A Sunday Thought About Rules We've Forgotten

This past week we talked about rules at work. On this glorious Sunday in the Easter Season, it might benefit us to recall some rules many of us have forgotten, starting with our Sunday obligation to attend Mass.

As Catholics, you'd think most of us wouldn't need reminding. But if you consider how many folks consider themselves Catholics and don't feel any particular obligation to attend Mass, you won't wonder that we bring this up right off the bat. 

There was a time (I think I remember this accurately) when no one would skip Sunday Mass. And if they did, it would be at the top of the list of sins that needed confessing. Which brings us to another simple rule: that we do indeed need to confess our sins, particularly our mortal sins. And, of course, that means it behooves us to have the habit of going to confession.

Now, there was a time when Catholics knew that they were obligated to get to Confession at least once a year. And the same folks that knew this also knew that such a rule was rudimentary to the practice of our Holy Religion, part of a baseline of being Catholic. 

From the Catechism:

“After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year” (CIC 989). 

No more. 

And just as we knew we needed to confess our sins to a priest in a confessional at least once a year, we also needed to receive Holy Communion once a year.

Now, in fairness, many if not most of us - even faithful, conscientious Catholics - were actively prevented from observing even these simple rules during the total Mess that descended on us when Covid arrived on our shores. Remember? Churches were closed: No Mass, no Sacraments. There were some exceptions, but for the most part, the vast majority of our churches locked their doors. And even if they unlocked them for a bit during the day to allow us to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament, those same churches would not be open for Mass or Sacraments. 

Bishops explicitly excused Catholics from their Sunday obligation, as well as the obligation to get to Confession and receive Holy Communion once a year. And while some Bishops since then have announced that the obligations were restored, many, if not most, have not.

Then again, before the Covid Mess many Catholics had already taken it upon themselves to ignore any and all rules regarding Mass and the Sacraments. 

OK. We'll leave it at that. If you're a serious practicing Catholic, you already know all this. If you're not, think about getting up to speed here. Either that or take your chances that God will excuse you, no matter what you do or don't do. Of course, if that's how you think you're walking a thin line between being a Catholic and being Protestant. You may even be teetering on the brink of the Pit. Seriously.

Let's hope that matters.

Meanwhile, God's grace for us all to help us know and follow rules that come with any Sunday, for as long as He sees fit to keep us alive. Our salvation may depend on it.

Happy Easter!