Hostility toward Tradition

[ProVobis]

I’m not Spanish or of Mexican descent but I have gone to Masses on the border that were in Spanish. The music was on an overhead projector so the congregation could sing along. I’m not sure one necessarily HAS to clap to the beat (I did not) but I’m sure you could. That would be a distraction to me. I guess I am too much a proponent of quiet prayer but I am reminded of the story of the pharisee and the tax collector in the synagogue. I would be more inclined to stay in the back and ask The Lord to have mercy on me as a sinner.

The people there seem friendly and devout. I’m too old for clapping but heck, if the Church feels that it’s part of their culture, so be it. They probably haven’t heard too much classical or organ music anyway. And there is no “quiet” prayer there. Even though many, if not most, of them are bilingual, they feel more at home not because it’s in Spanish IMO but because it represents their culture better and they feel better with their friends and in their community. You can’t hold that against them.

 

[ljwahn]

I play music in a bluegrass band but I don’t think a banjo would be appropriate at Mass. Some things just don’t seem to fit. Our song leader sings like Beverly Sills and to me it detracts from reverence. It is like she is putting on a performance rather than singing to praise God. I’m surprised she hasn’t cracked a stained glass window. Someday though she will move on but I’ll still be going to Mass.

 

[ljwahn]

The people there seem friendly and devout. I’m too old for clapping but heck, if the Church feels that it’s part of their culture, so be it. They probably haven’t heard too much classical or organ music anyway. And there is no “quiet” prayer there. Even though many, if not most, of them are bilingual, they feel more at home not because it’s in Spanish IMO but because it represents their culture better and they feel better with their friends and in their community. You can’t hold that against them.

Believe it or not, there are folks there of Mexican decent who would rather it be more quiet. These are the older people. This culture has a great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe which many admire.