Attending Mass

Mark 4:21-25

           One of the more novel reasons I was told never to miss Mass on Sunday was that I would be depriving everyone of my presence. If you think about it, what a profound thought. If you can think about it without a swelled head or arrogance, you know it is really true. It acknowledges our our own sense of self worth and affirms God's actions through us. By not going to Mass, we are hiding our own light.

            One of the saddest things to me is how many people do not go to church. Our lives are very communal in every respect. Our worship and praise should be a reflection of that. I never bought the line that I don't need to go to church to worship or 'I worship by myself' 'or 'I worship in my own way'. Certainly we can have sacramental moments and give praise and thanks by ourselves or in some other venue or by some other means, but nothing replaces going to church. Being in community is part of our humanity. Sadder still are those who have been told or led to believe that are not worthy enough to come to church. This almost makes my head explode! First of all it is incredibly judgemental to say this to someone; it is incredibly wrong minded to make anyone feel unworthy; it is incredibly shortsighted and wrong to deny any congregation the presence of  a person who wants to come and worship.

                 If we have come to the realization that we are a unique and loved creation of God we must see that our presence makes a difference. This is especially true at worship services. We may not know what difference our presence may be but we know it will. It could be something profound we do. It may be by a simple smile or hello to someone who needs it. It could be something we hear and digest, something we need to grow and mature as a person of faith.

                 But whoa to those who make you feel unwelcome in church. They would have you hide your light. Make sure you find a good community to worship with, one that accepts you and acknowledges your goodness and your ability to love.

            

A Lamp under a Bushel Basket

He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’