Have you ever had those words directed at you? I don’t know anyone that finds it to be the least bit flattering to be singled out as the cause of someone’s boredom. The “bored party” seems to be saying that “being in your company makes me want to pretty much be anywhere else with just about anyone else.” In other words, “you’re no fun.” If this happens on a first date, for example, date number two is highly unlikely. Keeping a person’s interest is a challenge to all of us in so many circumstances, whether it be a parent, teacher, a friend, a priest at Mass, or God Himself. Do you see where this is headed?! When people say, “Mass is boring,” I can’t imagine that this is the glory, praise, and thanksgiving that God was anticipating!
“It's boring,” and “I don’t feel anything when I go to Mass,” among other comments and complaints reveal that perhaps we are too often guided by our feelings and not by our faith. It’s as if our society has programed us to believe that everything has to be fun and entertaining, otherwise, it isn’t of value. The misplaced morality of the world is that if it doesn’t make me feel good, it isn’t good. On the other hand, just because something is painful or causes suffering doesn’t mean that it has value either. It’s just that when it comes to suffering, it can be the greatest sign of our love for someone because it costs us something and sometimes everything. Considering that the Mass is our actual participation in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, if anything, it is hard and challenging, but definitely not boring.
Mass is hardly like what the Apostles experienced on Mount Tabor. Unlike the Transfiguration of our Lord, the Host doesn’t change in appearance during the consecration. The bread becomes Christ, but we only know this by faith not by sight. In fact, we use a different word to describe this change, namely, transubstantiation. Unlike the Transfiguration of Christ, there is a change in substance, not appearance. On Mount Tabor Peter, James, and John were so caught up in what they saw. It was less of a faith experience and more of a felt experience. In fact, they were content to stay right there forever! Instead, Jesus instructed them to go back down the mountain. They couldn’t stay here on Mount Tabor just yet. Seeing Him with their eyes wasn’t enough. They had to see through belief in their hearts by faith.
The rock, the foundation for knowing that Jesus is the Son of God and that we are loved and forgiven by Him, is not through His transfiguration alone. Rather, it is through His disfiguration on the cross. The ecstasy on Mount Tabor would help them to accept and embrace the agony of Mount Calvary. What they saw here in the Divine light of Mount Tabor with their eyes, would be given meaning through faith in the shadow of the cross. Mass may lack the excitement of Mount Tabor. It may feel “boring,” at times. It may not always appeal to our senses. With the gift of faith, however, we recognize the Mass is our opportunity to participate in the agony of the cross followed by the ecstasy of Easter, when indeed, as Saint Peter suggested, we can remain forever on our heavenly Mount Tabor. There is nothing “boring” about that! Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!