Wow, Catholic liturgical theology, in action!
Late to the party, here. But I second Father’s approval of Lormar’s two earlier posts.
I would like to state both why I go and reasons which would not enter my mind:
(1) I desperately need the graces, which are uniquely present at Mass, in a reverently celebrated form which promotes ultimate disposition on the part of us, the recipients of those graces. (Catholic sacramental theology including the important factor of individual disposition.)
As a side note, Father, this is why many of us are so “fussy” about the style or the conditions of the Mass. It has less to do with language or small “t” tradition, more to do with putting us in the best possible orientation to focus on God, not on ourselves, because in so doing we are more likely to be in receptive, open mode.
With that in mind…
(2) I go to be open, to be surprised. That doesn’t equate to spectacle or drama or charisma or a performance. It equates to being there to be touched by God. My pre-Mass ‘ritual’ is to ask Mary to pray for me for the gift of interior silence, so that, like her, I will receive The Word, in which she is the expert.
(3) I go to hear The Word (all 3 readings). That is one of the reasons I pray for this openness, because God has always spoken through Sacred Word. And the quality of my Communion is linked in some fashion to my consciousness of that Word. This is why I am additionally selective about which parish(es) I attend. I need the celebrant to also be committed to Scripture as living kerygma, today. I need his prayerful preparation for his homily and his spiritual application, which I trust will be available to me.
Non-reasons:
(1) Socializing for socializing’s sake. Now, I’m quite friendly, in Mass by my body language and outside of Mass with my words. But this is not any end I seek, or “result” I seek. If no one is warm, friendly, or talkative, it has no effect on my desire to be there or my experience of Mass.
(2) Being “affirmed” by being assured, through outward signs, that other attendees “feel” just the way I do, and have the same priorities I have, with regard to the Mass. I am not there to conform, or to ask others to conform to me.
(3) To hear specific pieces of music. However, bad music or badly sung music, can be a de-selector, if it’s atrocious enough that it’s distracting or irritating. Music in keeping with the readings/feast-day, and properly done, can enhance the prayer aspect of Mass. In itself it would never be “the only reason.”
It made me feel awful because I spent the whole mass being so ANGRY at him practically to the point of tears, and I felt so awful that I was actually feeling the opposite emotion you are supposed to feel at mass. And then I feel a little guilty even taking communion because I am in such a lousy state of mind to do so and because I can’t even pray during mass to prepare myself. But I need all the grace I can get so I receive it anyway and do the best I can.
