Church attendance (2)

Before setting up a task force to delve into the reasons why so many people are keeping away from the Sunday Mass and to try reverse the situation, what must be done is to educate the faithful about the real significance of Mass.

I believe too much emphasis is being laid on the importance of a meaningful homily. The homily is important and no effort should be spared to ensure, as much as possible, the delivery of a good homily that takes into account the actual congregation present as well as the times we are living in.

However, the Mass is far superior to the homily. In fact, the daily Mass has no homily and is, nonetheless, no less valuable and meaningful. We have to instil in the minds of our young ones, particularly, that going to Mass is having a special meeting with God, our loving father. It is an excellent and unique way of saying "thank you" to God for all the things he gives us, of saying "sorry" for being selfish with him and with our neighbours, and of saying "please help me" in all our needs. We do this by offering the most sublime and acceptable present we can give him: His own dear Son Jesus Christ. Indeed Mass is a real repetition albeit in an unbloody way, of the Holy Sacrifice of the Cross.

Then there is the very special moment of Holy Communion when our Lord gives us his own self to nourish our weak souls. A saint once said that the Holy Communion received with the proper deposition is enough to make us saints. And Jesus himself said: "I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. He who takes from his bread will live forever."

Those who claim they can communicate with God equally well by staying away from Mass and praying in private (if they really do so) should see the beauty and efficiency of approaching God the Father hand in hand with his Son Jesus Christ and with our brothers and sisters through Holy Mass.