Church on TV, clarification

[Quailman]

Alright, I just learned that not going to Church on Sunday is a Mortal Sin.
I’ve been watching Church on television regularly for let’s say the past 2 years.
I know it’s not the same because you’re not receiving, but why isn’t it adequate?

What’s the difference between watching mass on TV and going to church, sitting in the “back room”, and not receiving? The mass I watch on TV is live, and I seem to recall reading from another thread on this board about mass on tv that a priest’s blessing from a live broadcast is valid to the viewer.

I watch with my family, so it’s not like I’m not with a community

 

[LilyM]

Because Mass is NEVER just something you watch. It’s something you participate in. An important part of that participation is your presence in the church building - and that you place yourself in the physical presence of the Blessed Sacrament as well. It’s communal worship - that means with your church community, not just your family.

None of the sacraments, including the Eucharist, can be done at a distance, with the single exception in rare circumstances of marriage by proxy. Even then the proxy (someone who stands in for one of the spouses) must be physically present. And this idea of a proxy applies to none of the other Sacraments.

It’s doubtful that a priest’s blessing could be transmitted over the television. The only exception that I’m aware of is that of the Papal blessing imparted at the end of his Wednesday audience - which is NOT a Mass - or his ‘urbi et orbi’ blessing upon his election (again, which is NOT a Mass).

And since when is a Mass simply about receiving the priest’s blessing? We gather at Mass to worship God as a community, to worship Jesus present in the Eucharist - in HIS Eucharistic presence.

 

[David1988]

I think the better question is, why don’t you want to go to Mass and be in the presence of Christ?

Watching Mass on TV is sufficient and a good resource for those who are home bound.

It’s doubtful that a priest’s blessing could be transmitted over the television.

Blessings given live on TV are transmitted to those watching and participating in the TV Masses during the live showing. I think there was a Vatican document about this, which I can try to look up if you’d like.

 

[Quailman]

Because Mass is NEVER just something you watch. It’s something you participate in. An important part of that participation is your presence in the church building - and that you place yourself in the physical presence of the Blessed

I am participating, I’m not just literally sitting there.

I don’t see why being there is a part of the participation. If i’m in a crowded church and happen to be standing in the very back, I feel like I’m nominally in the presence of the Eucharist. Seeing it on TV, I’m not in the Physical Presence but I still can “feel” it.

the quote about blessings and tv is at the end of this post…

David1988, that is a great question. It’s not that I don’t want to, It’s that (and I know this is weak) I’m lazy and it’s somewhat of a hassle to get my family out. I could theoretically drive myself, but with the tv I can get my family to assemble and watch it for an hour.

and here’s the post I got that info from. It doesn’t cite the Vatican article though.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=4952373

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Alright, I just learned that not going to Church on Sunday is a Mortal Sin.
I’ve been watching Church on television regularly for let’s say the past 2 years.
I know it’s not the same because you’re not receiving, but why isn’t it adequate?

What’s the difference between watching mass on TV and going to church, sitting in the “back room”, and not receiving? The mass I watch on TV is live, and I seem to recall reading from another thread on this board about mass on tv that a priest’s blessing from a live broadcast is valid to the viewer.

I watch with my family, so it’s not like I’m not with a community

Too misunderstandings. The Popes apostolic Blessing when viewed live can impart it’s graces on those watching and listening on TV or Radio, or other media.

Not attending Mass or gathering with the parish community in person is a mortal sin if you can be there but simply choose not to be.

 

[BayernAnhaenger]

Alright, I just learned that not going to Church on Sunday is a Mortal Sin.
I’ve been watching Church on television regularly for let’s say the past 2 years.
I know it’s not the same because you’re not receiving, but why isn’t it adequate?

What’s the difference between watching mass on TV and going to church, sitting in the “back room”, and not receiving? The mass I watch on TV is live, and I seem to recall reading from another thread on this board about mass on tv that a priest’s blessing from a live broadcast is valid to the viewer.

I watch with my family, so it’s not like I’m not with a community

Fulfilling your Mass obligation has very little to do with receiving.

If you have a mortal sin on your soul, you are to not receive Communion. You are to always attend Mass, however.

