Why Mass Is Boring

“Mass is Boring!”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that familiar phrase.? Sadly, I have to admit that I’ve even used it myself.? As a Catholic apologist, I obviously need to have a response for this complaint – and I do.? The answer is actually very simple.? My answer to anyone who claims that Mass is boring is this…

You don’t understand it!

Make no mistake about it, this is a very common and serious problem among Catholics.? At the very least, it could cause us to miss out on the many graces that are available for the taking.? At worst, it can cause Catholics to leave the Church, putting their salvation in jeopardy, because they found another church service that had better music, preaching or entertainment.?

I recently was given an old missal that belonged to my wife’s grandmother.? At the beginning of the section on Holy Mass is the following simple, but powerful, explanation:

Holy Mass is the highest act of Divine Worship.? It is the renewal of the Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary which merited the infinite grace of Redemption.? In measure as you unite with the Victim Jesus in offering this Sacrifice to God and nourish your soul with His Sacred Body and Blood in Holy Communion, to that extent you apply to yourself the graces of the Redemption. (Mary My Hope Missal, Catholic Book Publishing Company, 1961)

None of us reading this were present at Calvary when Jesus sacrificed Himself for our sins.? Every time we attend Holy Mass, however, we are mystically transported to that event, not as a spectators, but as participants.??We are invited?to?offer?ourselves to the Father, along with Jesus.? The more sincere our offering, the more grace we will receive.??Why is grace important, you might ask?? Very simple – it’s what we need to get to Heaven!

So, the next time you hear someone complain that Mass is boring (or you’re tempted to say it yourself), I recommend that you think about this simple explanation?buried in?an old Missal.? I also encourage you to read as much as you can about the Mass, in order to increase your appreciation of this great event.? My Recommended Resources?page lists some books that will?also point you in the right direction.

“To me, nothing is so consoling, so piercing, so thrilling, so overcoming, as the Mass.? It is not a mere form of words – it is a great action, the greatest action that can be on earth.” (Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman)