Desire or Action?

[philothea]

I realize very well that going to Mass and also wanting to is best!

I'm very curious to know what people think. I'm torn -- normally I'd say intention is everything, but Mass is such a big deal, with so many actual graces... I feel that actually being there is perhaps better? But, OTOH, that seems kind of wrong too.

[kateri05]

you definitely need to go. in today's world, church is very much seen as what we "Get out of it" but we have to remember that we aren't there for us primarily, we are there to give God the praise and worship that is due Him as Almighty God, regardless of how we feel about it.

Go, even when you don't want to. Commandment #3 isn't keep holy the Sabbath when you're "in the mood" :

and don't worry, God will teach your heart to match your head

[philothea]

[quote name='kateri05' post='993572' date='May 31 2006, 11:55 AM']
you definitely need to go. in today's world, church is very much seen as what we "Get out of it" but we have to remember that we aren't there for us primarily, we are there to give God the praise and worship that is due Him as Almighty God, regardless of how we feel about it.

Go, even when you don't want to. Commandment #3 isn't keep holy the Sabbath when you're "in the mood" :

and don't worry, God will teach your heart to match your head
[/quote]


Option 1 is talking about someone [b]physically unable[/b] to go to Mass, either due to illness or location...

I know that people ought to go to Mass whether they feel like it or not. I was wondering who would receive more grace from God -- someone who wanted to go but couldn't, or someone who didn't want to go but went because it was easier than not going.

Edited May 31, 2006 by philothea

[Robbi]

In my opinion from the scenarios you have laid out - Option 1, because the heart is in the right place.

The person going out of habit probably wouldnt be interested in mass and be distracted and even recieve the Eucharist out of habit...which makes me think - is that recieving it unworthily?

Peace,
Rob

[kateri05]

oops sorry! didn't understand

[OLAM Dad]

#1

God despises the luke warm.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='OLAM Dad' post='994696' date='Jun 1 2006, 02:01 PM']
#1

God despises the luke warm.
[/quote]
oui.

[journeyman]

I hope #1 is better - since I've missed Sunday Mass every other week since March, when my Mom went into the hospital - she's home again, but neither of my parents is up to independent living - until that changes, it seems likely that I will continue to take care of them alternate weekends - thank goodness my brother lives in the area and we can take turns

[KatS]

[quote]God despises the luke warm.[/quote]

I didn't think God despised anyone. I thought that God was love.

But nevertheless, he would still want us stop being luke warm on be on fire with the Holy Spirit!

And I had no idea how to vote!! It's a good question.

[Theoketos]

Um doing things out of habit is not bad, or even neutral, it is a very very good thing, as it indicates the firm disposition to do the good, so I vote #2 without further qualification.

Jesus will still vomit out the luke warm in the end.

[philothea]

[quote name='Theoketos' post='995546' date='Jun 2 2006, 02:24 PM']
Um doing things out of habit is not bad, or even neutral, it is a very very good thing, as it indicates the firm disposition to do the good, so I vote #2 without further qualification.
[/quote]
The question did say [b]only[/b] out of habit. There's only so much room to explain.

I meant someone who doesn't want to go, but only does because that's the path of least resistance -- like when not going would be embarassing or difficult to explain.

[MC IMaGiNaZUN]

[quote name='Theoketos' post='995546' date='Jun 2 2006, 02:24 PM']
Um doing things out of habit is not bad, or even neutral, it is a very very good thing, as it indicates the firm disposition to do the good, so I vote #2 without further qualification.

Jesus will still vomit out the luke warm in the end.
[/quote]

I agree. Is Catholics dont go because it feels good, or to fulfill some cheap superficial emotional need. Commitment and devotion which become a habit, well is virtuous, and a sign of Grace.

I bet that God often tries to awaken those who go out of habit. I mean your surrounded by holy things, Word and Sacrament. Actually recieving the sacraments do guarantee you a share in grace, whereas those who are unable to attend, we can only hope.

SHALOM

[Justified Saint]

Life is all about habits and the holy life is about [b]good[/b] habits.

[Fides_et_Ratio]

..being there is better than not being there.

Ideally, there ought to be a third option--of both going and desiring to be there. However, given the choices and the point you are trying to make, I still say that being present at the Mass is a greater grace than only desiring to be there.

Even if you were truly unable to go, you might not be culpable for missing Mass, but it would still always be better to have been able to go. Whereas, it would NEVER be better for someone not to attend Mass.

[thessalonian]

Habitual vice is replaced by habitual virtue. Habit is not neccessarily bad as we have a tendancy to think. If the habitual attender is not in mortal sin, receiving our Lord in the state of grace cannot be compare with only a desire to receive him. Desire is good as well of course and the Lord will bless the shut in who desires to attend.