MrS:
Agreed. Christ is present everywhere… but we don’t go outside and worship a tree. Some may choose to hug the tree, however.
But… the Real Presence of Christ is the purpose of the Mass, not His presence in my neighbor. Our direction, during the Mass should always be toward the Real Presence…period.
That is the distinction between vertical and horizontal. YYM, by now you should have gotten the point.
The Real Presence is the exclusive purpose of Eucharistic Adoration. In the Mass, we are called to bring ourselves totally mind, body, and soul to the experience the fullness of Christ. We experience Christ in the Priest as celebrant, in the Living Word, in the faithful gathered around us (we are to be Christ for others and see Christ in others), and preeminently in the Eucharist. Each of these “personas” of Christ have their “moment” during the Mass. To ignore these “moments” does a disservice to the completeness of the Mass.
Let me tell you a story which might explain why I was so attentive to this thread. After my Pastor had been at the Parish a year, he had a parish meeting. He specifically targeted those parishioners whose envelope was in the plate at least 3 of 4 weekends (we have 8 parishes in our town so there are opportunity to attend other Masses plus to provide for travel) and those who were active on a committee.
He began by reading the story of the Prodigal Son. Normally, the emphasis is on the son who left home. That evening Father made the story about the “good son”. He said that is how he sees those gathered around him as they were living the Catholic life and sharing their time, talent and treasure with the Church. Those there knew what it took to live a good Catholic Life.
He went on to talk about the focus of his Pastorate was going to be everyone else. He wanted us to help him reach out to those having a harder time living the Catholic life. He asked us to look for those alone amongst us at Mass. Notice the spouse who doesn’t come up to Communion for the blessing. Mixed faith families have a great deal of stress and we need to make these non-Catholics feel welcome (I think the fact that our RCIA class has been overflowing is a testament to this effort).
He asked us to notice a person who only occassionally sits in our area during Mass as it might mean they don’t come to Mass every week. Be warm and inviting both when we “stand and introduce ourselves” prior to the Entrance hymn and again during the Sign of Peace. Chat with them as you depart the worship space and church building (he said when he gives the final blessing and reminds us of our call to go spread the Good News that Christ doesn’t want us to “spread it only to the choir”.) If you see this person around town, be sure to let them know that you missed them at Mass.
Finally, it is within this spirit of reaching out to the more “prodigal” Catholics that caused me to so adamantly defend “clapping” during the Concluding Rite (I abhor it otherwise just to be clear). We can talk in the ideal world that certain things should happen after Mass or in the parish hall. Unfortunately, in the real world, Father would lose the chance to get to thes prodigal Catholics. These are the people who “bolt” after Mass. Additionally, we don’t have a parish hall but only a gym in the school.
Approximately, once a month (excluding the High Holiday seasons of Advent and Lent), Father tries to have one weekend dedicated to a special occassion. Every year, each scheduled Mass (i.e. Saturday night, Sunday 8 a.m, 9:30 and 11 a.m.-not always the same weekend as babies don’t come according to Father’s schedule
) a Baptism is incorporated in the Mass according to the GIRM. It gives him a chance to extol our Christian calling we rec’d at our Baptism. Afterwards, he introduces the newly baptized to the parish and we all clap in support and appreciation. He does the same thing with the 1st Communicants. And of course, the Bishop does the same thing when he comes for Confirmation.
Annually, he has a married couple talk. Sometimes it is one that has been a “perfect” Catholic couple who we always find out isn’t so perfect
. Other times, it is one that has been troubled and but by the grace of God they overcame their challenge. We always applause afterwards in support and appreciation.
He does the same thing on topics like vocations, Stewardship (time, talent, treasure each get their own weekend), every few years on devotions (Eucharistic Adoration, novenas, pilgrimages, retreats, etc.) and a few other subjects as I’m sure I can’t recall them all.
In conclusion, my point is that we get a very reverrent and majestic Mass every Sunday. During Father’s time in our parish (5-6 years now), our pews are fuller and the Holy Spirit is overflowing.
