AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
February 6, 2011 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Epistle: Col. 3, 12-17
Gospel: Matth. 13, 24-30
Mass schedule February 7 through February 11
Monday----Saint Romuald, Abbot----NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday----Saint John of Matha, Confessor
Wednesday----Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Thursday----Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Friday----Our Lady of Lourdes
No Pot Luck Dinner this month.
MASS ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13 WILL BE AT 7:00 PM AT SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL
What a miracle of love it is when the Son of God, who is Almighty and Infinite, and whom the angels and saints reverently adore day and night, becomes our food in the Eucharist! To receive God within us and to unite our unworthy flesh and blood with His most sacred flesh and blood is a tremendous grace! God comes to dwell within us! How can we not feel the most profound reverence and adoration?
Our God is in the Holy Eucharist. He is present in the form of bread out of His infinite love for us. He does this so that He may unite Himself to us. He does not reveal His infinite glory while present in the sacred host so that we will not be frightened by the splendor of His divinity. In other words, God foregoes His own splendor and glory so that He may save sinners and be present in the sacred host.
What then do we owe God in return? Do we acknowledge His love and show our gratitude? Sadly, many do not. God manifests His greatest love, and yet here He often receives His greatest abuse. He often receives the utmost ingratitude. During the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Christ offers Himself up for our sins to God the Father and begs God’s grace and mercy. What do we do in return? Many do not even think it worth while to attend this Sacrifice even if they easily can. Others attend, but without thinking what it is that is being done for them. Others act inappropriately during the Mass. They talk or find some excuse to get up and leave as soon as Mass begins. Others even make fun of the Mass. Christ sees all and yet He continues to make Himself present to appease the just wrath of God the Father.
Let us attend Mass with the utmost reverence and respect. Let us thank our God for the sacrifice of His Son.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
