Is Missing Mass a Mortal Sin?

[GodsGrace]

In a different thread WIP wrote the following:

And I would be one of them for I left the Catholic church. It would also seem then that excommunicating a member would be to force them into mortal sin. First, I don't know where in Scripture it is defined as a mortal sin so basically, I'm playing devil's advocate here. Can the church decided when it is appropriate to excuse what God defines as sin?

I thought it deserved its own thread since we have some Catholic persons here and we should have their input.

Where's Walpole ??
I'd like him to hear this too.

Everything the CC teaches has its roots in the bible.
The Apostles attended "church" except it wasn't called that yet then..
it was called the Synagogue....They worshipped on the first day of the week...
that would be Sunday.
Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

Now the question becomes....what made missing church become a mortal sin?
This is not spoken of in scripture...however, the Apostles did teach that we are to worship one day per week.

I have to say that I don't necessarily agree with a church (small c) making it mandatory to attend church.

I don't know the history of why this happened.
It would be interesting to know however.

Any input?

 

[GodsGrace]

From Rollo Tamasi

Catholics go to confession.
They usually get about 10 Hail Mary's or so and usually an Our Father for good measure.
If you get an Act of Contrition, boy have you been bad.

Act of Contrition;
"My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do what is right, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things, I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin."

It's actually a good prayer if you take it to heart.

But notice it's about 10 Hail Mary's or so.
She is the center of the romanist church.
We pray to her, because she has the power to convince her son what to do for us.
Without Mary, the romanist church dies.

You haven't been to confession in a long time it seems.
The statements you've made above are not correct.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

From Rollo Tamasi



You haven't been to confession in a long time it seems.
The statements you've made above are not correct.

You know, the romanist church redecorates every now and then, but underneath they never change.

 

[GodsGrace]

You know, the romanist church redecorates every now and then, but underneath they never change.

Oh such wisdom...
I think they're trying to change.
I think they're changing.

Jesus is the center of teachings...not Mary.
Many go to confession to seek advice or talk something out.
The Act of Contrition is said by everyone going to confession.
What else?
They have some doctrine we don't agree with...
doesn't every denomination?

 

[humble soul]

No comment. I'm on parole.

 

[Walpole]

Here are my thoughts:

Christ said, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." The third of these commandments is to "Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day." God therefore commands the sanctification of one day in a special way. His very use of the word "Remember" implies a moral obligation which is not to be forgotten or omitted. As Christians, we fulfill and render this moral obligation by participating in the highest act of worship, which is the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass. For the Christian, the Eucharist is the normative means by which man has communion with God (cf. 1 Cor 10:16) and his fellow believers.

God has always demanded public worship, and from the earliest Apostolic times Christians met regularly as a community. (Acts 20:7) We are also told in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Here we are told explicitly not to forsake assembling together.

The authority to bind and loose was given by Christ Himself. The duty of participating in the Mass flows from both the authority to bind and loose, as well as the Jewish precedent of observing the Sabbath, which was a weekly command. This authority to bind and loose was given by Christ to the Church. If the central act of worship for the Christian is the Mass, then rightfully the Church must state it would be a grave sin to miss participating in it.

“…but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Mt. 18:17)

 

[GodsGrace]

Here are my thoughts:

Christ said, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." The third of these commandments is to "Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day." God therefore commands the sanctification of one day in a special way. His very use of the word "Remember" implies a moral obligation which is not to be forgotten or omitted. As Christians, we fulfill and render this moral obligation by participating in the highest act of worship, which is the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass. For the Christian, the Eucharist is the normative means by which man has communion with God (cf. 1 Cor 10:16) and his fellow believers.

God has always demanded public worship, and from the earliest Apostolic times Christians met regularly as a community. (Acts 20:7) We are also told in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Here we are told explicitly not to forsake assembling together.

The authority to bind and loose was given by Christ Himself. The duty of participating in the Mass flows from both the authority to bind and loose, as well as the Jewish precedent of observing the Sabbath, which was a weekly command. This authority to bind and loose was given by Christ to the Church. If the central act of worship for the Christian is the Mass, then rightfully the Church must state it would be a grave sin to miss participating in it.

“…but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Mt. 18:17)

Hi Walpole....
I like to distinguish between church and Church. It's necessary to know what we're talking about
and I had this drummed into me (by the CC).

So church is the bldge...the institution.
Church is the Body of Christ of which all believers are a member.

My problem is that a church cannot make an act or an omission become a mortal sin.
I understand that Mass is important, but I truly doubt God would send one to hell for
missing a Mass. THIS is what I do not find in scripture.

And it does seem to be rather extreme to make this a doctrine that holds hell as punishment for
disobedience.

IOW....I think church rules take away from the personal aspect of having fellowship with God.

Jesus chissled down the rules and made faith be more important.
He didn't create more rules.

Comment?

 

[Walpole]

Hi Walpole....
I like to distinguish between church and Church. It's necessary to know what we're talking about
and I had this drummed into me (by the CC).

So church is the bldge...the institution.
Church is the Body of Christ of which all believers are a member.

My problem is that a church cannot make an act or an omission become a mortal sin.
I understand that Mass is important, but I truly doubt God would send one to hell for
missing a Mass. THIS is what I do not find in scripture.

And it does seem to be rather extreme to make this a doctrine that holds hell as punishment for
disobedience.

IOW....I think church rules take away from the personal aspect of having fellowship with God.

Jesus chissled down the rules and made faith be more important.
He didn't create more rules.

Comment?

Please re-read my post, as I believe your questions are addressed.

The why ---> "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
The authority of the Church ---> "Verily I say unto you, 'Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'"

I will add...

Jesus not chiseling down "rules" ---> "Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."


I find most Protestants are shocked by the obligation to attend Mass because the reality is their own services are really not much more than religious entertainment.

 

[Walpole]

ETA: For Catholics, participating the Sacraments- particularly the Eucharist - is the ultimate act and expression of faith.

 

[WIP]

I find most Protestants are shocked by the obligation to attend Mass because the reality is their own services are really not much more than religious entertainment.

I understand and agree with you that this is true for some or even possibly many protestant denominations but to paint all with the same broad brush may not be quite right either.

 

[Walpole]

I understand and agree with you that this is true for some or even possibly many protestant denominations but to paint all with the same broad brush may not be quite right either.

Very true. I did not mean to paint Protestantism with a broad brush.

I apologize.