Normally, I sit near the front and can’t see who is coming or going and when. I’ve noticed (not judging, just noticing) people often don’t return to the pew after going up to take the eucharist, but hadn’t realized the extent of it. Yesterday, I went to mass after an 18 hour workday and being up about 24 hours. I sat in the second to the last row at mass knowing I could slip out unnoticed if I started to fall asleep. I was grateful a family with several rowdy children sat behind me and kind of disappointed when their mother forced them to settle down just as mass started. I’d hoped their noise and kicking the back of my pew would keep me awake. Kids - making noise when you want them quiet and sitting quietly when you want them rambunctious.
Anyway, at first I thought the mass would be lightly attended since the church was only about 1/8th full at the start. By the gospel reading, it was up to about 3/4 full. And by the time the priest said “the mass is ended”, we were back down to something quite a bit less than the original 1/8th. I was just impressed I managed to stay awake the whole time.
I was rather entertained by the vast number of people who practically ran out of the church. Was it a race with a prize at the door? Were they being chased? Had they just realized they’d left the stove on at home? I’ll never know.
