Posted on April 24, 2024
Catechism Meditation:
“On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass…” (No. 1247). Therefore, the Catechism teaches, “Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit grave sin” (No. 2181), and grave sin is indeed mortal sin.
REFLECTION. When a person negligently “skips Mass,” to attend a sporting event, to go shopping, to catch-up on work, to sleep a few extra hours, or not to interrupt vacation, the person is allowing something to take the place of God. Something becomes more valuable than the Holy Eucharist. Yes, such behavior really is indicative of turning one’s back on the Lord and committing a mortal sin.
God must come first in our lives. Our primary duty at Mass is to worship God as a Church and to be nourished with His grace. If the Eucharist is truly what we believe it is, the Source and Summit of our Catholic Faith; the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ; then it’s worth not only an hour on Sunday, it’s worth everything.
PRAYER. Holy Spirit, help me to realize that the Mass is the greatest gift of God to us and our greatest gift to God.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“We have been sent into this world as children of God, to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We are to take our stand at the foot of the Cross and, like those who stood under it the first day, we will be asked to declare our loyalties. God has given us the wheat and the grapes of life, and as the men who, in the Gospel, were given talents, we will have to show return on that divine gift.” ― Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Featured Video:
Do I Have to Go to Mass? Sunday Obligation Explained (8:14)
