74 - The Season of Presence: Honoring The Mass
As the year draws to its gentle close and the winter air gathers around us, December arrives with a spirit unlike any other. It is a month of anticipation and memory, of warmth in defiance of the cold, and of reflection upon all that has passed. And within Paraclism, December holds a sacred place, for it brings with it our most cherished tradition: The Mass.
The Mass is not merely a holiday gathering. It is a living symbol of who we are and what we believe. At a time when the world encourages frantic shopping and polished displays, we gather instead for something quieter, deeper, and infinitely more meaningful - presence. We come together not to dazzle with wealth, but to enrich with thought, attention, and genuine connection.
During the final week of the calendar year, as the old year exhales its last and the new one prepares its first breath, we assemble — friends, family, Members — not to trade objects, but to share ourselves. We bring food for the table, warmth for the room, and above all, offerings of the mind and spirit. Each adult delivers a sermon, a presentation, a story, a demonstration. These are our gifts. This is our devotion.
From reflections on world events to practical workshops; from heartfelt confessions to humorous performances; from debates to guided discussions — the content matters less than the courage it takes to share it. When we stand before one another, we say without words: Here is something that matters to me. And I trust you enough to receive it.
This spirit harmonizes beautifully with our Second Keystone:
“Remember that you are fallible like everyone else; be ready to admit and forgive wrongdoing”.
The Mass invites a gentle vulnerability. When we share a piece of ourselves — an idea, a hope, a struggle — we acknowledge that we are imperfect beings learning as we go. And when we listen to others with grace, patience, and compassion, we honor their humanity. The Mass is a moment in which we practice forgiveness almost without noticing it — forgiveness for the year’s stumbles, misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and unspoken regrets.
By gathering, we declare that relationships matter more than error; that community outweighs ego; and that we are stronger not despite our flaws, but because we commit to growing past them together.
Other Keystones, too, find their home in this tradition.
The Fourth Keystone, which calls us to “Endeavor to learn new things and be educated by others”, thrives here — what is The Mass but a communal exchange of wisdom?
The Sixth Keystone, urging us to “strive for an equitable result imbued with integrity and empathy”, is visible in the way we listen, respond, and uplift one another.
And throughout it all, the Fifth Keystone, which directs us to “Seek and follow your calling in life”, glimmers — for many discover inklings of their calling precisely in the preparation and sharing of their Mass offering.
So as December unfolds, let us ready our spirits. Let us gather ingredients not for material gifts, but for meaningful ones. Let us prepare to laugh, to learn, to remember, to forgive, and to celebrate the simple miracle of being part of one another’s lives.
For this is The Mass:
A celebration of presence over possession.
A renewal of community.
A warm light in the darkest season.
May this year’s Mass be our richest yet — not in objects, but in connection, thought, and devotion. This is The Way.
