There is no higher form of worship on earth than the sacrifice of the Mass.  This is because all the graces and merits of our Lord's sacrifice on the cross are re-presented in a sacramental manner to us today.  Indeed, all our prayers and devotions are directed towards the celebration of the Eucharist as their fulfillment and completion.  The Second Vatican Council taught that, "the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows. For the aim and object of apostolic works is that all who are made sons of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of His Church, to take part in the sacrifice, and to eat the Lord's supper."  (SC, 10)  Therefore, we should all look forward to the Mass with eager anticipation, preparing ourselves  through heartfelt confession and prayer, to receive our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.  This is true for all parishioners, but especially for those who serve the Mass as lectors, EMCs, or altar servers.

Liturgical Music

When one thinks of the liturgy, music most certainly comes to mind.  Human beings are musical by nature.  Songs, like poetry, help to express the beauty and complexity of life.  In a liturgical setting, music is especially appropriate because of it's "transcendental quality".  In other words, music helps the soul transcend this world and enter into a state of worship and adoration.  In order to lift the soul up to contemplation of God during the Mass, music cannot be "profane" or worldly, but sacred.  Throughout the history of the Church much liturgical music has been written to achieve this purpose.  As the Second Vatican Council points out, "the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy" (SC, 112).