Here we are - in the ‘Ten Commandments’ section under ‘third commandment’ (honour the Sabbath Day) - My emphasis
it says "BOUND’ and it means bound, that is, under pain of mortal sin, we are bound to assist at Mass on Sunday’s and Holy Days of obligation. Bound here means what it says in Christ’s directions to the apostles on Easter Sunday evening: whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven, whatever you loose on earth is loosed in heaven. binding and loosing in the context of biblical laws means literally being tied to the observance of those laws. Christ is giving the apostles the authority to forgive sin, and the authority to determine how God’s laws will be interpreted and implemented on earth, including his laws regarding worship due him, liturgy, sabbath etc.thank you, LilyM
but,
does this mean that not attending MASS is a sin, or just that people should attend MASS, but they don’t have to?
love,
Saoirse
It is a mortal sin to miss mass without a serious reason-- such as being too ill or caring for an ill child, etc. There are some specific instances in which one is not sinning by missing mass but they are limited to serious situations.thank you, LilyM
but,
does this mean that not attending MASS is a sin, or just that people should attend MASS, but they don’t have to?
love,
Saoirse
Yes, usually missing mass on a Holy Day of Obligation AND on Sundays throughout the entire year is a mortal sin. However, if circumstances arise which prevent you from going to Mass, (and I don’t mean something like a trip to the Mall) it may not be a mortal sin. For instance, if you are seriously ill, you’re snowed in, your employer has you waiting to board a plane bound for Europe, etc. Students should not have too much trouble getting to Mass even on Holy Days of Obligation, which may fall during the week. Most Churches have evening Mass on these Holy Days, and of course, it is a rare thing to have class on Sundays. As for the parents refusing to take a child to Mass, I think it depends. For example how old is the child? If he/she drives and has a car, then there really is not an excuse is there. If the child is too young to drive and can find no way in which to go to Mass, then no mortal sin has been committed.
Wrong!!! Confession is necessary for being reconciled with the Church. Perfect contrition before death allows us to receive God’s forgiveness. In case of sudden death after contrition and before the intent of going to confession is satisfied, the person is forgiven by God.
Great question! I have tried to pose this before and never gotten anywhere. If it is such a wonderful thing to do, why does the Church feel it has to threaten people with eternal torture if they don’t do it? If I get more out of attending mass 6 mornings a week and skip Sunday, what possible reasoning is there to condemn me forever? Such legalism is unsupportable, especially given the rejection of Jewish legalism practiced by Jesus, who clearly said that the sabbath was made for man, not man of rthe sabbath.
Threaten people? How about inform people.
Yes, what would you call it? A threat of eternal torture for not doing something which some people describe as a wonderful, not to be missed experience on a specific day of the week - as opposed to doing far more often but at other times?
I’m informed and I’ve never met a Catholic who wasn’t (about this subject, I mean).
I think the rule originated somewhat later than God’s list of commandments. And anyway, I’m more than happy to keep Sunday holy.
Me (and I do go on Easter).
I would rather see my children six days a week rather than one, regardless of when my birthday is.
Yet this one came here asking the very question.
You think wrong.
That is not the point. The point is why on earth, *if you were able, *would you CHOOSE to go see your child everyday and then CHOOSE not to go on a day set aside to celebrate something a little extra special? Talk about hurtful. “I love you but I have more important things to do today than celebrate this special day with you.”
Technically you are correct. However, perfect contrition is such a rare thing and so difficult to achieve due to our fallen nature, that I should think any reasonable person would be wary of passing up an opportunity to confess. Especially when one is close to death, it would be so simple for one’s contrition to be triggered by a fear of Hell rather than a love of God, thus rendering it imperfect and incapable of opening us up to God’s forgiveness. Although I would prefer to think otherwise, I’m afraid the truth is that I and pretty much everyone I know have never experienced true perfect contrition. My desire to confess and be reconciled is always tainted, even if only in part, by the desire to avoid Hell. It is never entirely due to my love for God and wish to avoid offending Him. This is the burden fallen man endures.
Because if it was not obligatory to go, a lot of people wouldn’t. Not everyone who goes to Mass on Sundays is really thrilled about being there:bigyikes: . And we all know that.