One of my kids plainly asked me, “Dad, why do you go to mass?” I said “Good question!” So I simply took a few minutes to write down my reasons. Perhaps some of these will resonate or make sense; others may not. But I find it best to just be raw and honest for things like this. I organized it in a Top 10 countdown just for fun.
Reason #10: Why not?
My first answer when someone asks “Why go to mass?” Is “Why not?” I don’t respond this way to be coy or obstinate. I’m actually wondering why I missed so many opportunities the first 45 years of my life. When I don’t go to mass I am somewhere else, doing something else. A lot of time that’s getting an extra hour of unnecessary sleep, consuming media, or being generally busy in a my life filled with meetings, emails, worry, and stress. The call to mass will never come at a convenient time. The call to mass won’t sound like many of the other invitations in our lives. It’s not a call for my comfort or entertainment or instant gratification. When the bells ring out for mass (and often mass does indeed start with ringing bells) they pierce though my distracted life and remind me of the sacraments of the church, the visible signs of invisible realities. In 2016, that abrupt reminder came to me in a fresh way and in an unlikely place.
Reason #9: Because I was invited and I accepted that invitation.
I was indirectly invited many years ago when my friend/mentor/brother Pat told me he was leaving an important meeting abruptly to “go meet with Jesus.” I was confused and curious. “Where is he going?” I thought as he darted out the door. “I’d like to go too!” That day I realized I was blessed and invited to something special that I would later understand to be the Supper of the Lamb. I have been to mass in dozens of countries and in countless cities in the US. How can I explain experiences so amazingly similar (the same Scriptures are read worldwide in countless languages to millions of people) and yet also so beautifully captured in its unique context? Who really invited me? I think the Holy Spirit. I had a ton of questions in my heart. And like Philip said to Nathaniel, sometimes the best way to answer the questions is just to say “come and see.” For anyone reading or hearing this I’m inviting you right now as well. Seriously. Come and see! 🙂
Reason #8: Because I’m not in protest.
Interestingly, I have called myself a “Protestant” for decades, a word that means to “proclaim dissent,” but in reality, there is nothing that I can honestly say that I stand in “protest” of or anything that I am qualified to or desire to “reform.” In fact, as I reviewed Luther’s 95 theses I couldn’t recall any of them from memory. And as I read them over with my son-in-law recently I couldn’t find one that seemed to be an issue today or conflicted with my experiences in mass. Moreover, I have learned that the Catholic Church has been reforming over and over throughout centuries and listening to protests of many kinds. I haven’t caught up with all the many reforms that have happened even in the past 50 years. I did a quick google search for “Vatican II” to learn more.
Just because I’m not in protest doesn’t mean I promote ignorance or blind affiliation. I have read the Catechism of the Catholic Church cover-to-cover and been confirmed at Saint Francis of Assisi in Grapevine, TX. But I didn’t go into those experiences as a protestor (who has a masters in theology from Dallas Seminary) to defend something or disprove another. I went as a curious child of God whose heart is open to encounter God and His church in new and amazing ways. In my experience I have lived comfortably in my echo chambers, closed networks and exclusive sub-cultures. These contexts often led to passive protests that were built more around my demographic, unconscious biases, and socioeconomic status than my faith. This reminds me of the years when I lived in North Africa and encountered the church there. For me, I had to step away from the protest line and way outside my sub-cultures to see my biasses and blind spots.
Reason #7: Because Jesus prayed for moments like this.
Jesus loves to see the unity of his followers, the church. His prayer in John 17 is explicit and convicting to me. Jesus is praying to God the Father (which is a mind boggling mystery in itself). Far be it from me to think I can fulfill His prayer. That’s God’s job. But, all the while, I certainly want to reflect and imitate the heart of Christ who loves to see unity in the church and loathes our division (today with tens of thousands of denominations, church splits, and endless debates). And I have sensed this conviction for many years going back to my early days as a Christian. When I go to mass I am embracing many brothers and sisters in Christ. That does not mean I am rejecting my other brothers and sisters who passively or actively choose not to attend mass. I freely fellowship with them as well and love to see bridges built on the foundation of one faith, one baptism, one Lord and Savior of all. Today I attend daily mass as often as I can and on the Lord’s Day as well. I am also happy to engage with my family who chooses to attend our local Anglican Church. My son and daughter have participated in youth ministries at a other local churches. We support this and engage with those communities as often as we can. This might look messy to some people, and perhaps it is. But, for now I’m happy to engage in the mess and embrace the entire body of Christ. The church did not experience the level of division we see today overnight and it certainly won’t be repaired overnight. I believe I am playing a small role, however, and I am thankful to see the fruit.
