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Often we can be tempted to think of the Mass as one-dimensional, only involving those who are present inside the four walls of the church.
However, the Church is much bigger than we can see with our physical eyes and spans time and space in a mysterious way.
Church Triumphant
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains how there are “three states of the Church … at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is'” (CCC 954).
Even though we may not be able to see those united to God in glory, the Church believes that they are uniquely present to us in a variety of ways, including the Mass.
The Catechism explains this reality in its section on the sacrament of the Eucharist:
To the offering of Christ are united not only the members still here on earth, but also those already in the glory of heaven. In communion with and commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, the Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice. In the Eucharist the Church is as it were at the foot of the cross with Mary, united with the offering and intercession of Christ.
What is fascinating to think about as well is the fact that each time we receive holy communion, we are brought into contact with all the saints of Heaven through Jesus' body and blood.
It is a great mystery, one that we will never fully comprehend in our life time as the veil of our sins continue to hide from us all the spiritual realities of this world.
