Thursday, May 29, 2008

New question-first of 3

In a discussion with someone they wanted to know why attending mass (or church) every week was required. the commandment only says keep it holy. what is the argument on that?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Sorry reposted since it was supposed to be anon.--(mod)

"Well I would respond that we have the obligation to worship and serve God above all things. How can you "Keep Holy the Sabbath" without attending Mass or "Church"? Can you not give God an hour or so out of your entire week to hear His Word and Worship Him? How can you grow in Faith and Love of God and neighbor without hearing HIS Word."

Just my 2-cents

Anonymous said...

The traditional reason given is from Acts 20:7,

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them..."

They met on Sundays now, not Saturdays as the Jews had done, because they recognized that the Resurrection had changed everything. Saturday was the day of rest from labor; Sunday, however, was the day of a new beginning, a new work that God was doing in us. (If you read on you'll note that Paul was much more long-winded than we are accustomed to. He went on so long- till after midnight- that some poor guy fell asleep and fell out of a window. He was still alive, so they fed him and Paul went on some more.)

Acts 2:42-47 also gives us an encapsulation of early worship. Verse 42 says,

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

This goes a bit beyond the question asked, but it does give a rough outline of what goes on in the mass.

Alex

Anonymous said...

Well said, Alex. THANKS!!

Anonymous said...

that was awesome alex, that was what i needed to be able to refer to. i had already told them the other reason before i posted this question and that wasn't good enough for them. thank you!!!