Was this wrong?

[randirhoades]

I could not get to Mass so my sister and I watched it together on the net. We’re in different states. I sat in front of my computer with the missal and participated. My sister cleaned her house while Mass was being said. She was cleaning because her kids were coming for Christmas and was getting ready for them. In my eyes I thought it wrong to not give God His due. The Mass only lasts a little over 28 minutes. I thought she could take 28 minutes and stop cleaning to enjoy Mass and celebrate Christ. Give her full attention in other words.

And she says she does not like saying the Rosary. She used to say it and now says she dislikes it. In her Bible study, they say the Rosary and it takes everything in her power to sit there and listen. She told me this one day.

I guess I’m worried about her. I love her so much. Perhaps not liking the Rosary is between her and the Virgin Mary or God and I will not judge her on that. I won’t judge anything. And she will not say the complete Perpetual Divine Mercy Prayer neither. Perhaps I should give all of this to God and let Him handle it. Yet, I thought the Rosary was an integral part of being a Catholic. Our completeness in our faith per se. Plus, the Rosary has so much wonderful benefits and is very powerful. And is the PDMPrayer.

Was it wrong to clean her house while Mass was being said? I don’t know. And always want to know what is wrong and right in my Christianity which is important to me. I mean, I’m not saying I’m going to clean my house while celebrating Christ at Mass.

Sad sack today.

 

[KLJM12]

I could not get to Mass so my sister and I watched it together on the net. We’re in different states. I sat in front of my computer with the missal and participated. My sister cleaned her house while Mass was being said. She was cleaning because her kids were coming for Christmas and was getting ready for them. In my eyes I thought it wrong to not give God His due. The Mass only lasts a little over 28 minutes. I thought she could take 28 minutes and stop cleaning to enjoy Mass and celebrate Christ. Give her full attention in other words.

And she says she does not like saying the Rosary. She used to say it and now says she dislikes it. In her Bible study, they say the Rosary and it takes everything in her power to sit there and listen. She told me this one day.

I guess I’m worried about her. I love her so much. Perhaps not liking the Rosary is between her and the Virgin Mary or God and I will not judge her on that. I won’t judge anything. And she will not say the complete Perpetual Divine Mercy Prayer neither. Perhaps I should give all of this to God and let Him handle it. Yet, I thought the Rosary was an integral part of being a Catholic. Our completeness in our faith per se. Plus, the Rosary has so much wonderful benefits and is very powerful. And is the PDMPrayer.

Was it wrong to clean her house while Mass was being said? I don’t know. And always want to know what is wrong and right in my Christianity which is important to me. I mean, I’m not saying I’m going to clean my house while celebrating Christ at Mass.

Sad sack today.

Can I ask, why could you not get to Mass? Was it for an adequate reason? Because this seems to be the only issue.

if she chooses not to pray the rosary, then that is her choice and not intrinsically wrong either.

It seems as though the only thing that could be considered a sin in this case would be missing Mass. If it was not her fault and she could not, in any way possible, get to the Holy Sacrifice, then she was not bound to watch Mass on TV. I think you are far too focused on what your sister is doing. You need to do some research into what we are required to do as Catholics and what are option devotions and then discuss your concerns with your sister.

God bless you.

 

[agnes_therese]

You know, no one is required to pray the Rosary, or the Divine Mercy chaplet either. They aren’t for everyone. And people’s devotions can change over time, too; someone who may not care for the Rosary now, may one day change their minds. And vice versa.

If this was a daily Mass (i.e., not a Sunday or a holy day of obligation), your sister is free to do as she wishes. She may have felt that this was better than just not listening to Mass at all. Can you truly say that it wasn’t?

 

[rellanor]

For Catholics, the Holy Eucharist / Catholic Mass is considered the most important and highest form of prayer. In fact, attending Mass is an obligation, under penalty of mortal sin, each Sunday and on certain other Holy Days of Obligation. The Mass is divided into two sections, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word consists of two readings (one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament), the Responsorial Psalm, the Gospel reading, the homily (or sermon), and general intercessions (also called petitions).

The center of the Mass is its second part, the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist. During this time, Catholics share in the body and blood of Jesus in the form of the bread and wine passed out to the congregation. According to the Bible, this is done in remembrance of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23-25; cf. Luke 22:18-20 and Matthew 26:26-28). However, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1366, “The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, because it is its memorial and because it applies its fruit.” The catechism continues in paragraph 1367:

The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist are one single sacrifice: “The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.” “And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner . . . this sacrifice is truly propitiatory.”

In the book of Malachi, the prophet predicts elimination of the old sacrificial system and the institution of a new sacrifice: “I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 1:10-11). This means that God will one day be glorified among the Gentiles, who will make pure offerings to Him in all places. The Catholics see this as the Eucharist. However, the apostle Paul seems to have a different slant on it: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). The Eucharist can only be offered in select places: churches consecrated and blessed according to Catholic canon law. The idea of offering our bodies as living sacrifices fits better with the language of the prediction, which says that the sacrifices will be offered “in every place.”

The Roman Catholic Church believes that the bread and wine of the Holy Eucharist become the actual body and blood of Jesus. They attempt to support their system of thought with passages such as John 6:32-58; Matthew 26:26; Luke 22:17-23; and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. In A.D. 1551, the Counsel of Trent officially stated, “By the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation” (Session XIII, chapter IV; cf. canon II). By sharing in the Eucharistic meal, the Church teaches that Catholics are fulfilling John 6:53: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

What does that really mean? Jesus goes on to say that “it is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63-64). So, if “the flesh is of no avail,” why would we have to eat Jesus’ flesh in order to have eternal life? It does not make sense, until Jesus tells us that the words He speaks are “spirit.” Jesus is saying that this is not a literal teaching, but a spiritual one. The language ties in perfectly with the aforementioned statement of the apostle Paul: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

 

[rellanor]

---

In Jewish thought, bread was equated with the Torah, and “eating of it” was reading and understanding the covenant of God (cf. Deuteronomy 8:3). For example, the apocryphal book of Sirach states, “‘He who eats of me will hunger still, he who drinks of me will thirst for more; he who obeys me will not be put to shame, he who serves me will never fail.’ All this is true of the book of Most High’s covenant, the law which Moses commanded us as an inheritance for the community of Jacob” (Sirach 24:20-22). Quoting from Sirach here is not endorsing it as Scripture; it only serves to illustrate how the Jewish people thought of Mosaic Law. It is important to understand the equating of bread with the Torah to appreciate Jesus’ real point.

In John 6, Jesus is actually telling the crowd that He is superior to the Torah (cf. John 6:49-51) and the entire Mosaic system of Law. The passage from Sirach states that those who eat of the Law will “hunger still” and “thirst for more”; this language is mirrored by Jesus when He says, “He who comes to Me will never be hungry, he who believes in Me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). Jesus is not commanding people to literally eat His flesh and drink His blood, He is telling them the core of all Christian doctrine: belief in Jesus Himself (“The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent,” John 6:29, emphasis added). Therefore, the Catholic interpretation of John 6 is unbiblical.

Second, there is a very clear analogy in John 6 to the days of Moses and the eating of manna. In the days of Moses, manna was God’s provision for food for the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness. In John 6, however, Jesus claimed to be the true manna, the bread of heaven. With this statement Jesus claimed to be God’s full provision for salvation. Manna was God’s provision of deliverance from starvation. Jesus is God’s provision of deliverance from damnation. Just as the manna had to be consumed to preserve the lives of the Israelites, so Jesus has to be consumed (fully received by faith) for salvation to be received.

It is very clear that Jesus referred to Himself as the Bread of Life and encouraged His followers to eat of His flesh in John 6. But we do not need to conclude that Jesus was teaching what the Catholics have referred to as transubstantiation. The Lord’s Supper / Christian communion / Holy Eucharist had not been instituted yet. Jesus did not institute the Holy Eucharist / Mass / Lord’s Supper until John chapter 13. Therefore, to read the Lord’s Supper into John 6 is unwarranted. As suggested above, it is best to understand this passage in light of coming to Jesus, in faith, for salvation. When we receive Him as Savior, placing our full trust in Him, we are “consuming His flesh” and “drinking His blood.” His body was broken (at His death) and His blood was shed to provide for our salvation. 1 Corinthians 11:26, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

Whether the Catholic definition of Holy Eucharist is a “re-sacrifice” of Christ or a “re-offering” of Christ’s sacrifice, the concept is unbiblical. Christ does not need to be re-sacrificed. Christ’s sacrifice does not need to be re-offered. Hebrews 7:27 declares, “Unlike the other high priests, He (Jesus) does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins ONCE for all when He offered Himself.” Similarly, 1 Peter 3:18 exclaims, “For Christ died for sins ONCE for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…” Christ’s once-for-all death on the cross was sufficient to atone for all of our sins (1 John 2:2). Therefore, Christ’s sacrifice does not need to be re-offered. Instead, Christ’s sacrifice is to be received by faith (John 1:12; 3:16). Eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood are symbols of fully receiving His sacrifice on our behalf, by grace through faith.

