Do I have to go to Mass when it snows?

(Photo: Unsplash)

In another expected surprise, the Colorado weather has changed… again.

Our beautiful, sunny, 70-degree run of perfect hiking and volleyball weather has given way to a classic April snowstorm, just in time for the holiest three days of the year, the Paschal Triduum.

As we bundle up for snowfall this Good Friday, many may wonder what the precipitous precipitation means for Mass (or other Church service) attendance. In short, do we have to go to Mass when there’s a whole lot of snow on the roads?

An Obligation of Love

First and foremost, when we speak of obligations, it’s important to understand what the Church means when she recommends a practice to her children so strongly.

As our mother, the Church has a certain responsibility for us, her children. Her maternal love for us, her children, places certain demands on her: she is charged with our formation in the Truth of Jesus Christ and our growth in virtue. Having received everything from God himself, the Church points her children towards him who loves us more than we can imagine.

Mass is such a supreme good that the Church tells us we are obligated to attend every Sunday and on certain special days throughout the year — Holy Days of Obligation. (Note, though, that Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are not Holy Days of Obligation, though it is recommended to attend the particular liturgies of those days).

Just as the Church’s maternal love places certain demands on her, our filial love — that is, our love for God as his children and, hopefully, our love for the Church as hers — places certain demands on us.

Because we love God, we are called to come together as his people and worship him. We are called to follow him who is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). We are called to be in relationship with him and listen to his commandments (John 15).

Because we love the Church, we are called to follow her towards him who promised to be with her always (see Matthew 16:17-19, 28:19-20).

While the requirement to attend Mass is an obligation, it’s one of love.

We see this dynamic in other areas of life:

• Earthly parents are obligated to provide food, water, shelter and care for their children.

• Children are obligated to follow their parents’ just commands.

• We are obligated to perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy towards our brothers and sisters (see Matthew 25).

Because we love, we are called to certain actions. Those actions only increase our love through our service.

So, do I have to go to Mass when it snows??

The source and summit of our Christian life, the Holy Mass is meant to be at the center of each of our lives, too. The sacred liturgy is a moment of divine communion, when Heaven touches Earth — one not to be missed lightly!

As our mother, the Church also recognizes that there are legitimate, even unavoidable obstacles to attending Mass on Sunday. If someone falls seriously ill, they might be unable to worship with the community. Many of our elderly and infirm brothers and sisters find themselves homebound, unable to travel on their own or needing significant assistance to do so. The caretakers of these individuals may find themselves unable to make it to Mass because of their loving obligation of care to their homebound loved ones.

In some instances, the weather might pose such an unavoidable challenge to Mass attendance, too. Whiteout conditions, significant snowfall and gale-force winds are not uncommon in some parts of the archdiocese, especially during Colorado’s snowiest months. When these conditions make it gravely imprudent, unsafe or impossible to make it to Mass, the obligation of love is excused.

But even though the obligation may be excused, we are not “off the hook!”

Whether a snowstorm, an illness or some other grave or serious reason keeps us from Mass, we are still called to keep holy the Lord’s Day through prayer, reflection and worship.

In the Archdiocese of Denver, a weekly televised Sunday Mass is broadcast for the homebound on PBS and the archdiocesan YouTube channel. Those unable to make it to Mass because of a major snowstorm or some other grave reason might consider tuning in and praying along, taking extra time before or after the televised Mass to reflect on the readings and ask the Lord what he has to say through them.

Beyond the televised Mass, those unable to join the community for Sunday worship might consider other ways to give glory to God on the day he calls holy. Making time for meaningful rest, taking extra time for prayer and reflection, and finding opportunities for serving others could all be meaningful additions to one’s Sabbath practice when we can’t make it to Mass because of circumstances out of our control.

Putting God First

Because of our love for God, who loves us more than we can imagine, we’re called to live radically and give our best to him.

Coming together to worship God as his people is a good thing; it’s so good that the Church strongly encourages (obliges) us to do so regularly. That’s the norm.

But as a good mother, she also recognizes that there are exceptional circumstances that might make that obligation impossible. She leaves room for those and fills that gap with God’s compassion.

We shouldn’t take our call to attend Mass lightly, but neither should we look scrupulously or anxiously upon it. If you need help discerning this question, reach out to your local pastor and have a conversation!