All are welcome
On Palm Sunday, the pews are full. Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Easter and Christmas Masses are always popular for the same reason: There’s a perception you should be there because you will ”get something.” The ashes on the forehead, the palms, singing carols and going somewhere in new spring clothes seem to signify Catholicism for many who are not regular churchgoers.
During today’s long Gospel reading of Mark’s Passion, children unused to being in church squirmed and batted others with palms. Two ladies discussed which church entrance still had more palms left after Mass today as I remained behind to say my silent prayers. Chances are that only the regulars will be in the same pews during the Triduum later this week.
The people who only come to church occasionally will give many excuses why they don’t worship regularly. Some of those excuses are surely that the liturgy is long, the children squirm and the pews are crowded. The irony is that they find long liturgies and crowded pews only on the “get something” days when they do attend. Children unused to sitting in Mass will act up on those rare days when they’re taken to an unfamiliar place where parents who let them run wild also don’t control their behavior in the house of God.
During Ash Wednesday, Christmas, Palm Sunday and Easter, we welcome all who attend. During those liturgies, we should also pray that they will join us more often. There’s room for all in the house of God.