 

[jmjconder]

**Many yrs ago my family traveled over 12 hrs in deadly weather condition before Christmas to arrive early and attend a pro football game.

How many of us would place our life in danger, with our family in tow, to attend Mass and receive our Lord and Savior - body blood soul and Divinity in the Eucharist under the same?

Would you? Many would say under those conditions no one is obliged.

The question is - how much does it mean to you?**

 

[2LoveAndBeLoved]

The Roman Catholic Church believes that the bread and wine of the Holy Eucharist become the actual body and blood of Jesus. They attempt to support their system of thought with passages such as John 6:32-58; Matthew 26:26; Luke 22:17-23; and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. In A.D. 1551, the Counsel of Trent officially stated, “By the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation” (Session XIII, chapter IV; cf. canon II). By sharing in the Eucharistic meal, the Church teaches that Catholics are fulfilling John 6:53: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

What does that really mean? Jesus goes on to say that “it is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63-64). So, if “the flesh is of no avail,” why would we have to eat Jesus’ flesh in order to have eternal life? It does not make sense, until Jesus tells us that the words He speaks are “spirit.” Jesus is saying that this is not a literal teaching, but a spiritual one. The language ties in perfectly with the aforementioned statement of the apostle Paul: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

Catholics do not believe, as you claim, that Jesus is being re-sacrificed at each celebration of the mass, but rather that through the mass we are partaking in His one, timeless sacrifice through the Holy Eucharist. Uniting ourselves to His crucified body, we become one body in Christ and can claim “it is not I who lives, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20) and then become, as the Church, the living body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12).

Also, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is the fulfillment of the Old Testament covenants and sacrifices, especially the Jewish Todah sacrifice, which was offered in thanksgiving for deliverance from peril. Bread and a lamb were consecrated and prayers were offered, but in order for the sacrifice to be completed, the person had to eat the lamb. Same goes for the Passover lamb. Thus, in order to fully embrace the sacrifice of “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) with all of the angels and saints proclaiming “Holy, Holy, Holy” in Revelation 5:8, we must also eat the flesh of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. This allows us to enter into c ommunion with our brothers and sisters, and with God Himself.

Truly, the mass is Heaven on Earth, “the Wedding feast of the Lamb” in Rev 19:9, where the angels offer “the prayers of the holy ones” to God (Rev 8:3). The mass is not only biblical, but it is the very marriage of Heaven and Earth, of Christ and His Church. If He meant the Eucharist as merely a symbol, wouldn’t he have clarified this when “as a result of this [teaching], many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him” (John 6:66-67)? Instead, He just looked at His disciples and said “Do you also want to leave?” Peter’s faith in verse 68 shows that even he did not necessarily understand this mystery fully, but simply accepted it because Jesus said it. We are called to that kind of faith as well.

Scott Hahn has some really good books opening up the Liturgy of the Eucharist from a biblical perspective. He used to be a Protestant minister, so he can relate to you in a lot of your struggles with the Eucharist as he was quite the skeptic himself–he attended his first mass in order to gather evidence against Catholics for use in the classes he was teaching. I highly recommend* The Lamb’s Supper*.

Peace and blessings to you. Praying lots for you.

 

[Allegra]

**Many yrs ago my family traveled over 12 hrs in deadly weather condition before Christmas to arrive early and attend a pro football game.

How many of us would place our life in danger, with our family in tow, to attend Mass and receive our Lord and Savior - body blood soul and Divinity in the Eucharist under the same?

Would you? Many would say under those conditions no one is obliged.

The question is - how much does it mean to you?**

People make time for what they care about. Where there is a will, there is a way. This is true for our human relationships as well as our relationship with God.

 

[ccmnxc]

This kind of reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha. While Martha was fretting and cleaning, Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him. When Martha asked Jesus about this, He told Her that Mary had chosen the better option and shouldn’t be deprived of it. Neither should your sister deprive herself of such things to listen to Christ’s Word.

 

[randirhoades]

Can I ask, why could you not get to Mass? Was it for an adequate reason? Because this seems to be the only issue.

if she chooses not to pray the rosary, then that is her choice and not intrinsically wrong either.

It seems as though the only thing that could be considered a sin in this case would be missing Mass. If it was not her fault and she could not, in any way possible, get to the Holy Sacrifice, then she was not bound to watch Mass on TV. I think you are far too focused on what your sister is doing. You need to do some research into what we are required to do as Catholics and what are option devotions and then discuss your concerns with your sister.

God bless you.

It was a SUNDAY Mass and Mass is said on the net and on the TV for the housebound which I am. I’m disable too and in pain all the time. She is not.

This is not a matter of who is paying attention more to whom, what, where or whatever. I couldn’t get her attention to say ‘Peace be with her’ which I don’t get to do when I watch Mass alone so I say it to myself or say, Peace be with the world. Every part of the Mass is important to me.

I’m finally going to say this…sometimes I wish my question would be answered without me getting offended or having to give my life story which I shouldn’t have to do. But seems every time I ask a question it happens. I didn’t know if it was wrong to clean the house while watching a ~Sunday Mass~. I didn’t know about the Rosary either so I asked here too, nor that if it was okay to say one line of the Perpetual Divinity Mercy Prayer which she does. I thought you say the whole prayer. Please excuse my ignorance and stupidity. Yet, I asked here and if I can’t ask a question(s) on CAF that I don’t know and am being told to research then why be on Catholic Answers? More importantly, forgive me if I offended you now. But I mulled over this before even asking on Catholic Forums because of this very thing happening time and time again. It’s really making me bashful to come on here and ask questions and eventually may cause me to not come on at all.

Furthermore, I know everyone is not going to respond the same and I use discernment when I read responses to my questions. But I still take all answers in consideration even hurtful ones which is human nature.

And please excuse me now if I got too personal with my questions about my sister. IE: Rosary and praying. Should have left that part out. Her prayer life is none of my concern.

Peace be with you.

 

[fred_conty]

When it comes to Sunday obligation, the obligation is to attend in person at a real service.
If one has a sufficient reason not to attend, like illness, then they are not obligated to watch a service on TV either.

If a person wishes to watch it on TV anytime, that is just fine and free to do so even while doing something else.

When I was in school, I had to study to get the subject. It required concentration and effort. It wasn’t easy and I don’t know of anyone who really enjoyed taking a subject unless in was easy for them. But most classes were not easy.

I would say the rosary fits into that category, concentration and effort. So it isn’t easy and I have never heard of anyone saying the rosary was easy for them. But it is a very fruitful prayer.
It isn’t like we say a rosary and then we notice a difference in ourselves. It is rather like sleeping and eating. We must do it to keep our strength up and if we don’t do it we then notice the difference later when we feel weak.

But there are other ways of praying and there is no law saying we must eat spiritually of the rosary. But if we don’t pray the rosary, then we must be honest with ourselves and ask, do I really pray some other way sufficiently if I don’t pray the rosary?

The rosary is hard work. But then can we afford to skip everything we don’t find easy?

Just some thoughts.

 

[iloveangels]

I could not get to Mass so my sister and I watched it together on the net. We’re in different states. I sat in front of my computer with the missal and participated. My sister cleaned her house while Mass was being said. She was cleaning because her kids were coming for Christmas and was getting ready for them. In my eyes I thought it wrong to not give God His due. The Mass only lasts a little over 28 minutes. I thought she could take 28 minutes and stop cleaning to enjoy Mass and celebrate Christ. Give her full attention in other words.

And she says she does not like saying the Rosary. She used to say it and now says she dislikes it. In her Bible study, they say the Rosary and it takes everything in her power to sit there and listen. She told me this one day.

I guess I’m worried about her. I love her so much. Perhaps not liking the Rosary is between her and the Virgin Mary or God and I will not judge her on that. I won’t judge anything. And she will not say the complete Perpetual Divine Mercy Prayer neither. Perhaps I should give all of this to God and let Him handle it. Yet, I thought the Rosary was an integral part of being a Catholic. Our completeness in our faith per se. Plus, the Rosary has so much wonderful benefits and is very powerful. And is the PDMPrayer.

Was it wrong to clean her house while Mass was being said? I don’t know. And always want to know what is wrong and right in my Christianity which is important to me. I mean, I’m not saying I’m going to clean my house while celebrating Christ at Mass.

Sad sack today.

Ahem. Neither one of you actually attended mass.

