Sunday mass question

[Stormy]

Hi

I am not trying to make excuses just wanting to understand the reason behind the Sunday mass obligation.

I have been having a bit of a problem falling to sleep. Once I do get to sleep, I sleep pretty sound. So sound that I stayed asleep until it was too late to go to Mass.

I know that we can go to Saturday evening mass (may be a better option for me) so why isn't Monday mass or Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday just as good? Why can't I do a makeup day tomorrow?

Oh, and what kind of a sin did I commit?

And do I have to feel like I did something bad to confess... because I really don't feel that bad. I live my life with Christ. Spiritually, my mind is never without him. So why is it so important that my body be in the Church. Please don't say for fellowship, because I find it sorely lacking in the Catholic Churches that I have attended.

 

[Auntie]

I think that missing Mass is a mortal sin....someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this.


(Edited to say I don't think it's a mortal sin if you have a very good reason for not going)

 

[Auntie]

Oh, I see you were asking specifically about Sunday Mass, sorry

 

[Carrye]

I know that we can go to Saturday evening mass (may be a better option for me) so why isn't Monday mass or Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday just as good? Why can't I do a makeup day tomorrow?

Because Sunday is the day that all the faithful come together and celebrate the Resurrection.

Oh, and what kind of a sin did I commit?

Did you know that what you were doing was wrong?
Did anyone force you not to go?

And do I have to feel like I did something bad to confess... because I really don't feel that bad.

Feelings don't determine reality. You can know you did something wrong even if you don't feel awful.

So why is it so important that my body be in the Church.

You mean, why should you attend Mass at all? To receive the sacraments - the ways that God gives us graces. To learn and grow. To set aside a little time to speak with him, and to listen. To do something that isn't about us. Oh, and because God tells us to.

 

[marciadietrich]

Accidently sleeping and not making it to Mass is probably not a mortal sin, but you should mention it to the priest at your next confession and tell him what happened.

The Sunday obligation is based on the 10 commandments keeping the sabbath holy (Sunday, the Lord's Day, has replaced Saturday sabbath day of rest and church attendance instead of synogogue for the Christian) and it is a precept of the Church (one of the requirements like observing fast days and going to confession at least once a year).

If there is a pressing reason such as care of a sick person and you miss it is just life. If you can arrange to go saturday eve instead that is fine and there should be an effort to go. If you miss and you're unsure, mention it in confession.

Marcia

 

[Stormy]

Isn't our resurrected Lord celebrated on weekdays at mass?

Someone said because Sunday was the day chosen... but Saturday is also ok. So why not Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday?

If the only answer is because the Church said so... then I will find that acceptable and go along with its authority.

But, I am still wondering, since mass is offered every day of the week in the Catholic Churches, how are the week days any different?

I have yet to go to a normal weekday mass, and was really thinking of going tomorrow... so I guess I do feel a bit bad about missing this morning.

What am I to expect in a weekday mass? Is it like Sunday?

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Isn't our resurrected Lord celebrated on weekdays at mass?

Someone said because Sunday was the day chosen... but Saturday is also ok. So why not Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday?

If the only answer is because the Church said so... then I will find that acceptable and go along with its authority.

But, I am still wondering, since mass is offered every day of the week in the Catholic Churches, how are the week days any different?

I have yet to go to a normal weekday mass, and was really thinking of going tomorrow... so I guess I do feel a bit bad about missing this morning.

What am I to expect in a weekday mass? Is it like Sunday?

It's not any Mass that is acceptable on a Saturday- but rather a Mass of anticipation (one that has the same prayers and readings as Sunday Mass). Weekday Mass is different in many ways- there are fewer readings, no Creed, no Gloria...

More or less the answer really is- that the Church tells Sunday is an obligation, as well as Holy Days of obligation in the Six Precepts-- which tell us the absolute bare minimum we must do to be Catholic.

 

[Stormy]

It's not any Mass that is acceptable on a Saturday- but rather a Mass of anticipation (one that has the same prayers and readings as Sunday Mass). Weekday Mass is different in many ways- there are fewer readings, no Creed, no Gloria...

