If the Mass is so great, how do we get people to come? Why do so many people not enjoy it? Worthwhile questions. As I touched on in the homily, simply inviting people to come to Mass with you usually isn’t enough. If a liturgy is done well, a visitor might see that it’s important to us. They can see that it is full of meaning and symbolism and they might get something out of the prayers and preaching. Still, the heart of the Mass — the Eucharist — is a profound mystery that takes mature faith. It’s not for beginners and Jesus never said it would be.
So, in this final part of the series on the Mass, I want to focus on what we can do to bring people to the Mass. The first part is, of course, to put our best into celebrating Mass so that we get the most out of it. If we want others to come to the faith and to the source and summit of our faith, we ourselves need to be excited about it. Much of evangelization is the witness of joy.
But what else? I’ve said something like this before, but it bears repeating. The Pagan Roman Empire was not converted by being invited to Mass. It was converted by the witness of mutual love among Christians. Individual pagans saw how individual Christians loved other individual Christians. “See how they love one another” was something of a catchphrase to describe this phenomenon.
Then there was the way Christians loved non-Christians. Their service, their kindness, and their generosity. The ancient world did not treat poor, disabled, or sick people well. But Christians did and it made an impression. Observers would wonder, “Why do these people care about the weaklings?” Even more they would wonder, “why do they seem so joyful when they waste their time on them?” It can’t be said enough. The answer is always love. The love of Christ is his care for us pathetic, sinful creatures. Being loved by him, we are suddenly able to find joy in loving others in need.
And then there is the witness of martyrdom. “Why do these people die such horrible deaths rather than give up on Jesus?” Faith and Hope in daily life made heaven real enough to live – and die! — for.
Bringing people to the level of understanding Mass starts with loving each other, loving those in need, and being willing to suffer for our faith. Do you see Christians doing that now? Be honest. In the United States, what are Catholics known for? Is it charity? Is it unity? Or is it the abuse scandal, right-wing politics for pro-lifers and left-wing politics for liberal Catholics?
The world has changed a lot since the Roman Empire, so our evangelization efforts have changed too. But, the principles of love, service, and sacrifice have not. U.S. Catholics are not known for loving one another or for loving people on the outskirts. This is something Pope Francis rightly points out all the time. It doesn’t mean we leave the institutional Church or stop fighting against abortion, but it does mean we need a more concerted effort to love like the first Christians.
The Mass is meant for people who have had a powerful, personal encounter with Christ’s redeeming love, people who have had their senses purified to see how heaven touches earth at Mass. Our job is to provide people the chance to have that first encounter and then to walk with them on the journey of understanding their newfound faith. Without that, it is no wonder they would visit a Mass and say “I don’t get much out of it.”
For the glory of God and a more effective liturgy, we have to put more into what we do outside the Church. I can say Mass all by myself, but I don’t want to and I can’t do everything else that needs to be done. I want to have more community events, more outreach to the poor, more prayer groups and more of whatever reveals God’s love to the world. Help me help people meet Christ. Then, let’s bring them to Mass.
– In Christ,
Fr. Albert