I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault. In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin, all of the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
And this:
Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word, and I shall be healed.
These have always been my favorite parts of the Mass, not specifically because they replace the real focus (the Eucharist), but moreso because they force us to be a bit introspective and understand what the Church and the Eucharist is all about.
When you really think about it, how many people reflect – really reflect – on their actions once a week? A month? A year? How many ask in communio for the prayers of others?
Communion. Real communion, not some false, synthesized idea of it, but real communion that sheds pride and focuses on what matters.
Just some late Sunday night thoughts coming home from Mass.