Obligation To Attend Mass

We Catholics have an obligation under the pain of mortal sin to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Yet, many people, in our contemporary culture resent the idea that they might be "obliged" to do anything. It runs contrary to their post-modern understanding of the nature of freedom. Yet, we believe that the Church has a right to require Catholics to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. However, I think it is easier to explain the obligation in the terms of love rather than duty.

Imagine that your wealthy brother was throwing a special party in honor of your parents. He invited the entire family, and was going all out for them by providing a large banquet with music. You were invited and you knew about the feast in advance. But, you could not attend-you were busy with something else, or possibly you just forgot about the celebration. How do you think that would make your brother feel, who went through all this trouble to have this party? Even more importantly, how would it make your parents feel, who loved you dearly, and wanted you to be a part of their joy on this special day?

This is not intended to be a guilt trip, but instead to help us understand the importance of Mass attendance from a different perspective. Our obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days is rooted in Our Lord's desire to have us at his banquet (cf. Matt 22:1-14).

More importantly, our desire to attend Mass should derive not so much from a sense of obligation, or a fear of sin, but out of love for God. Love sees no obligation, but only desires to please the beloved. We should not honor our earthly parents simply out of justice or obligation, but out of the love and respect we have for them. And we should understand how God feels when his children ignore or neglect Him, particularly by not coming to Mass on Sunday or Holy Days of Obligations.