It used to be that certain things—like skipping Mass—were mortal sins. Now it seems as if they're not. What happened? How can I trust what the Church says is sinful if it keeps changing its mind?
You probably taught your young children rules like, "Don't ever try to cross the street without holding Daddy's or Mommy's hand." That's the way children learn things.
But what you meant was, "Cross safely," and you do that as a grownup. Most of us learned moral rules as children, but we didn't always grow up to understand their points A habit of skipping Mass does spiritual damage to the person who skips and thus fails to deepen their friendship with God. It also affects the community, which misses out on that person's participation and gifts. Missing very occasionally with a good reason is a whole different thing and is harmless or
perhaps even necessary.
perhaps even necessary.
Think of the Mass as an important family dinner You can miss, say, one Thanksgiving with the family if you have a good reason. But just to blow Thanksgiving dinner off again and again and then come back without offering any apology or explanation—well, that's something else.
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That was a good down to earth no nonsense explanation!
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