Abuses in Reading of the Passion

[benedictgal]

Many thanks to Benedictgal and the others who have contributed to answering my questions. It does seem pretty clear that in the context of the Palm Sunday Mass (or Good Friday Service) that the priest should take the role of Jesus. That is what I thought, but having the formal Church instructions will help in my talking with this priest (though I doubt that I will be able to change his practice). My understanding of his reason for doing this was to allow us all to see the passion through the eyes of Jesus. He also commented in his homily that he did not think that anyone in the congregation would have shouted “crucify him” is we were there. I beg to differ. Acknowledging my own personal responsibility in Christ’s passion (through my own sin) is very powerful for me.

Aside from the formal instructions, does anyone have a good meditation or homily that speaks about one’s personal experience of the passion through its reading on Palm Sunday. Specifically the value in identifying ourselves in the crowd. I have seen several that do this for the stations of the cross.

However, I would dispute his theological reasoning in the portion I’ve highlighted. He seems to have forgotten that everytime we sin, we yell “crucify Him”. The Jews are the “you’s and the me’s” of all time. Whenever we read the account of the Passion, we are very much in the crowd. We are the ones yelling “Crucify him!”.

 

[claricita]

I don’t know where the source of this would be. But I have never ever seen anything like that occur during the reading of that particular Gospel. I would have just one question for the priest. Why on earth would you delegate the part of Jesus to anyone other than the priest?

Yikes.

I think that Jesus would like that. Anyone can read his part. why are we so stuck with RULES!!!

 

[Digitonomy]

Paschale Solemnitatis indicates that the Good Friday liturgy should be celevrated in the presence of the priest:

It stands to reason that the priest should be a part of the celebration. If your parish is part of a cluster, then all of you get together.

It sounds like you’re suggesting by analogy that the passion narrative must include a priest. But Paschale Solemnitatis provides for a celebration in the absence of a priest

1. Where the Mass cannot be celebrated, there should be a celebration of the word of God on the theme of the Lord’s messianic entrance and passion, either on Saturday evening or on Sunday at a convenient time.

Which gets us back to what I was asking earlier - are the readings done as at a normal communion service, using the readings normally used for that Sunday, or are the different roles apportioned for the reading of the passion such as would be heard at a mass. If the latter, does it matter who reads the part of Christ?

Finally, in the passage above, does the phrase “celebration of the word of God” suggest communion should not be distributed, or is it just shorthand for any service, which could therefore include a communion service?

 

[japhy]

I think that Jesus would like that. Anyone can read his part. why are we so stuck with RULES!!!

Rules help keep order. I’m sure there’s a perfect world where rules aren’t necessary (i.e. heaven, where we are perfectly directed to the will of God), but for now, we need rules. What happens when parents don’t enforce rules for their children, and let discipline disappear?

 

[rpp]

why are we so stuck with RULES!!!

Because God is not a God of chaos. There have always been rules. God has always required of to be humble and obedient.

Think of it like a parent. I presume you are an adult. Do you need a rule that says “Do not put your hand on stove”? No. You completely understand what the dangers a hot stove is and you also know how to use a stove and tell when it is safe to touch or clean. But does a 4 year old child? Probably not. They need that rule. A child who resists and protests this rule runs the very real danger of getting a serious injury or even starting a fire which could kill her.

There are many things we do not understand about the kingdom of God. ToChoosing which rules to follow and ignore does not being us closer to God; it does just the opposite. Not to mention it may put our immortal soul in peril. Humbly conforming our conscience and will to what God has revealed to the Church helps us to be more holy and closer communion with God.

 

[ApologeticsGirl]

I think that Jesus would like that. Anyone can read his part. why are we so stuck with RULES!!!

Sure, anyone can read…and everyone SHOULD read the Gospels; however, as long as the priest is acting as Jesus, he should read the Gospel during the Mass. That is why, traditionally, the priest reads the Gospel during the Mass anyhow.

