The Church - always a target for misunderstanding.

I was talking with someone yesterday who asked what I was doing over Christmas. I told her we were going to friends on Christmas Eve, church Christmas morning and then I was making a small turkey. She told me she was singing for the patients at the hospital Christmas Eve. I think that's a lovely idea! Then she told me she only liked going to church in the summer (she isn't a Catholic but professes to be a Christian.)

I told her that as Catholics we are obligated to go to Mass for Christmas (we have a choice of attending 3 Masses) and New Years Day (I'm in Canada and we only have 2 HDOs other than every Sunday.)

My friend asked me who set up that rule?

I said it goes back as far as the Ten Commandments and it's a Precept of the Church. She couldn't really argue the 10 Commandments part of it.

I don't understand people that don't want to go to church every week. Don't you want to see someone you love as often as possible? Don't you want to talk to them? While it's admirable she is singing for sick people on Christmas Eve she should ask herself where it all starts - with God. We can do nothing without the gift of faith He has so generously given us, we can accomplish nothing if He doesn't will it and the church is not a social work and entertainment clearing house.

If you don't "fill up the tank" you will have nothing to give.

Of course all my brilliant answers came to me hours after the conversation ended.

Then this morning another friend was complaining about all the gold in the Catholic church. But it's OK for her and her husband to own 2 cars, fix up their house, travel, etc. People are not starving in Third World countries because the Catholic church has real estate and paintings. People are starving because of unfair food distribution. Most of the people on your street are apathetic to starving children. Oh yes, they feel bad for them - but not bad enough to give up their season's tickets at the local stadium/rink - you know...that place that cost millions to build and run and that most people can't afford to go to.

Pray for them.

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