The Mass - a multi-sensory worship experience

One of my favorite channels is the Food Network. I’m fascinated by the array of details that goes into entertaining. My first encounter with a meticulously orchestrated meal came many years ago when we were living in Marietta, Georgia. (Back then, I was married to the associate pastor of a United Methodist congregation, and we had three elementary-aged children.)

Becky Greene was the senior pastor’s wife. She invited my family over for dinner so that our husbands could "talk shop". As Iowa transplants, we were used to simple food and no-nonsense entertaining. As long as the table was piled high with a variety of dishes, we thought the night was a success. Becky Greene changed that with one dinner invitation.

The first difference was the way her house smelled. I’d never known someone to take the time to infuse boiling water with potpourri, but the appeal to our sense of smell made a lasting impression.

The next difference was a visual one. Becky had called in a decorator and the formal dining room was exquisitely decorated. I had never heard the term “tablescape” but Becky certainly had. The napkin rings, the chargers, the centerpiece, the china, the linen napkins – every little detail was perfectly arranged.

And then there was the menu. Growing up, we always had meals that incorporated all food groups. Becky had taken this to a new level. A vegetable wasn’t just a vegetable. It was an event. The meat wasn’t just a pork chop on a plate. The meat was plated and sauced with style. Even the beverages had pizzazz.

I say all of this to point out one simple truth. We were created to be multi-sensory creatures. God made us that way. And our worship should incorporate all of it.

I did not grow up in a high church atmosphere. The atmosphere inside the church was simple. There were no statues, no incense, and no high regalia of pastoral attire. And we thought that was good enough. We thought we had our attention focused in the right direction. And so we did. But we are multi-sensory creatures. And this act of worship, this most important moment in the human experience, this holy event should enlist all of our senses.

Just as the attention to detail did not detract from the fellowship we enjoyed with Becky and Stuart. The attention to detail actually enhanced the evening. Indeed, it took an experience that could be quite forgettable and made it extraordinarily memorable.

Moreover, this life is not the main event. What we do in ordinary life is a pale foreshadowing of what we do and who we are in the Kingdom of God. All that we do - this eating, breathing, hearing, seeing, and tasting – all of it is for one end and purpose. To glorify God. We do not leave our senses behind when our soul magnifies the Lord. We eat it, breathe it, hear it, see it, taste it.

It is right and good that we should bring all of our senses with us when we enter into the Mass. Everything that God has made – including our senses – should have its ultimate purpose in Christ.

And so it does.