Concentration and distractions.

Concentration and distractions. ********************************
Participation in the Holy Mass requires concentration.

The celebrant offers our Lord as sacrifice during Mass not only for us but also with us. So we too offer the Mass in union with the celebrant.

Without concentration union with the celebrant is not possible.

During Mass our whole being must be at the altar together with the priest and our Lord.

It is possible only with concentration.

Distractions spoil our concentration.

Causes behind distractions during Mass are  many.

Let us see a few of them.

1.We ourselves carry our distracting agent will us   when we go to Church for Mass.

We are carrying our cellphones with us.

Though we may refrain from making any call ourselves, we cannot prevent others from calling us.

Any call from others distracts not only the  phone owners but also those who are around them.

The phone tune attracts and disturbs not only the participants but also the celebrant.

Sometimes parents give the phones to their children to keep themselves undisturbed by them.  

The children waste their time playing games, which will  distract  the people near them.

In course of time the children will begin to think that Church is meant for playing games.

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"Mummy, when are we going to Church? "

"Coming Sunday.  Are you so eager to  go for Mass? "

"Very eager.  I can play games."
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To prevent these evils phones must be left at home while going to Church for Mass or must be switched off during Mass hours.

2. Late comers for Mass too cause distraction.

We must attend full Mass on Sundays.

Those who come in between the Mass not only  fail in their obligation to attend full Mass but also  distract the attention of the people who participate in the Mass with  concentration.

We must be in the Church before the Mass starts.

3.Another distracting agent is indecent dress.

Some may argue that dress is a personal affair and no one has  any right to interfere into others' personal affairs.

But  as long as one's activity does not affect others, it is one's personal affair.

But the moment it affects others either for the better or worse it begins to be a social affair.

We must always dress decently,  especially  when we come to Church.

Let us participate in the Mass with concentration.

Let us not distract others' concentration.

Lourdu Selvam.