Mass, Mortal Sin, & the End of the World

TO: Amigos de Jesus and those recently Confirmed

There are between 30-35 active members of Amigos de Jesus youth group, and a month ago 26 youth were confirmed. In the last few weeks I have seen almost none of you at either the Saturday evening Mass or any of the Sunday Masses. Perhaps you go to other Churches or perhaps I just didn't see you. If that is true, please ignore the rest of this message. It is not intended for you.

I want you to know how incredibly serious it is to intentionally miss even a single Mass on a Sunday or holy day of obligation. The Church teaches the following:

1. "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n.2192).

What does this mean?
"Sunday Mass is the foundation... of all Christian practice. For this reason all Catholics are obliged to participate in Mass on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason - for example, illness or the care of infants. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a Mortal Sin" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n.2181).

2. Intentionally missing Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation is a mortal sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n.2181).

What does this mean?
Mortal sin destroys the Divine life (sanctifying grace) within us by breaking God's law in a serious way. It turns us away from God and to darkness. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n.1855). Mortal sin is a free choice which causes the loss of sanctifying grace in our soul. If we does not repent and seek forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), we shut ourselves out of the Kingdom of God and will spend an eternal death in hell (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n.1861).

3. What is a serious reason for skipping Sunday Mass?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that all Catholics are obliged to participate in Sunday Mass, "unless excused for a serious reason" (n.2181). What is a serious reason for missing Mass? The Catechism lists two examples: illness or the care of infants. Included in this list would be other serious reasons such as caring for the sick or if you live in a place where there is no Mass available or if you are dispensed by your own pastor.

4. What is not a serious reason for skipping Sunday Mass?

Because participation in Sunday Mass is a serious obligation for all Catholics, it requires "serious reasons" to not attend. Quincenerras, parties, wanting to sleep in, watching television, or just "not feeling like going" are NOT serious reasons for missing Mass. Also, there is no one living in Denver who does not have Mass available somewhere.  What about people whose parents do not attend Mass or who do not have a ride? You still have a serious obligation to try to find a way participate in Mass. You find ways to get to parties, soccer games, quincenerras, etc. You must make AT LEAST the same effort to participate in Sunday Mass.

5. The end of the world

Many of the you were concerned about the predicted end of the world on May 23. "What if it does happen?" many asked. If you are living in a right relationship with God and have God's Divine life (sanctifying grace) within you, there is absolutely no reason to fear death or the end of the world. You should rather fear much more to commit even one mortal sin, because a single mortal sin is a rejection of God and the death of the soul. Jesus says this same thing in the Gospel of Luke. He tells us that we should not fear pain, death, or the end of the world (the death of our bodies). What we should fear he says is the death of our souls. Jesus says:

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body... I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Hell; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one" (Luke 12: 4-5).

Many of you have just received the Sacrament of Confirmation and already some of you have stopped attending Mass, stopped participating in the youth group, stopped practicing your faith. If this is how you plan to live, it would have been much better for you NEVER to have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. You promised before God and his Church to live and defend your faith publicly and with greater seriousness and responsibility. This is a promise you have made before God and one day, God will ask you to answer for it. For that reason Jesus tells us: "You must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come" (Matthew 24: 44).