Going To Mass

[Dave]

The pastor at the parish I've been attending, after Communion at the end of announcements, thanks the congregation for showing how much we love Jesus by coming to Mass. Well, I hate to say it, but don't y'all think Father is being a little too idealistic? I mean, we can't judge others' hearts and souls, but surely there are those who just go to Mass out of habit rather than any real love for Jesus, no?

[Laudate_Dominum]

Yes, I've experienced that before and it just seems so wrong!! I don't think people need a pat on the back for coming to Mass! We are infinitely unworthy to approach the altar of God. It's not about what we do, it's about what Christ has done for us.

Why not asking people to thank God that they are here at Mass instead of burning in hell fire. j/k

But seriously, it seems wrong to make people think they are doing God some extraordinary favor by going to Mass. It's God who is doing us the favor for crying out loud.

[Dave]

Amen, Laudate!

[phatcatholic]

while i do agree w/ the comments already made, i also think that we do show our love for the Father when we partake in the sacrifice that the Son offers to Him. it could also be the intent of the priest to encourage attendance out of love--instead of mindless habit--so i can see why he would go ahead and make this assumption.

in counseling, this is an effective technique. for example, in group counseling, the leader could say, "i want to think you all for taking the risk to be open and honest w/ the group today. that takes alot of courage." to those who were open, this is affirmation, and it encourges them to be open in the future. to those who were not open, this confronts thier inhibitions and may make them more inclined to be honest in the future.

the same scenario could be applied to what the priest is doing here.

just another way to look at this situation, i suppose.....

pax christi,

phatcatholic

[Dave]

while i do agree w/ the comments already made, i also think that we do show our love for the Father when we partake in the sacrifice that the Son offers to Him. it could also be the intent of the priest to encourage attendance out of love--instead of mindless habit--so i can see why he would go ahead and make this assumption.

in counseling, this is an effective technique. for example, in group counseling, the leader could say, "i want to think you all for taking the risk to be open and honest w/ the group today. that takes alot of courage." to those who were open, this is affirmation, and it encourges them to be open in the future. to those who were not open, this confronts thier inhibitions and may make them more inclined to be honest in the future.

the same scenario could be applied to what the priest is doing here.

just another way to look at this situation, i suppose.....

pax christi,

phatcatholic

Oops, I never thought about that, being the moron that I am. I'm gonna bend over now and let someone here give me a kick in the butt. Any takers?

[phatcatholic]

hehe, how about a bop on the head?

its all good bro. we come from different backgrounds, and there are always two sides to every issue. ;)

Edited February 16, 2004 by phatcatholic

[God Conquers]

I was gonna say, pretty harsh judgement on a priest trying to get people to participate in the Mass, and maybe realize what they are actually doing by going... but phatcatholic done a good job.

[IcePrincessKRS]

Yeah, I can see both points, but I was thinking along the same lines as PhatCatholic when I was reading that.

*swings foot back....* Sorry Dave, I just can't bring myself do do that to ya! I've said and done a few too many moronic things to give someone a swift kick in the behind over something that I probably would have done, too. ;)

[cmotherofpirl]

Dave I would rather see someone at Mass out of force of habit, then not there at all.

There have been times in my life Mass was the last place I "wanted" to be, but I was there because it was expected of me. I was receiving no spiritual blessing (that I could see) from it, I didn't enjoy it, it wasn't very entertaining, and it didn't "get anything out of it".

But I kept on going, because I was supposed to. For years.

Then one day it clicked. I had been saying the office for several months and one night suddenly realized how connected I was to God and every other vowed person on earth who had been saying the office (or its equivalent) all those centuries 24 hours a day around the world - a continual sound of praise reaching the heavens.

And then I saw the Mass for what it truly was - the sacrifice, the heavenly banquet, the cloud of witnesses gathered around the altar of God rolled into one as the priest lifts up the Host and says this is my Body, the Body of Christ: churches militant, suffering and triumphant together singing the Holy Holy Holy around the altar.

Mass has never been the same since.

I am glad for the experience of obedience, of doing what I was supposed to do even when I wasn't getting anything out of it.

In return for obedience I have recieved joy.