A listener calls in with a question of faith for Father Dave about Mass: “I was approached by a non-denominational Christian not too long ago … and he asked me how often do I celebrate Mass or go to church? And I said, ‘Well, usually every day if I can …’ And then he brought the Scripture into it … and said the Sabbath Day is meant to be for the end of the week, which is Saturday … So, basically, my question is: Why do we offer a Mass every day, instead of what the Bible says, which is that it’s supposed to be on the Sabbath Day at the end of the week?”
Father Dave jumps right in: “Well, the Bible does not say we should offer Mass on Saturday because it’s the end of the week, so your friend is taking a lot of liberties.” Next, Father Dave tries to clarify what the thinking was behind the caller’s friend’s statement: “So what was his rationale? Was he saying that because Sabbath is that once-a-week day of the Lord, that is the only time that Christians should go to church?” When the caller confirms that, yes, this was the line of thinking, Father Dave responds:
VIDEO: Sacraments 101 — The Eucharist (How We Receive)
“The new covenant that Jesus came and initiated builds upon, but in some ways modifies the ancient covenant.” So while those who practice the Jewish faith observe the Sabbath on Saturday in accordance with the Torah and the dictates of Judaism, many Christians recognize Sunday as our day of worship because it is the day when Jesus rose from the dead. Father Dave clarifies that we recognize Sunday, not as the Sabbath Day from the Old Testament, but as the Lord’s Day, in honor of Jesus’ resurrection. But while Sunday worship is our weekly obligation, we are able to participate in the Sacrament of the Eucharist every day, and nothing in the Bible prohibits that.
In simple terms, Father Dave explains that “there are a lot of ways in which Jesus says, ‘Hey, I know you guys have learned a lot of stuff from the old covenant … so, here’s what you’ve been taught — and here’s what I tell you.’ Jesus didn’t subvert the teachings of the Old Testament, but many times, he very explicitly built on them, modified them, changed them. … We also have the Holy Spirit continuing to inspire the Church in Sacred Tradition.”
So although the New Testament doesn’t explicitly describe worship practices and Christian customs in any kind of detail like what you’d find in the Old Testament for the Jewish people, we believe that the Holy Spirit has guided the Church’s doctrinal development and expansion over the centuries. So, daily Mass is not observed by Catholics who lack the understanding of proper customs or respect for the Sabbath, but, rather, it is a permissible and positive display of Catholic devotion. (Original Air 01-17-17)