Hey, I hope you all find yourselves well!
Why does there seem to be so much contention between people on the “old mass” and the “new mass”?
From my point of view, what is vitally and of first importance is if the bread and wine become Christ and I am able to partake. Everything else, while VERY important, pales in comparison to that.
It seems that both forms of the Mass have strengths and weaknesses. The “Old Mass” has been around for a very long time, it is more ‘universal’ that the “new mass” because it is in Latin, and so it gives you another way in which to feel closer to those around the world and throughout time. Plus, everything in Latin is cool
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The “New Mass” in in the vernacular, so everyone that speaks that language can understand it (which is also important, especially to those that have never set foot inside a Catholic Church like I used to be). It still retains the universal feeling (afterall, the Sacrifice of the Mass connects us all). It frees up better the Bishops to their particular circumstances.
I can understand preferences, such as I prefer not to recieve from EM and only from ordained ministers, and I also prefer to recieve on the tounge (although I do not think that it is any more respectful than recieving it in the hand. No matter how I recieve, I will never be worthy enough to be in the presence, much less recieve, Christ). I also prefer to say Amen after recieving and I prefer to stand while recieving it. I also like to take the wine as well as the bread, though I understand there is no need. So, again, I understand preferences. I just can understand, however, why some people (I haven’t seen any on this particular thread) get so angry about the debate to the point of becoming angry and losing their patience. The Church has the authority to make the changes that are seen in the “New Mass”, just as it had the authority to make the changes to the “Old Mass” from what it was before (for example, many communities would recieve bread and wine, which were Christ, and also recieve milk mixed with honey to represent the new Promised Land that is Heaven. Also, the official language of the mass would have originally been in the vernacular, and then changed to the Mass). The Mass, like the Church, are at their core the same as they have always been. The Mass has always had the Eucharist at its center, and this has not changed and will never change. But the Church does have the authority to make some changes to the Mass.
Again, I have not read anyone’s post on this thread that has been angry or hostle, which is why I am asking you guys because I think (hope, and pray) that you will give me an honest, and loving, answer if you know anyone who does get angry over the issue, and why they get angry.
Thank you all!
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