What do you get from being at Mass?

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The Eucharist!

Other than that, one gets out of the Mass as much as one puts into it. Prayerful preparation goes a long way. Consolations aren’t always FELT, but I have faith that my soul is singing.
 
RPF3 said:
David, would daily Mass where there are just a few people be easier for you.? It is for me.
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Sure. But I’m still obligated to attend Sunday Mass (it’s a precept of the Church). I don’t think I can give myself a dispensation.

But I don’t go (only) because I’m supposed to. Each Mass is a personal victory.
 
grannymh said:
What do Catholics get out of going to Mass?
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#9

It’s actually a 2fer

  1. *]one can see the HUGE benefit to our soul for going to mass
    *]one can see the catastrophic consequences on one’s soul that one avoids, who deliberately blows off mass on Sunday
 
DavidFilmer said:
Actually, going to Mass is usually very difficult for me. I’m agoraphobic (don’t like being in crowded situations). Sometimes it’s bad, sometimes not as bad, but never pleasant like it used to be.
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As an aside, what’s the difference between agoraphobia and claustrophobia?
 
ProVobis said:
As an aside, what’s the difference between agoraphobia and claustrophobia?
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Agoraphobia is fear of crowds and claustrophobia is fear of confined spaces. It’s possible to be both, but they are unrelated. However, an agoraphobic will feel far greater anxiety in a “crowded” place that is small. A small conference room with twelve people can cause more anxiety than a large church which is not very full, even if the church has many more people. Agoraphobics usually feel more comfortable in buildings with high ceilings, or outdoors, so it might seem like claustrophobia but it’s really not. An agoraphobic would happily take refuge in a small broom closet rather than be in a large but crowded room.

Agoraphobics prefer crowds which are seated - not moving around. If people are moving, it is better if they are doing so in an orderly fashion (approaching Communion, for example) then going every which way (such as at an amusement park). The easiest crowds to deal with are those in a theater, when the lights are low and people are quiet and still, and all of my attention can be focused on the stage or the screen. Modern auditoriums are constructed with terraced seating, so that you don’t really see the people in front of you, but churches are not that way. If I look at the priest, I must look at everyone between him and me (and I’m probably at the rear, near the exits (exits are VERY important), so many people are in front of me).

Some say, “so just close your eyes.” But that’s MUCH worse. I can stare at the floor and focus on bits of glitter, and not be so aware of what’s around me. But when you close your eyes, your hearing takes over as your primary sense, and you hear every little shuffle. You can’t focus your hearing like you can focus your eyes - you hear everything around you.

So I cross my arms and stare at the floor.
 
DavidFilmer said:
Agoraphobia is fear of crowds and claustrophobia is fear of confined spaces. It’s possible to be both, but they are unrelated. However, an agoraphobic will feel far greater anxiety in a “crowded” place that is small. A small conference room with twelve people can cause more anxiety than a large church which is not very full, even if the church has many more people. Agoraphobics usually feel more comfortable in buildings with high ceilings, or outdoors, so it might seem like claustrophobia but it’s really not. An agoraphobic would happily take refuge in a small broom closet rather than be in a large but crowded room.

Agoraphobics prefer crowds which are seated - not moving around. If people are moving, it is better if they are doing so in an orderly fashion (approaching Communion, for example) then going every which way (such as at an amusement park). The easiest crowds to deal with are those in a theater, when the lights are low and people are quiet and still, and all of my attention can be focused on the stage or the screen. Modern auditoriums are constructed with terraced seating, so that you don’t really see the people in front of you, but churches are not that way. If I look at the priest, I must look at everyone between him and me (and I’m probably at the rear, near the exits (exits are VERY important), so many people are in front of me).

Some say, “so just close your eyes.” But that’s MUCH worse. I can stare at the floor and focus on bits of glitter, and not be so aware of what’s around me. But when you close your eyes, your hearing takes over as your primary sense, and you hear every little shuffle. You can’t focus your hearing like you can focus your eyes - you hear everything around you.

So I cross my arms and stare at the floor.
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Good analysis.

Sometimes I feel like a Cub fan at a White Sox game. 🙂
 
The amount of grace we receive in the Eucharist is something like standing under Niagara Falls. 🙂
 
“It doesn’t matter what we get out of Mass, it only matters if God gets what He wants out of it.” -Fr. Chad Ripperger
 
OaTmEaL said:
“It doesn’t matter what we get out of Mass, it only matters if God gets what He wants out of it.” -Fr. Chad Ripperger
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👍👍👍

The Mass has been called a “celebration”, a “sacrifice”, and the greatest “prayer” we can offer to God.

Technically, we don’t get anything from being at Mass…we offer Mass (to God).

Oh sure, there is the teaching aspect of Gospels, homilies and readings but in essence we PARTICIPATE in the “holy sacrifice of the Mass”. We sing, we pray, we go through many traditional “motions” and chants that make a Mass a Mass. It is the greatest and most beautiful of all prayers.

I have participated in Mass at Cathedrals with choirs, organs and sometimes a full orchestra. Of course it was inspiring. I also attended Mass that was served on the hood of a Jeep in Vietnam. The Navy Chaplin said…“I hear mortar rounds getting close, and they’re not ours…guys, we gotta move this along. Forget the hymns”

For some reason that Mass seemed more important and inspirational than any other.

Bottom line is …we are part of the Mass…it cannot be offered without “people” there to participate. We GIVE we don’t "get"

“Ite Missa est” …The Mass never ends.
 
I guess the bottom line is that you fulfill your sunday obligation. you have the chance to be in the presence of communal worship and if your soul is clean you can imbibe the body & blood of christ
 
OaTmEaL said:
“It doesn’t matter what we get out of Mass, it only matters if God gets what He wants out of it.” -Fr. Chad Ripperger
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Yes, it’s not a matter of what we get, we come to Mass to give God the worship that is due to Him alone.
 
I so look forward to the Mass and just love starting out the day with Jesus Christ - to be as close as I can get to Him, to hear his Word, and to actually receive Him - Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.

Each time I tell Him I want to give myself to Him and follow in his path, and welcome Him with all the love I can give Him and that He deserves, I ask for His help in deserving all the graces He wishes to give me. I tell Him how sorry I am for any sins and ask for His help to avoid temptation . I thank Him for his sacrifice and death on the cross and resurrection. I share with the others present in giving Him gifts and offer myself as a gift to Him. I listen intently to the Word and to the priest’s homily and make an effort to listen especially to what jumps out at me so I can take that with me when I leave. I praise and worship Him through prayer and song.

The Mass is a true gift in every way - as some others have pointed out - a time when heaven meets earth and we are all one with Him.

Thanks for asking!
 
Kay_Cee said:
The amount of grace we receive in the Eucharist is something like standing under Niagara Falls. 🙂
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One can receive an infinite amount of grace from being at Mass. Or even if he can’t be present, I understand.
 
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