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steve_b
Guest
While not a perfect reason to do something, it is an intelligent reason.
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hazcompat
Guest
The Venerable Fulton J Sheen
The Sacrifice of the Mass may be presented-under another Analogy. Picture a House which had Two (2) Large Windows, on opposite-sides. One Window looks-down-into a Valley, the other to a Towering Mountain. The owner could gaze-on both, and somehow see that they were related: the Valley is the Mountain ‘Humbled’; the Mountain is the Valley ‘Exalted’.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is something like that. Every Church, in a way, looks-down-on a Valley, but the Valley-of Death and Humiliation, in which we see a Cross. But it also looks-up-to a Mountain, an Eternal Mountain, the Mountain-of Heaven, where Christ Reigns Gloriously. As the Valley and the Mountain are related-as Humiliation and Exaltation, so the Sacrifice of the Mass is related-to Calvary in the Valley, and to Christ in Heaven, and the Eternal Hills.
All Three (3), Calvary, the Mass, and the Glorified Christ in Heaven, are different levels-of the Great Eternal Act of Love. The Christ Who appeared-in Heaven, as the Lamb Slain from the Beginning-of the World, at a certain Moment-in Time, came to this Earth and Offered His Life in Redemption-for the Sins of Men. Then He Ascended-into Heaven where that same Eternal Act of Love continues, as He intercedes-for Humanity, showing the Scars of His Love to His Heavenly Father. True, Agony and Crucifixion are Passing-things, but the Obedience and the Love which inspired them are not. In the Father’s Eyes, the Son-made-Man, Loves always unto Death. The Patriot who regretted that he had only One (1) Life to-give-to his Country, would have Loved to have made his Sacrifice Eternal. Being Man, he could not do it. But Christ, being God, and Man, could.
The Mass, therefore, looks ‘Backward’ and ‘Forward’. Because we Live in-Time, and can use only Earthly Symbols, we see Successively, that which is but One (1) Eternal Movement of Love. If a Motion Picture Reel were endowed-with Consciousness, it would See and Understand the Story at-once; but we do not grasp it until we see it Unfolded-upon the Screen. So it is with the Love by which:
… Christ prepared-for His-Coming, in the Old Testament, Offered Himself on Calvary, and Now ‘Re-presents’ it in-Sacrifice, in the Mass. The Mass, therefore, is not ‘Another’ Immolation, but a ‘New’ Presentation-of the Eternal Victim, and its application-to us. To-assist-at Mass is the same-as to-assist-at Calvary. But there are differences.
On the Cross, Our Lord ‘Offered’ Himself for all Mankind; in the Mass, we make Application-of that Death to-Ourselves, and Unite (1) Our Sacrifice, with His. The Disadvantage of not having lived at the Time-of Christ, is Nullified-by the Mass. On the Cross, He ‘Potentially’ Redeemed all Humanity; in the Mass, we ‘Actualize’ that Redemption. Calvary happened-at a Definite Moment in-Time, and on a Particular Hill in-Space. The Mass, ‘Temporalizes’ and ‘Spatializes’ that Eternal Act of Love.
The Sacrifice of Calvary was Offered-up in a Bloody-Manner by the Separation-of His Blood from His Body. In the Mass, this Death is ‘Mystically’ and ‘Sacramentally’ presented-in an Unbloody-Manner, by the ‘Separate’ Consecration of Bread and Wine. The Two (2) are not Consecrated-together by such Words-as “This is My Body and My Blood”; rather, following the Words-of Our Lord: “This is My Body” is said over the Bread; then, “This is My Blood” is said over the Wine. The Separate Consecration, is a kind of Mystical Sword, dividing Body and Blood, which is the way Our Lord Died on Calvary.
.
