What Happens When I Am Not at Mass?

• Somebody who was looking forward to seeing you, missed you.
• Somebody who expected to see you wonders if you are ill.
• Your neighbour, children, or house guests get the idea that church doesn't matter to you.
• There is one less voice in the hymns and prayers to God.
• You do something else instead, which you could do at any other time, or you do something else that you could only do then, either way thus proclaiming your priorities.
• You lead into temptation someone who is in church - the temptation to feel superior.
• The church is less prepared for its daily work.
• Someone who admires you thinks, "If it isn't important to N., why should it be important to me?" Your family follows your lead and doesn't come either.
• Your family wishes you were with them at Mass.
• There is one less person praying for the troubled, sorrowful, and sick, for the church and for the world.
• Jesus is saddened.
• Your life is not offered up at the Offertory.
• You cannot receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
• The work of the priest who baptised, taught and presented you for confirmation is mocked.
• You make communication of parish news harder.
• You are not reminded BY the Word of God OF the Word of God.
• Departed loved ones are remembered by one fewer person.
• You start to form one new bad habit.
• You treat as optional something Our Lord commanded.
• People who are working to build up the church are discouraged.
• You break the promise which you made, or which was made on your behalf at your baptism.
• The Church is not full, and not being full, lacks just that much exuberance and joy.
• The Devil is delighted.