Why do we need to go to mass?

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Amac1

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I’m a previous lukewarm catholic who rarely went to mass and felt having my own relationship with Jesus was enough. I recently have been going through a conversion of sorts and can’t believe I used to think that way. I understand in my own mind the importance now of going to mass (and have been going regularly etc)

This evening at a family event we were talking about masses being different now due to covid and a family member said “I haven’t been recently. I just talk to Him myself. Cut out that middle man (being mass)”.

I can’t judge, because I once used to think that way. But in the moment I wanted to say something to him, about how that’s not how it works. But I couldn’t think of a succinct way of saying this.

I know going to mass is a precept of the Catholic Church. I know talking to Jesus just isn’t enough. But I can’t find a way to articulate the importance of this, and I’d like to be able to for when the conversation comes up again.

Can anyone hit me with a a few one/two liners about why we need to go to mass?
 
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God is there physically like He was during His life on Earth. That’s how I think of it. He can hear me in spirit everywhere else, but He can hear me with His ears in the Church. Without this it is almost entirely worthless to go.
 
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Amac1 said:
Can anyone hit me with a a few one/two liners about why we need to go to mass?
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One/two liners rarely have the intended effect, and often backfire. There’s no substitute for sincere and open discussion, and that takes time, effort, patience and love.
 
I understand that. But I’m not a talker… massive introvert! Have self esteem issues and don’t like people looking at me for prolonged periods when talking etc. So would love to be able to just speak a few words/lines on this whenever it comes up again.
 
Amac1 said:
So would love to be able to just speak a few words/lines on this whenever it comes up again.
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Sounds more like something that would appeal to simplistic evangelical street preachers with their one-line “zingers” and “gotcha verses”, rather on a Catholic delving deeply into the nature of things.

Sorry, but I think that, being an introvert, you are even less likely to convince anyone with one-liners. You might even turn them off, especially if they ask you to expand upon your statement and you are unprepared to do so in a coherent fashion. Even in the hands of street preachers, one-liners are intended to open the door to further conversation.
 
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Well you should ask. Can you in your house offer the sacrifice of the mass to GOD.
All the rest is moot.
We cannot offer proper adoration, Lattria to GOD by simply speaking to HIM.
Yes we should do that too. But once a week we all gather and together with the Priest offer to GOD almighty our prayers, petitions, we are forgiven of our venial sins that we always commit even without realizing and then as the culmination we offer the only sacrifice that GOD will accept. Namely the Eucharist and at the end we partake in the flesh and blood of our saviour to strengthen us in our daily battle with evil.

Peace!
 
Trust me, I would love to be able to delve into things coherently and would hope if I got the conversation started with a particularly impactful sentence or two I would be able to. But I couldn’t say for sure that I could.

Anyway, my communication skills aren’t really the point of this post.
I was just hoping for a few effective pointers to make others think.
I know in my heart the importance of mass and what it does for me, but I didn’t like how I felt earlier when I couldn’t articulate that to others.
 
@Amac1

I suggest that you investigate the Catechism of the Catholic Church; it can be accessed online or in traditional book format. Look under ‘Eucharist’ in the index, you’ll find a variety of aspects of the Mass.
 
@bob4 Yes I obviously know the Catechism, and will look under the ‘Eucharist’ as you suggest. Thanks. Also thanks for the above link, that’s the sort of thing I was after.
 
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The Bread of Life discourse in John 6 is all the proof anyone needs. It is Jesus Christ Himself speaking, saying that if we do not eat His flesh or drink His blood, we have no life in Him. This is irrefutably speaking about His Real Presence in the Eucharist. And you can’t consecrate a Eucharist in your living room or bedroom. The Divine Liturgy is how we Christians encounter God’s Sacramental presence. It is our literal experience of Heaven on Earth. It’s great to develop a relationship of prayer with God at home. This is essential to the life of any Christian. But prayer in our room with God can not even begin to compare with Holy Communion in the Divine Liturgy. We can never have a more personal relationship with God then when we receive Him in the Eucharist in a state of grace. Anything and everything else, falls infinitely short of this.
 
You may not have the time right now, but I feel deeply that I need to share this with you.

This priest is amazing and he will teach you why the mass is so important. Hope you enjoy!

 
Great. I think I’ll really enjoy that, and will watch when I have time. Thank you.
 
Amac1 said:
I understand that. But I’m not a talker… massive introvert! Have self esteem issues and don’t like people looking at me for prolonged periods when talking etc. So would love to be able to just speak a few words/lines on this whenever it comes up again.
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Because Catholicism isn’t a religion of individual believers but a religion made up of communities of believers who are called to physically come to together every Sunday as the Mystical Body of Christ so we can praise and give thanks to God (for the many blessings He has bestowed on us every day of our lives) the best way we mortal beings can: by offering to God the great sacrifice of the Mass, where we offer God’s greatest gift to us, Jesus, and ourselves to our Heavenly Father.

There is simply no way one can do this outside of participating in a Mass.
 
I would probably say:

I used to think that way, too. Now, I’ve come to the realization that Mass is a gift from God for us.
Christ, and the whole Paschal Mystery, becomes physically present for us in a wonderful way - and in communion He joins with us in a very intimate way. Plus, it’s what Jesus told us to do…

And I’d probably let it go at that.
 
Perhaps you can say: “For someone who believes and prays, Mass is heaven on earth!”

It certainly is the source and summit of our Catholic faith.
 
When you love somebody , you visit them.
It’s great to talk on the phone, but you need to visit, too.
Also, Jesus formed a community, we are brothers and sisters to each other. We need to come together sometimes.
 
0Scarlett_nidiyilii said:
When you love somebody , you visit them.
It’s great to talk on the phone, but you need to visit, too.
Also, Jesus formed a community, we are brothers and sisters to each other. We need to come together sometimes.
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Under normal circumstances, we need to come together every week, on the Lord’s day.
 
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