The mass is the most essential part of the Catholic faith. Everything is centered around it. It is the best prayer a person can say, they can receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ and receive many graces as a result. Wow, what a privilege to be Catholic! The God who created the trees, plants, prancing deer, quacking ducks, bathing cats, barking dogs, swimming fish and neighing horses is present at mass.
Yet, even with this knowledge, Catholics take the mass for granted. Since they don't "feel good" when they come out of mass, they decide not to go altogether. The greatest gift that Christ gave to us was his body and yet we either ignore it or receive it with no enthusiasm or love. As they're in line waiting to receive their creator, redeemer, father and friend, they're day-dreaming about the game last night or what they should wear for the party later that day. You have twenty-four hours in a day. Mass takes usually half and a hour to an hour. I think you can pause to think about God for a small chunk of time.
There is also a lack of enthusiasm for the mass because of ignorance. Plus, there are "Saint Suburbia" masses with people in flip-flops, gum in their mouth and electric guitars. Many people do not feel attracted to mass because of the lack of reverence or simply because they have no idea what's going on. I can't blame them.
Don't get me wrong, all masses are valid if the words of consecration are said correctly. Mass is mass. Beggars can't be choosers sometimes. Keep in mind however, that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most sacred thing a person can experience. That's pretty huge. Would you not rather go to a mass which reminds you of Christ's death on Calvary? You're not supposed to go because you like the preaching or the music. You are supposed to go to mass because you love Jesus Christ! Christ himself said: "If you do not eat my flesh nor drink my blood, you will not inherit eternal life." In other words, if you don't go to mass or if you go without realizing what you're doing, you won't get to heaven. It's that simple.
Our faith is not about feelings. Mass can be boring. You may not like that it's in Latin. You may be in a bad mood. Whatever. Go to mass anyways. Go as often as you can. There is no excuse not to go. God is always first. God will ask you how much did you love him when you are judged. It would be embarrassing to say that you never or rarely went to mass.
Let's face it folks, mass is a prerequisite to Heaven and it's pretty easy to achieve. Christ loves and wants to enter your body. Let him. Give him that chance!
No comments:
Post a Comment