The Mass

In my language class we're talking about different religions and recently we talked about the Catholic Church. So, Monday morning our class (all 2 of us plus the teacher. Christy was sick) went on a field trip to attend a Mass (my teacher, David, is Catholic). 

 

We arrived at 7:15am outside the church in the chilly air and hustle and bustle of down town San Jose. Packed buses, little red taxis, and lots of Ticos (Costa Ricans) were going in every direction. Men were selling newspapers on the steps of the church, and horns and Spanish filled the air. Just a normal city day in CR. But what I was about to experience was not normal for me.

 

We entered the large column lined sanctuary and made our way to an empty pew. Only about 30 scattered people were there and mostly older people. A man was reading from the Scriptures (in Spanish of course), and after we stood up and sat down a few times the priest in his large green robe then gave a mini sermon. The flavor of which was very Latin-American, holding a microphone and walking around down amongst the people. I couldn't understand much of it. Unfortunately my Spanish is still at the basic level.

 

Afterward, the priest was brought the gold plated cup for wine and container which held the wafers, and he then prepared the table for communion. One thing I did understand before communion was him mention "for the forgiveness of sins". This, of course, made me sad because I knew there were many standing in line awaiting to partake of the "body and blood of Christ" in hope of forgiveness simply for eating and drinking. My teacher told me that you're supposed to confess your sins to the priest before partaking (maybe the day before) and that was probably the reason why not everyone went up. How sad to think that rituals = righteousness. Before concluding the Mass there was a time of reciting various prayers, one of which involved turning to the statue of Mary and reciting to it.

 

Afterward, we walked around the sanctuary while David explained what everything meant. In shock I observed two women kneeling in prayer in the direction of an ornate box which I later learned contained a piece of consecrated bread which Catholics believe is in essence the very body of Christ. I also observed a lady lighting candles and learned that you can pay for a small candle which when lit represents a prayer of petition either for someone or something.

 

Afterward when my teacher asked me what I thought I paused for a bit, trying to align my Spanish and also wanting to choose my words carefully. I told him that I was saddened by it because I knew there were people who believed they would be forgiven of their sins because of something they did; some work or ritual. I explained that the Bible teaches us that salvation is by faith alone apart from works. Please pray for David. I'm trying to witness in such a way as to show that I'm not anti-Catholic, I'm just pro-Bible.

 

The experience was a good one for me because it confirmed some things I'd thought were true of the Catholic church. Plus, any first had experience of this sort is always a great way to learn exactly what other people believe. It was also a sobering experience simply because the strength of Catholicism in Latin-America became more real to me. We need a new Reformation and a modern-day Martin Luther to nail his 95 Spanish theses to many church doors in Central America.

 

After the Mass David had pre-arranged a meeting for us with a Catholic priest for a time of personal Q&A. I'll blog about this very interesting meeting soon....