Nothing so gratifying as the Mass

The Nova Scotia weather turns from rain to sunshine and even to a short flurry of hail on a lazy late-May afternoon. 
The dreary weather lends itself perfectly to an exchange of texts with a good friend.

“Better get to Mass,” I write as a short sequence of texts comes to a close and I prepare for the Saturday afternoon Mass in our parish. 
The three dots inside the thought bubble on the return message quickly give way to the word “enjoy.” 
But I’m not sure the word enjoy properly captures my experience at Mass. In the presence of God and fellow parishioners, I feel very comfortable and content at Mass.

Mass to me is still an obligation, albeit an extremely satisfying one. Past times when I’ve missed Mass, particularly in my youth, I’ve been left with a huge void, as if I’ve missed one of the most important appointments ever scheduled.

And when my work schedule allowed it, I’ve attended countless weekday Masses over the years. As the doors close behind me at each Mass, I am left with a very gratifying feeling.