The Sacrifice of the Mass may be presented-under another Analogy. Picture a House which had Two (2) Large Windows, on opposite-sides. One Window looks-down-into a Valley, the other to a Towering Mountain. The owner could gaze-on both, and somehow see that they were related: the Valley is the Mountain ‘Humbled’; the Mountain is the Valley ‘Exalted’.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is something like that. Every Church, in a way, looks-down-on a Valley, but the Valley-of Death and Humiliation, in which we see a Cross. But it also looks-up-to a Mountain, an Eternal Mountain, the Mountain-of Heaven, where Christ Reigns Gloriously. As the Valley and the Mountain are related-as Humiliation and Exaltation, so the Sacrifice of the Mass is related-to Calvary in the Valley, and to Christ in Heaven, and the Eternal Hills.
All Three (3), Calvary, the Mass, and the Glorified Christ in Heaven, are different levels-of the Great Eternal Act of Love. The Christ Who appeared-in Heaven, as the Lamb Slain from the Beginning-of the World, at a certain Moment-in Time, came to this Earth and Offered His Life in Redemption-for the Sins of Men. Then He Ascended-into Heaven where that same Eternal Act of Love continues, as He intercedes-for Humanity, showing the Scars of His Love to His Heavenly Father. True, Agony and Crucifixion are Passing-things, but the Obedience and the Love which inspired them are not. In the Father’s Eyes, the Son-made-Man, Loves always unto Death. The Patriot who regretted that he had only One (1) Life to-give-to his Country, would have Loved to have made his Sacrifice Eternal. Being Man, he could not do it. But Christ, being God, and Man, could.
The Mass, therefore, looks ‘Backward’ and ‘Forward’. Because we Live in-Time, and can use only Earthly Symbols, we see Successively, that which is but One (1) Eternal Movement of Love. If a Motion Picture Reel were endowed-with Consciousness, it would See and Understand the Story at-once; but we do not grasp it until we see it Unfolded-upon the Screen. So it is with the Love by which:
… Christ prepared-for His-Coming, in the Old Testament, Offered Himself on Calvary, and Now ‘Re-presents’ it in-Sacrifice, in the Mass. The Mass, therefore, is not ‘Another’ Immolation, but a ‘New’ Presentation-of the Eternal Victim, and its application-to us. To-assist-at Mass is the same-as to-assist-at Calvary. But there are differences.
On the Cross, Our Lord ‘Offered’ Himself for all Mankind; in the Mass, we make Application-of that Death to-Ourselves, and Unite (1) Our Sacrifice, with His. The Disadvantage of not having lived at the Time-of Christ, is Nullified-by the Mass. On the Cross, He ‘Potentially’ Redeemed all Humanity; in the Mass, we ‘Actualize’ that Redemption. Calvary happened-at a Definite Moment in-Time, and on a Particular Hill in-Space. The Mass, ‘Temporalizes’ and ‘Spatializes’ that Eternal Act of Love.
The Sacrifice of Calvary was Offered-up in a Bloody-Manner by the Separation-of His Blood from His Body. In the Mass, this Death is ‘Mystically’ and ‘Sacramentally’ presented-in an Unbloody-Manner, by the ‘Separate’ Consecration of Bread and Wine. The Two (2) are not Consecrated-together by such Words-as “This is My Body and My Blood”; rather, following the Words-of Our Lord: “This is My Body” is said over the Bread; then, “This is My Blood” is said over the Wine. The Separate Consecration, is a kind of Mystical Sword, dividing Body and Blood, which is the way Our Lord Died on Calvary.
.
H
hazcompat
Guest
Suppose there was an Eternal Broadcasting Station that sent-out Eternal Waves-of Wisdom and Enlightenment. People who lived-in Different Ages, would Tune-in to that Wisdom, Assimilate it, and Apply it to themselves. Christ’s Eternal Act of Love, is something to which we Tune-in, as we appear in Successive Ages-of History, through the Mass. The Mass, therefore, borrows its Reality and its Efficacy from Calvary, and has no-Meaning, apart-from it. He who assists-at Mass, lifts the Cross-of Christ out-of the Soil-of Calvary, and Plants it in the Center-of his own Heart.
This is the only Perfect Act-of Love, Sacrifice, Thanksgiving, and Obedience, which we can ever Pay-to God; namely, that which is Offered-by His Divine Son Incarnate. Of-and-by ourselves, we cannot Touch the Ceiling, because we are not Tall-enough. Of-and-by ourselves, we cannot Touch God. We need a Mediator, someone Who is both God and Man, Who is Christ. No Human Prayer, no Human Act-of Self-Denial, no Human Sacrifice, is Sufficient-to Pierce Heaven. It is only the Sacrifice-of the Cross that can do so, and this is done in the Mass. As we Offer it, we ‘Hang’, as-it-were, onto His Robes, we ‘Tug’-at His Feet at the Ascension, we ‘Cling’-to His Pierced-Hands in Offering Himself to the Heavenly Father. Being Hidden-in Him, our Prayers and Sacrifices have His Value. In the Mass, we are once-more at Calvary, Rubbing Shoulders with Mary Magdalen and John, while Mournfully looking-over our Shoulders at Executioners, who still shake-Dice for the Garments-of the Lord.
The Priest who ‘Offers’ the Sacrifice, merely Lends-to Christ, his Voice and his Fingers. It is Christ Who is the Priest; it is Christ Who is the Victim. In all Pagan Sacrifices, and in the Jewish Sacrifices, the Victim was always Separate-from the Priest. It might have been a Goat, a Lamb, or a Bullock. But, when Christ came, He the Priest, Offered Himself as the Victim. In the Mass, it is Christ Who still-Offers Himself, and Who is the Victim to Whom we become United (1). The Altar, therefore, is not related-to the Congregation, as the Stage-to an Audience, in the Theatre. The Communion Rail is not the same-as Footlights, which divide the Drama, from the Onlooker. All the Members-of the Church have a kind-of Priesthood, inasmuch-as they Offer-up, with the Eternal Priest, this Eternal Act of Love. The Laity participate-in the Life and Power of Christ, for “Thou hast made us a Royal Race of Priests to serve God” (Apocalypse 5:10).
The expression, sometimes used by Catholics, “to hear Mass”, is an indication-of how little is understood-of their Active Participation, not only with Christ, but also with all of the Saints and Members-of the Church, until the End-of Time. This Corporate Action of the Church, is indicated-in certain Prayers of the Mass. For example, immediately before the Consecration, God is asked-to receive the Offering which “we Thy Servants and Thy Whole Household make unto Thee”; and after the Consecration, the Faithful again say, “We Thy Servants, as also Thy Holy People, do Offer unto Thy most Excellent Majesty of Thine own Gifts bestowed on us”. All participate, but the closer we are to the Mystery, the more we become One (1) with Christ.
No Man can ever come to the Real Fullness-of his Personality, by Reflection or Contemplation; he has to Act-it-out. That is why, through all Ages, Man laid his Hand on the Best-of the Herd, and Destroyed it, in-order-to indicate the ‘Offering’ and ‘Surrender’ of himself. By laying his Hands on the Animal, he identified himself with it. Then he consumed it, in-order-to gain some Identification-with the One to-whom it was Offered. In the Mass, all the Ancient dim ForeShadowings-of the Supreme Sacrifice, are fulfilled. Man Immolates himself with Christ, bidding Him to take his Body and his Blood. Through this Destruction of the Ego, there is a ‘Void’ and an ‘Emptiness’ created, which makes it possible-for Divinity to fill-up the Vacuum, and to make the Offerer Holy. Man Dies-to the Past, in order that he may Live-in the Future. He chooses to be United (1)-with his Divine King in some form-of Death, that he may share-in His Resurrection and Glory. Thus, Dying, he Lives; Chastened, he is not Killed; Sorrowful, he always Rejoices; Giving-up Time, he finds Eternity. ‘Nothingness’ is exchanged-for ‘Everything’. Poverty turns-into Riches, and having ‘Nothing’, he begins to-Possess all-things
This is the only Perfect Act-of Love, Sacrifice, Thanksgiving, and Obedience, which we can ever Pay-to God; namely, that which is Offered-by His Divine Son Incarnate. Of-and-by ourselves, we cannot Touch the Ceiling, because we are not Tall-enough. Of-and-by ourselves, we cannot Touch God. We need a Mediator, someone Who is both God and Man, Who is Christ. No Human Prayer, no Human Act-of Self-Denial, no Human Sacrifice, is Sufficient-to Pierce Heaven. It is only the Sacrifice-of the Cross that can do so, and this is done in the Mass. As we Offer it, we ‘Hang’, as-it-were, onto His Robes, we ‘Tug’-at His Feet at the Ascension, we ‘Cling’-to His Pierced-Hands in Offering Himself to the Heavenly Father. Being Hidden-in Him, our Prayers and Sacrifices have His Value. In the Mass, we are once-more at Calvary, Rubbing Shoulders with Mary Magdalen and John, while Mournfully looking-over our Shoulders at Executioners, who still shake-Dice for the Garments-of the Lord.
