God created each one of us as a body and soul together – a being we call human. Though seemingly obvious, we often forget that this means that God desires us to experience the world through our bodily senses. He wants us to enjoy the taste of ice cream, the feel of fresh grass in spring, and the striking beauty of a sunset. In the same vein, Holy Mass has an abundance of sensory parts which help us enter into the mystery. By pointing these out to students, we can help them understand both the Mass and the importance of their bodies. Let’s look at some of the ways our bodies help us to experience the Mass.
Sight:
Perhaps the most obvious, the beauty of Holy Mass reminds us of the beauty of God, and our own faith. Golden candlesticks and vessels remind us of the importance of the liturgy, while frescos and iconography teach us about the faith. Grandiose churches remind us of God’s might and glory, while simpler churches remind us of God’s accessibility and closeness.
Sound:
When thinking of the Mass, music almost always springs to mind. Who doesn’t have a favorite hymn or antiphon? Chant, hymns, the organ, and other instruments help clue us in to the tone of the celebration. Bells chiming also help to inform us of different parts of the Mass.
On the flip side, silence can play an equally important role in liturgy, reminding us of the peace God gives us. Silence matters because it gives our minds space to listen for God’s voice amid the noise of our world.
We experience Mass both physically and spiritually
Smell:
Aside from that of your neighbor, smells also play an important role in liturgy. Most often, smells in a church come from incense and sacred oils. These have a sweet odor to remind us of the sweetness of God’s love. We can also smell the accidents (i.e. the observable features) of the Blessed Sacrament which remind us that Jesus’, “flesh is true food and [His] blood is true drink.”
We experience the Mass with our bodies!
Touch:
When we clasp hands to greet our neighbor or offer them peace, God reminds us that we all belong to one family: His family! Holy water on our hands reminds us of our baptism, and the strain of kneeling, or the discomfort of wooden pews, remind us of the Crucifixion.
Taste:
Yes, even taste! When we taste the accidents of the Blessed Sacrament, we receive Jesus’ gift of self. Bread and wine remind us of the abundance of God’s love and mercy. In His sacrifice, Jesus provides his own flesh for our nourishment.
The body matters, especially at Holy Mass. God gives us His gift of self when He says, “This is my body, given up for you.” God gave us the gift of our bodies and our senses alongside the gift of the Holy Mass. By engaging our bodies in worship at Mass, we receive God’s gift of self and reciprocate His love.
Chris Tarantino is the Communications Director for TOBET. He studied History at The University at Texas A&M and has written for the Tennessee Register and Nashville Catholic.
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