 

[LilyM]

I am participating, I’m not just literally sitting there.

I don’t see why being there is a part of the participation. If i’m in a crowded church and happen to be standing in the very back, I feel like I’m nominally in the presence of the Eucharist. Seeing it on TV, I’m not in the Physical Presence but I still can “feel” it.

I can ‘feel’ it without watching a TV Mass - I can pray an Act of Spiritual Communion any time and ‘feel’ it. Does that mean I don’t EVEN need to watch a TV Mass, since I ‘feel’ Our Lord’s Eucharistic presence without it?

Our uninformed feelings are a poor guide at best to what is right and wrong. That’s why the Church and scripture gives us guidance - which guidance is that we must meet together as a community to worship. St Paul says it thus in Hebrews 10:

"24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. "

It’s about doing that which will best encourage one another - which means meeting together as a community! Salvation, and faith, are not about doing the bare minimum.

And the more the better - a lot of our fellow CAF-ites have such a deep understanding of Mass that they make the effort to go during the week, as well as on Sundays. Just like (I hope) you make the extra effort with your family - you do special things for them, no? You don’t just do the bare minimum of providing food clothing and shelter, do you?

See, it’s in doing the extra that we SHOW love, whether for God or for our family, and in FAILING to do the extra that we show LACK of love, whether for God or for our family.

It’s not that I don’t want to, It’s that (and I know this is weak) I’m lazy and it’s somewhat of a hassle to get my family out. I could theoretically drive myself, but with the tv I can get my family to assemble and watch it for an hour.

If you know your argument is weak then why allow yourself to be persuaded by it? If someone else puts up a weak argument to you about something, you don’t buy it, do you? Where in scripture does Jesus say following Him won’t, or shouldn’t, ever be a hassle? Doesn’t He say the exact opposite - that we must deny ourselves and take up our crosses if we are to follow Him?

 

[Quailman]

If you know your argument is weak then why allow yourself to be persuaded by it? If someone else puts up a weak argument to you about something, you don’t buy it, do you? Where in scripture does Jesus say following Him won’t, or shouldn’t, ever be a hassle? Doesn’t He say the exact opposite - that we must deny ourselves and take up our crosses if we are to follow Him?

By weak I was taking precaution from someone saying “ah man dat’s wizeak” and not addressing the rest.

It’s not like I think on Sunday “oh it’s cool, I’m lazy” and am persuaded

My argument is really more along the lines of, I could maybe get my mom to go with me, but the rest of my family isn’t. With the magic television, I can get them all to gather.

So perhaps the discussion should refocus to how I can get my family to church?

 

[nodito]

So perhaps the discussion should refocus to how I can get my family to church?

Quailman, if you don’t mind my asking, how old are you? Or, better put, do you have a family of your own or are you living with your parents in their house? If it’s the latter, you may not be able to do much about getting your parents to church; they are adults and can do as they please. But if you are a parent yourself and have, for example, school-aged children, then getting them to mass should be no different than getting them to school; tell them it’s required for as long as they live under your roof.

 

[Quailman]

Quailman, if you don’t mind my asking, how old are you? Or, better put, do you have a family of your own or are you living with your parents in their house? If it’s the latter, you may not be able to do much about getting your parents to church; they are adults and can do as they please. But if you are a parent yourself and have, for example, school-aged children, then getting them to mass should be no different than getting them to school; tell them it’s required for as long as they live under your roof.

I’m 17. i live with my parents and younger siblings.

 

[LilyM]

I’m 17. i live with my parents and younger siblings.

Then your parents, being adults, are responsible for their own souls - and perhaps for those of your younger siblings. You, however, are old enough to be responsible for your own soul, but are not responsible for theirs.

So get thee to church! Take your family with you if you can, if not then don’t, but DO go yourself.

 

[nodito]

Then your parents, being adults, are responsible for their own souls - and perhaps for those of your younger siblings. You, however, are old enough to be responsible for your own soul, but are not responsible for theirs.

So get thee to church! Take your family with you if you can, if not then don’t, but DO go yourself.

I agree, and your younger siblings will undoubtedly benefit from seeing their cool older brother go to Mass every week.