Why are they here?

[Red Prudente]

Whenever I celebrate Sunday Mass at parishes, I look out at the people congregated there and ask myself the question: "Why are they here?" I recall the story of a family that received a Thanksgiving Day card with a painting of a Pilgrim family as they were walking toward a church. The mother was showing her children the nice card and explained that the Pilgrim children liked to celebrate Thanksgiving Day by attending church with their parents. One of her skeptical children asked his mom, "Well, if those children liked to go to church so much, why is their father walking behind them with a rifle in his hand?"

Jesus, I am pretty sure that the people who come to Mass do not come because someone walked behind them with a rifle in their hand. However, maybe a few of them are there because church means a lot to someone they love. "She thinks church is a good idea and you think she is a good idea so, here you are!" Some might come because of habit. But they are there, and that is all that matters! And those who do come to church are to be commended for being there, and I am sure that you are pleased that they are. May all your children continue to be faithful in worshiping you on Sundays.