger and larger by those who mingled their blood with that of Christ.  Given time the great empire of Rome would succumb and be transformed by the Christian faith.  The legacy of those who would receive the keys from Peter would be that the bishops of Rome wielded universal jurisdiction in the Church as a charism from Christ.  Their pedigree, so to speak, would be built upon the twin pillars of Peter and Paul.  The Lord is honored by the fidelity of his disciples and the growth of the Church.  The efficacy of the Church’s claim as HOLY is that she has endured the ages and consistently witnessed to the truth, compassion and mercy of Christ, even while drawing sinners to her.  The story of Christ and the tales of the saints is the real and saving history of this glorious Church.  We have wanted as her sons and daughters to give resound to the greatness and glories of the Catholic Church.  She is the great mother from which we received spiritual adoption and new birth in the womb of the baptismal font. 

It is true that everything is gift.  But we should not short-change our participation in the work of Christ.  There is greatness in our taking up our crosses and following the Lord.  Indeed, imitating the model of Mary, there is greatness in humility and in being so disposed to grace that we become servants and handmaids of God.  When we read the stories of saints who laid down their lives for others, we are touched by this greatness.  Watch the end to the movie, THE MISSION— when the priest is leading the tribesmen in Eucharistic procession, courageously facing in solidarity with their priest the bullets of the soldiers— we are moved to awe.  It is a fiction but made real in so many stories of clergy and their flocks witnessing their faith with bravery.  We need that courage today.  One of my favorite saints is Father Damien.  When he cries out, “We Lepers!” at a Mass on Molokai Island— there is a light blazing, greatness that a selfish world still struggles to understand. 

We have nothing of our own.  We are all the poor man.  But there is greatness in appreciating the gift— in acknowledging what is already there.  The greatness of our heroes of faith and thus of the Church is one with the “Greatest Story Ever Told.” 

Many speak of a wonderment that approaches reverence when they look into a clear night sky filled with stars.  Just imagine, the God who made all this also made you.  But would it be the same if there were no one to look up and see?  Yes, it could exist, but where would be the wonder? I am reminded of the proverbial tree falling in the woods— does it make any noise if there is no one to hear it?  What God creates, he perfectly knows and sustains in being or existence.  If greatness is measured in terms of awe then it weighs heavily on the side of creation.  It is an opening to a big surprise or a vast mystery.  It is to encounter something incalculable, drawing us beyond ourselves.  Given evolution as part of God’s plan, there is a rendezvous in our journey to the truth of our dependence, becoming aware that in the hierarchy of being this distance between us and the absolute is greater than between an ant and a man. Called to be children, our first parents fell and sought to join the bestial.  And yet, on the level of grace there is an intersection of the finite with the infinite.  A promise is fulfilled with the incarnation. Every time we cry out Hosanna or Glory to God, we are giving voice to a greatness that demands and deserves acknowledgment. The angelic choir of heaven hears the distant echo of earthly voices taking up their celestial hymn. 

We cannot save ourselves.  We are instruments of God but we have no dominion over divine providence. Not even the Pope is the master of the Gospel, just the chief of its stewards.  The kingdom will come entirely when God intends it to be fulfilled.  This makes the Church not just a human institution but also a divine one.  The greatness of the Church rests with the greatness or awesome wonder that belongs to Christ.  When we speak of regeneration by faith in the waters of baptism, we are literally talking about the seeds of greatness planted by our Lord.  A fallen human nature is not immediately repaired from all the consequences of sin but it is redeemed, advanced and given a higher dignity by sanctifying grace. We are more than we were before.  A number of the spiritual masters and Church fathers speak of it as a divinization of our humanity.  We are made members of the kingdom of God, adopted sons and daughters of the Father and heirs to eternal life.  If we can speak of any greatness in the Church, its source is found in Christ and it permeates the entire mystical body, all those members who live and serve in right relationship with God.

Divine worship and the Lord’s Supper aid us in the truth about our standing before God; however, we can be convicted as well if we come ill-disposed.  (Here I think about the parable when the guest was thrown out for not wearing the proper wedding garment.)  We can grow in love and humility, as long as contrite hearts make possible the forgiveness of sins. Our worship is rendered in communion with Christ who is priest and victim.  Our Lord is the one priest who sacrifices his life on Calvary to make perfect satisfaction for the sin that dishonored the Almighty.  This oblation of propitiation or redemption is re-presented in a clean or unbloody manner every time we assemble to celebrate the Mass.  This is our greatest worship as Christians and because of this profound sacramental unity with a man who is also a divine person, it pleases the Father.  A vast breach is traversed.  We join in the banquet of heaven.  The Lord becomes our “pontifex” or bridge from this veil of tears to the other side.  The Eucharist is given to us as the rations for our pilgrimage across the sea of life to the promised shore.  

Is nothing added in our worship?  I would suggest that the one thing is added at Mass that was missing two thousand years ago.  Our Lord commanded that the Lord’s Supper be performed in “remembrance of me.”  While we all stand convicted by the Cross, as the accumulative sins of all mankind throughout all human history put Jesus to death, the Mass allows us to move from the foot of the cross to the other side of that dead tree where we might be crucified with him.  The Mass allows us to intentionally offer ourselves joined with Christ to the heavenly Father.  Something of this is symbolized in the offertory gifts.  Just as we offer bread and wine that might be transformed into the body and blood of Christ; the worshipper should also be consciously praying that he or she might also be transformed into a new Christ.  We pray that the Father will see his Son in us and give us a share in his reward.  There is greatness in this movement of grace.  We are made in the in the image of God; but the mercy of Jesus transforms us into his likeness in grace.  We are made righteous or justified.  We are made brand new.

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