Why go to Sunday Mass?

Attending Sunday Mass is of profound importance, not only as an obligation but as a source of spiritual nourishment and growth.

Thanks to having the schedules of so many churches around the world in the Mass Times app, it doesn’t matter if you’re at home, traveling, or away from home. This application can help you find nearby churches wherever you are. And what a beautiful gift it is to go to Mass on Sundays and every day of the week if possible!

The Origin of Sunday Mass

From the Genesis account, we understand that God established a day consecrated to Him: “And on the seventh day He rested.” This is the root of the Jewish sabbath. However, since Jesus Christ rose on a Sunday, the early Christians decided to move the sabbath to the first day of the week, Sunday, dedicating it fully to God.

In the Acts of the Apostles, it is mentioned that the tradition of celebrating Mass on Sundays dates back to the beginning of the Church, when the apostles and the first followers gathered on the first day of the week, remembering the Resurrection of Christ, to read the Scriptures and share the bread of the Eucharist.

For this reason, the Church asks us to go to Sunday Mass, as a reminder of our obligation to dedicate that day to God.

Attending Mass also has essential benefits since it is the context in which the sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated. The Eucharist is considered the most perfect means of sanctification, through which we approach God and unite ourselves to Jesus Christ and the whole Church in its mission of sanctification.

In the Mass, we participate intimately in the life and mystery of Jesus Christ: through Him, with Him, and in Him, offering our actions and ourselves, asking forgiveness for our sins, and obtaining graces for the whole Church, making reparation for the offenses of others, and offering praise of infinite value because we do so through Jesus Christ.

Not attending Mass means losing all these benefits.

The Holy Mass relives, in a current and bloodless way, the sacrifice of the cross, where Jesus Christ, out of love, died for all of us. So, why is going to Mass a rule for something that should arise as a natural response of love?

The commandment helps us Christians fulfill our duties to Christ and take advantage of the gifts He has given us, since, in some situations, remembering that going to Mass is an obligation gives us the strength to fulfill this act of love. The rule of attending Mass carries a motivation that we sometimes fail to achieve on our own spontaneity.

It is essential to develop a sense of foresight so as not to miss Sunday Mass, to teach it to our families, and thus to attend with serenity and without pressure the Eucharistic Celebration, which is “a sacrament of piety, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is received as food, the soul is filled with grace and we are given the pledge of the glory to come”(Sacrosanctum Concilium, 47).

So, should I go to Sunday Mass?

St. Augustine once said: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you”. The Mass is the place where our restless hearts find comfort, where our spirits are lifted, and where we draw closer to our Creator. It’s a sacred encounter, a divine appointment that should be cherished and prioritized in our lives!

Here are some reasons why attending Mass is essential for Catholics:

1. Encounter with Christ: The Holy Mass is where we truly encounter the living Christ present in the Eucharist. As Saint John Paul II said, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life”. Through the Eucharist, we partake in the Body and Blood of Jesus, allowing us to draw near to Him in a profound and intimate way.

2. Community and Unity: Mass is not just a personal experience, but one of community. When we gather as the Body of Christ, we strengthen our bonds of unity and share faith with other Catholics. St. Paul reminds us: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17).

3. Spiritual Nourishment: Just as our bodies need food, our souls also require spiritual nourishment. Attending Mass provides us with the Body and Blood of Christ, the Word of God, and His teaching and guidance that equips us to face the challenges of our daily lives.

Get some resources I recommend here:

– Book “The Lamb’s Supper” by Scott Hahn.

– Book “Rediscovering Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly.

Remember that catholic Mass Times app is here to help you find Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules in churches around the world, making it easier for you to participate in this life-transforming experience!

I want to invite you to make attending Mass a pillar in your faith journey, and to share the App with your friends and family. As St. Padre Pio said: “It is easier for the earth to exist without the sun than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass”. Let’s embrace this divine gift and experience the joy, peace, and spiritual growth that Mass brings to our lives.