to the invisible spiritual reality, the divine grace (God’s gift of unconditional love) given in each sacrament. (For more on the seven sacraments, see Chapters 8 and 9.) Catholics belong to their own churches, called parishes, which are local places of worship. The Holy Mass, the Catholic daily and weekly church service, is a reenactment of Holy Thursday (when Jesus celebrated the Last Supper) and Good Friday (when He died to purchase the rewards of eternal life in heaven for humankind). In Chapter 10, we explain the Mass in detail.
Bringing body and soul into the mix
As we detail in Chapter 7, human beings are created as an essential union of body and soul. Material and spiritual worlds are bridged in each and every human person. Because God made us this way, it only makes sense that both body and soul are incorporated in worship.
Attending Mass requires more than just being physically present in church. That’s why Catholics use different postures, such as standing, sitting, kneeling, and bowing, and do plenty of listening, singing, and responding to phrases. For example, if the priest says, “The Lord be with you,” Catholics respond, “And with your spirit.”
During Mass, the inspired Word of God (see Chapter 2) is read, proclaimed, and heard through people’s eyes, lips, and ears. Holy Communion, food for the soul, is given to believers.
Sacred art adorns the worship space (such as stained glass, statues, icons, paintings, mosaics, tapestries, and frescoes), sacred music is played and sung, bells are rung, incense is burned … the senses are stimulated as body and soul are united and nourished in the House of God.
Participating inside and out
Catholics are not spectators while at public worship. Yes, there is a distinction between the clergy (ordained ministers who perform the sacred rites and rituals in the name of the Church) and the congregants, but the people in the pews are crucial because they represent the entire human race.
Everyone in the church is asked to get involved in sacred liturgy. Divine worship is the adoration of God by man, and interior participation is the most important element. Every person at Mass should be open to God’s grace to accept and cooperate with it. Interior participation means going to church not for what you get out of it but for what you can give to God.
Of all the sacraments and all the sacred liturgies, the Mass is par excellence, the source and summit of Christian worship. It is more than a mere reenactment of the Last Supper; it is the unbloody representation of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary (Good Friday).
Mass is first and foremost sacred worship, but it also teaches and supports what Catholics believe in terms of the doctrines and dogmas that form the creed of the religion. Mass communicates religious truths and encourages parishioners to respond morally and spiritually by living holy lives.
Behaving Like a Catholic
The third pillar of the Catholic faith is the Ten Commandments, which represent the moral life of the believer. Behaving as Jesus would want us to is the basic premise. The concept is not puritanical; fun and enjoyment aren’t frowned upon. All legitimate pleasures are allowed in moderation — and only if they aren’t an end in themselves. The individual’s goal is to maintain a happy balance of work and leisure.
As we explain in this section, there are certain activities the Church recommends and encourages, and some she requires and demands. In all places and at all times, being docile to the will of God is paramount. For much more detail about how to behave like a Catholic, be sure to check out Part 3 of this book.
Following the general ground rules
The minimum requirements for being a Catholic are called the precepts of the Church:
Attending Mass every Sunday (or Saturday evening) and holy day of obligation.
Going to confession annually or more often (or when needed).
Receiving Holy Communion during Easter. (Receiving weekly or daily Holy Communion is encouraged, though.)
Observing laws on fasting and abstinence: one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; not eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
Supporting the Church financially and otherwise.
And, in the United States, the American bishops added two more precepts:
Obeying the marriage laws of the Church.
Supporting missionary activity of the Church.
You can find out more about the precepts of the Church in Chapter 11.
Catholics are also required to pray daily, participate in the sacraments, obey the moral law, and accept the teachings of Christ and His Church. If you haven’t grown up knowing and accepting the faith, then you need to make sure you know and agree with all that the Catholic Church teaches before you can truly practice the faith.
Practicing the faith is the most difficult part of being Catholic. Obeying the rules isn’t just mindless compliance. It involves appreciating the wisdom and value of the various Catholic rules and laws. Believers are asked to put that belief into action, to practice what they believe. Catholics are taught that all men and women are made in the image and likeness of God and that all men and women have been saved by Christ and are adopted children of God. That belief, if truly believed, requires that the person act as if she really means it.
Avoiding sin
Sinning is not only breaking the law of God but also much more. Sin is a disease, a germ, an infection of the soul. Just as tumors can be either benign or malignant, sins can be either venial or mortal, either slightly wounding or actually killing the life of grace in the soul.
The best prevention is to avoid sin just as doctors advise us to avoid disease. Good spiritual health requires more than being free of infection, however. Living a virtuous moral life and maintaining a healthy spirituality, when combined with an aggressive program to avoid sin at all costs, is the best plan to live a holy life worthy of a true follower of Christ. In Chapter 13, we discuss this subject in detail.
Heeding