On Saturday night my family and I attended 4:00 Mass. We are now on our “football” schedule and
getting to Mass on Saturday is part of that football routine versus attending
Mass on Sunday…when all the games are played.
Parents, Casey and I are just like you. Our kids can be terrible during Mass. They
are loud, they cry, and they can’t seem to sit still! This past Saturday was no different for Casey
and me. Naps were cut short so we could
make Mass by 4:00. (Even with that, we
showed up five minutes late!) Preston
was tired and crabby. Cameron could not
sit still or be quiet. As parents we do
everything we can to make them behave.
(Being the principal of the school makes me feel that the whole church
is staring at me to see how the kids are behaving…or not behaving!) Well, on Saturday, Casey and I were NOT
parents of the year. The Kindle came out
for Cameron and I told Preston he could pick where we were going to eat for
dinner…anything to get them to behave!
Thankfully we got through it, even with a few minutes to sit, listen,
and pray.
Most parents with young children have asked or at least
wondered about these ideas. “Why go to
Mass?” “It is too hard.” “We have a million things to do this weekend.” The list goes on. You might have some of your own to add.
Shame on me. Even
though I know better, I have said and done some of the things listed
above. What a terrible example for my
family, for my students, and for my staff.
Good news though! Each new week
brings us a chance to start over again.
Recently, I found a list of reasons pointing out why we
should attend Mass weekly. I would like
to share this list with my fellow parents so the next time we begin the path of
finding reason for not going to church, we can stop, change our way of
thinking, and choose the path that leads us to church.
·
I owe God for all that He has given me.
·
Besides talking to God, I need God to talk to
me.
·
I believe in Jesus. Jesus told us to continue celebrating the
Last Supper. Mass is the Last Supper,
the death and resurrection of Jesus. Eucharist
= Jesus, who gives us life.
·
We ought to be a “live” member of a community. Important to belong to a community…the body
of believers.
·
I want to be a contributing member. We have to put something in if we expect to
get something out.
·
I have a body.
Mass is part of the human side of our faith. Jesus said, “Do this…”
·
I have sinned.
God is forgiveness.
·
I need other to pray well.
·
I need energy.
We need to be strengthened to live daily.
·
The Mass helps me find the sacred in the
ordinary.
·
I was made to praise.
Casey and I have made the commitment to stop using
excuses. We will hold each other
accountable and we will set good examples for Preston and Cameron. I know you will, too. We are all in this together.
Sundays are for football and Jesus!