Reason #6: To pray.
Mass is one long, poetic, beautiful symphony of prayer. I can’t think of a better use of time than to pray. At mass I pray and learn how to pray. When I hear and read the prayers that are so often prayed I can say with a clear conscience “Amen!” I’m struck by the disciples simple request of Jesus recorded in the gospels, “teach us to pray.” If we can learn to pray I can say for sure that I still have a lot to learn. As someone with an evangelical background I was taught to pray extemporaneously. And ironically this led to me repeating the same phrases and basic structure over and over with little understanding about where it came from or how I was being “taught to pray.” I also assumed and asserted that memorized, written, or recited prayers diminished a more spiritual approach. After learning more about prayer in the Catholic Church I believe the answer is not either/or, but something beautifully found in the middle. I have been the evangelical who prayed out loud and seemed to be talking more to the people in the room than to God. I searched for the list of things I thought I should ask God for and stumbled over my grammar as I tried to conjure up enthusiasm that often felt contrived. I have prayed written prayers that others were reciting with a hollow and empty form. Then after many years I just prayed a very simple prayer, “Lord, teach me to pray.” One morning I got some answers at St. Mary’s in Walnut Creek California. A group of elderly ladies were gathering after mass and said to me, “Would you like to join us to pray?” “Sure,” I said, having no idea what I was getting into. For the next 30 minutes we prayed what is called the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Simply put…it’s a prayer for God’s mercy. They combined some simple, repeated prayers with short, spontaneous appeals for God’s mercy for family and friends. “Why do we need God’s mercy?” I thought. Did someone do something really wrong? Then I was reminded of the parable Jesus told us about prayer.
Two men went to the temple to pray…the tax collector standing far off would not lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying, “God have mercy on me a sinner”. Jesus said, “I tell you this man rather than the other went down to his house justified. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled. But, whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
All of mass is a prayer. To those new to mass, they might think “what’s the big deal? Why are we praying for God’s mercy?” or “Hasn’t Jesus already forgiven us…why are we still pleading to Him?” I’ve wondered these things too. But, I’ve also learned the beauty of prayer without presumption. I continue to ask Jesus, “teach me to pray!”
Reason #5: To be connected, not isolated.
As an evangelical I learned the emphasis of a ‘personal’ experience with Christ. Any hint that I might be doing or believing something because of my parents, family, or others was frowned upon. Then I reflected on Paul’s words to his protege Timothy, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” That captures the balance beautifully. Should my relationship with Christ be sincere? Yes. Can I separate ‘the faith’ that has lived in the hearts of countless faithful who have gone before me from from ‘my faith’ that I express today. No. So, technically I could do the many things I do at mass on my own. And I do. In fact, I do those things more often in private because I have experienced those things in community at mass. The cross of Christ reconciles us with God and each other. God receives much glory when we gather together around his table and at his cross. I’m not a consumer. I’m a Christian. So I understand it is not for me. I’m not an individualist. I’m just one of the billions of members in the body of Christ and communion of saints with Christ as our Head. At mass, I join in and connect to the body and I believe God gets great glory from this.
Reason #4: To hear and meditate on the Word of God.
The public reading of Scripture is commanded in the Bible but seems less and less common today. So, one of the other reasons I go to mass is to meditate on God‘s word. I can’t get through mass and not hear God’s Word read publicly. Those who attend daily are blessed to hear almost the entire counsel of Scripture every three years that repeats in a cycle (year A, B, C). And Scriptures are read from the Old and New Testament showing the beauty and majesty of Gods big, integrated story. Notice that I said “meditate” vs. “study” God’s word. There is a place for both. At mass there is often space to allow God’s word to do its work outside of explicit explanation, translation, or running commentary. This reminds me of what Jesus said to His disciples…
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
John 16:12-13 ESV
A LOT OF PEOPLE PROBABLY DON’T KNOW WHAT THE LECTIONARY IS
When I meditate on God‘s word, either through attending mass, Lectio Divina, or even while jogging, I experience his word in new and fresh ways. The anchor of daily mass, and the lectionary has helped this tremendously!
Reason #3: To be challenged and sent.
At mass I am challenged and held accountable to glorify God with my life. Mass comes from a Latin phrase “Ite, missa est.” When we are dismissed I hear these challenges: “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord” or “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life” or something similar. Just as Jesus commissioned his apostles I am commissioned regularly to go forth on Christ’s behalf to a broken world in need of the gospel. I can say to them as well, “Come and see!”
For me, mass is the first hour of the first day of every weekly cycle. There are 167 left. it’s one big reminder and opportunity to be re-habituated and ready for the week ahead. As I learn from the great book by James K.A. Smith “You Are What You Love,” every other hour of the week I am unconsciously involved in “liturgies of the world” that are forming me into many other things instead of Christ. So mass re-anchors me and provides me a practice run for when the most difficult temptations come.
Reason #2: To stop spectating and start participating.
Mass is one of the few places I contribute and participate rather than consume and spectate and there are many opportunities to express this. From the moment I enter, I am reminded of my baptism. I kneel in reverence of our King and I stand to honor the gospel. I put my fist on my chest as I confess my sins as the tax collector did. I reach out my hand to extend peace to my brothers and sisters. I walk to the table to receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. At mass there is only one audience and that is Jesus Christ. Everyone else is in the chorus of those who gather to worship and offer a sacrifice of praise.
Reason #1: To meet with Jesus and with His body
Going to mass is going to worship Christ at His table and at the foot of the Cross. Like Pat said, “I’m going to meet with Jesus.” It’s that simple. On the night before His crucifixion Jesus hosted a supper with his followers. And there He told them to remember. At mass we remember saying, “The Mysteries of Faith: We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await His coming in glory!” Jesus said to his disciples “do this in remembrance of me.” Come and see. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
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Those are my honest and straightforward reasons for going to mass. As I consider the diverse audiences that might be reading this a few footnotes are probably appropriate.
First, some of you may be reading this and saying, “Catholics are not the only ones to host mass.” And you are right. Mass in the form that I describe above is celebrated in many other traditions outside the Catholic Church. Our family’s Anglican Church looks quite similar with some one-to-one comparisons, as well as some noticeable distinctions. Most are quantitative in nature.
Secondly, you might be reading this thinking, any church could fulfill these reasons. I believe that is true. However, what I have shared here has come from my personal journey joining the fellowship of the Catholic Church and I can say with confidence that my experience has been quite different from churches that I grew up attending.
I believe there is a qualitative difference between the typical evangelical worship services I have attended and the masses I have attended. At some point the quantitative differences are so noticeable that it’s more of an apples-to-oranges comparison. One very clear example of this is architecture. In many churches the centerpiece of the room is a space occupied by large band equipment as well as other stage props. I would describe many church buildings more as auditoriums than sanctuaries. At mass, even as I travel all over the world, I notice immediately that there is a table and a cross at a central location and a lectern to the side for the public reading of scripture. There are typically countless visual elements and architectural aspects. My purpose in pointing this out is simply to give an example of something that differentiates the qualitative experience I have had attending the Catholic Church.
To reiterate, I freely and gladly worship with my brothers and sisters, who do not go to mass, either unconsciously or perhaps refuse for any number of reasons. For me, joining in the full fellowship of the Catholic Church has been an opportunity to build and traverse a bridge rather than draw a line in the sand. For me it’s about fellowship, not membership. I trust that this experience of fellowship glorifies and honor Jesus Christ.