Attending Mass is a Command from God

In today’s fast-paced world, attending Mass can sometimes feel like just another item on a long to-do list. However, for Catholics, participating in Sunday Mass is not an optional act of devotion—it is a command from God Himself. It is an opportunity to obey, worship, and grow closer to Him in a profound way. Understanding the biblical and historical importance of this command will inspire us to prioritize Mass as an essential part of our lives.

From the very beginning, God commanded His people to set aside a day for worship. The Third Commandment states:

"Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work." – (Exodus 20:9-10)

For the Israelites, the Sabbath was a sacred day, a time to honor God and rest in His presence. Jesus, in fulfilling the Old Law, established Sunday—the day of His Resurrection—as the new Sabbath (Matthew 28:1-10). Thus, for Christians, Sunday became the day to gather, worship, and receive the Eucharist.

The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, reinforced this command. The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states:

"The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.” – (CCC 2181)

Attending Mass is not just about personal prayer—it is about worshipping together as the Body of Christ. Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of communal worship:

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." – (Matthew 18:20)

From the earliest days of Christianity, believers gathered for the "breaking of the bread" (Acts 2:42). This was not a casual gathering; it was an essential, sacred duty.

The Early Church Fathers also stressed the importance of this command. St. Ignatius of Antioch (died 107 AD) wrote:

“Let every friend of Christ keep the Lord’s Day as a festival, the resurrection-day, the queen and chief of all the days.”

If early Christians, despite persecution and danger, made Mass a priority, how much more should we honor God’s command today?

God’s commandments are not mere suggestions. When we neglect Mass, we are rejecting an invitation from God. Skipping Mass without a valid reason is a mortal sin because it is a direct disobedience to His law.

St. John Vianney warned:

“If people would do for God what they do for the world, what a great number of Christians would go to Heaven!”

If we find time for entertainment, sports, and work, we must also find time for God. After all, He is the one who grants us life and blessings each day.

When we consistently attend Mass, our faith deepens. We receive the Word of God, the Eucharist, and the grace necessary to live as Christians. The Mass provides the spiritual nourishment that sustains us through life’s trials.

Pope St. John Paul II reminded us:

"Do not be afraid to give your time to Christ! Yes, let us open our time to Christ, that He may cast light upon it and give it direction."

Mass is a divine appointment. When we honor it, we are strengthened and blessed in ways beyond our understanding.

Mass is not merely an obligation; it is a privilege and an act of love towards God. It is a sacred moment where heaven meets earth, where we worship with angels and saints, and where we receive the greatest gift—Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Let us respond to God’s command with joy, not reluctance. As the psalmist declared:

"I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’" – (Psalm 122:1)

Make Mass your priority, not just because it is commanded, but because it is where you encounter the living God. Say yes to His call, and experience the countless blessings He has in store for you.