The Priest who ‘Offers’ the Sacrifice, merely Lends-to Christ, his Voice and his Fingers. It is Christ Who is the Priest; it is Christ Who is the Victim. In all Pagan Sacrifices, and in the Jewish Sacrifices, the Victim was always Separate-from the Priest. It might have been a Goat, a Lamb, or a Bullock. But, when Christ came, He the Priest, Offered Himself as the Victim. In the Mass, it is Christ Who still-Offers Himself, and Who is the Victim to Whom we become United (1). The Altar, therefore, is not related-to the Congregation, as the Stage-to an Audience, in the Theatre. The Communion Rail is not the same-as Footlights, which divide the Drama, from the Onlooker. All the Members-of the Church have a kind-of Priesthood, inasmuch-as they Offer-up, with the Eternal Priest, this Eternal Act of Love. The Laity participate-in the Life and Power of Christ, for “Thou hast made us a Royal Race of Priests to serve God” (Apocalypse 5:10).
The expression, sometimes used by Catholics, “to hear Mass”, is an indication-of how little is understood-of their Active Participation, not only with Christ, but also with all of the Saints and Members-of the Church, until the End-of Time. This Corporate Action of the Church, is indicated-in certain Prayers of the Mass. For example, immediately before the Consecration, God is asked-to receive the Offering which “we Thy Servants and Thy Whole Household make unto Thee”; and after the Consecration, the Faithful again say, “We Thy Servants, as also Thy Holy People, do Offer unto Thy most Excellent Majesty of Thine own Gifts bestowed on us”. All participate, but the closer we are to the Mystery, the more we become One (1) with Christ.
No Man can ever come to the Real Fullness-of his Personality, by Reflection or Contemplation; he has to Act-it-out. That is why, through all Ages, Man laid his Hand on the Best-of the Herd, and Destroyed it, in-order-to indicate the ‘Offering’ and ‘Surrender’ of himself. By laying his Hands on the Animal, he identified himself with it. Then he consumed it, in-order-to gain some Identification-with the One to-whom it was Offered. In the Mass, all the Ancient dim ForeShadowings-of the Supreme Sacrifice, are fulfilled. Man Immolates himself with Christ, bidding Him to take his Body and his Blood. Through this Destruction of the Ego, there is a ‘Void’ and an ‘Emptiness’ created, which makes it possible-for Divinity to fill-up the Vacuum, and to make the Offerer Holy. Man Dies-to the Past, in order that he may Live-in the Future. He chooses to be United (1)-with his Divine King in some form-of Death, that he may share-in His Resurrection and Glory. Thus, Dying, he Lives; Chastened, he is not Killed; Sorrowful, he always Rejoices; Giving-up Time, he finds Eternity. ‘Nothingness’ is exchanged-for ‘Everything’. Poverty turns-into Riches, and having ‘Nothing’, he begins to-Possess all-things
B
BroIgnatius
Guest
Whoa. I cannot read your posts. You need to put a blank line in between paragraphs. To do the press the ENTER key twice at the end of a paragraph. Thanks.Suppose there was an Eternal Broadcasting Station that sent-out Eternal Waves-of Wisdom and Enlightenment
J
jaimeleglise
Guest
There are many wonderful books on the Eucharist and the Mass to inspire you. Authors like Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, St. Peter Julian Eymard, Scott Hahn, St. Leonard de Portmaurice and others will help you understand and appreciate the Mass more. Every Mass helps you grow closer to God for all eternity. God bless you.
