"But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated." - Heb. 10:12-14
"The Lord be with you...and with your Spirit. Lift up your hearts...we lift them up to the Lord...Let us give thanks to the Lord our God..." Except for the occasional slipping into the old translation, these phrases are second nature to those who attend Mass regularly. In fact, they are so often recited that they can become quite monotonous and forgettable. Does the Mass become less if we are less attentive to these words? No. Does the Mass mean more should we be attentive to this phrase? Absolutely!
In the one offering of Jesus Christ on the Cross, we have been granted the forgiveness of sins. In that perfect and free act, Jesus has allowed for us to be united to the Father—if only we lift up our hearts to Him. The Mass isn't a fresh form of entertainment to create each week. It is the moment to unite our lives to the perfect offering of Christ on the Cross. Again and again, we are offered the opportunity to join Christ in His offering to the Father. May we truly lift up our hearts and share in the joy of being made perfect.
When was the last time that I truly offered myself in Mass/prayer/worship to the Father?
Jesus, help me to unite myself to You in offering all that I have and am to the Father.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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