Catholic Mass - a simple explantion, do you agree?

Question

A girl recently emailed me saying she wanted to go to a Catholic Mass, and what should she expect?

I gave her one simple Bible verse, Acts 2:42
"..they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

That is a Catholic Mass. For 2000 years it has been the same. Some prayers are said, then we hear four diffferent scripture readings (a psalm, an OT reading, an epistle reading, and a gospel reading), we wish each other peace, and the the breaking of the bread (communion). That's it. Amazing, eh? Oh, sure, there's a few extra bells & whistles after 2000 years - some incense hear, a few candles there - but that is the mass: Acts 2:42.

If you have never been to one, I say - go and see. I think these kinds of things break down the barriers of suspicion. I have been to protestant services before, and even a synagogue, and am richer for them.

Has any non catholic ever been to Mass? Did you like it? Any other comments

Answer 1

I actually go to Mass every Sunday, my girlfriend is Catholic. It's not bad, there are some good lessons. Honestly, my mind often wanders, some Priests are more monotone than others. There's definitely a routine, but at least it's organized.

Answer 2

I think that Acts 2:42 summarizes it nicely.

Over time, the Mass has evolved from its roots in the Passover celebration (indeed, this was the original purpose for the Last Supper), and has come under fire for including "pagan" elements. Nevermind that pagans do not have a monopoly on candles, symbols, or days of the week.

A fundamentalist Christian once pointed out that Scripture does not mention candles in early Christian celebrations. True, since the Christians in Jerusalem used oil lamps, as oil was relatively plentiful compared with beeswax or tallow. Transport the faith communities to Europe, where the reverse is true and candles are cheaper, and it makes sense that candles would be used instead of oil lamps. Either way, this does not take away from Christ's being at the center of the Mass. If it does for you, please stop staring at the candles.

Written evidence from the disciples of the Apostles (the Early Fathers, as the Church calls them) demonstrates that Christian celebration was already quite ritual and followed a form that strongly resembled the modern Mass as it is celebrated today. While no one (not even the Roman Catholic Church) recognizes the letters of Clement as Scripture, they are useful as historical documents.

Point is, if you remove the extras - the incense, candles, statues, garments and beautiful decoration, the Mass would still be Catholic, the psalms would be sung, the beautiful Name of Christ would be praised, and souls would still be admonished towards Heaven.

Answer 3

My first experience with Catholic mass was actually somewhat frightening. I was kneeling for a prayer and became nautious suddenly. I literally almost lost my lunch all over the little girl in front of me! That passed after a few seconds, but just before the prayer ended, I got light-headed suddenly and nearly fainted. It was the strangest thing! It wasn't until my mother married a Catholic that I would agree to go back to a mass again. I go occasionally with my parents and find that it's generally a beautiful ceremony. But I have to say that the most beautiful Catholic ceremony I've ever seen is the High Mass for St.Patrick's Day in Savannah, GA.

Answer 4

I am a former Catholic (I have my reasons) and feel that this is a great description. I have had beautiful experiences at many masses with some incredible priests. I still maintain friendships with priests who have touched my life. I think the 'bells and smells' makes everything more spiritual and mysterious so to me going to High Mass is always amazing as the Mass in sung, you've got the incense, the procession.... lovely. I've had lots of lovely and incredibly profound experiences. Many blessings!

Answer 5

The Mass is a sacrifice because it is the living memorial of the one ,perfect ,all-sufficient and unrepeatable sacrifice of the Incarnate Word at Calvary and the Empty Tomb.

We can add nothing to the sacrifice of Christ except our "sacrifice of praise" and uniting our lives to His by cooperating with Grace.

At Mass we are at the Last Supper and Calvary

Answer 6

As a Roman Catholic I agree with you, but too often the participants attend mass as an obligation, and not out of a desire to be in the presence of the Lord.

This is particularly true at the more popular mass times. If you want to be with people who really want to be there, go to the early masses.

Answer 7

LOL...same ol rhetoric from the bashers...because they've never been to one or went with only predjudice in mind.

Answer 8

I never liked it. I went 6 days a week as a child and never got why they couldn't change with the times (other than no longer speking only in latin).

Though, I have also been to Lutheran, Protistant and Baptist masses too (along with a few non-denominational) and didn't like those either. Maybe that is because I don't believe any of it anymore.

The only reason I go to a church now is to admire the architectural design of them, religions love to spend money and go all out in the name of god.

Answer 9

Don't hit me with your sword, CC.

Answer 10

Catholics:
First off it is not what they believe that is the same it is what they have added to that believe that 'can" take them off track.
If it was as simple as your definition yes but it isn't. Here's why.
The Catholic church lies to their people. It tells them that the Church goes back to Peter. False. Most of the offending non Christian beliefs and practices are very late in history. There was no Pope in the early church nor papal system. It arose after the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Early church was structured like the Jewish synagogue and they worshipped on Sabbath, Satureday.
There was no worship to anyone but God and Jesus was God.
There was no sacramental system and number of them.
That was abut 1400 that it came in.
They would throw any Catholic out of the early church if they had images and held them as even reminders as is in Catholic houses, churches and in cars etc.
One of the Ten Commandments is "make no graven image and worship it." I think you would agree that people wear jewelry and have images and consider them luck. It is the opposite as there is a curse on this. Deut. 28
In the forth century the church was infiltrated with eastern and pagan religion. The rosary is from Hinduism and Jesus spoke against this type of prayer.
I translated an early church writing I will send you the link