Posted on 01/07/2013 4:07:39 PM PST by NYer
Some decades ago the argument from authority was often invoked as we answered some question about the faith. It was often considered sufficient merely invoke the existence of a rule. And thus, to my nagging question, “Why should I have to go to mass?” my parents would often answer, “Because it’s a rule!” Other variations of the answer would be, “Because the Church says so,” or, “Because it’s in the Ten Commandments.”
Never mind that there might actually be reasons that there was a rule, or a commandment. It was considered enough in those old days simply to say, “It is a rule.”
If, to some degree, it was sufficient back in those days to merely invoke authority, it is now, for better or worse, no longer the case today that it is enough simply to do so. It is true that there is a rule that we must attend Mass. For as the Catechism says,
This practice of the Christian assembly dates from the beginnings of the apostolic age. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds the faithful “not to neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but to encourage one another.”…the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin. (CCC 2178, 2181)
And the Ten Commandments say,
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…. the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. (Ex 20:18; Lev 23:3)
and Jesus says in John 6:53,
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
As so it is clear, there is a Rule that we attend Mass. But it also remains true that the reasons the Church, the Lord, and Law all say this. For indeed, something is true not nearly because the Church or the Lord, or the Bible say so. But rather, the Lord, the Bible and the Church say so because it is true.
And from this perspective, perhaps it is a good thing that merely arguing from authority, or arguing from the existence of rules and Commandments, is not enough. We live in times where the reasons, and the logic behind such rules is often insisted upon.
Perhaps it is not unreasonable for those to whom we speak to demand such proof. For, as Scripture puts it, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). And thus it is good that we be able to give reasons for the things we teach, and the practices we rightfully insist upon. As never before, we are required not simply to say what we teach, but why.
So alright, parents, you rightfully should teach your children that they must go to Mass on Sunday, and also to pray, prepare for and receive Sacraments, and to belong to a believing community we call Parish, to insist that they ought to read Scripture know the Faith. Yes, it is right that a parent to teach their children these things. So alright you say to your children you must go to Mass on Sunday.
But but why do YOU go?
Notice that this question, does not ask merely for reasons to go to Mass, but asks for YOUR reasons. Why do you go, what is your personal testimony? For, frankly, it is not enough for us to give merely catechetical or apologetical reasons. Our children, as never before, need to have very personal testimony from their parents about the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. It’s time to testify, that is, to give her a personal testimony/ Yes, as never before, our children need to hear from us, parents, priests, catechists, parishioners.
So. why do you go to mass? Is there something you get out of it? How have you been blessed, and what are the fruits and effects having gone to Mass faithfully for many years? What effects have the Sacraments, prayer, liturgy in the Mass had on you?
Again, do not overlook personal quality that we must be invited to supply this testimony. Quoting the Saints and the teachings of the Church is indeed good and proper, but it is not enough. There comes a point in every Christian life when we who are mature in the faith need to testify: That what the Scriptures announce and the Church teaches is true. And I personally know it to be true because, in the laboratory of my own life, I have both tested and verified the truth of what is taught, and come to know personally that is true.
Therefore, the question remains, Why do YOU go to Mass?
Let me, as a priest, announce my own testimony. I want to say that since I was 24 years of age, when I entered the seminary, I have gone to Mass every day. I have both studied, and heard proclaimed, God’s Word every day. I have gathered with God’s people in the celebration of the sacred liturgy every day, and every Sunday. I pray every day for an hour, I pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and go to Confession once a week. I have lived in fellowship with other believers, gathering with them for prayer, and have experienced the both silent and vocal testimony of their faith and their experience that God is real, and God is good.
And I want to say, that as a result of all of this, I am a changed man. I have seen sins put to death, and new virtues come alive. I have a new mind, I think different thoughts, my priorities are different, and are better. I am more discerning, and my understanding of the meaning and purpose of my life is deeper. I have overcome terrible anxieties, and fears, and now I live in confidence, hope and joy. My life is not pain-free, or trouble-free, but I understand these troubles in a new way, seeing them as moments for growth, and grace. I am less negative, more positive and hopeful.
I could go on… But let me say this, I give God all the glory. It is his grace that transforms me. And I will say, He has done this primarily through the liturgy, through the holy Mass. He has accomplished this through the Sacraments, especially Holy Communion and Confession. These have been like medicine to me. And remaining faithful to God and to all of his sacraments, his Word and to the fellowship with the Church, I have been utterly transformed by Him and am being transformed more perfectly day by day.
I go to Mass, because through it, the Lord is changing me, is healing me, is transforming me. I have come to personally understand what the Lord means, that if we do not eat his Flesh and drink his Blood, we have no life in us. Without the Sacrament of his Body and Blood, my life would be so diminished, nothing compared to what it is now, in effect dead. It is only by the grace of God, his Word, his Sacraments, Prayer, and fellowship in the Church, that I have any life at all.