More or less the answer really is- that the Church tells Sunday is an obligation, as well as Holy Days of obligation in the Six Precepts-- which tell us the absolute bare minimum we must do to be Catholic.

You know what? I like it that the Church... for my own good.. tells me what to do. It makes me know that it cares. I grew up without a loving influence, so this really makes me feel loved.

One more question... Is the Eucharist offered tomorrow? Can I partake?

I bet you cradle Catholics grow weary of this transplant with all the questions. Sorry

 

[WarriorAngel]

The Sabbath was the day the Jews were not allowed to do anything but attend synagogue.
They could not even buy things...on the Sabbath.

The day of replacement {Sunday now, not Saturday} does not replace the necessity we have in worshipping the Lord on a day of rest. Remember to keep Holy the Sabbath Day. {Now Sunday}

Peace!

 

[WarriorAngel]

You know what? I like it that the Church... for my own good.. tells me what to do. It makes me know that it cares. I grew up without a loving influence, so this really makes me feel loved.

One more question... Is the Eucharist offered tomorrow? Can I partake?

I bet you cradle Catholics grow weary of this transplant with all the questions. Sorry

Pretty much a queston to the priest.

For the sake of comfort, you should go to see the priest first, and have yourself absolved.

And never a problem for this cradle Catholic.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

You know what? I like it that the Church... for my own good.. tells me what to do. It makes me know that it cares. I grew up without a loving influence, so this really makes me feel loved.

One more question... Is the Eucharist offered tomorrow? Can I partake?

I bet you cradle Catholics grow weary of this transplant with all the questions. Sorry

It sounds to me that you both did not intentionally miss Mass today (though you might want to call around if there are other Catholic churches in your area- many have an evening Mass on SUnday)- and also that you did not posses a true understanding-- my gut feeling is yes you can receive-- though personally, I would arrive a little early and ask a priest to hear my confession before Mass- that way you know for sure that you are not offending God.

If there is daily Mass- there is Holy Communion- Mass during the week (and even on Saturday morning) just doesn't have two readings, the GLoria, or the Creed, unless it is a special feast day-- but it still has the entire Liturgy of the Eucharist!

It is better to ask questions and to understand-- becuase it helps you to draw into closer communion with Jesus!!

I love the CHurch telling me what to do, too- that way I know what to do instead of having to figure it all out on my own!

 

[Stormy]

Because Sunday is the day that all the faithful come together and celebrate the Resurrection.

Why Sunday?

Did you know that what you were doing was wrong?
Did anyone force you not to go?

I was very much unaware. I was asleep.

Feelings don't determine reality. You can know you did something wrong even if you don't feel awful.

Imo Feelings are reality. If going to Church is just going through the physical motions to satisfy a requirement.. then all of us might as well sleep in. What is love? What is spirituality? Are they not feelings? What separates humanity from the animal kingdom, if it not our thoughts and feelings? I thank God for giving me the grace to feel his presence in my life. I do however agree, that when in Church, the grace that I am given is amplified by the presence of other faithful spirits. I can feel it!

You mean, why should you attend Mass at all?

NO

To receive the sacraments- the ways that God gives us graces.

Are they not offered throughout the week?

To set aside a little time to speak with him, and to listen...

I am never far from God's consul. We have an agreement. He will never leave me, and I will always cling to him. 24/7

To do something that isn't about us.

Now you lost me.

Oh, and because God tells us to.

Where?

 

[Stormy]

I am still in agreement to obey the rules of the Church. There were just some things in the above post that I did not understand.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Imo Feelings are reality. If going to Church is just going through the physical motions to satisfy a requirement.. then all of us might as well sleep in. What is love? What is spirituality? Are they not feelings? What separates humanity from the animal kingdom, if it not our thoughts and feelings? I thank God for giving me the grace to feel his presence in my life. I do however agree, that when in Church, the grace that I am given is amplified by the presence of other faithful spirits. I can feel it!

Reason and an immortal soul is what separates us from animals.

This is a serious misperception on your part, feelings are not reality and can be resposible for seriously leading one astray.