You get out of Mass what you put into it.
You get out of Mass what you put into it.
B
BroIgnatius
Guest
See how much better this is…
The Venerable Fulton J Sheen
The Sacrifice of the Mass may be presented-under another Analogy. Picture a House which had Two (2) Large Windows, on opposite-sides. One Window looks-down-into a Valley, the other to a Towering Mountain. The owner could gaze-on both, and somehow see that they were related: the Valley is the Mountain ‘Humbled’; the Mountain is the Valley ‘Exalted’.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is something like that. Every Church, in a way, looks-down-on a Valley, but the Valley-of Death and Humiliation, in which we see a Cross. But it also looks-up-to a Mountain, an Eternal Mountain, the Mountain-of Heaven, where Christ Reigns Gloriously. As the Valley and the Mountain are related-as Humiliation and Exaltation, so the Sacrifice of the Mass is related-to Calvary in the Valley, and to Christ in Heaven, and the Eternal Hills.
All Three (3), Calvary, the Mass, and the Glorified Christ in Heaven, are different levels-of the Great Eternal Act of Love. The Christ Who appeared-in Heaven, as the Lamb Slain from the Beginning-of the World, at a certain Moment-in Time, came to this Earth and Offered His Life in Redemption-for the Sins of Men. Then He Ascended-into Heaven where that same Eternal Act of Love continues, as He intercedes-for Humanity, showing the Scars of His Love to His Heavenly Father. True, Agony and Crucifixion are Passing-things, but the Obedience and the Love which inspired them are not. In the Father’s Eyes, the Son-made-Man, Loves always unto Death. The Patriot who regretted that he had only One (1) Life to-give-to his Country, would have Loved to have made his Sacrifice Eternal. Being Man, he could not do it. But Christ, being God, and Man, could.
The Mass, therefore, looks ‘Backward’ and ‘Forward’. Because we Live in-Time, and can use only Earthly Symbols, we see Successively, that which is but One (1) Eternal Movement of Love. If a Motion Picture Reel were endowed-with Consciousness, it would See and Understand the Story at-once; but we do not grasp it until we see it Unfolded-upon the Screen. So it is with the Love by which:
… Christ prepared-for His-Coming, in the Old Testament, Offered Himself on Calvary, and Now ‘Re-presents’ it in-Sacrifice, in the Mass. The Mass, therefore, is not ‘Another’ Immolation, but a ‘New’ Presentation-of the Eternal Victim, and its application-to us. To-assist-at Mass is the same-as to-assist-at Calvary. But there are differences.
On the Cross, Our Lord ‘Offered’ Himself for all Mankind; in the Mass, we make Application-of that Death to-Ourselves, and Unite (1) Our Sacrifice, with His. The Disadvantage of not having lived at the Time-of Christ, is Nullified-by the Mass. On the Cross, He ‘Potentially’ Redeemed all Humanity; in the Mass, we ‘Actualize’ that Redemption. Calvary happened-at a Definite Moment in-Time, and on a Particular Hill in-Space. The Mass, ‘Temporalizes’ and ‘Spatializes’ that Eternal Act of Love.
The Sacrifice of Calvary was Offered-up in a Bloody-Manner by the Separation-of His Blood from His Body. In the Mass, this Death is ‘Mystically’ and ‘Sacramentally’ presented-in an Unbloody-Manner, by the ‘Separate’ Consecration of Bread and Wine. The Two (2) are not Consecrated-together by such Words-as “This is My Body and My Blood”; rather, following the Words-of Our Lord: “This is My Body” is said over the Bread; then, “This is My Blood” is said over the Wine. The Separate Consecration, is a kind of Mystical Sword, dividing Body and Blood, which is the way Our Lord Died on Calvary.
