Is it more important to go to Mass or to help someone?
James 2:14-17
14 What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? 15 And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food: 16 And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit? 17 So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.
Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: 36 Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37 Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? 39 Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? 40 And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works: 25 Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
Catholic view (generated):
Both are important, but helping someone in need can be considered a higher priority as it fulfills the command to love our neighbor as ourselves. Attending Mass is also important for receiving the Eucharist and worshiping God, but helping those in need reflects the essence of Christian charity.
Related Questions:
- What is heaven like?
- How should I spend my time?
- How do I stay focused on the Lord?
- How can I be more like David?
- What should I do today?