Many of you have perhaps had discussions with Catholics young
and old who are not participating in the Sunday Mass even though they have
grown up with the knowledge that it is an obligation both of the Catholic
Church and from God Himself in the Ten Commandments. The Third Commandment tells us to “Keep Holy
the Sabbath.” For us, that means very
simply that we are obliged to attend and participate in the Mass on Sundays and
Holy Days of Obligation. When it is
impossible, due to illness or some serious reason, obviously it loses the
obligation. But the reasons given by
many have nothing to do with possibility.
“I don’t get anything out of it” seems to be the number one
reason offered. This is quite frankly
the most ridiculous reason anyone can give.
Obligations and commitments are meant to be followed simply due to the
fact that they are matters of obedience and the free choice to live in relationship
with the one who has authority over us.
We fulfill something we are obligated to do because it is our duty, our
responsibility, and because we have a love for the One Who requires it from us.
But even taking it at face value, here is an answer to the old
canard “I don’t get anything out of it”:
“YES, you do!”
Every Mass always gives you personally four things. There is no Mass that does not have these
given directly to any person of good will who is present.
- You always “get” a
Welcome. God is happy you are
there. Your parents and others who
know you are pleased that you are there.
Friends and peers who see you – a member of their own age group –
are strengthened by your presence and are actually harmed by your choice
to be absent if you are not there.
- You always “get” a
Word. On Sundays and Holy Days
there are three readings and a responsorial psalm and many of the hymns
have Scriptural sources. The Lord
has a Message for you personally that comes to you through the readings of
the Mass, through the Homily, through the songs, and through the encounter
you have with people who are present there. You will always find that the Lord has
something to say to you if your heart is open. Often, you may discover that everything
about that Mass seems like it was designed just for you.
- You always “get”
to be in the Sacramental Presence of Jesus Christ Himself. You
experience the greatest Miracle available to us on the face of the earth –
the transformation of earthly things into the very Presence of God. Jesus gives you Himself as Food and
nourishment for your soul, a kind of Gift that you can “get” nowhere else
except through the Mass. You were
so excited about this at your First Holy Communion. Don’t you remember? You always “get” to be with Jesus at
Mass, even if you don’t receive Holy Communion because you haven’t been to
Confession.
- You always “get” a
Mission from Jesus through the Mass.
The end of the Mass tells you to “Go in peace.” This doesn’t mean “Go away.” It means “Go out to share what you have
experienced.” So, if you do not go
to Mass, there are others who do not “get” from you what God wants to pass
through you to them. You miss out
on your Mission when you are not there.
So, when you hear people say that they don’t go to Mass
because they don’t “get” anything out of it, you can tell them that Yes, in
fact, they do “get” a Welcome, a Word, the Sacramental Presence of the Lord of
Lords, and a personal Mission. Then, you
can share what you yourself “got” from the most recent Mass you have attended
yourself.
Every prodigal son or daughter can remember that the Father
has a home that is open and eager for his or her return. The prodigal will always find that even from far
off the Father will be there with arms open wide to offer a warm embrace and a
welcome like no other.
Don’t argue. Just
tell the soul that has been away that there is always a Welcome, a Word, a
Sacramental Presence and a Mission waiting at home. You only “get” these if you open the door and
come in. We’ll leave the Light on for
you.
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