Ostranenie

Defamiliarizing During Lent

I've been asked many times if I get bored at Mass. "It's the same thing every time," they point out, "do those words mean anything to you?" 

The answer is yes those words mean something to me, but only because I make sure that they do, but this is a struggle. The traditions of the Church are rich and beautiful, but if you are not actively participating in them, they are just words, no different than greetings we exchange without giving actual thoughts to the conversations happening. They are just reactions, not communicating.

Mass should be all about communicating, not a routine, but a treasured conversation between God and you. If you aren't actually focused on the conversation, what good is that conversation?

Try to de-familiarize yourself with Mass over the remaining weeks of Lent. Try to see it as something unfamiliar so that you can look at it differently and more deeply, not just as part of your Sunday routine, but as a precious moment, different from all the others you have throughout the week. Let Lent be an ostranenie to you, encouraging you see the Holy Mass in an entirely new light and prepare yourself for Jesus' return this Easter.

Don't just go through the motions, immerse yourself in God's Light each Sunday, whether at Mass or a different celebration. We could all benefit from a little more attention to our time with God.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn