Why Is Mass On Sunday Mandatory?

[Hermione]

I know I must sound like a bad Catholic asking a question like this, but I was just wondering as I'm starting to wonder why I bother going down every Sunday~ I don't need motives (like: to experience God with the rest of the community); I was wondering about the LAWS governing this. The only ones I'm sure of is that we have to celebrate the breaking of the bread (geez I don't even know the formal name for this ceremony) & communion; & it's a way of keeping Holy the Sabbath (which still doesn't give cause for Mass per se, you can be keep the day holy at home?). Also the only motives I have make me think that all I have to be present for are those ceremonies (plus the Kyrie, Gloria & Agnus Dei)~ And that means, why be early, and why not leave early~ Help!

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
8/3 - Eighteenth Tuesday

Hermione,

If you were a bad Catholic, you wouldn't ask questions - you just wouldn't go to church. It looks as if you have a series of questions, and I'll try to answer them as best I know how:

1.) According to the Ten Commandments of God, we must keep holy the Sabbath day. What does it mean to "keep holy"? This is where the laws of the Church come into play. According to Holy Mother Church, to keep holy the Sabbath means to go to Mass, to avoid any unnecessary work, and keep a day of festival in honor of the Lord. That's why we don't fast or do major penances on Sundays - it's a day of festival.

2.) The book of Deuteronomy addresses the issue of worship at home versus worship of God in His temple - I suggest you read it to find out more. Basically, God says, "Worship of Me anywhere is good, but I'm asking for your best - that means going to temple."

3.) The motive to attend Mass is not some sort of ephemeral experience of God; rather, it is a concrete offering of ourselves, along with the body of Christ in the Eucharist, to God the Father.

4.) The Mass actually, really, and concretely places us at the foot of the Cross - it is as if we've entered a time tunnel back to the Crucifixion. Therefore, to show up late or to leave early is to dishonor Our Lord while He is on the Cross. Now, if there is an emergency, that's a different story; but to show up at the offetory and leave when the priest receives communion is no less than sinful in ordinary circumstances.

I hope this helps!

Yours,
Pio Nono