Compare and Contrast Essay on Spectator vs. Participant

Introduction

A spectator is a person who is physically available to observe and enjoy the events as they occur. In this case, a spectator watches events as observers. On the other hand, a participant is someone who takes part in activities. He/she does not stand back to observe what is happening but fully submerges him/ herself in the events, taking part in each aspect of the event and turn to make the event to be either a success or failure. As such, a spectator will observe and can have the participant to blame for the direction of the events, whereas a participant is wholly involved in the events and takes the credit for the success or bears the responsibilities for the failure.

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I attended mass at the Church of Saint Martha, Miami on Sunday 2nd December 2018. The celebration was the English mass that started at 7.30 am and ended at 10.30 am. I attended the ceremony as a participant. Since I am a soccer player, I know what it takes to be a participant. I wanted to feel the whole process, experience each step the priest took us through and ensured that at the end of the holy mass, I had fully participated in the mass. As a participant, I was able to follow through the Holy Eucharist, giving thanks to God and found myself fully participating in all the prayers and the songs that took place in the mass. I paid full attention to the readings and the sermons given by the priest. I followed the priest, found myself saying all the prayers and felt a deep connection with the Holy Eucharist. Usually, I would doze off when the priest preaches, but on this occasion, each word that he said touched me.

Active participation during the mass is key to the outcomes of attending the holy ceremony. During the ceremony, it is the role of all, hence the term "liturgy" to participate in the mass. The priest is only a leader. However, each person plays different roles in ensuring that mass becomes a success. As a person actively participates in mass, he gets the connection with God. The mutual connection is usually through two aspects. The first aspect is through the word of God, whereas the second aspect is through the Eucharist. By fully participating in the holy mass, one will leave the mass feeling touched and this will reflect on his relationships with the fellow human beings. During the mass, active participation will make one to deeply experience the love that Jesus Christ pours on us daily, as he/she will feel the presence of the cross. One will then adopt the great need of being humble and grateful. In turn, the person will find repentance as a necessity and will understand that humility is essential. As he/she leaves the mass, he will be grateful for every opportunity to live, in turn becoming humbler and grateful, at the same time showing love to other human beings in their relationships.

Conclusion

As a soccer player, I understand that each player in the pitch is essential for the success of the team. This is the same case for the parish during mass. If each person becomes a participant in the celebration, the whole congregation will move in the same direction. The church will, in turn, become one filled with active participants, who share in the mutual love that Christ has for the human race. In turn, the parish will actively participate in the community projects that demonstrate the love for humanity, hence further spreading the positive effects of the Eucharist.