What is common to all these commands is “Go!” Here we are, having just finished the most sacred action of all, the Holy Mass, and now we are being told to get out of here! This is not just to make room for the following Mass attendees. Instead, it is our commission. In one sense, we have already done the most beautiful thing we can for God; we have joined our lives to the sacrifice of his Son. However, we are not done doing! That “Go!” sends us to our next responsibility as followers of Christ.

Something is sheltering about the Mass. We are gathered with friends and family, share a common faith, worship God, and enjoy the banquet of the Lord. But we Christians are not to live a sheltered life. We are to go “forth” out there where we know there is, at least, a lot of indifference and, at most, hostility toward the faith. Yet that has been the purpose of our nourishment: to go forth into that indifferent, hostile world and be the Lord’s witnesses. As Jesus told the apostles, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

In two of the deacon’s directives, we hear we are to be such witnesses by word and deed. The more challenging part is to do so by word, and that is probably why my favorite command is the first one above, to announce the Gospel of the Lord. Pope St. Paul VI said, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” (Pope St. Paul VI, Address to the Members of the Consilium de Laicis, Oct. 2, 1974)

We all feel obligated to ensure that our lives match our words. Too much caution can hinder and freeze us, however. In one sense, our lives will never match the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Still, we hope that announcing the Good News to our neighbors will change our lives so that they glorify God. Living a Gospel life without speaking of it to another is only half our task. 

St. Peter is clear: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (I Pt 3:15) In our world today, which so needs the Good News, let us not wait to be asked. Instead, let us offer that which the world seeks by how we live our lives and by announcing the Gospel of the Lord.

This is the last of these articles on the Mass. Thanks for indulging me and allowing me to share these fruits of my reflection during this Year of the Eucharist.