T
The_Curt_Jester
Guest
First off, because some people might have to work on the Holy Day, does that mean it has to be canceled for everyone? If a person is obligated to work on a certain day and that day happens to be a holy day, he is justified in working that day in order to keep his job and continue to support his family. However, there are plenty of people who can make Mass on those days and do not have to go to work. They are very capable of keeping the day holy by abstaining from work. By your reasoning, we should quit making Sunday Mass mandatory because nowadays many people have to work on Sundays. I know I had to work every Sunday for awhile. Did this mean that it was useless for Sunday to be a Holy Day for me because I had to make it profane by working?I understand what you’re saying, but what Father and I are trying to communicate is that the Church has a broader vision of a holy day, which is highly influence by Judaism. Going to mass is part of it.
If we reduce it to just going to mass, then one has to wonder, is it really a holy day?
We don’t want to do that. We don’t want to reduce it to getting in a quick mass.
I do agree with Father about children. God is much more mature and emotionally stronger than a child. A parent has a duty to deal with his or her children where they’re at. I also understand your point about priorities. There are times when we do get our priorities all mixed up, no question about it.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
Seriously, this seems like yet another method of watering down Catholicism. With Mass attendance dropping, belief in the Real Presence at a woefully low number, and so on, I think more needs to be done to stress the importance of religion instead of catering to the lazy attitudes of modern day Catholics. Let them make a little bit of effort for their religion. Maybe they will begin to realize that nothing is worth anything if some effort isn’t required.
In regard to BenedictGal’s example of families that take time to attend sports and other events, I entirely agree. I know of far too many examples of families who have shoved aside Mass on Sundays (or Holy Days) so they could have more “family time” and that by skipping Mass it was the only way they had time for themselves. I also have heard far too many times “We can’t come because we have Soccer practice that day.” Catholics these days are apathetic enough without encouraging it.
Church leaders need to grow some backbone and realize that they can’t right the ship by backpedaling in response to today’s practices and cultural. The Catholic Faith should be the driving force behind our culture. Let’s try to work for that!
Also, Holy Thursday is forty days after Easter, which is scriptural. Not to mention, there’s then the novena in preparation for Pentecost. The cycle is thrown out of order with the “new way”.