�We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly as is the custom of some, but encourage one another.�

In the small town parish where I grew up, it was risky to �stay away from the assembly� because other members would certainly notice.  If Mildred was missing from her customary pew at 9 o�clock Mass, someone would probably call find out if she sick, or visiting her daughter in Omaha or had just gone another Mass.  An elderly in-law aunt spent so much time taking attendance that we used to wonder when she found time to pray.

None of this has much to do with �rousing one another to love and good works� or �encouraging one another� � the reasons St. Paul tells us that we need to worship in community instead of privately.   A lot of us probably think we�ve done everything we need to do simply by showing up and not snoring during the homily.  Obviously we haven�t. 

I�ve gone regularly to Mass for many years for many reasons: no choice as a child, a feeling of guilt for skipping as a young adult, a sense of obligation to my children as a parent, and of course, belief throughout. There have been weeks when Mass was inspiring, others when it was almost mechanical. At times I�ve found strength for the journey � answers to problems.  At others, I�ve wondered why I bothered to show up.  Generally, I�ve failed to reach out to fellow worshipers for mutual rousing �to love and good works.�

Ironically the �attendance mavens� of my youth may have been a little closer to what St. Paul urges than I have been.  At least if one of them noticed Mildred missing, she�d call to check.  How many of us even learn the names of those we see week after week � let alone reaching out to love and encourage or help if need be? 

We lay people place too great a burden on the presider for a rewarding worship experience.  Even small things like greeting the person next to us in the pew or connecting with someone in the congregation whom we know has a problem would be a step in the right direction.