There are some days (like today) when I want to skip daily mass. After all, it's not required, and I'm reaaally hungry, and I would like to take a long leisurely lunch, maybe even a nap. Well, I talked myself out of that and went to mass. I'm not looking for a pat on the back. I'm just letting you know that I don't attend mass because it's a "high" for me.
Hopefully I don't attend mass because it's "required" as if it were some burden. Hopefully I don't attend mass because the priest is cute; it sure helps, I won't deny it, but I have to question my motives every time when it happens. I have a whole litany of stuff I go through to get my butt to mass:
(1) It's a privilege. (2) People have risked their lives to celebrate mass. (3) If we believe that is Jesus in the eucharist, then why the heck are we not clamoring to see Him?! (4) At mass, we are brought to the foot of the cross. Wouldn't we want to be with Jesus in his suffering? (5) Even if I'm late to mass, I'll at least get to the end. At the very end, I get the priest's blessing. If Esau and Jacob were fighting for their father's blessing, likewise I should value the priests blessing! (6) Now I know it's not true, but I might be the only one to show up for mass aside from the priest. The priest cannot say mass with only himself there; hence I am needed. (7) It's a community thing: the more the merrier.
And there's more if that list is still not enough to get me going.
I'm sorry for those who "don't get anything" out of mass. Most certainly, you need a mass that speaks to you and is life-giving. But for those situations, even if you don't get anything out of it for yourself, at least put in something for God, namely worship. Then keep searching and may the Holy Spirit guide you.
just do it
Friday, May 25, 2007
Posted by seeking_something at 9:50 PM
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4 comments:
Good post. You expressed a common sentiment very well.
"The priest cannot say mass with only himself there; hence I am needed."
Although it should not be common practice, actually he can because of the very fact that he is not alone but rather celebrating the Mass in communion with the whole Church, surround by angels and the communion of saints and united to the sacrifice of the Holy Mass on every altar in the world.
That being said, I'm sure he'd like the company! :-)
Thanks y'all.
I do miss being able to get to daily mass. I'm not sure I even know where to find a mid-day mass near where I work.
At any rate, my thought was, God also wants you to take care of yourself, and if that means taking a quite lunch and perhaps just hanging out and listening to what God might have to say in the quiet or in nature, perhaps that is not so bad.
Indeed it is a privelige and a discipline to attend daily mass, but it should not by any means turn into an obligation, especially when God can speak to us throughout the ordinary events of our daily lives if only we can learn to listen.
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