- The Record Archives
- Volume CXVIII, No. XXI - November 17, 2005 - variety
Church's expectations can take meaning within
Staff writer
In the chaos of our world, why does the church expect us to go to Mass every week?
Almost every Johnnie who wrote in talked about the rules of it all.
They talked about the Catechism or the commandment that tells us to keep the Sabbath holy.
On the other end of the spectrum were the majority of the Bennies, who talked about the more personal side of things — the fellowship, the lessons learned and the energy to get through the week.
I'm not trying to be divisive, I just thought the way the split fell was interesting.
A few of the responses brought up the "devil's advocate" point of view, that other religions accomplish fellowship and the majority of those things without requiring their members to attend every week.
In a way you're right, but you have to look at the difference between our Mass and their service or other types of gatherings.
Our Mass is a celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist.
In the Catholic tradition, we believe that in our Mass, Christ is actually present.
There are only a few other religions that make that claim.
So the next question is why we would need this every week?
There was an e-mail that went around a few years ago that I think said it best, which I am going to paraphrase.
In the last 10 years you might have wondered why you always had to go to Mass.
You don't remember any of the sermons, nor anything specific out of too many of the Masses beyond a week or two ago — so why did you have to go?
In the last 10 years you have eaten way more than 10,000 meals.
There are probably very few of them that you remember, beyond a few days ago.
So why did you have to eat them? Well, without them you wouldn't have survived and you wouldn't be the person you are today.
Much like Mass, each one gives you something, and whether you know it or not, helps you become the person you are and live as in the days ahead.
Just as important, though, is to realize it isn't always important what you are getting out of things, as much as what you're putting into them.
Mass is part of being a community.
Think about it, when you go to Mass on Sunday as a Catholic, within that day there are more 700 million other people around the world celebrating that same Mass.
Talk about being a part of something bigger than yourself.
The thing about Mass is that the best way to put something into it or get something out of it is to actually understand it.
So I would say, if that is your goal, put some time in that area of study, it will be well worth it.
For next time, I want to ask a question that was thrown out in one of my classes the other day.
It comes from those old bracelets we used to see all the time:Is it fair, helpful or useful to ask, "What Would Jesus Do?"
Let me know what you think.Until next time, keep smiling.