July 1 Sat
We have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in the world, not just to go for diplomas and degrees, for this work and that work. We have been created in order to love and to be loved.
Thus, the purpose of our life, the only reason for our existence, is to praise God. The whole of creation is a song of praise to God, and it should be the supreme desire that fills our life on earth and all that we do. For our life to be clean and upright – also a song of love to God – we have to turn to Jesus for help, in the Mass. That is where we offer to God the Father a sweet-smelling sacrifice, a fragrant offering, a pure, immaculate Victim, a perfect hymn of praise and thanksgiving.
Our piety is nourished by the Mass, the center of our inner life. And our participation in the liturgical celebration links us effectively to the Holy Sacrifice of the Cross. Our whole being takes part: our understanding, our will, and our body too, through the actions and gestures we perform. The Second Vatican Council teaches that “our union with the Church in heaven is put into effect in its noblest manner especially in the sacred Liturgy, wherein the power of the Holy Spirit acts upon us through sacramental signs.”
St Josemaría wrote: “Have veneration and respect for the Holy Liturgy of the Church and for each of her ceremonies, – Carry them out faithfully. – Don't you see that, for us poor humans, even the greatest and most noble things must enter through the senses?” In each rite and ceremony, the Church is helping us to learn about and contemplate the supernatural truths.
In the liturgy we usually sing, to raise up our hearts to God and place ourselves under his protection. Singing expresses the love and joy in our hearts. “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” With the liturgical songs, we express what we have in our heart. It is a need that we feel, because as St Augustine says, “singing comes naturally to people in love, and we are in love.”
“There are some people who are enraged when they die. With the grace of God, I hope I shall die singing.” We sing to our Blessed Mother, who accompany with us on our way: “Our life, our sweetness and our hope ... Turn then ... thine eyes of mercy towards us... Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”