Going to Dad's for Dinner...with my Family

I'm Catholic. There are many misconceptions about the Mass, both from outside and inside the Catholic Church. Sure, there are the sexy arguments about praying to saints and stuff like that, but that conversation is short. People who pray to saints are committing idolatry. The Catholic Church doesn't sanction idolatry.

But that's boring. I'd rather talk about the nature of Mass (or services, if you aren't Catholic). For many, the Mass is a chance for a personal encounter with God. They go to Mass and start praying and maybe sing and encounter God and hop in the car and go home. And except for wishing a few people peace, they may not say another word to anyone.

I would submit that all that stuff is homework. You ought to do that before you come. The Mass is based on the Last Supper, which wasn't a bunch of people coming together to have individual uncounters with Jesus. It was a bunch of guys having dinner together and honoring God. And when we go to Mass--my family goes on Saturday night--we're going over to our Father's house for dinner. When you do that, you aren't there for a personal encounter with your dad. You're there to be with the entire family.

In the same way, at Mass, you're there not only to be with God, but to be with your fellow family members. It's a communal experience.