by Fr. Tommy Lane
We encounter John the Baptist in the Sunday Gospels every Advent (today Luke 3:1-6). He had the vocation of preparing his fellow Israelites to welcome Jesus. His challenge to his fellow Israelites invites us also to look at ourselves and think about how we welcome Jesus in our lives.
I thought that today we could think about how we welcome Jesus at Mass. To help us welcome Jesus better at Mass, the thoughts of Venerable Bruno Lanteri might help. He founded the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. He was banished for three years by Napoleon. During those three years he grew closer to the Lord in the Eucharist. The writings and thoughts he left us are surely the fruit of that forced isolation. It is yet another example of God bringing good out of evil. He left us his thoughts on preparing for Mass, how to pray during Mass, and on thanksgiving after Mass.
Concerning preparation for Mass, these are Bruno’s thoughts, “When I prepare, I will think about what will take place on the altar between me, the eternal Father, and his only-begotten Son. I will think about the four motives [adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication], and I will speak with each of the three Persons [of the Most Holy Trinity]. I will ask for forgiveness of my sins, for the virtues I need, and I will ask Mary and Joseph to teach me how to conduct myself with Jesus. I will ask my Guardian Angel to assist me at the altar, and I will form the intention and the application of the Mass.” (Timothy Gallagher A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri p20)
Venerable Bruno Lanteri left us a very short text, less than a page, explaining how he prays during Mass. He associated a character in Scripture with each part of the Mass, a character who expressed the sentiments he himself desired in that part of the Mass. Here are some examples. When entering the church, he wanted to have the sentiments of Simeon going to the temple knowing that he would meet the longed-for Messiah that day. At the Penitential Rite at beginning of Mass when we ask the Lord for pardon for our sins, Bruno wanted to have the sentiments of the tax collector who humbly asked God for mercy in the temple. Let me recall that parable told by Jesus. A Pharisee and tax collector went to the temple. The Pharisee prayed, “‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.” But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ (Luke 18:11-13) At the beginning of Mass, the sentiment of that tax collector is a beautiful sentiment of humility and honesty before God.
While listening to the readings and Gospel, Bruno wanted to have the sentiments of a disciple whom we see in the Gospels. There are many disciples of whom we could think. Just to pick one for now, I would like to recall Mary, the sister of Martha. Jesus entered their house and Martha was busy serving the meal. On the other hand, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to him. Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Sitting at someone’s feet was the position of a disciple or student at that time. Mary acted like a disciple or student, sitting at Jesus’ feet. Jesus said she chose the better part. Like Mary, we sit at Jesus’ feet listening to the Scripture readings during Mass.
Concerning his thanksgiving after Mass, these are Bruno’s thoughts, “In my thanksgiving, I will adore him. . . . I will ask for an outpouring of graces, not only a few, but many and great, because God lavishes them upon us, especially the grace to be faithful to my vows and to practice virtue. Then I will pray for other general and special needs. . . . Finally, I will consecrate myself entirely, body and soul, to him. I will ask his blessing and strengthening before I go. I will especially commend sinners to him.” (Timothy Gallagher A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri p20)
As we think about John the Baptist preparing the people to welcome Jesus, it is good to think about how we welcome Jesus during Mass. Is our focus on God instead of on ourselves? Any time we can bring our needs and concerns to God, admitting that we are weak or distracted or whatever our concern is. We can do that in the early part of our prayer, but then we can focus on God, lifting our hearts to God. Remember the Pharisee and tax collector (Luke 18:11-13). The Pharisee’s focus was on himself, but the tax collector’s focus was on God. Just look at the number of times the Pharisee mentioned himself in his prayer, “I am not like the rest…I fast…I pay tithes” whereas the tax collector humbly said, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Being more like the tax collector will help us to experience more fruit and in our celebration of Mass and every time we pray. When we come to Mass and every time we pray, may we give our hearts to God.
Prepare the way of the
Lord,
Make straight his paths. (Luke 3:4)
© Fr. Tommy Lane 2021
This homily was delivered in a parish in Ireland.
More Homilies for the Second Sunday of Advent Year C
Longing for God and God Searching for Us 2018
Making Room for Jesus in our Hearts during Advent 2015
Related Homilies: God is Offering You a Grace this Advent
Advent: Preparing our hearts for the the Second Coming of Jesus