Tardiness Conveys Message that Mass, Catholic Faith are Unimportant

By Hugh McNichol
Pewsitter.com

June 9, 2008 - Punctuality is a character trait that seems to be sorely missing with people of all generations today. People are perpetually running late. I have this policy of a fifteen minutes lead time when I go to an event. At Church, it is best to get there early. God knows you don't want to struggle for the best pew. If you are taking classes make sure you arrive early as well. How can we get our money's worth of education if we arrive late?

It may sound funny but lateness is a global pandemic.

If you went to see a concert with Madonna for example...you would not arrive late. You might miss some of her antics. Why then are we late for Mass, Sacraments and religious educational classes? Perhaps there is a sublime message of malcontent at work here. Being late tells people around us that we are not especially content with what's on the program for the day. Church is not really that important. I'll get there for the Gospel. Parking is easier and I won't have to listen to the readings!! Wow...amazing. People think that.

If you watch Action News on a Sunday morning they usually cover the "tailgaters" waiting for the Eagles' game. The boob tube is filled with images of people laughing it up, cooking it up and yucking it up...just to be early for the tossing of an elliptical pigskin object.

Perhaps the solution is tailgating at Church. It's better than being late!!! You can be there for the kickoff of the Mass, you won't lose your seat and when it’s time for communion the lines won't be long. Anyhow, you can see where this is going.

Common courtesy is central to the practice of our common Catholic faith. That means...BEING ON TIME.

When was the last time the 9:00 Mass started at 9:16. Be real. The celebrant is there. The altar servers are there. The candles are burning. We need to "be there" to properly worship with the Church community.

Lateness is an epidemic that spreads and undermines the success of our solitude with God. It's rude to your fellow Catholics. It conveys the message "this is not that important to me". Well guys and girls it's not always about YOU. Grow up and burst the bubble that isolates you from everyone else. What would you think if, the next time you paused in prayer to God, he wasn’t there because he was running 15 minutes late.

Hugh McNichol is a Catholic author that writes on Catholic religious topics and subjects. His articles can be found at www.catholicnewsagency.com and verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com and www.pewsitter.com