Our family is a busy one ... 7 in all. Some nights we eat all together, but there are nights that a few of us eat and then the rest stagger in. I have many swimmers that seem to arrive at the 6:45-7:15pm time and those others get hungry. Most nights I *try* to let us all eat together. It just feels better. However, even if we are all together, the meal itself is often not perfect. There are some that will complain ... don't like this, wrong drink, etc. Not everyone has the same taste, but I am one of those moms who makes just ONE MEAL and that is it! Even though our meals may not be perfect, we are receiving nourishment and most of the time we are together.
So it is with Sunday Mass. The Eucharist is a family meal. We go to Church because it's good for us ... just like our family meal at home. I'm always amazed at those who will make excuses, and they vary. Even my own mom once told me that she didn't like the atmosphere of her Catholic Church. For many, many years she was used to visiting very old and ornate Churches.
Other excuses that people give ...
- I can pray anywhere
- No one notices that I am not there
- We don't get anything out of it
- I should go because I want to and not because I am OBLIGATED!
YES, we can pray anywhere. I often pray in the car ... it gives me moments of quiet at times. But just like eating that meal on the go, prayer doesn't necessarily feel like it would at our home CHURCH WITH family.
When my family sits together at the dinner table, I DO NOTICE if someone is not there. The table just feels emptier. When my family goes to Mass, I also notice if someone is NOT THERE. We do notice each other's presence and absence. Even those folks who happen to sit by you at MASS ;) Catholics especially notice those around them ... sign of peace and communion procession. I know I can't be the ONLY one who checks out the people at MASS ;)
There are days when the homily seems weak or the priest who is presiding mass is not "my favorite". One might say that they don't get anything out of it, but that's just not true. Maybe the homily was not all that you hoped it would be, but the Communion song was wonderful. The readings could have been mixed too ... some inspiring and some "so, so". The same applies to our family meals. WE have wonderful meals that offer "oohs and ahhhs" and some that certainly give grimaced looks ... ugh!
Most of us go to MASS out of obligation. But it is
from this, that God graces us with the true desire to attend. Our little ones may not want their veggies. Maybe they don't like the meat, but they eventually learn the importance of a balanced meal.
The MASS is just that ... nourishing, important, and a balanced MEAL!
Comments
Love it.