Of course we need to go to Mass on Sunday, of course! Without it I would be as dead as a diabetic without insulin, as starved man without food. I go to Mass, because through it the Lord saves me, feeds me, heals me. I have been privileged to walk with the same community of faith for the better part of 20 years. And in those years, in moments of crisis that arose, they have sung to me, prayed for me, witnessed to me, and shared Communion with me, summoning me to faith and reminding me the trouble don’t last always.
Where would I be without the Lord’s Church, without the Mass all the Sacraments, without the Word of God? At best, I would be nowhere, or it worst, is a very dark place.
Thus, I go to Mass receive the Sacraments, pray and keep fellowship, read and study God’s Word because it changes and transforms me. In no way do I see these as tedious rituals. No indeed, these are transformative realities, encounters with the living and healing Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory and thanksgiving.
Why do YOU go to Mass? What is your testimony. It is not enough today (if it ever was) to invoke rules. We have to say why, and we have to testify to it in a very personal way. Why do you go to Mass? Tell somebody!
Just saying...
I’ve probably been Catholic longer than you’ve been alive.
I don’t have a problem with my church, Which is St. Johns Cathedral in Boise.
The question was “why do you go to Mass (every Sunday)” I gave you my answer. What’s your problem? I stated why it is important to me.
I don’t have a problem, I just replied to your post. Your answer sounded like you don’t go because you “can worship God anywhere”, and then you went on to describe your alternative preference for taking a quiet hour by yourself instead.
I didn’t really see anywhere in your answer you explaining how important going to church was for you. Or were you saying that you prefer just sitting quietly in church for an hour by yourself meditating? It’s not that clear but if I didn’t catch it, it wasn’t obvious. No matter, wasn’t trying to stir up a hornet’s nest.
The question was: Why you go to church (Mass) every Sunday. And I do go to Mass every Sunday and I stated why it was important to me, very clearly.
“generally i agree, but it isn’t a substitute for publicly worshipping God with other fellow Christians and actually being in a place of relative peace with other believers. if the church you go to isn’t very correct and substantive in its preaching, the problem isn’t going to church, it’s that particular church.”
Secret Agent Man, I don’t know what’s in the heads of other worshipers. Even my wife... Nor does it concern me. Nor does it matter what they are preaching. If I’m lucky and my hearing aids battery’s are up to snuff I can hear it. But I know what it is or should be after 65 years...
Two of my nephews and at least one very good friend were victims of priestly pedophilia. I've seen first hand three young lives horribly disfigured.
I've seen generations worth of sweat-earned contributions going to pay for the damages.
Two of my parish priests are now doing long prison sentences for molesting altar boys. One of my parish priests now runs a church in another state for the LGBT community.
After all of that growing up, I for one cannot look at a Roman collar without feeling the overpowering desire to vomit.
That's why I don't go to mass, my good Archbishop of New York. I'm actually doing you a favor, lest I do a "Mr. Creosote" on your parishioners.
I go to mass because I believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirt.
As opposed to what you’re doing now?
Why do I go - because I enjoy it. :)
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a nice bottle if port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” - C. S. Lewis
IOW ... I go to Mass to worship, not to “get something out if it.”
“..three ring circus..., etc.”
Find a traditional Latin mass right away!! (Extra ordinary)
You could take the Monsignor’s paragraph about why he goes to Mass and change the “he’s” to “I’s”. Mass has changed me made be a better person, wife, mother. I go to daily Mass as often as possible. As the world descends into darkness in so many ways sometimes Mass and the Eucharist are the only things keeping me going. God’s grace through the sacraments, especially Confession.
Sure, there are many great reasons to go to Mass. I go to Mass as often as possible to get a dose of the Holy Spirit. In this day, and these times, I need as much of G-d's Holy Spirit as I can get.
5.56mm
The scripture readings and homily are not the central part of the Mass. They help to prepare you for the Eucharist, which is the central part. The reception of our Lords Precious Body and Blood, is what sustains us and keeps us in communion with the entire Church.
I go to Catholic Church to love GOD and to receive HIM Body and Blood so that I can feel HIS LOVE.
We should feel privileged to be in the direct presence of GOD and to receive HIM in the Eucharist.
We are all sinners and God’s mercy is so great that he just wants our love and the commitment that comes with love.
Can you imagine the rejection that God must feel when we reject His love?
I pray that all people will learn to love GOD and go to Mass, and then we may have real peace on earth.
i love to go to Mass because i feel God’s presence there. i prefer daily Mass to Sunday Mass mostly because they dispense with all the singing and happy slappy feel good stuff and it’s just the barebones. I’m lucky that my church is 2 blocks from my ofc and has noon Mass daily.
John: 6:54-55 he that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up on the last day.
I go to mass for the eucharist.
I'll be satisfied with one where children are safe and where homosexuality isn't preached from the pulpit.
“Meagan, you would make a wonderful Catholic.”
Thank you. With your kind words I can tell that you already are a wonderful Catholic.
Good luck with that. Google Protestant predators, and see what coems up.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.