 

[Domiy]

Well, it is a vital commandment to honor the Sabbath day. That means not just attending Mass, but keeping Sunday as a day of rest and spirituality (not working etc). Cleaning the house or cooking is OK to do on a Sunday, but you should always try your best to attend Mass. If you had an adequate reason (sickness, no transportation or a very serious obligation to do something else), then it can be forgiven. However, I feel you did the right thing. Streaming the mass and participating is the next best thing, and you made evey effort to do that to make up for not being there physically. While I’d still say it’s not the same as being at the actual Church and participating, it is a good alternative. I doubt it counts as much of a sin, especially not as much as missing mass completely is.

Im afraid your sister is in the wrong. She should attend mass, or make every effort to listen to it and participate like you did. You’re right, one can surely find an hour or so to take out of their day and celebrate mass. Good took 7 days of work to create live, and Jesus endured 30+ years of sacrifice, suffering and charity for our salvation and hope. It’s important for you to set an example for your sister, but do not put her down or be angry. Encourage her to go to church, and pray for her.

 

[randirhoades]

Ahem. Neither one of you actually attended mass.

Friend, I wrote another post and said I was Disable, House Bound and In Pain all the time. Been disabled for fifteen years. I broke my neck. My sister is not. But, I sit and watch Mass in pain because I love Jesus that much. Are you going to condemn me for being in pain and can’t get out now? You judged me without any just cause. And jumped to a conclusion that was very, very, very wrong. I don’t judge people on their reasons for not getting out. If someone wrote and said they watched Sunday Mass but another was cleaning house and wanted to know if it were wrong, it would never enter my mind why they didn’t make it to Mass physically. I would take it for granted that they weren’t able to go. And people have their reasons and being disable has made me more sensitive to others trials and tribulations. Plus, I would have concentrated on the question, Not on why they didn’t get to Mass. Where is the Christianity here? This is why I’m getting to where I don’t want to come here anymore. Members should be more compliant, compassionate, empathetic and not quick to judge here. I have done nothing to deserve my questions answered in the way they are being answered lately.

I truly wish now I had not asked the question. Really I do.

 

[jmjconder]

It was a SUNDAY Mass and Mass is said on the net and on the TV for the housebound which I am. I’m disable too and in pain all the time. She is not.

This is not a matter of who is paying attention more to whom, what, where or whatever. I couldn’t get her attention to say ‘Peace be with her’ which I don’t get to do when I watch Mass alone so I say it to myself or say, Peace be with the world. Every part of the Mass is important to me.

I’m finally going to say this…sometimes I wish my question would be answered without me getting offended or having to give my life story which I shouldn’t have to do. But seems every time I ask a question it happens. I didn’t know if it was wrong to clean the house while watching a ~Sunday Mass~. I didn’t know about the Rosary either so I asked here too, nor that if it was okay to say one line of the Perpetual Divinity Mercy Prayer which she does. I thought you say the whole prayer. Please excuse my ignorance and stupidity. Yet, I asked here and if I can’t ask a question(s) on CAF that I don’t know and am being told to research then why be on Catholic Answers? More importantly, forgive me if I offended you now. But I mulled over this before even asking on Catholic Forums because of this very thing happening time and time again. It’s really making me bashful to come on here and ask questions and eventually may cause me to not come on at all.

Furthermore, I know everyone is not going to respond the same and I use discernment when I read responses to my questions. But I still take all answers in consideration even hurtful ones which is human nature.

And please excuse me now if I got too personal with my questions about my sister. IE: Rosary and praying. Should have left that part out. Her prayer life is none of my concern.

Peace be with you.

**The fact that you are disabled was a critical piece of info that needed to be included in your OP. I too am disabled - however I am not homebound…are you homebound? If you are the you can request the Holy Communion be brought to you every Sunday and Holy Day by a person from your parish.

I am disabled - however not homebound - so attending Sunday Mass and Holy Days has become a vital part of my life - no matter how I feel.

I promise to pray for your disability.**

 

[randirhoades]

**The fact that you are disabled was a critical piece of info that needed to be included in your OP. I too am disabled - however I am not homebound…are you homebound? If you are the you can request the Holy Communion be brought to you every Sunday and Holy Day by a person from your parish.

I am disabled - however not homebound - so attending Sunday Mass and Holy Days has become a vital part of my life - no matter how I feel.

I promise to pray for your disability.**

Home bound and and in pain 24-7. Please read my post above yours. Thank you.