On the Sunday Obligation

   In the most recent number of the Catholic Times, it is pointed out that the Sunday Obligation requires us to hear the whole Mass. We ought to be careful of the attitude that says, "I'll just march right out the door on my way back from communion and avoid the stadium traffic." If you asked that hypothetical person, I'll bet he would gladly endure "stadium traffic" on his way out of the stadium. The Christian ought to offer to Jesus more than yesterday's cold leftovers.

   On the other hand, the situation may arise when we need to know our exact status. Having already missed some part of Sunday Mass, you need to know if it is a mortal sin or a venial sin. That is to say, do you need to go to confession for it and not receive communion until you can get to confession? Perhaps you have arrived late to the last Mass in town? What is your status? Maybe you slept through your alarm, jumped into yesterday's clothes, and ran out the door. They are singing the Gloria when you arrive. Must you find a later Mass?

   If we omit to hear a "notable part" of the Mass on a Sunday, we do not satisfy the precept to hear Mass. That is a mortal sin. It is generally said in America that one must arrive in time for the Gospel and must stay through communion. (The question is more complex than that, but you are safe to follow that rule.) What makes for a "notable part" of the Mass is less its length than its dignity. For this reason, we should avoid taking a bathroom break in the middle of the Consecration unless it's a bona fide emergency.

   Bear in mind that the previous paragraph deals with the boundary between mortal and venial sin, not the boundary between sin and not-sin. The Catholic ought to have a healthy desire to avoid anything that offends God, even if it is "only" a venial sin. "How far can I antagonize my wife before she makes me sleep on the couch?" is not really a thought that occurs to a loving husband. (In order to avoid cluttering up my article, I have left out all discussion of those things that excuse us from the precept to hear Mass.)

   In closing, let us consider the thoughts on the Mass that Holy Church proposes to us in the Magnificat antiphon from 2nd Vespers of Corpus Christi: "O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of His passion renewed; the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory given to us. Alleluia."

Fr. Stone, July 8, 2024