Thursday, June 11, 2020 –
Now that we have discussed (slow rolled) both forms of the Mass, it is time to go deeper into what participation at Mass really means. You have probably heard the term “active participation” and wondered if you are “doing” enough.
In case nobody has told you, there is NO “participation award” at Mass. You do NOT get prizes for having the most jobs: lay reader, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, usher. Seriously, “participation” for a lay person at Mass has zero, zilch, nada to do with what job you may or may not have.
So, what does participation at Mass mean?
Let’s start with Canon 1247: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.” (Can 1247)
Such a simple statement, and yet…confusion abounds. We are going to need to go alllllllll the way back to “Day 7 – The End of Week 1, Frayed Nerves, and Active Participation.” You remember: the day I gave certain people permission to shove chocolate down my throat in lieu of me verbally assaulting the world.
Yeah, THIS post where I talked about Sacrosanctum Concilium’s “full and active participation by all the people.” (SC, II.14) Likewise, I mentioned off-handedly that “[t]he validity of Mass is not contingent upon you having a job. Unless, of course, you are the Priest saying Mass.”
But still… “PARTICIPATION!!!” and “OBLIGATION!!!”
Yes, yes. I know. The word “participate” is used in Canon law and “full and active participation” is used in Sacrosanctum Concilium.
Here we need to make a distinction: physical participation and spiritual (or moral) participation. Neither of these means “job!” Both, however, do mean “present!” and “prayer!” What really matters is your intent. Are you showing up and praying? Or, are you taking a coffee break in between your job as reader and job as EMHC? One is participating one is not.
One last note before we get started: most (all?) Bishops have “dispensed” the faithful from Mass because of the pandemic. The Bishops have literally lifted the obligation to attend Mass. That means you are not mandated to attend Mass. You still need to “remember to keep holy the Sabbath day,” but your physical presence at Mass has been dispensed (meaning the law is currently relaxed).
Physical Participation –
By physical participation we literally mean your butt in a pew. Yup, it is as simple as that. But wait, there’s more! It does NOT mean all the “stuff” you do. That is nice that you are an usher or lay reader, but your numerous jobs have absolutely nothing to do with your physical participation at Mass. You can do all the jobs in the world, but you are not going to get a ribbon or trophy. Sorry.
If your tushy is in the building or your eyes can see the altar, congratulations! You are physically participating.
Spiritual (Moral) Participation –
Digging deeper, we must also discuss spiritual participation. This is where we get into the notion of your butt is…um…was in the pew, but then your precious little one has an absolute meltdown. Being the excellent parent you are, you take Precious to the vestibule and sooth her whilst probably saying a few prayers of “Oh please quiet my darling! Dear Lord, help me!”
Don’t fret. You are spiritually participating. Your intent was to be at Mass. You did everything in your power to physically be there, but circumstances outside of your control lead you back out the doors. HOWEVER, your intent is to go right back in as soon as you can. You are praying with every fiber of your being to be with the Lord and to bring your Precious and all her woes before the Lord. You are most certainly doing your best. You are spiritually present!
Contrast this with Debbie from the Donut Committee who checks her watch like clockwork (bazinga!) willing for Father to finish his homily so she can rush up to receive the Blessed Sacrament. “Oh goodness! Who will start the coffee pots and set out the napkins?” she constantly wonders. Sorry, Little Debbie. You are not spiritually present. And, frankly, if you are leaving Mass right after the Eucharist in order to set out donuts, you really aren’t physically present either.
Sure, there is a lot more we could go into, but you get the idea. Participation is about prayer. We are called to the foot of the Cross as Mary was. We are called to prayer! THAT is our active participation: our willingness to BE with the Lord.
Saint Barnabas, pray for us!
