Why do Catholics genuflect? We're bending the knee to Jesus present in the Eucharist. Today's first reading from Philippians 2 tells us "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend..."
In our Gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus tells a story of a man who gave a dinner but all those invited began to make excuses as to why they could not come. Now, I suspect they all thought their reasons were valid. But the master became enraged. He ends by saying, "None of those men who were invited will taste my dinner."
The statistics of Catholic who don't attend Mass (can you even call yourself Catholic if you don't attend Mass?) are astounding. There are certainly valid excuses, but let's be honest - many do not have a valid excuse. Most probably just don't feel like it. Other things take precedent. It's always something. Have you ever thought that all these excuses just might "enrage the Master"? I'm sure that if He's not enraged, Jesus is greatly saddened by all the excuses.
Father, give us an ever greater desire to attend the wedding banquet of the Lamb - Holy Mass. Amen.
Your parish can teach the faithful what's really going on at Mass with A Minute in the Church: The Mass, available at www.GusLloyd.com.
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