Willful Disobedience

[Epistemes]

If we choose willful disobedience rather than the imitation of Christ, is there any point in going to Mass? Isn’t doing such feigning the love of Christ, which obviously does not exist?

 

[John_Hiner]

If we choose willful disobedience rather than the imitation of Christ, is there any point in going to Mass? Isn’t doing such feigning the love of Christ, which obviously does not exist?

Laudatur Iesus Christus.

It is hard to judge this question without a clearer idea of the disobedience in question.

The Sacrifice of the Mass is an act of Christ Jesus perpetuated at His command and by His will. So long as the “willful disobedience” is not sacrilege at the Mass itself, attendance at Mass seems appropriate. The gifts offered in the Sacrifice of the Mass are those of the entire Church (and all people of good will who are not fully united with the Church but whose intentions are sufficiently close to the will of Christ as to be offered in the Mass). Even if one has few or no gifts of hisown to offer, assisting in offering these gifts of others in the Chruch to the Father is a worthy act. Even if one is not in the state of grace, and therefore unable to take Communion, the effort in assisting at the Mass is of benefit to countless others. Participating in this act of Christ’s love for His Father may be the beginning of the reacquisition of one’s soul for more complete participation in God’s love.

Sometimes it is when one is personally unable to act in Christ that the corporate and familial assistance of the Church and her rituals is most helpful. When one is so low as to be unable to fully commit one’s will to Christ’s commands, it is hopeful to commit at least the definite sliver of will which it takes to do the physical acts needed to assist at Mass. One’s will may be torn to fragments, with many parts in rebellion; however, some part of one’s will must be in favor of Christ’s work, if one makes one’s body perform the actions of the Mass. This sliver of good will may be the beachhead of one’s recovery. It is a spark of Sanctifying Grace, even in a great darkness.

Lip service is not enough. However, even lip service is some service to Christ; the parable of the mustard seed comes to mind.

Pax Christi nobiscum.

John Hiner

 

[Mark_Robert]

The Mass is always a beneficial experience even to the defiant sinner. After all, it’s Christ sacrifice on the Cross renewed! It’s the source of all the divine favors and graces given out to fallen humanity. It could never be anything other than positive.