Over the summer, I cannot recall the number of times discussion with many a parishioner turned to the topic of “dressing properly” for church. Each time it came up, there was invariably some type of comment to the likes of “God doesn’t care what I wear” or “At least they’re there”. I myself was one who may have voiced it on occasion! But it makes me think….

When we are at the celebration of the Eucharist, who needs whom? Does God revel in the mere fact that we have fit Him into our busy lives, made room for His Body, the Church, on our social calendars? Is God privileged to have me with Him, or is it me who is privileged to be able to enter His presence? Is God better off because we are with Him, or have we got it backwards with our slightly, or sometimes blatantly, arrogant response when called upon to praise and worship our God?

I come to Mass, not to provide anything to God, but to give Him thanks for what He has provided for me! As one of the Prefaces, the prayer just before the Eucharistic Prayer, at weekday Mass states so eloquently, "You have no need of our praise, but our desire to thank you is itself your gift. Our thanks adds nothing to your greatness, but helps us grow in your grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Our God is so great and holy, so good and gracious, without me or you doing anything first. If truth be told, we do not deserve such total and unconditional love, and yet it is ours! Because of God, not because of us. Everything we have and are is a gift from that God who has made us, and looks only for us to respond in kind. We owe God! God does not owe us!

Why then, does it seem that we continue to offer, too often, the bare minimum in the sight of such perfect goodness? Why are we more willing to dress better for our job, spend more time preparing to go to the gym, pay more attention to someone I care less about, or go out of my way to work at some project that will be forgotten as soon as it is completed, than we do for our God?

The truly humble heart will fully appreciate all that God has done, and will do all it can to show praise and gratitude, knowing that there is no repayment possible, or even wanted. The arrogant heart will accept the gifts given as if they were owed, and return not a spirit of gratitude, but one of wanting even more.

My goal, our goal, should be to constantly strive to give back to God only the very best we have to offer. God deserves our full attention and consideration. God deserves our full preparation and participation whenever we encounter Him, in prayer and in Eucharist. God deserves our uncompromising gratitude for all that He has given to us. God NEEDS none of these things! God DESERVES them of us, in humility and trust.