Entering into the Mass | 4th Sunday of Lent | 3/15/2026

Entering into the Mass, Part 3 – 4th Sunday of Lent (03/15/26) In Part 3 of this Lenten homily series, we reflect on how to enter more intentionally into the Mass. This week focuses on the Liturgy of the Word and the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, especially the Preparation of the Gifts. We are reminded that God speaks personally to us at every Mass through Scripture, prayer, and the movements of the liturgy. The opening rites prepare our hearts, the readings reveal God's voice and our identity as His people, and the offertory invites us to place our whole week on the altar—our struggles, gratitude, prayers, and desires—so that God can transform them. This homily is a practical invitation to stop being spectators at Mass and instead consciously unite our lives to Christ's offering. It concludes with a reminder that the Mass on earth joins us to the worship of heaven and calls us to deeper participation each week. I can also turn these into a tighter SEO-friendly WordPress version with excerpt, focus keyphrase, and tags.