Jewish Reflections and the Mass

I really enjoyed this post by the Anchoress called Cracking open the Gates of Prayer. As you can read this is the Jewish book, that has a lot of gems in it. I was struck by this part:
18 If anyone comes to public worship and leaves with the feeling that he has got nothing out of it, let him ask: Did I bring anything to it? Most often the answer to the second will supply the cause of the first. A stubborn heart, a rebellious heart, a cold heart that cherishes its coldness, a critical mind that looks for objects of criticism, will not profit. It is true of public worship in a high degree that only they receive who give. The influence of public worship, like that of electricity, is felt only where there is a capacity for receiving it. Stone and ice are spiritual non-conductors

How true. That very much struck me as a Catholic. I had a interesting discussion online with a Catholic that might or might not be having doubts. He asked if Catholics truly believe in the real presence why don't we act like it more. Good Question.

I did a post how I am loving the 1962 Missal I got for Christmas. Here it is right here.

What I love about it is the pages upon pages of prayers. About 20 pages are devoted to "Devotions for Communion". It echos the same senitments as the above quote.

I have met Catholics that can remember when one had to fast starting at Midnight if they wished to go to communion. Now one can argue if that was too much. I can't help but note it has gone from Midnight, to three hours prior to now just one hour before communion. I suppose many of us, I included, take that quite lierally at times and think as long as we are not whoofing down a McDonalds breakfast as we enter the Church door we are ok. OF course this does not reflect the spirit of the law at all.

Now I am not recommending we go back to the Midnight fast..However I do think it shows a whole attitude of preparation for Mass that was much more prevalant even just a few decades before