November 27, 2009
The Christian Journey
Mass: Praise to God, solidarity with community
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
On three Sundays during Lent, we celebrate the “Scrutinies” which “uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; and, bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good” (RCIA, Paragraph 141).
Although we celebrate these “Scrutinies” with those being initiated on Holy Saturday, the Church teaches that her sacramental rites are for the entire Church. Therefore, the Scrutinies describe Lent’s purpose for us, the already baptized. Conversion never ends. Sin and holiness are always fighting within us according to Romans 7.
For several weeks these articles presented reasons why young parents may not participate in weekend Mass (weekly or at all), and why they are inactive in parish life. It’s important to examine our consciences regarding these matters so we may “uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in our hearts.” Not discussing these issues with our young parents is a disservice to them, their children, and the Church.
Now we’ll share reasons why Mass participation on a weekly basis is a priority for them. Exploring the positive reasons for weekly Mass participation is equally as important as scrutinizing the negative reasons for non-attendance because it “brings out, then strengthens all that is upright, strong and good” in our young parents.
For some, participation in weekend Mass is simply an “obligation.” While this may be true, acting out of a “sense of obligation” is the first step of moral development. We teach children this way — we do some things because they are obligations. Failure to do it will bring a punishment; doing it will bring a reward. This sense of obligation, however, doesn’t really “encourage” us to participate in Mass. It only gets our bodies there because it is “obligatory” lest we incur God’s punishment. Adults should desire to participate in Mass because we know it’s right to praise God for all God gives us in Jesus. Acting out of our principles because something is right is the highest degree of moral and religious development. (Naturally, we fluctuate back-and-forth between the lowest and the highest level of moral/religious development our entire lives; see Romans 7.)
Gathering with like-minded Christians was another important reason for Mass participation. We must never overlook the solidarity of the Christian community. We don’t stand before God only as individuals, but because of baptism as a community. The Church can sometimes do more good in the world as a “community” than as individuals. Although we know we are in Church with like-minded Christians, we also need to join faith-formation programs such as “Christ Renews His Parish,” “Why Catholic?” “Engaged Encounter,” etc., to grow in the understanding of our faith.
Listening to the Scriptures and the homily gives us an opportunity to learn and to grow in our faith. Every now and then, people say they can pray better at home or in the woods. That’s great considering that we are only in church one hour per week, we have 167 additional hours to pray at home or in the woods. Another reason for joining in the community worship on Sunday is that we have the privilege of hearing “God’s agenda” placed before us in the Scriptures. God informs us what we are to be busy about in the coming week, not only individually but communally as well. By putting God’s Word into practice, we build our lives on solid rock.
Next week we will look at the Church year and resume our presentation on infant baptism in the following weeks during the Advent/Christmas season.