Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. the faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God's holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. CCC 2182
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In today's reading, the Catechism discusses our Sunday obligation. It is the Lord's Day, the day of Christ's resurrection. If the Eucharist is truly "the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice," then it is incumbent upon us to participate in the Mass or Divine Liturgy.
The Catechism Compendium summarizes how we can keep Sunday holy:
Christians keep Sunday and other days of obligation holy by participating in the Eucharist of the Lord and by refraining from those activities which impede the worship of God and disturb the joy proper to the day of the Lord or the necessary relaxation of mind and body. Activities are allowed on the Sabbath which are bound up with family needs or with important social service, provided that they do not lead to habits prejudicial to the holiness of Sunday, to family life, and to health. (#453)
The Catechism Companion Vol III makes a good point:
At one point, it was illegal to go to Mass. Christians knew they would be arrested and martyred by the Romans if they attended. But they still did, saying, "We cannot live without the Mass." The Mass is what makes us Christians. This is what the Lord has asked of all of us. If we are going to stand up and say, "I'm Catholic," we have to be Catholic all the way. (p. 80)
Finally, Fr. Mike Schmitz has a great video on this:
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