I can feel unlovable and unloved- but that is NOT reality. Ican have no feeling of Jesus being present in the Eucharist- but that is NOT reality. My faith for many, many years was completely devoid of emotion and feelings-- and God knew that this was what I needed to grow in my faith.

Nearly every Saint who has ever written anything has written about the "dryness" of the withdrawl of all feeling and emotion in their faith- sometimes for decades. These Saints had no feelings of piousness or sense with their feelings that God was close.

Love is NOT an emotion- love is an act of the will- it is a conscious decision to die to oneself continually for the good of the other. Attraction is a feeling and lust is a feeling, but love has nearly nothing to do with feelings.

Spirituality again has almost nothing to do with feelings- we don't have faith only when it feels good and we feel God-- for even Jesus feels abandoned. Faith is a gift from God which requires ongoing acts of the will to give out assent to truths unseen. Feelings come and go- but hopefully our faith perserveres.

 

[Stormy]

Even when God has taken me into the desert... He has never left me. I pray that he never does. But even then my feelings would be alive. I would feel sad, alone, and my prayers would cry out to God.

I have not had an easy life. But one thing I have always had within me, and all around, is the presence of God in my life. Yes, I can feel him.

LOL Maybe that is the Protestant in me.

I do not think that God would ever leave any of us. I think it is us who turn from Him.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Even when God has taken me into the desert... He has never left me. I pray that he never does. But even then my feelings would be alive. I would feel sad, alone, and my prayers would cry out to God.

I have not had an easy life. But one thing I have always had within me, and all around, is the presence of God in my life. Yes, I can feel him.

LOL Maybe that is the Protestant in me.

I do not think that God would ever leave any of us. I think it is us who turn from Him.

I didn't write that God withdraws Himself- but rather the perception of Himself. That is vastly different. Having no consolation and no feeling of God's closeness is very different from believing oneself to be abandoned by God.

You are very blessed to always feel God, many great Saints were denied that grace-- I hope you know what a gift you have been given. I also pray that if the dark night comes you will have the same assurance of God's presence!!

 

[Carrye]

I didn't write that God withdraws Himself- but rather the perception of Himself. That is vastly different. Having no consolation and no feeling of God's closeness is very different from believing oneself to be abandoned by God.

In the words of our Lord, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

You are very blessed to always feel God, many great Saints were denied that grace-- I hope you know what a gift you have been given.

It is a gift indeed! I rarely feel His presence.

 

[Monica02]

I do not know if this will help, but check the websites of many parishes in your area for mass times. Our parish has a 6:00 pm Sunday mass that fulfills yur obligation and the Cathedral downtown has a 5:15 Sunday mass. Your diocese might have some later Sunday masses.

 

[Carrye]

Why Sunday?

It is the day Christ rose. Every Sunday is like a little Easter. I think Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours is telling too:

Saturday night: Come to us, Lord, this night, and give us the strength to rise at dawn rejoicing in the resurrection of your Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, Amen.

Sunday night: Today we have celebrated the mystery of the rising of Christ to new life, may rest in your peace, safe from all that could harm us, and rise again refreshed are joyful to praise you another day. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

What is love?

Love is an action.

What is spirituality?

The way in which I live out (practice) that love for God.

Are they not offered throughout the week?

Yes, but God through the Church has set Sunday aside as the day that all the Faithful gather. Sunday Mass is not the same as the rest of the week. There are no "makeups."

Where?

See this: http://www.scripturecatholic.com/sunday_worship.html

 

[Paul S]

We are required to attend Mass on Sunday because Sunday is the greatest day of the week, being the day of the Resurrection. Every Sunday is a little Easter, where we celebrate Our Lord's triumph over sin and death.

Attending Mass on Sunday is one of the precepts of the Church, and it is grave matter to miss it. I don't know if you had full knowledge and consent, but personally, I always assume I do. It's much better to confess something that was only venial than to not confess something which turns out to be mortal. You also don't want to risk receiving Christ unworthily tomorrow.

If you do go to Mass tomorrow, get there early and ask the priest to hear your confession. If he can't do it before Mass, maybe he can do so afterwards, but I wouldn't receive Communion without confession.