At Steubenville, we encounter Jesus in many special ways—in small groups, in praise and worship, in the volunteers who serve us, in the Sacraments where we encounter the person of Christ. At Mass in particular, we encounter Jesus in an extraordinary way that elevates earth to meet heaven. So with the tag-line “Elevate,” there is no other way to begin the second day of SteubySTL than with Mass.

Fr. Crisman, the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Denver, concelebrated with Bishop Rice. He preached that we must be elevated by Christ to encounter Christ, and demonstrated how that happens in a most extraordinary way at Mass.

“Our engagement in what is happening at the Mass will assist us in being lifted up to Jesus—our hearts and our very lives being elevated really to the gates of heaven.”

Because the Mass is being present to the very real Sacrament of Jesus—His passion, His death, His Resurrection and Ascension into heaven— there are many ways that we encounter Him in it:

• We encounter His mercy by calling to mind our sins and ask the Lord to forgive them
• We encounter Him in praise by giving glory to God and singing the same hymn the angels sang before the infant Jesus
• We encounter Him in His Word and the reflections on it
• We encounter His generosity by offering prayers and intentions for ourselves and others

But the greatest moment of encounter comes at the time of consecration—when the priest takes bread and wine, elevates it, and it becomes the living flesh of Christ.

The Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ is given to us. We bring to Jesus bread and wine, our wounded and weak selves, and He returns to us His life, His hope, His love. Jesus Christ our God is given to us in the gift of the Eucharist. And when we receive that gift—when we have a true encounter with Him—we ourselves are elevated.

Quotables:

“When our hearts encounter Him, we want nothing else but to give to Jesus.”

“His mercy will elevate you, his love with elevate you. He will lift you up and purify you.

“His Presence will lift us up. The encounter with the living God is something that will move us.”

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