The Way to Mass is Thru Your Heart

 A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass by Father Tim Gallagher explains how to get more out of the Mass.  I was listening to the first part this morning.  Father Tim suggests we take a favorite saint and imagine how that saint prepared himself for Mass.

I imagined St. Dominic Guzman.  He would pray and study.  How would I approach the Mass this way?  It's a good idea to imagine St. Dominic because he wouldn't just "go" like some people do and then wonder what was going on. I once brought someone to Mass and sat them in front of the Tabernacle hoping Jesus would lead them.  The man took out paper and pen and started taking notes; he expected a long preaching service.  Another person, after attending a Catholic wedding said she was glad she wasn't Catholic because her knees hurt and just got comfortable sitting when she had to stand up again.

You can't just walk into Mass and love it.   St. Dominic would say "study" it.  There are many books written about the Mass: its connection to Jewish traditions, its Biblical origins, and its historical development from the Last Supper.  There are missals to follow the Mass in the pews.  There are even books for children.  You need to understand what you are looking at.

There is a part of the Mass that really needs weekly study, and that's the Liturgy of the Word.  You can prepare yourself to listen to the Readings before you attend Mass.  I myself belong to a weekly Scripture Sharing group that does just this.  It is a great help to appreciate the Liturgy of the Word.

But you want to love the Mass.  Understanding it is the first and most necessary step.  St. Dominic would also pray.  He would probably sing, "Come Holy Spirit".  He would pray to be worthy to receive the Eucharist, pray for focus, pray for appreciation, thanksgiving, and worthiness.  

All this is done before Mass.  The readings for sure are prepared.  The praying could start while we are dressing for Mass, or driving, and/or definitely kneeling in our pew prior to Mass.

It's the preparation that turns the heart towards the right disposition to focus on the Mass.

Brother Tonto's Nine Ways of Prayer

Brother Tonto has two pets: a cat named Cappa and a dog named Canis.  Here they are demonstrating Brother Tonto's nine ways of prayer.

Proof of God

The Empty Tomb

Teaching Old Dogs and Cats

Luke 18: 11-14

Tonight is Halloween and if the kids don't start coming I'm going to make myself sick eating all this candy.  But for now, I'm giving thanks.

Brother Tonto, Cappa, and Canis want to be your Valentine

Bro

I'll Follow

Blessed Advent

Much to be Thankful

Bro. Tonto & Cappa's Valentines

Merry Christmas

                                      Brother Tonto and Cappa wish you the peace of Christ.

The Sermon

Brother Tonto handed the Prior a sermon, saying that it was written by Brother Diotrophes.  The Prior studied it.  "This isn't by Brother Diotrophes, it's too bad!"  "Then will you believe me if I tell you that it is mine?"  asked Brother Tonto.  "No" the Prior replied, "it's too good."

Brother Tonto explains

Santa Joke

Brother Tonto: I got a job as a substitute Santa at the Mall.
Brother Diotrophes : What's your job title?
Brother Tonto: Subordinate Clause.

Fifty Dollars is Fifty Dollars

Brother Tonto and the Prior enjoyed walking around the fair grounds. Every time they went,they found themselves in front of the airplane ride. Brother Tonto would wistfully read the sign, "Fifty Dollars a ride". The pilot explained that he'd fly over the neighborhood and your home--in their case, the priory. But the prior would say "Fifty Dollars!"

And Brother Tonto would explain, "The experience would be priceless."

The Prior, was aghast. "Fifty Dollars! Do you know what fifty dollars could buy? It would feed us for a week. We could pay a bill. We could help the poor. We could buy some books. Yadayadayadayadayad........"

Every year, the pilot would relive this same scenario.

"Fifty Dollars! Do you know what fifty dollars could by? It would feed us. We could pay some bills. We could help the poor. We could buy some books. We could get the plumbing fixed. We could send money to Father Tom's Kids. Yadayadayadayadayad........"

This year, however, when the pilot saw the friars approaching, he made an offer that the friars, (especially the parsimonious prior), couldn't refuse. "I'll make a bet with you."

"Eh?"

The pilot said, "I'll fly you both free, if the prior won't speak--during the entire time."

The friars were sure to win. After all, they lived in silence. Mostly. Some of the time. Well, the prior was sure he could remain silent. Sure. This wasn't even a gamble; the prior would win.

Up they went. Brother Tonto pointed out the priory and the pilot flew all around it. It was awesome. The scenery was spectacular. God is awesome.

But the prior hadn't said a word. He was sitting in back and was silent during the tour of the neighborhood, the priory, and fairgrounds.

The pilot was beginning to worry that he was going to be out Fifty Dollars. So he did some aerobatic maneuvers. He did some spins over the fair. No sound from the back. He looped over the priory. It was quiet. He was rolling over the river when he noticed that Brother Tonto was turning green. Still no word from the prior. The pilot also noticed that he was low on fuel.

The pilot had no choice, but to land. As he was taxiing to a stop, the pilot remarked that he was very surprised that the prior could keep his mouth closed, this long.

"The Prior?" Brother Tonto's voice went up. "Oh, he fell out during your spin over the river."

"What!" The pilot was aghast. "Brother Tonto, why didn't you say something?"

"Well, because..." Brother Tonto spoke from memory. "Fifty dollars is fifty dollars. Do you know what fifty dollars could buy...........................................?"

Frere Benoit

Frère Benoît from M duf animation on Vimeo.

Look what happened to Brother Tonto's friend, Frere Benoit!

Lost and Found

Brother Tonto lost a contact lens while pulling weeds in the garden. Again.  He looked everywhere: under leaves, under clumps of earth, on himself, etc.  Brother Tonto prayed to Saint Anthony:  Tony, Tony, please come down; my contact lens is lost and must be found.


Then Brother Tonto prayed to St. Jude.

The lens was nowhere to be found.  Brother Tonto finally gave up looking and told the Prior.  The Prior came out and looked around the garden.

After a few minutes, the Prior bent down and picked up the lost lens.  "How did you find it," asked Brother Tonto?

"We weren't looking for the same thing," exclaimed the Prior.  "You were looking for a small plastic circle.  I was looking for $ 150."

Haven't I Seen You at the Well Before?

The Prior calls the student brother over and says, "Your homily is exactly the same as Brother Diotrophes."

Brother Tonto answers, "Well, it's the same well and the same Samaritan woman."