Why do you go to Mass?

Why do you go to Mass? Maybe I’m the first person to ask you that question. Have you ever really thought about it?

If you go to Mass every Sunday, every Holy Day of Obligation, and maybe even at other times during the week, why? Why is it a priority in your life? Why not sleep in on Sunday morning, as many others do?

Some people might answer: to learn about Jesus. Or, to be spiritually enriched. Or, to become inspired in my faith. Maybe your answer is similar to this.

But is that enough?

What if the homily is bad? What if the music isn’t great? What if the person behind you starts coughing and you don’t hear a word of the Gospel? Suddenly, your reason for attending Mass doesn’t hold up. You might leave Mass and realize you haven’t learned something new or been inspired. If you leave Mass and you haven’t gotten anything out of it, will you keep going?

Here’s the thing—going to Mass isn’t about us, it’s about Him. We aren’t doing it because we’ll get something out of it (though, hopefully, we will!). We’re going to worship God. That’s it. No other reason.

If we reframe Mass in terms of what we can give, rather than what we can get, we’ll never miss another Sunday. It’s all about giving God our praise, our worship, our sacrifice. Beginning our week with Him, giving our time and our love and heart to Him.

Certainly, we hope that we’ll hear a good, inspiring homily. Of course, we want to hear beautiful, sacred music. Yes, we want to leave feeling uplifted and encouraged and ready to face the week. But even if we don’t (and sometimes we won’t), we know that we laid our burdens, our petitions, our gratitude, our very hearts and souls on the altar as an offering for God.

And when we do just that—come with open hearts to the altar of God—He gives us something in return. We have the opportunity to be fed with the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of His Son. The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, an unfathomable gift from God to His Church. Our praise and adoration and worship and gratitude is the least we can offer in return.

So let’s make this the top priority of our week. Let’s set those alarms. Let’s schedule around the most important event on our calendar. Let’s set out our best clothes. Let’s invite others along. We’re going to fill those pews with eager, joyful souls. Who’s with me?


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Lindsey is a wife, mother, and contributing author at Relevant Radio. She holds a degree in Journalism and Advertising from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Lindsey enjoys writing, baking, and liturgical living with her young family.