Luceat!

It is safe to say that the world has lost its awareness of an ongoing epic story in which each person a plays an irreplaceable role.  This leads modern man to the state of boredom in which he now exists.  This boredom has put him to sleep.  Making matters worse the majority of music, entertainment, art, literature, all those things that have traditionally reminded humanity of the great story in which they are a part of, serves only to call man to a deeper self-absorption.  Those things which are meant to call man outside of himself too often only turn his eyes inward. 

In the fight to awaken humanity from its slumber and to draw him back into the story the Catholic Church has always led the way.  Into this battle the Church carries many weapons, but its greatest weapon is the Celebration of the Mass.

Nothing forces Man outside of himself like true, objective beauty.  From the beginning the Church in Her wisdom has known this and applies it to the Mass.  In the Mass every human sense is engaged through beautiful ritual.  Because of this beauty the thoughts of Man are taken away from himself and are moved to transcendence and mystery.  This is what modern Man so desperately needs if he is to find his place in the great story of humanity. 

Coming face to face with beauty forces a person to consider their very existence.  When stepping into St. Peter’s Basilica, thoughts of the transcendent cannot be escaped.  Stepping into Mass at the local parish should be no different.  Every Mass should be beautiful.  It must be beautiful.  Not due to God’s necessity but humanity’s.  Man needs the beauty of the Mass.  Man must be awakened again from his long sleep.  The Mass full of splendor and beauty declares to the world that the greatest story ever told is taking place.  With more power and might then anything else in the world, the Mass shouts at each person to find their place in the story. 

When heavenly sounds, angelic art, intricate architecture, engaging sounds, and fascinating language come together in the Mass the eyes of the world are taken off of itself and gaze deeply into the eternal.  At this point the world comes face to face with the Truth of the whole great story that humanity lives in and lives for.  As Jesus Christ makes Himself present in the Holy Eucharist all the mystery that the beauty of this world points to is fulfilled.  Man’s great story is made completely and totally real, and his place in the great story of humanity is united to the great story: God’s love for Man.