Duty to Call Out Easter Catholics?
theophilus April 13th, 2009
Does a father have a duty to call out their children when they are doing something that is not within their best interests?
Of course, we do. Fathers are always instructing, guiding, cajoling, pressuring their children to walk the right path. And sometimes we have to take a rather direct and pointed approach. It’s how we fulfill our responsibility to help our kids live the lives they are supposed to lead.
But, sometimes it appears to be different when the father is “Father” and the children are parishioners. It especially appears to be different when the parishioners step inside the church twice a year.
Yesterday, my parish was so crowded that the gym was used as overflow, complete with a closed circuit projection screen. In other words, the Easter Catholics were out in force.
And Father took the occasion to make it a teaching moment. He poignantly stated that if the flock who showed up once or twice a year really believed in the Resurrection, they would come to Mass frequently.
Frank, straightforward, honest, to the point.
When I was at dinner, I heard an earful from my family as the story was told. “We should just be glad they show up at all.” “How does Father expect to get them back if he attacks them?” “Our priest simply said that ‘I want to remind everyone that we are open on weekends.’”
So, which is it? Should we just be happy they are there, or should we get in their heads that it’s not ok if they skip Sunday Mass?
I guess it depends on how you view Sunday Mass and your eternal life.
Is Sunday Mass just a spot on the calendar when your neighbors get together to sing and talk; or is it the center of your week when you are invited into the most intimate and holy communion with Christ our King and Savior? Can you ensure the quality of your eternal life by thinking of God now and then, or are you supposed to make Christ the very essence of your life, living every moment in perfect tune with him? And can you live such a life going to Mass once or twice a year?
Mass isn’t an event or appointment. It’s not like our weekly management meeting, kid’s soccer game, or poker night. It is the fulfillment of our lives when we gather the divine strength and wisdom needed to live our lives the way God intends for us to live it. It is when we are renewed and recharged.
So, if we are missing out on something so important, so vital, so essential to our lives here on earth and our eternal life, shouldn’t our Father, who has been charged with not losing us, shouldn’t he call us out if we are missing out on something as important as Mass?
With Easter Catholics, I really doubt that the soft-glove approach works. I really doubt that the Say-Nothing Approach works either. True, the Holy Spirit may still spark a flame, but sometimes the Holy Spirit needs to use a knock alongside the head.
Yesterday, Father said what needed to be said. He was a shephard leading his flock.
Let’s hope, someone took it to heart and will be back this Sunday. I won’t mind sitting in the gym if they are there.
Dear Brother in Christ,
Your comments are right on and express a concept that I am sure every priest or deacon has had to question himself. perhaps we need to do more as lay people in changing our society
God Bless
Tadhg (tigger)