The Venerable Fulton J Sheen
The Sacrifice of the Mass may be presented-under another Analogy. Picture a House which had Two (2) Large Windows, on opposite-sides. One Window looks-down-into a Valley, the other to a Towering Mountain. The owner could gaze-on both, and somehow see that they were related: the Valley is the Mountain ‘Humbled’; the Mountain is the Valley ‘Exalted’.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is something like that. Every Church, in a way, looks-down-on a Valley, but the Valley-of Death and Humiliation, in which we see a Cross. But it also looks-up-to a Mountain, an Eternal Mountain, the Mountain-of Heaven, where Christ Reigns Gloriously. As the Valley and the Mountain are related-as Humiliation and Exaltation, so the Sacrifice of the Mass is related-to Calvary in the Valley, and to Christ in Heaven, and the Eternal Hills.
All Three (3), Calvary, the Mass, and the Glorified Christ in Heaven, are different levels-of the Great Eternal Act of Love. The Christ Who appeared-in Heaven, as the Lamb Slain from the Beginning-of the World, at a certain Moment-in Time, came to this Earth and Offered His Life in Redemption-for the Sins of Men. Then He Ascended-into Heaven where that same Eternal Act of Love continues, as He intercedes-for Humanity, showing the Scars of His Love to His Heavenly Father. True, Agony and Crucifixion are Passing-things, but the Obedience and the Love which inspired them are not. In the Father’s Eyes, the Son-made-Man, Loves always unto Death. The Patriot who regretted that he had only One (1) Life to-give-to his Country, would have Loved to have made his Sacrifice Eternal. Being Man, he could not do it. But Christ, being God, and Man, could.
The Mass, therefore, looks ‘Backward’ and ‘Forward’. Because we Live in-Time, and can use only Earthly Symbols, we see Successively, that which is but One (1) Eternal Movement of Love. If a Motion Picture Reel were endowed-with Consciousness, it would See and Understand the Story at-once; but we do not grasp it until we see it Unfolded-upon the Screen. So it is with the Love by which:
… Christ prepared-for His-Coming, in the Old Testament, Offered Himself on Calvary, and Now ‘Re-presents’ it in-Sacrifice, in the Mass. The Mass, therefore, is not ‘Another’ Immolation, but a ‘New’ Presentation-of the Eternal Victim, and its application-to us. To-assist-at Mass is the same-as to-assist-at Calvary. But there are differences.
On the Cross, Our Lord ‘Offered’ Himself for all Mankind; in the Mass, we make Application-of that Death to-Ourselves, and Unite (1) Our Sacrifice, with His. The Disadvantage of not having lived at the Time-of Christ, is Nullified-by the Mass. On the Cross, He ‘Potentially’ Redeemed all Humanity; in the Mass, we ‘Actualize’ that Redemption. Calvary happened-at a Definite Moment in-Time, and on a Particular Hill in-Space. The Mass, ‘Temporalizes’ and ‘Spatializes’ that Eternal Act of Love.
The Sacrifice of Calvary was Offered-up in a Bloody-Manner by the Separation-of His Blood from His Body. In the Mass, this Death is ‘Mystically’ and ‘Sacramentally’ presented-in an Unbloody-Manner, by the ‘Separate’ Consecration of Bread and Wine. The Two (2) are not Consecrated-together by such Words-as “This is My Body and My Blood”; rather, following the Words-of Our Lord: “This is My Body” is said over the Bread; then, “This is My Blood” is said over the Wine. The Separate Consecration, is a kind of Mystical Sword, dividing Body and Blood, which is the way Our Lord Died on Calvary.
B
BroIgnatius
Guest
Freedom of will was actually designed for us to choose God. But, we always have the freedom to choose otherwise, even though choosing error leads us into slavery.On the contrary, I think freedom of thought is a great thing.
Yes, we have a freedom of thought in the same way. If we wish to think ourselves into hell we are free to do so
I said that I do not doubt what you said that it was very sad. You think the contrary? That is evil. You think it is not sad that people are risking their souls? There is nothing sadder in this universe.
P
Pre_Rejected
Guest
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is exactly the same Sacrifice as Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross. Keeping our eyes on the crucifix during Mass, helps us to keep in mind what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is all about.
Except perhaps to His enemies, Jesus’ Crucifixion is not entertainment. For Jesus, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is incredible agony. Yet, Jesus loves us so much that He invites us to participate in His Sacrifice in a painless, and usually very pleasant way.
