I formulate this post with the requisite love and charity incumbent of a devout, conscientious, practicing Catholic, but I'm not going to candy-coat what I'm about to say.
As I drove to work yesterday morning, mouth agape over what I was absorbing via Fox News Radio, I couldn't help but think there are legion Catholics today in need of a wake up call, "Catholics" by label alone who either (a) don't understand the gift they have in the Church or (b) don't appreciate the aforementioned gift. In either scenario, Catholics by label aren't leading the converted lives our Lord would want us to.
The news story I heard summarized in the blip on the radio referred to a recent Georgetown University study of American Catholics. An excerpt:
Aside from the fact most of us are satisfied with Pope Benedict's leadership as the Vicar of Christ, the lack of participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka confession, penance) is sobering. More disturbing yet is the apparently widespread and growing like cancer notion Catholics can be "good" Catholics without going to Mass.
I'll address Reconciliation in another post, because it deserves its own discussion. For now, let me say this: If you believe you can be a good Catholic without the Mass, you're mistaken, it's as simple as that.
Three reasons.
The Mass is hugely beneficial to parishioners who attend. Not only are you changed interiorly by the Liturgy of the Word (assuming one listens attentively and allows the Word to have an effect), but the mystery and power of the Eucharist cannot be overstated (again, assuming one receives in a state of grace and with open heart and mind to the presence of our Lord in the host). Think about it. If you truly believe He's there, how could He not change you for the better, and how could you not want to receive Him weekly (or more often)?
Yet the Mass is more than something that conveys cosmic grace and blessing. It's beyond mere ritual to make you "good" and allow you to more easily lead a life pleasing to Christ. It's worship. Scripture and tradition are both clear on this, we make holy the Sabbath and give thanks and praise to the Lord our God on Sundays. True, you worship God Monday through Saturday in charitable acts, loving your neighbor, a hard day's work, in prayer, etc., but the Mass is worship personified; we literally meet Christ in the Eucharist.
Finally, as Catholics, we're called to be obedient. The Church proclaims various Holy Days of Obligation. We are to attend Mass on HDOs and on the Sabbath (Sundays, or Saturday night after 5PM for those of us who have to work Sundays). We comply because we trust in the Church to "unionize" us in more meaningful relationship with Jesus. Someone has to be the authority here on earth, right? Or should everyone be comfortable figuring it all out on their own and consequently approaching St. Peter at the Pearly Gates while belting out Sinatra's "I did it myyyyyyy way!"?
At the end of the day, I disagree with any Catholic who claims they can be "good" without the Mass. Willfully not going to Mass, the place we worship Christ and receive him in Word and in Sacrament, is disobedient - definitively not good.
Intentionally skip Mass and risk finding yourself in darkness ... morally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Once this habit becomes ingrained -ignoring the Church- how much farther will we slide?
No Reconciliation.
No prayer life.
No adoration.
No conviction.
No Catholicism.
No thanks.
As I drove to work yesterday morning, mouth agape over what I was absorbing via Fox News Radio, I couldn't help but think there are legion Catholics today in need of a wake up call, "Catholics" by label alone who either (a) don't understand the gift they have in the Church or (b) don't appreciate the aforementioned gift. In either scenario, Catholics by label aren't leading the converted lives our Lord would want us to.
The news story I heard summarized in the blip on the radio referred to a recent Georgetown University study of American Catholics. An excerpt:
American Catholics said in a new survey they were pleased with the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI, ahead of his first visit to the U.S. since he was elected. The study also found intense interest in faith among some young people. Yet, few parishioners overall said they go to confession, and most believed they could be good Roman Catholics without going to Mass.(AP story link here with link to Georgetown University's study here.)
Aside from the fact most of us are satisfied with Pope Benedict's leadership as the Vicar of Christ, the lack of participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka confession, penance) is sobering. More disturbing yet is the apparently widespread and growing like cancer notion Catholics can be "good" Catholics without going to Mass.
I'll address Reconciliation in another post, because it deserves its own discussion. For now, let me say this: If you believe you can be a good Catholic without the Mass, you're mistaken, it's as simple as that.
Three reasons.
The Mass is hugely beneficial to parishioners who attend. Not only are you changed interiorly by the Liturgy of the Word (assuming one listens attentively and allows the Word to have an effect), but the mystery and power of the Eucharist cannot be overstated (again, assuming one receives in a state of grace and with open heart and mind to the presence of our Lord in the host). Think about it. If you truly believe He's there, how could He not change you for the better, and how could you not want to receive Him weekly (or more often)?
Yet the Mass is more than something that conveys cosmic grace and blessing. It's beyond mere ritual to make you "good" and allow you to more easily lead a life pleasing to Christ. It's worship. Scripture and tradition are both clear on this, we make holy the Sabbath and give thanks and praise to the Lord our God on Sundays. True, you worship God Monday through Saturday in charitable acts, loving your neighbor, a hard day's work, in prayer, etc., but the Mass is worship personified; we literally meet Christ in the Eucharist.
Finally, as Catholics, we're called to be obedient. The Church proclaims various Holy Days of Obligation. We are to attend Mass on HDOs and on the Sabbath (Sundays, or Saturday night after 5PM for those of us who have to work Sundays). We comply because we trust in the Church to "unionize" us in more meaningful relationship with Jesus. Someone has to be the authority here on earth, right? Or should everyone be comfortable figuring it all out on their own and consequently approaching St. Peter at the Pearly Gates while belting out Sinatra's "I did it myyyyyyy way!"?
At the end of the day, I disagree with any Catholic who claims they can be "good" without the Mass. Willfully not going to Mass, the place we worship Christ and receive him in Word and in Sacrament, is disobedient - definitively not good.
Intentionally skip Mass and risk finding yourself in darkness ... morally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Once this habit becomes ingrained -ignoring the Church- how much farther will we slide?
No Reconciliation.
No prayer life.
No adoration.
No conviction.
No Catholicism.
No thanks.
2 comments:
From someone who teaches confirmation classes, it is truely sorry how little people know their faith.
I have a new favorite quote, "Just because you wear a Notre Dame sweatshirt while mowing, doesn't make you catholic."
You can thank heretic and apostate Protecatholic VatII bishops for that. This isn't because of laziness on the part of clergy, CCD and RCIA teachers. This is the result of deliberate sabotage.
Not my opinion. FACT.
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