At the heart of the Mass is the re-presentation (not representation) of Christ’s self-sacrifice on the cross, and the congregants’ participation in it.

After the liturgy of the word (Bible readings and homily), the priest offers Christ’s life on the cross to the Father in atonement for our sins; and the congregation offer themselves to the Father with Him as His extended body.

Then, in the ultimate thanksgiving peace meal between the Offended and the reconciled, the Father feeds His people with the divine Life of His incarnate Son in the Eucharist. It is (also) the Father’s Life and the Holy Spirit’s Life fed to us, by virtue of the Trinity being consubstantial. This salvific grace, i.e. divine Life, is dispensed to those present and participating.

THIS is why regular participation in the liturgy is SO important. It is why, by the authority of Christ, the Church declares that Sunday Mass attendance is obligatory as the way to honor the Sabbath – every Sunday of the year – as a minimal necessity for maintaining one’s spiritual life and relationship with God (CCC 2041, 2042).