16 Listen. Really listen. Don’t worry about absorbing everything. Just listen for the word or phrase God wants to speak into your heart today. When you find your attention wandering, gently bring yourself back.

	Michael Connors Photo

17 Imagine Jesus is present, because He is. How would our attitude at Mass change if we were to envision Jesus Himself sitting in one of the pews, or standing at the altar, or proclaiming the readings? How much more would we pay attention? With how much more fervor and emotion would we profess our faith? With how much more joy and adoration would we sing?

18 Pray. The Mass is the source and summit of our lives as Catholics, but it was never meant to carry the entire burden of our spiritual lives. Pray, even if it is just a quick “Thanks be to God” on the way out the door. Before Mass begins, ask God to open your ears to God’s word, your eyes to see God in the parishioners around you, your heart to God’s message, your mouth to joyfully praise God and profess your love.

19 Leave Mass with a mission. In the quiet time after Communion, think about how God has spoken to you this day. What is God calling you to do? How will you be more like Christ this week? By forgiving someone? Asking forgiveness? By reaching out to help someone? By being more patient with your children? By confronting a friend or loved one at risk? By helping someone whom is ill? By smiling and thus lightening the day of someone who you pass on the street? Try not to leave until you’ve committed to at least one small, concrete way to live the Mass.

20 Work for justice. Over the last 100 years, the Church has reinforced the connection between Eucharist and justice. For example, in his letter on the Year of the Eucharist in 2003, Pope John Paul II pleaded with Catholic communities to commit themselves to alleviating poverty and the ills that come with it.

“We cannot delude ourselves,” he said. “We will be recognized as true followers of Christ by our mutual love and our concern for those in need. This will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our eucharistic celebrations is judged.” CD

Julie Rattey is managing editor of Catholic Digest. Editor-in-Chief Dan Connors contributed to this article.