Some years ago a bishop from England made it down from his guest room to downstairs Dallas HQ, it was Sunday, and asked Ma LSP and myself, "Have you two even been to Mass?" Of course we had and I forget what happened next, probably some kind of lunch. That in mind, here we are on the eve of worship, getting ready to ascend the Altar of God tomorrow, no small thing, almost unbearably brilliant if you dare think on it for a second. By way of preparation, here's this, from Austin Farrer's Crown of the Year:
ST FRANCIS DE SALES says that it is a special sign of God’s goodness that he actually commands us to love him. It is wonderful enough if he permits us to love him; a few brave spirits might avail themselves of due permission. It is still more wonderful if he invites us to love him the responsive and the generous might answer the invitation. But he commands us to love him, because he will have us all to do so. He will not be deprived of any man's love. Nor will he be deprived of any part of our love, for he commands us not merely to love him, but to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The love of God holds out two hands to catch and take us: one is the commandment that we should love, the other is the act of his own love in the sacrifice of Jesus. He does not mean that we should escape him; see, he has taken us between his two hands.
Love, the purifying, incandescent fire of divine love, that's what we're preparing to meet in our worship tomorrow. Are we ready? Not by a long shot, but thank God that his grace precedes us and grants the increase.
Put simply -- go to Mass, ye heathen, and worship God. If you can't, make your spiritual communion. It's important, like immortal soul important.
Your Pal,
LSP
