Wisdom of a Saint

Don't permit your misery or defeats to depress you. Rather let them be steps by which you descend the deep mine where we find the precious gem of holy humility. -- St. Paola Frassinetti

It is right to give Him thanks and praise

There have been countless times in my life when I'm confronted with someone who wonders why they need to attend mass on Sunday or any other day for that matter to speak or have a relationship with God. The reasons for not attending mass are endless: I pray at home; I'm too tired and need that day to rest; I have to work, etc. I have to actually thank God for these reminders to pray for their souls. My words are unconvincing to them, I can only offer my prayers and sacrifices in hope of their conversion.

The main reason to attend mass at least on Sunday is that God commands it of us. He commands it not as a punishment to bore us for an hour each week or to make us get out of bed earlier, but He gives us the Mass as a gift because He knows that we cannot live without the grace we receive from assisting at the Holy Mass. We also need the encouragement, reminders and admonishments from our faithful priests. It is for the good of our soul. Without the Mass, our souls begin to wither away from all that is good and perhaps stray into evil. Some people do not believe such could be the case as they are kind to their fellow citizen. Kindness is good, yes, but do we have patience and love for our neighbor? Without these virtues, kindness will only go so far.

God is with us at every moment in our lives - never leaving us for even a second, whether we realize it or not. Every one of us is blessed in one way or another, even in difficult times. If we all sat and listed all the blessings we've received in our lives, the list would be endless. That being said, I should think that one hour of our entire week is well worth giving thanks and praise to our Creator for all the blessings He has so graciously bestowed on all of us.