Sunday Obligation
“You shall have no other gods before me. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
(Exodus 20:3,8)
In today’s individualistic and materialistic world, if we do not have something concrete, it seems, that draws us to doing something required, we won’t do it. If we don’t receive a written grade, money, or some other concrete end, then we don’t see the point in performing a required task. Unfortunately, so many of us just don’t understand the idea of doing something for the sake of a more transcendental, invisible end. I am talking about the Sunday Obligation and its importance. Why do people skip Mass, or only go when they are “at home” with mom and dad?
Essentially, the Mass is the greatest gift that we have. It is a taste of heaven (literally). It is a prayer that has been prayed in communities for 2000 years! And yes we have the documents to prove it!! I find it to be terribly unfortunate that too many people do not know this. If people only went to Mass, participated, and learned why we do what we do, then so many more people would love going to Mass, no matter how slow or long the music and homily may be!
What I also find unfortunate is how those who follow the Sunday Obligation can sit back and watch their closest friends ignore it. I’m sorry, but if you truly care about someone, you will literally drag them to Mass. You will also help them to understand more of what is going on at Mass, even if that means more work on your part.
This isn’t just a simple necessity we are talking about here. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SALVATION OF SOULS! Anytime someone deliberately skips Mass to take a nap or out of laziness, or even because they don’t like someone who sits next to them, they put their soul at risk! It is a mortal sin to skip Mass deliberately and knowingly.
Christ prayed and broke bread regularly with his disciples after he resurrected from the dead. And after he did that, those disciples immediately ran and told the others. He wants to do the same with us. All we have to do is show up for one hour each Sunday and bring a friend. If you truly care for your friends and the eternal destination of their souls, then you will take them to Mass not just this Sunday, but EVERY SUNDAY!
(Exodus 20:3,8)
In today’s individualistic and materialistic world, if we do not have something concrete, it seems, that draws us to doing something required, we won’t do it. If we don’t receive a written grade, money, or some other concrete end, then we don’t see the point in performing a required task. Unfortunately, so many of us just don’t understand the idea of doing something for the sake of a more transcendental, invisible end. I am talking about the Sunday Obligation and its importance. Why do people skip Mass, or only go when they are “at home” with mom and dad?
Essentially, the Mass is the greatest gift that we have. It is a taste of heaven (literally). It is a prayer that has been prayed in communities for 2000 years! And yes we have the documents to prove it!! I find it to be terribly unfortunate that too many people do not know this. If people only went to Mass, participated, and learned why we do what we do, then so many more people would love going to Mass, no matter how slow or long the music and homily may be!
What I also find unfortunate is how those who follow the Sunday Obligation can sit back and watch their closest friends ignore it. I’m sorry, but if you truly care about someone, you will literally drag them to Mass. You will also help them to understand more of what is going on at Mass, even if that means more work on your part.
This isn’t just a simple necessity we are talking about here. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SALVATION OF SOULS! Anytime someone deliberately skips Mass to take a nap or out of laziness, or even because they don’t like someone who sits next to them, they put their soul at risk! It is a mortal sin to skip Mass deliberately and knowingly.
Christ prayed and broke bread regularly with his disciples after he resurrected from the dead. And after he did that, those disciples immediately ran and told the others. He wants to do the same with us. All we have to do is show up for one hour each Sunday and bring a friend. If you truly care for your friends and the eternal destination of their souls, then you will take them to Mass not just this Sunday, but EVERY SUNDAY!
posted by Scott the Seminarian at 11:53 AM
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