March 9, 2013 - Catechism 2189 – 2195

It is just a simple word, but it is one that you hear replaced a lot that makes a pretty big difference when you think about it. We are often told that we must go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Days. But that is not exactly our obligation. We are obligated to “PARTICIPATE” in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. That is a pretty big difference. Going and participating have completely different senses of the involvement of a person. There are probably many spouses who would say their significant other goes to children’s functions and there are those that participate. It is the same for any activity. Are you going or participating. Think about that when you drag yourself out of bed on Sunday, get to Mass late, a thinking about Sunday afternoon during the liturgy and leave after communion. Have you fulfilled your obligation. You may have gone to Mass, but did you Participate.