Yes, babies can participate in Mass (Corpus Christi homily)

Pope Francis will often create a homily 

around three words from the readings; 

that’s what I am going to do today.

The three words are “Remember,” “Participation” and “True.”

Let’s start with Moses telling God’s People to “remember.” 

“Remember how God directed your journey,” he said.

That was the point of the Passover, with the sacrificed lamb: 

to remember God’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

But for Moses and the people, 

that remembering didn’t just involve a thought process. 

By sharing the sacrificial meal together, 

they went back in time in a sense, truly reliving the saving events.

And that is what happens in Holy Mass. 

You and I are, in a real sense, present at Calvary.

Present at the empty tomb. 

Present at the eternal supper of the Lamb.

Even though those are events either in the past, or ahead of us,

Nevertheless, God makes all these things present:

That’s what “remembering” means to God;

Because, remember, there is no past or future for God;

He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Now let’s add in St. Paul’s word: “participation.”

A lot of people misunderstand what it means to “participate” in Mass.

While it’s good to give the responses, or to sing, 

or perhaps to help as a reader or usher 

or someone else helping at Mass,

these are not the primary way you or I “participate” in Mass.

So, someone might say, the Mass is in Spanish, so I can’t participate.

I can’t see, or I can’t hear, so I can’t participate.

Yes, these are legitimate concerns, but stop and think:

Do we really mean to say that folks with bad eyesight, 

or bad hearing, can’t “participate”? 

That can’t be the right answer.

No, even if you don’t understand the language, you still participate.

The fundamental way we participate is by our intention:

We join our prayers and faith with the prayers of God’s People, 

and above all, with Jesus himself, who is the true priest,

who really is the one offering the Mass.

Sometimes people won’t bring their children to Mass, and they’ll say, 

“oh they are too young to get anything out of Mass.”

My answer is, what about grace?

Isn’t that the key? We don’t come to Mass to get a bulletin or a homily or – 

sorry to shock you – even to get Holy Communion.

We come to be united with Jesus in his suffering, death and resurrection. 

That’s what we come to “do” and what we “get.”

If we reduce participation to, “I gotta do this or that,” 

or, “I have to get communion” that is a mistake.

It wrongly suggests that if you aren’t able-bodied 

or maybe not that mentally alert, 

or if you aren’t receiving the Eucharist, 

You have no reason to be at Mass.

The true reason to be here is because Jesus chooses – 

in the Mass – to offer himself in the fullest possible way.

It’s true most of the Apostles weren’t at the Cross – 

but shouldn’t they have been? Mary was there! 

What kind of disciple would say, “I don’t need to be there.”

And let me explain that the reason some people 

shouldn’t receive the Eucharist is not about “worthiness” – 

because no one is ever worthy – but about “readiness.”

Not everyone is ready for that most intimate form of participation.

Some are too young – First Communion comes usually in second grade.

Some are wrestling with mortal sins and need confession.

Still others haven’t decided what they believe;

Or whether they really want to commit themselves.

If Holy Communion is important – and of course it is! –

Then we do say, if you are entering into this most solemn act,

Then yes, examine your faith, examine your conscience, first.

Now let’s look at the third word, from the Gospel: “True.”

Jesus – who is the Truth – tells us, 

“My Body is true food. My blood is true drink.”

Through history there has come division among Christians, 

And sadly, we don’t all share this same understanding.

We Catholics must bear witness to what Jesus himself says:

Holy Communion isn’t bread and wine, it isn’t merely a symbol.

The Mass truly is a sacrifice, of Jesus’ true Body and Blood.

You and I cannot be smug or superior.

Yet: this Gift of the True Sacrifice and True Presence is here!

Ask the Holy Spirit for words of grace and love, to tell others!

Invite people to come and pray in our church.

Explain: that’s the altar; that’s the tabernacle. 

Welcome people to discover Jesus in our midst.