As we have previously mentioned, as disciples of Christ, we are challenged to set a good example for others and to truly and publicly live our faith.  We are therefore invited to prayerfully consider making time for the Lord by making the Mass the heart of our day, not just a small part of our day, each Sunday and each Holy Day of Obligation.  This is especially true as we make time for rest and recreation as summer approaches.

Catholic author Scott Richert reminds us that “…from the earliest days of the Church, Christians have understood that being a Christian isn’t a private matter.  We are called to be Christian together; while we can and should engage in private worship of God throughout the week, our primary form of worship is public and communal, which is why Sunday Mass is so important.”

The third commandment of God is to remember to keep holy the day of the Lord, and keeping holy the day of the Lord is something that Christians of all faith traditions should strive to do.  In addition, the Catholic Church has issued certain precepts (or duties) for Catholics.  The first precept is to keep holy the day of the Lord by participating in Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation.  I think it is fair to say that at times some of us struggle to comply with this precept.

School has ended for the year and many of us now focus more on leisure activities.  We make time to eat at good restaurants.  We make time to go to the movies.  We make time to go shopping at the mall.  We make time to go to the beach or to the lake.  We make time for short vacations.  We make time to visit relatives and friends.  Yet some of us have trouble making time to spend with the Lord through our attendance at Mass.  We are reminded of the need to spend time with Our Lord and we are encouraged to participate in the Mass in a spirit of reverence and respect.

The following prayer from Catholic Digest reminds us of the need to keep Our Lord present in our lives especially during the summer months: