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Making Mass Count
Dear Catholic Exchange:
I was moved to respond to the article “Does it Count? — Is Just Fitting-In Mass An Acceptable Approach?” It raises a timeless issue which many Christians (not just Catholics) struggle with: The angst of wondering if going to Church on Sunday when in a rush, a bad mood, or spiritually dry counts towards meeting our obligation.
We think of a saintly life as being beyond us. When in fact, the saints should be our role models. Many saints suffered long periods of spiritual dryness. In some cases they were even prevented from attending Mass. Yet amidst their suffering, they persevered in their faith (and dutifully attended Mass – when possible). They made an extra effort to do so because of the precious gift we have in the Mass. The gift of joining our suffering with the Lord's allows us to participate in the salvation of souls and the reparation of sin.
In our busyness, we fail to offer these dry times & sufferings to the Lord for the Glory of His Kingdom. Imagine, the burdens of our daily lives are actually gifts of suffering which can be offered to the Lord for our eternal benefit! If only we recognized every such opportunity and offered them to the Lord: The number of souls released from Purgatory to finish their journey home would shock us.
When you wonder if the mass counts, make it count by offering your suffering, doubts and dryness to the Lord for the salvation of souls. Instead of asking if it counts, ask how you can make it count. Answer the question not with words, but by your actions. A life lived in this way — in union with the sacred celebration of the Eucharist –- offers great rewards throughout eternity!
Remember in scripture where it says “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) This reminds me that the real reason we go to mass is not because “I have to because the Church says so.” Rather, we go to mass for the love of God and because He asked us to.
May God bless you & be with you.
Matthew Yurksaitis
Rochester, NY
A Contrite Heart
Dear Catholic Exchange:
I'm a little confused by your piece on Contrition [“Interior Repentance“] — are you referring to people dying with mortal sin on their soul? I was taught that if we die in a state of mortal sin without receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (no matter how contrite we might be), we go to hell. Could you please clarify what you mean?
Colleen
Dear Colleen:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us:
1452. When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called 'perfect' (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.[Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1677.]Note the language. What is necessary a “firm intention to have recourse to sacramental confession”, not necessarily reception of the sacrament itself. A firm intention means a firm intention: that is, barring unforeseen catastrophes, wild horses could not keep the penitent away from the confessional.
However, if before that firm intention can be carried out, the penitent gets hit by a meteor, felled by a stroke, or run over by a bus, God is not going to play “Simon says” with him: his mortal sin is forgiven through his perfect contrition and firm intention. This is why the Good Thief could see heaven without the benefit of baptism, confession, or eucharist. The basic rule of thumb here is “We are bound by the sacraments, but God is not.”
Thanks for writing!
Mark Shea
Senior Content Editor
Catholic Exchange
A Light for the Journey
Dear Catholic Exchange:
Thank you so much for the Catholic Exchange. It has been a tremendous help to me as I began my true and real spiritual journey in my thirty-ninth year. It has made me face my sin and past good intentions for what they are and led to me struggle and try to achieve the Truth as lived by Jesus.
I also wanted to extend a very special thank you to Monsignor Dennis Clark for his Homily of the Day which has been so helpful and moving to me in my spiritual journey and struggle.
I particularly love his Homilies of February 4, February 25, March 2, March 7, March 19, March 22 and March 30 just to name a few recent homilies.
Thank You.
Scott Sirk
Fishers, Indiana
Dear Mr. Sirk:
Thank you for your kind words of support. We exist to serve viewers like you and consider it a privilege.
Happy Easter,
Tom Allen
Editor & President
Catholic Exchange