Is Missing the Mass a mortal sin?

The Catholic Church teaches that missing the Mass is a mortal sin.

Protestants object vehemently to this teaching. They claim that the Catholic Church oversteps its bounds when she requires her members to attend the Mass on pains of mortal sin. Many nominal Catholics, having been convinced of the Protestant argument, have fallen away because of it. But, what does the Bible say?

Let's examine the Protestant idea first. Is it true that we are not required to attend any Christian gathering? Protestants point to a particular verse, in the Bible to support it. That's the one where Jesus says to the Samaritan woman at the well:

John 4:19-23 King James Version (KJV) 19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Protestants interpret this to mean that they are free to worship from anywhere. That there is no more need to gather in one place for public worship of God.

But, is that what Jesus truly means? Let's examine the words more closely.

20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

First, the woman says that the Jews worship in Jerusalem. Which was true in that period. That is the site of God's Temple.

But, she also says, that the Samaritans worship on a separate mountain. The Samaritans had built an opposing Temple where they could worship the way they wanted because they did not believe the Jews had the authority to designate any place of worship. This was also true, in those days.

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Jesus announced that there would come a time when God would be worshipped neither there nor in Jerusalem. This is also true. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 77ad. But the Samaritans, as far as I know, converted to Christianity. So, after Christ's resurrection, neither continued to worship as they had in the past.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Jesus is not implying that believers will no longer assemble for worship. He is merely pointing out that it will no longer be just in Jerusalem nor only in Samaria. But in every part of the world that they gather to worship the Father in Spirit and Truth.

And where is that?

Let's skip to Heb 10:25-31.

Vengeance belongeth unto me

Hebrews 10:25-31 King James Version (KJV) 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Those fallen away Catholics who left the Church for Protestantism will be surprised at what this says. The Bible says, that if we miss the Mass, "Vengeance belongs to me!" Wow! Strong language. Before we break it down in detail, a cursory reading seems to say that the Jews of Moses' time would be stoned to death for missing their assembly. How much more, the Apostle stresses, those who miss the Christian assembly which Christ died upon the Cross to provide us.

Does anyone disagree with that summary?

Ok, so let's look at this verse in a bit more detail. I think the first thing we must make clear is the meaning of the term, "mortal sin". A mortal sin is a sin unto death. Not the death of the body, but the death of the soul. Anybody who commits a mortal sin, becomes an enemy of God and is said to die spiritually. It is related to the second death.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Ok, so let's look at it in detail.

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The Apostle says that we should encourage ourselves to assemble and not to neglect the assembly.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Note that he describes it as a willful or intentional sin to do so. In fact, if we intentionally miss the Mass, there is no other sacrifice that will wash away our sins. So, he equates the Christian assembly, which we call the Mass, with Christ's sacrifice for our sins.

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

And if we miss the Mass, we can look forward to going to judgment and fiery indignation. Does that sound like the second death?

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Those who missed the Jewish assembly suffered the death penalty. Death of the body.

29 Of how much sorer punishment,

Those who miss the Christian assembly deserve a worse punishment. What could be worse than death of the body? Death of the soul.

suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Now, if the Eucharist is not the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, then why does he say that those who miss the Mass are guilty of offending the Body and Blood of Christ?

And, this is the key to understanding why the Catholic Church says it is a mortal sin to miss the Mass. Protestants don't believe the Eucharist is anything but a piece of bread or cup of wine. But we believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Therefore, any Catholic who prefers to watch the Super Bowl on Super Sunday and neglects the Mass, has thereby despised Jesus Christ's sacrifice upon the Cross.

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

And as a result, the individual who misses the Mass, has made himself God's enemy. God will take vengeance upon him for his neglect of Christ's sacrifice.

There are some things in Scripture which are difficult to understand. But this one seems plain as day. So, what do you think, does the Bible say that missing the Mass is a mortal sin?