It dawned on me this morning, as I turned on the tv to check the weather, how many businesses, schools and even cities and towns that were "closed" due to a "snow emergency." When it came to the churches that were canceling their Christmas Eve services, it struck me that of course, no Catholic parish was closed. There is NEVER a time when Mass is canceled. Mass is always celebrated, always said, because there's always a priest at the parish, and he always says Mass. Even if no one can come from beyond a block away due to weather, Mass is always there, never canceled because Jesus is always there, in the Tabernacle. Isn't that glorious and isn't it so wonderful? It's sad the other countless churches have to 'close' or cancel their service, but you see, that's just it, what they are missing is Christ IN the tabernacle...in the Eucharist...not being apostolic in succession, they have to cancel their 'services.' I'm not putting any particular 'church' down here, only making an observation. The reality of the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus Christ, there in the golden, or silver, or other 'box' is important to the LIFE of the Church because He is the LIFE, the Truth and the Way. You can always count on there being Mass, daily, EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. If you can walk to Mass, Mass will be said for you. So I am very grateful to be Catholic. We've been back in the Catholic Church for 5 years now, and I laugh at the time I thought Mass was canceled, shortly after we'd returned one wintry day when I was the only car in the parking lot, so I went Home...but my husband said, Mass is never canceled Susie. That's JESUS. HE never cancels Mass, He's there in persona Christi in His priest, there in the Tabernacle, in the Eucharist waiting, no matter the weather, He's ALWAYS there, ready for you to come. Never feel bad if you can't make it to mass, due to icy conditions, you can always make a spiritual communion and happily we have Mass on EWTN, too. But if you can get there on foot, get there, and know this, the priest will be happy to say Mass for you, (provided the priest lives there, or near... there are exceptions of course but for the most part, Mass won't be canceled due to weather. And Jesus is ALWAYS there, for a visit) even if you're the only one. HOW COOL!!!
3 comments:
this is absolutely correct. My neighbor just made the comment about services being canceled all over the city in anticipation of the storm. And the same thought came to my mind. "Mass is NEVER canceled"! How beautiful! Christ is always waiting for us. I remember going to Thanksgiving Day mass in a snow storm thinking, "no one will be there". But how I was wrong. We weren't the only ones and Father was delighted to see even the hand few of people. The Catholic faith really does have "IT ALL"! Thanks Susie for the reminder.
Merry Christmas Eve!
Paula
This concept of the Mass never being cancelled should make one seriously think about the universality of the Church. Not only is it everywhere, but it is everytime too. A fulfillment of of Malachi that said "a pure sacrifice will be offered among the Gentiles." The kind of sacrifice that is so important that it doesn't get canceled because of weather.
You're right Paula and TJ. Merry and Mary ChristMASS... to you and yours! Being Catholic ROCKS! :)
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