Episode 2488: Seeing the True Reality of the Mass - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”
Seeing the True Reality of the Mass
In this episode, we’ll reflect on two central aspects of Catholic life: the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in guiding us through life’s difficulties, and the profound, often hidden reality of the Holy Mass. We’ll look at wisdom from Pope St. John Paul II on Marian devotion, as well as insights from R. Jared Staudt on how we can see the Mass with the eyes of faith.
Entrusting Ourselves to Mary in Times of Difficulty
Pope John Paul II, a great Marian pope, reminds us of the importance of entrusting ourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially in times of trial. He says: “To succeed in your intentions, entrust yourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary always, but especially in moments of difficulty and darkness.” This guidance is crucial for us, as we face hardships and uncertainties in our daily lives. Mary, as the Mother of God and our spiritual mother, teaches us how to respond to God's will with trust and humility.
John Paul II continues: “From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ, her Son and the Son of God… Learn from her to be always faithful, to trust that God’s Word to you will be fulfilled, and that nothing is impossible with God.” In times of difficulty, we often struggle to understand God's plan, but by looking to Mary, we see a model of perfect surrender. Mary trusted God completely, even at the foot of the Cross, when everything seemed lost. Her unwavering faith teaches us that with God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).
The Blessed Virgin’s example reminds us that in our darkest moments, we can find hope in God’s promises. As she said in the Magnificat: “My soul doth magnify the Lord… for He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name” (Luke 1:46-49). Entrusting ourselves to Mary is not merely a devotion; it is a way of life that aligns us with God’s will and leads us to greater trust in His divine providence.
The Hidden Reality of the Mass
The Mass is the most sacred and profound act of worship in the Catholic Church. Yet, as R. Jared Staudt explains, “The first thing needed to participate properly in the Mass is to see what occurs there with the eyes of faith.” Without this sacramental vision, the Mass can appear mundane—just a gathering of people, some prayers, and the breaking of bread. But the Mass is far more than what it seems on the surface. Staudt emphasizes that to recognize its deeper meaning, we must cultivate a sacramental vision, a way of seeing beyond the physical elements to the spiritual realities they signify.
At every Mass, we are invited to enter into the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary, to witness His body and blood offered for the salvation of the world. As St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:26, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” In the Eucharist, heaven meets earth, and we are brought into communion with God and His Church.
When we look at the Mass with the eyes of faith, we understand that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, as He promised: “This is my body… This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). It is a mystery that we cannot fully comprehend with our natural senses, but one that we embrace with our hearts and minds through faith.
Conclusion
In the midst of life’s trials, we are called to entrust ourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who shows us how to trust in God’s will, even in the darkest times. Through her example, we learn to surrender to God’s plan, trusting that nothing is impossible for Him. At the same time, we are invited to deepen our understanding of the Mass by seeing it with the eyes of faith. By participating in the Mass with a sacramental vision, we encounter the true presence of Christ and are united with Him in a profound way.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who shows us how to trust in Your will with a heart full of faith. Help us to follow her example, especially in times of difficulty, and to entrust ourselves completely to Your divine providence.
Grant us the grace to see the Mass with the eyes of faith, so that we may enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and experience His true presence in the Eucharist.
May we always seek to do Your will, with the help of Mary, our Mother, and may we be strengthened by Your grace to live lives of faith, hope, and charity.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
St. Peter Claver, pray for us.
Amen.