I pray just fine at home. Why do I have to come to Church?
Well, frankly, you don’t have to come to church. Odds are you haven’t been to Mass in quite awhile and you have managed to survive…even thrive. You love and care for your friends and family, you pray, you give to your favorite charities, you recycle & vote. You are a good, compassionate person who works hard and likes to sleep in on Sunday. Or perhaps you are a parent of a bunch of little people who is weary of the struggle to get all your reluctant family members dressed and out the door only to end up spending half the Mass comforting or chasing your child in the vestibule which makes the whole effort seem rather futile. The more pointed question might be “Why go to Mass at all?” What is the value and gain of being here each week?
Personally, I think the onus to answer that question is on us. We (the community here at Christ the Redeemer) need to communicate the value of “hanging-your-hat” with us and why we believe that working and praying together is more effective and closer to Jesus’ dream for our world than operating individually. But, words can only take us so far...
See, the thing about the Sacraments and the experience of Christian community is that you can’t really explain them…or read about them. Explaining Eucharist or Communion is like trying to explain or put into words what a deep, long kiss is like. The metaphysics of a kiss sound strange and maybe even a little bit gross, but when you experience it firsthand there is no denying its beauty and power. So too with coming to Mass. It is an experience that slowly transforms us, but it’s not something easily put into words or something we can truly grasp the full significance of by reading or praying about it quietly, alone at home.
Author Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber points out that when Jesus said “where two or more are gathered in my name I am with you” it wasn’t because he was some kind of diva who needed a guaranteed minimum audience before showing up. Rather it means that God is to be found in our relationships and in the way we hold each other up in the faith in tough times and even sometimes in our conflicts and struggles. From the very beginning, faith has always been a team sport. And maybe that is because there are some things about ourselves, God and life that we simply cannot learn on our own, but need to be part of a community to discover.
If your experience of Mass here this Christmas has in anyway touched on a faint but rather persistent longing you have been aware of lately, and you suspect that this longing may be “of God,” we want to heartily invite you to come pray with us again. If you have been away for a long while, no worries, we all have gaps here and there. None of us are ever “behind” in our spiritual lives. We are exactly where God intends us to be. We will all be richer for your presence. (Bonus: We offer great childcare during Mass and tasty and plentiful donuts after Mass, and having three kids myself, I know the power and enticement of ‘the donut’ for the kiddos!)
We are offering an informal “Welcome” presentation after Mass on Sunday, Jan. 4th at 12:15pm (childcare provided) for those of you kicking around the idea of reconnecting. We will offer a very brief overview of our CTR theology and vision of what we think “being” church to one another looks like and we would very much like to hear what we can do to make your time with us meaningful and lasting. We can also answer any questions you may have about getting your kids “caught up” on all the sacraments, etc.
I write this little “Crazy Catholic Question” article for the bulletin each week, so please consider submitting a question of your own! There are no topics that are off-limits or questions too scandalous to ask. If you would like to browse my fledging blog please visit crazycatholicquestions.blogspot.com.
I sincerely hope you and your family enjoy the rest of this holy season. Without exception, your ideas, good-spirit and unique theological point of view are valued and very welcome here.
Merry Christmas,
Lisa Brown,
Director of Religious Education/Office of Family Ministry, dre@ctredeemer.org
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