Obligation or Blessing 

   There are plenty of “shall nots” found throughout scripture and in life.  I’ve often wondered how it would be if we focused on the positive rather than the negative.

   “You shall not kill” should be a given.  We should respect life, all life, from conception to natural death.  Life is a gift of God, and it is not up to us to decide who is deserving of that gift.  We shouldn’t have to be told that.

   We shouldn’t need to be told not to commit adultery.  The marital vows we made at the altar were made before God and witnesses.  They do not have an end date but are “until death do us part”.  Our culture instead glorifies adultery and sex of any kind, with anyone.

   There are Holy Days of obligation, reminding us that we are to attend Mass every Sunday and on certain other days of importance in the Church.  Why must they be an obligation?  Shouldn’t we look forward to Mass?  If we are there only because it is an obligation we are there for the wrong reason.  Why do we not seek the Lord at every opportunity?  There should be no need for reminders or obligations.

   There are places in this world where people put their life at risk to attend Mass.  In some places Mass is held in secret out of fear of the persecutions.  We should recognize how blessed we are; we can attend Mass virtually at will.

   Our spiritual life should never be looked at as only an obligation, it should be our greatest desire.  Mass is a time of great joy and blessing.  God is among us; we can feel His presence.  It should be the high point of our life, not an obligation forced upon us. 

My desire is to serve You.

To praise You and give You glory.

Thank You for the joy of the Mass.

The joy of being with You. 

Amen