HOW CAN WE RESPOND to those who say that it is of no use going to Mass, even on
Sunday, because the important thing is to live well, to love our neighbor? 1) It is true that the
quality of Christian life is measured by the capacity to love, as Jesus said: “By this, all men will
know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35); BUT HOW CAN
WE PRACTICE THE GOSPEL WITHOUT DRAWING THE ENERGY NECESSARY TO DO
SO, one Sunday after another, FROM THE NEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF THE
EUCHARIST? 2) We do not go to Mass in order to give something to God BUT TO RECEIVE
WHAT WE TRULY NEED FROM HIM. We are reminded of this by the Church’s prayer, which
is addressed to God in this way: “Although you have no need of our praise, yet our
thanksgiving is itself your gift, since our praises add nothing to your greatness but profit us for
salvation” (Roman Missal, Common Preface iv). 3) (In conclusion,) why do we go to Mass on
Sundays? It is not enough to respond that it is a precept of the Church; this helps to preserve
its value but alone does not suffice. We, Christians, need to participate in Sunday Mass
because ONLY WITH JESUS’ GRACE, with his living presence within us and among us, CAN
WE PUT HIS COMMANDMENT INTO PRACTICE, and thus be his CREDIBLE WITNESSES.
Pope Francis’ Catechesis on Mass
