What I’m TRYING to say (which has been stated so much better in earlier posts) is that although people should not be judging one another by superficial standards of dress, nonetheless, people do. Even more important is our attitude of worship to God.
Hi rookie,
I think you have really summarized the point of this entire discussion right here, and it’s really *much *bigger than the whole petty communion in the hand debate. Quite frankly, I could care less if CITH disappeared tomorrow. I’ve received communion in probably every acceptable way there is through my years. In the hand, on the tongue, kneeling, standing, at the communion rail, by intinction, from priests, deacons, EMHC’s, bishops and cardinals.
It quite frankly matters not one iota to me which way I receive communion, nor does it alter my disposition in the slightest. As long as it is being legitimately distributed I will usually follow whatever the norm is in the parish where I am at Mass. That is NOT however because I care about someone judging my personal preference but because I don’t want to draw attention to myself, and away from what people should be focusing on, but possibly drawing someone into judgment and becoming a stumbling block to them. I take my cue in that from Paul in his discourse on not eating meat from the idol temples, not because it was sinful but because it upset some who thought it was sinful.
As you acknowledge, there is a human tendency to focus on externals even though it is wrong to do so. I notice that my question about my being judged less acceptable than someone in a suit receiving kneeling and on the tongue while supporting abortion went unanswered, but that really didn’t surprise me since we all know what the true answer to the question is.
Here is the “nub” of the question as I see it. The holiest and saintliest people I know cringe at the mention of the TLM, precisely because of the very vocal segment who so blatantly focus on all the externals: dress, headcovering, manner of reception, etc. Many of them grew up with the TLM pre-V2 but wouldn’t consider even attending one in the current environment. Of course they aren’t hearing from those who simply recognize the majesty of that form and who quietly go in, worship God with awe and pure devotion, and go on about the Lord’s work when they leave.
Correspondingly I’m sure that many in the “trraditionalist” community cringe at the thought of the OF because of abuses they have encountered, or heard about, or people who are clearly just there taking up space without having a clue what is really occurring before them. But they mostly aren’t hearing from their counterparts there who quietly go in, worhsip God with awe and pure devotion, and go on about the Lord’s work when they leave.
On the OF side people are identifying the traditionalist movement with the fringe who is all about externals. On the TLM side people are identifying the OF with the fringe who is mostly oblivious and attending out of cultural habit or obligation.
Back to the question of externals, I think we agree that it is not what we are to be doing, and I think that those holy people on both “sides” would agree with that. Jesus told us very clearly to not be seeking approval of men but only to seek to please God. On one side we have those that appear to the other side to be totally focused on seeking the approval of men. On the tradiitonalist side we have those who see the other side not caring about the approval of men or God. Yet we don’t hear anything for the most part from the holy few who are seeking to just please God without worrying about what man is saying. And it is those holy few that draw people to God by their example.
Both forms of the Mass are wonderful when properly celebrated. Either manner of receiving communion is a gift from God Himself. The “best” Mass is the one that calls to our unique nature in the way God calls us. Some like the simple, others the more ornate. Some respond to the TLM, others to the OF. There is plenty of room for both of us and however one actually* responds *I will rejoice over.
I’m truly not advocating laxity, nor dressing inappropriately. And I am certainly not defending the lukewarm in any way. Like how I receive communion, I will dress to not draw attention to myself in whatever parish I may be attending at, again to not draw anyone’s attention away from where there focus should be.
As Layman noted, if the attitude is one of laxity, laxity will prevail. The corrolary is that if there is a focus on the externals and pleasing men, that attitude will also prevail. Yet those holy few will go on about their business quietly, just seeking to find and please God.
Forming our Catholic identity is important, but it is only the beginning of the journey: Catholicism 101. The real journey is in building the relationship with the God who loves us infinitely without letting our focus be drawn to the petty. It’s much harder work and requires much greater surrender. But once one has fallen into the arms of that God, the approval of men really doesn’t matter much any more.
I truly admire the ardor of most of the traditionalists I have met, even if I may not share their preference. It would be nice if there could be a recognition that one is not inferior or inadequate just because they don’t share that preference in their worship. Fortunately though, even though I don’t expect it to happen, it isn’t really important to me any more.
Peace,
He wrote a book called “The Tridentine Mass.” He was a convert who passed away not very long ago. In his book, he opens with a quote by John Henry Newman: “Nothing is so consoling, so piercing, so thrilling, so overcoming, as the Mass, said as it is among us. I could attend Mass forever, and not be tired. . .”(He’s referring to the Tridentine Mass).
These people are anxious and nervous about their first Holy Communion. I’m sure they want to to do their very best & the proper way. However, they only know what’s been taught to them in their RCIA class.
