The Meaning Jesus' Body and the Mass

I.       Introduction—True Story about Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ—Jim Cav. (JC) During the filming, he was accidentally wounded by the scourging, and he was struck by lightning while on the Cross. Mel Gibson also wanted to show that he is a sinner since it is his hand who drove the first nail into the character, Jesus, in his film. My talk is about the Mass, so why do I bring up the Crucifixion? That is the first thing I want to share with you…what the Mass is really. Second, listen for the flux capacitor stuff. Third—let’s talk about the most important words of the universe. Finally, how can the Mass tie into our lives…what difference does it make?

II.     The Mass! Some of you may know this already, but I want to make sure you know. The Mass is the same as The Last Supper which is the same as Calvary, the same as Jesus’ Crucifixion on the Cross. When we go to Mass, we get to go back 2,008 years ago to the foot of the Cross. How amazing! The Mass and the Crucifixion are the self-same representation of Jesus’ Sacrifice on Calvary. And it the Mass and Crucifixion are the same as the Last Supper. Mel Gibson does a superb artistic job of expressing a deep theological belief in one particular scene in The Passion of the Christ. Remember when St. John is at the Cross. The camera focuses on John, and we can tell that in his thoughts, he is reflecting on the Last Supper. Right when Jesus at the Last Supper is lifting the Eucharist up, the Cross is being lifted up. John sees. He starts crying, understanding the reality of the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and what he and the other apostles will carry on…the Mass. Amazing! And people say the Mass is boring!

III.    The Flux Capacitor. Some of you may not remember the movie Back to the Future. The main characters could get in a car, and it would take them to a time before they lived. Think about Mass being that flux capacitor. And guess what?! We don’t only get propelled back in space and time to Jerusalem when Jesus died, we get to go to the future, to the beatific vision…to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb…to that fabulous party that God is throwing that we can have eternal fun at in eternity! And people say the Mass is boring. (Let me demonstrate—Get funny sanguine guy who is willing to sing into the microphone. I will try to show how “elevator music” still goes on when we are put on hold…and the same goes with the Mass. We “plug into” the Mass, which is an eternal event going on even as we speak. Have the boy keep singing this is my body, given and show how the “veil” between heaven and earth is pulled back during Mass).

IV.   The Most Important Words of the Universe—This is my body, given.

A.     Jesus could have said it regarding Himself at the Incarnation—He who was only spirit became human, coming in bodily form to us. “Mommy, this is my body…and I’m a boy.”

B.     Jesus said it at the Last Supper/Mass/Crucifixion. This is my body…given. Not “This is my body and I can do whatever I want with it,” as we hear all too often with those who are pro-abortion. They are not “reading the language of our body.” Jesus “read” the language of His body, and even as His broken and bleeding body hung on the Cross, He said, “Given…this is my Body, GIVEN.”

C.     Jesus says it to you and me…to His Mystical Body the Church. And He asks us to echo His words. We are to say

·        “This is my body, given,” when we think about sinning but refuse.  

·        “This is my body, given,” when we give our teammates high five to affirm them

·       “This is my body, given,” when we help out those who are not as popular.

·       “This is my body, given,” when we help a friend in her time of need.

·       “This is my body, given,” when we help our parents with chores.

·       “This is my body, given,” when we refuse to follow society’s ideas about dating.

·       “This is my body, given,” when we go to abortion mills to love both of them.

·       “This is my body, given,” when we base our whole life on our Lord’s Body, whom we become more and more united with at Mass.

V.     The Mass and our Lives--We are to say, “This is my body, given,” but we cannot do it on our own. We need the strength of Jesus. And remember, the main way we get such grace, the life and love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is at Mass. You and I should place our lives on the altar…and the lives of our loved ones and others we don’t even know but we know they need prayers…and imagine yourself putting them on the altar. Jesus will take our gifts, worries, joys, sorrows, and present them to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. And we are changed. That does not mean that the problems we face will go away. But, we know that the Mass transforms…It transforms us. (Act out my scenario). Let the Mass change you. Say, “This is my body. Given.” (Say goodbye. Fonda and I sure enjoyed giving the gift of self to you but we must go back to Dallas tomorrow).

Since we have reflected all day on what it means to be pro-life, some of you may have realized some ways you have “un-be-d” yourself and are in need of healing, of forgiveness. All we have to do is turn to Jesus. Right now, we are going to stay in our small groups, taking a few moments of reflection time. You may want to write down some hurts you have experienced…when someone did not say to you, “This is my body, given,” but when someone hurt you…whether he or she meant to or not. Journal about that. Also, there are times when friends or family did say, “This is my body, given.” The joy-filled times. Journal about those as well. Then, you will have the option of sharing aloud in your small group those things. Your small group leaders will instruct you after you finish journaling. I know you high schoolers are mature enough to keep this serious and meaningful. For those of you in junior high…if you find yourself feeling uncomfortable and thinking that you need to laugh, cover your mouth; don’t ruin it for everyone else. (Go into groups quietly).

 

Hopefully, your small group time was meaningful. Now, we will present to you a drama. Please, do not clap after it…we want to maintain a prayerful atmosphere. Again, let me caution those 7^th and 8^th graders. I know it is hard for you to act mature. But just notice the high schoolers, and try to emulate them. If you are too immature and feel like laughing, just cover your mouth. This drama often brings tears. Junior highers, please don’t ruin it for others. Remember, don’t clap at the end. Instead, you will see many of us kneeling. You are invited at the end to kneel too and to pray with me. Don’t worry. You will know when.

 

(After drama after prayer).

 

Now, we have a time set aside for prayer and for confession. Let’s let the 7^th and 8^th graders go to confession first. The rest of you can go in front of the Blessed Sacrament to reflect, pray, and ask for healing. Father ____ will be in this room. Father____here and Father ___ in the corner there. Remember, if you also need to talk to a youth minister or adult, we are available.