If changing your clothes for Mass is too much bother, think about Jesus’ preparation for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He sweated blood in the garden, His friends abandoned Him. His friends denied they knew Him, and His friends betrayed Him. He was insulted, hit, scourged, crowned with thorns, carried His cross on the Way.
When Jesus arrived, He was stripped of His clothes, nailed to a cross, shed all of His Precious Blood, and gave His life for us.
Except perhaps to His enemies, Jesus’ Crucifixion is not entertainment. For Jesus, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is incredible agony. Yet, Jesus loves us so much that He invites us to participate in His Sacrifice in a painless, and usually very pleasant way.
If changing your clothes for Mass is too much bother, think about Jesus’ preparation for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He sweated blood in the garden, His friends abandoned Him. His friends denied they knew Him, and His friends betrayed Him. He was insulted, hit, scourged, crowned with thorns, carried His cross on the Way.
When Jesus arrived, He was stripped of His clothes, nailed to a cross, shed all of His Precious Blood, and gave His life for us.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
If I did not believe in the Mass as the Holy Sacrifice of Jesus and also in His Real Presence in the Eucharist through the Sacrament performed by the priest at Mass, I would not see much difference between attending a church service and just going and reading the Bible under a tree or flipping on a sermon on TV, radio or internet.
W
Whalljim
Guest
How were you catechized?Y’see, I don’t believe that. Never have.
That, I have no problem with.
But here’s the thing: Jesus is everywhere; I can talk to him anytime; so what difference does it make if I go to church or not?
Not particularly.
Mass is the "source and summit’ of our faith because of the Real Presence. If you don’t believe, but want to remain Catholic, why not start digging?
Mass used to bore me as well. I don’t deny it. But now I love the liturgy, though even now I don’t give it the respect it deserves. I’d love for you to have the same feelings of awe and happiness I get.
If you’re wondering why you should go, start reading into Church history and philosophy. I might start looking at Trent Horn’s new book ‘Why are we Catholic’. I’m reading it now and its a good high level view that might lead you into something deeper.
Good Luck and God Bless!
M
Michael_Mayo
Guest
I do not doubt it, but it is very sad.
Jesus did say the the road to heaven is narrow and few will find it. I just hope I will find it myself.
Walking the narrow path does not preclude freedom of thought. Of course many believers of all kinds can be fundamentalist and rigid, such that if you do not believe exactly as they do you are damned. The prime directive is to love. It is a simple commandment to understand but often proves difficult to live.On the contrary, I think freedom of thought is a great thing.
D
DeniseNY
Guest
So you’re saying orthodox Catholics don’t think of themselves , and are sad and evil?I think it’s sad, evil, and a risk to your soul whenever you don’t think for yourself, but I have a lot of faith in the “cafeteria” Catholics who don’t accept things just because someone in authority said so.
V
Vico
Guest
CatechismSo I’ve been going to church pretty much weekly (except when my work schedule prevents it) for 30+ years. It’s become more of a chore/hassle (though, admittedly, it was never something that I actively looked forward to):
*We usually go on Saturdays, because I usually work on Sunday mornings. Of course, I usually work on Saturday mornings as well. So I come home in the afternoon, get to take off my work clothes for around an hour, and then have to put on my church clothes (which I wear only once per week) and go out there for an hour, then come back home and take them off again.
*We often hear the some old hymns over and over again, rarely anything new.
*The church has fake bell sounds that play out the melodies of these same hymns before and after mass. I’ll get out of the car and think “Oh, it’s this song again.”
*They have a perfectly good piano sitting there, but I’ve never once seen anyone use it. The music director sure loves the organ (and letting one of the choir members play an acoustic guitar, even though you never actually hear it over the organ). Why not change things up, so it doesn’t sound like retirement-home music?
*I go to an old-people church. I’m not young (although others in the congregation seem to think so, including one annoying guy that keeps calling me “lad” during the sign of peace). Many weeks, I’m the youngest person there. It’s a sea of white and grey.
