April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PERSPECTIVE
Why I go to church
It has made me wonder why I enjoy going to church. If I could narrow it down to one reason, what would it be?
I go to church because it helps me see how God is in all things. Before I even walk in the door, I see other cars coming in, flowers in their pots and the smiling face of someone who is holding the door for me.
As I walk up the stairs, everyone involved in the liturgy is in a pre-Mass "prayer huddle." My family and I wiggle around them, find our usual spot and chat with the folks around us. God is in all of these things.
Mass begins, and the room is filled with music and song. I can see the trees bending in the breeze outside the windows. I hear the readings from Scripture and think about how they relate to my life. The homily helps me with this. God is in all of these things.
We pray. We receive the bread and the wine. We become the body of Christ. I feel a sense of oneness with these people that I commune with each week. This oneness strengthens me.
As we are sent forth, my family and I linger at coffee hour. We're never ready to go yet. God is in all of these things.
The rest of my week flows out of this Sunday experience. By seeing God there, I see God everywhere else. I might catch myself singing one of the hymns, or maybe something that was said applies to an issue going on at home. Sometimes I bump into someone I know from church at the grocery store.
These are all such good things. God is always in the good. I would have missed them if I didn't go to church. My life would probably be fine - maybe even great - but I think it might be lacking a little something.
To tell you the truth, I don't really want to find out. I like seeing God everywhere.
I'm not sure I'm going to convince my friend. I think a person has to want to be in church in order to go. But the invitation is there, and I have a reason in my pocket in case he asks.
What's your reason for going to church? Be sure you have one in your pocket, as well. You never know if it might become someone else's reason, too!
(Ms. Rooney is pastoral associate for evangelization and enrichment at St. Kateri Tekakwitha parish in Schenectady and a student at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany.)[[In-content Ad]]
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