Part of my frustration with someone other than the priest reading Jesus’ words is that he had a female read them. It’s almost like they were trying to prove a point on feminism. I won’t bring that up with him though, because it’s hard to prove.

 

[tiggeriffic]

I think that Jesus would like that. Anyone can read his part. why are we so stuck with RULES!!!

Ok I am sticking my neck out here, but I TOTALLY agree with you. I have seen a lot of posts on here lately where people are asking if something was an abuse. Let’s focus on the worship and get away from watching the priests every move to see if we should report him for an abuse. Our former pastor never read the part of Christ and the Gospel was the same, it had the same impact. If you are focused on it being wrong then you are totally missing it!

Thank you for being a voice of reason claricita - I completely agree.

 

[benedictgal]

It sounds like you’re suggesting by analogy that the passion narrative must include a priest. But Paschale Solemnitatis provides for a celebration in the absence of a priestWhich gets us back to what I was asking earlier - are the readings done as at a normal communion service, using the readings normally used for that Sunday, or are the different roles apportioned for the reading of the passion such as would be heard at a mass. If the latter, does it matter who reads the part of Christ?

Finally, in the passage above, does the phrase “celebration of the word of God” suggest communion should not be distributed, or is it just shorthand for any service, which could therefore include a communion service?

But, as your quote indicates, the celebration should be on a Sunday, not on Good Friday. The document is very specific.

 

[benedictgal]

Ok I am sticking my neck out here, but I TOTALLY agree with you. I have seen a lot of posts on here lately where people are asking if something was an abuse. Let’s focus on the worship and get away from watching the priests every move to see if we should report him for an abuse. Our former pastor never read the part of Christ and the Gospel was the same, it had the same impact. If you are focused on it being wrong then you are totally missing it!

Thank you for being a voice of reason claricita - I completely agree.

The problem with both of your comments is that there seems to be a total disregard for the norms. Norms have been around ever since the time of Moses. Look at Leviticus. God specifically spelled out every detail as to how His cultic worship was to take place. Any deviation, as was the case with Aaron’s two sons, was a big no-no and there was a severe penalty to pay.

We are not the arbitrators of the sacred liturgies of the Church. They do not belong to us to do with as we please. We receive what has been handed down to us by way of Tradition.

Certainly, something as solemn as the proclamation of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ must be treated with deep respect and with adherence to the rules. Incidentally, Jesus, Himself, was very strict about the norms of worship. Just what do you think he was doing with the whips as he was cleansing the Temple? As God, it was a great offense that the people were not respecting HIs House. They were setting up shop in an area that was reserved for the Gentiles to pray.

 

[jmcrae]

Is a “dramatization” of the Lord’s Passion considered illicit or completely unacceptable. By “dramatization”, I mean costumes, props, a script (totally different from the Gospel), mock crucifixion, etc in place of the reading of the Passion according to sacred scripture.

You could do this outside in the churchyard either before or after the Good Friday service, but I wouldn’t want to see it done as part of the service in Church - that would be inappropriate, I think.

 

[chicago]

It is unfortunate that many use Lent, in particular, as an invitation to experimentation - just to be “different”, basically. While worthy arguments could be made for doing things differently, there really is no basis for justifying what often actually is tried (often with either an agenda or just to utter silliness.) Perhaps Lent should be seen, instead, as an opportunity to fulfill what is being called for by the Church more closely rather than a time to play fast and loose.

That said, in all practicality, I am essentially resigned to toleration of the wackiness. When I can (and if it bothers me so much that it disturbs my peace) I may avoid it - attending Liturgical celebrations elsewhere. Otherwise, I recognize that there is not likely anything I can do to change matters much. So I just get through it, offer my own self and prayer and move on with life. After all, Lent is just a few weeks a year. Once Easter comes, things may return to some semblance of normalcy.

 

[Digitonomy]

But, as your quote indicates, the celebration should be on a Sunday, not on Good Friday. The document is very specific.

Yes, that was the premise of my question from back in #13, which I expanded a bit in #23. I think other posters may have mentioned Friday, within a few posts of mine.