Distractions
by Paul Turner

"Don't pray at Mass. Pray the Mass."

That piece of advice disoriented many Catholics in the 1960s when the church invited us to take a different role at Mass. Catholics used to go to church carrying prayer books and rosaries so they could say their own prayers while Mass was going on. They were asked to set aside many of the prayers they used to say privately in order to take part in the prayer going on around them publicly. When you visit someone, you do not immediately use their phone to visit someone else. Having a conversation is good, but having the wrong one will distract us. While at Mass we don't avoid prayer; we take part in a specific prayer.

Distractions come in many other forms, too. You will find people reading the bulletin, balancing their checkbook, cutting their nails and adjusting their makeup during the homily, the scripture readings or the eucharistic prayer. Occasionally a cellular phone rings. Sometimes it belongs to the priest! If he answers it, you know that distractions have gotten way out of hand.

Sometimes we bring our own distractions. You may come to church with the intention of joining in the prayer, but your mind begins to wander to the events of the day ahead, the memory of the day past, the fears you harbor, the loves you enjoy, the appearance of the church or the behavior of worshipers.

Nonetheless, our common goal is to pray the Mass. It is hard, but two activities will help: preparation at home and concentration at church. At home you can prepare for Mass by reading the Scriptures beforehand and making time for personal prayer. Then when you arrive at church, the skills you honed at private prayer will enhance your communal prayer. During the Mass, concentrate on the texts you say or sing. Think about the meaning of the words. Listen attentively when one of the ministers speaks. Observe the silences with reverence. Distractions will be fewer when our preparation and concentration grow stronger.

Copyright © 1997, Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.  For permission e-mail info@rpinet.com.
Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome.