What'd Y'all Do That For?

06-14-2015Weekly ReflectionFr. Brian Jazdzewski

There are some Catholics around who remember the days when the Church obligated the faithful to fast from food and beverages from midnight on Sundays and Holy Days until after attending Mass. During those days some Masses were offered quite early in the morning through the lunch hour to accommodate the faithful. During the same time period, Vigil Masses, or Masses of anticipation, or Masses on Saturday evenings or the evenings before Holy Days were only permitted for serious pastoral advantage. These Vigil Masses were rare. During those days, many businesses were closed on Sundays, too.

In more recent decades, Catholics remember the obligation to fast from food and beverages from midnight until after Mass was relaxed. Currently, the directives remind us to fast from food and beverages at least one hour before Mass; some suggest one hour before receiving Holy Communion though that time is harder to predict.

Additionally, on more recent decades, as businesses opened on Sundays, the Church has permitted Vigil masses on Sundays and Holy Days to accommodate those whose work schedules preclude them from making their mass obligation. As that permission was put into practice, some communities offered the Vigil mass at just a couple churches in each community, now, obviously, the permission has become the norm in many places.

A common thread that is woven through all of this has remained constant. Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Catholics are to receive Holy Communion in a state of grace; namely they have received the Sacrament of Penance for any mortal sins committed before receiving Holy Communion. Catholics are, however, obligated to receive Holy Communion at least once each year, often on Easter or during the Easter season after using Lent to take time to prepare for a good confession.

To switch thought for a moment, we ought to find delight in how the Church responded to cultural influences to provide spiritual care for its faithful. We might suggest that one of the recent cultural pressures are the increasing commitments people seem to have on weekends, namely Saturdays. We know this as we look at our personal schedules, review community events in local papers, and hear about families who have tournaments for student athletes for younger and younger students.

During the most recent joint parish and finance council meeting, these were some of the thoughts which were discussed regarding our weekend Mass schedule. These ideas provided reasonable support for offering each of our Masses on Sunday which has always been the Lord's day. Added to these ideas, is the invitation and command from the Lord to be faithful to the very best of our ability. Most of us know, if we are really honest with ourselves, that the more we become faithful to the Lord, the more He will grant spiritual favors. For now, the weekend Mass schedule affords us the opportunity to be faithful to the Lord's day, even if that means adapting our weekend plans to make that happen. Consider giving the new schedule a chance. Perhaps you'll be like other Catholics whose parishes moved to a Sunday evening Mass, and appreciate how their worship is the capstone of their weekend and an excellent way to pray for their needs in the upcoming week.

BACK TO LIST