*The homilies (the one thing that I actually kinda look forward to) have become repetitive. Either they’re obvious interpretations of the readings that I could figure out on my own, or they’re repeated year after year, so I already know what the priest is gonna say when he starts talking. Even worse is when they try to be stand-up comics. I’m not sure how many times that I’ve heard the “Television to no one” “joke” during the homily after the transfiguration reading.
So, with around 80-90% of the mass being the same thing week after week, is there any compelling reason to actually get dressed up and go every single week? It doesn’t feel the least bit inspiring or uplifting. It just feels like a drag.
2176 The celebration of Sunday observes the moral commandment inscribed by nature in the human heart to render to God an outward, visible, public, and regular worship "as a sign of his universal beneficence to all."109 Sunday worship fulfills the moral command of the Old Covenant, taking up its rhythm and spirit in the weekly celebration of the Creator and Redeemer of his people.
2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.
2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. …
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
If one does not either know, agree with, understand or at least accept out of obedience Catholic dogma on the source and summit of our faith, then boredom at Mass is not even a remote issue. Why would one identify as a Catholic and attend at all?
And one should not say “amen” and take that Body and Blood into thier mouths. It’s a sacralige and it is disrespectful.
And one should not say “amen” and take that Body and Blood into thier mouths. It’s a sacralige and it is disrespectful.
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BroIgnatius
Guest
Thinking for yourself when that thought is not the Truth, is not thinking for yourself, unless you think you are a god.I’m sure there are plenty who do, but thinking for yourself is more important than orthodoxy.
Satan thought for himself. I hope you dont get to meet him.
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BroIgnatius
Guest
I just noticed that you quote the father of 20th Century Satanism, the pervert and evil person of Aleister Crowley, and then, in this context, blaspheme against St. Augustine by placing his quote, way out of context, aside the satanist implying that the quotes are somehow are related. They are not.I think it’s sad, evil, and a risk to your soul whenever you don’t think for yourself, but I have a lot of faith in the “cafeteria” Catholics who don’t accept things just because someone in authority said so.
Crowley spewed out the tenet, “That thou harm none, do what they wilt is the whole of the law.” Then in his commentary of this verse he says he has the right to kill anyone who would get in his way to do what he wants.
Then you reference the satanic group Thelemite and call out lucifer in tenebris lucit
Given this satanic aspect, which now makes sense as to the position you are spewing. You go on ignore, and I hope everyone else will do the same.
I will certainly l pray for you.
:sad_bye:
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
I’m more than uncomforfortable with the idea that “thinking for yourself” includes a rejection of Catholic Truth. And it implies that those who accept it are not thinking for themselves.
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StudentMI
Guest
Thats not even a direct quote of Crowley. What are you talking about? And as for his symbolic language, Robert Anton Wilson, Alan Moore, and so on have explained his terminology and symbolism. Don’t be ignorant.I just noticed that you quote the father of 20th Century Satanism, the pervert and evil person of Aleister Crowley, and then, in this context, blaspheme against St. Augustine by placing his quote, way out of context, aside the satanist implying that the quotes are somehow are related. They are not.
Crowley spewed out the tenet, “That thou harm none, do what they wilt is the whole of the law.” Then in his commentary of this verse he says he has the right to kill anyone who would get in his way to do what he wants.
Given this satanic aspect, which now makes sense as to the position you are spewing. You go on ignore, and I hope everyone else will do the same.
:sad_bye:
S
Solomonson
Guest
I empathize with your comments. Attending Mass at my parish is a fairly grim process. I do it because I HAVE to. It’s an obligation.
I make it as good as I can for myself. I read the readings beforehand and try to think about them. I also read a published homily for the specific Mass. I also eschew all parish politics.
If I have the time, I also workout hard and take a hot shower before Mass. The endorphins help me.
I make it as good as I can for myself. I read the readings beforehand and try to think about them. I also read a published homily for the specific Mass. I also eschew all parish politics.
If I have the time, I also workout hard and take a hot shower before Mass. The endorphins help me.
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thistle
Guest
There is no cafeteria rite.If he’s been baptized and confirmed Catholic, then he’s Catholic. Differing belief just makes him Cafeteria Rite.
There are only two types of Catholic - those in a state of grace and those in a state of mortal sin.
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