How come Protestants are more emotional during their services, than Catholics who receive the Holy Eucharist?

[MH84]

How come when I see them on tv, they are always yelling out praise, and lifting up their hands when a preacher says something exciting (why do they do that by the way?). They are really excited about the scriptures (and how it applies to them) and they have tears of joy.

But Catholics don’t seem to have this same feeling. If they are hiding their emotion, they are doing a very good job!

How can one type of people get excited about what a preacher is saying, and another who are receiving the living Body and Blood of Jesus act like nothing has happened?

1. Either the Eucharist is not the Real Presence; or
2. People are not realising Who they are recieving; or
3. They are spiritually immature; or
4. Their thoughts are wondering during Mass or they are sort of going through the motions; or
5. Something else.

 

[allhers]

How come when I see them on tv, they are always yelling out praise, and lifting up their hands when a preacher says something exciting (why do they do that by the way?). They are really excited about the scriptures (and how it applies to them) and they have tears of joy.

But Catholics don’t seem to have this same feeling. If they are hiding their emotion, they are doing a very good job!

How can one type of people get excited about what a preacher is saying, and another who are receiving the living Body and Blood of Jesus act like nothing has happened?

1. Either the Eucharist is not the Real Presence; or
2. People are not realising Who they are recieving; or
3. They are spiritually immature; or
4. Their thoughts are wondering during Mass or they are sort of going through the motions; or
5. Something else.

…or they are kneeling in silent awe, reverance and adoration. They know its not about their feelings but about what He did for us. For myself, I am thanking Him for that, asking pardon for my failures and praying for others during Holy Communion. Sometimes I even silently cry.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

I think it doesnt matter how you react as long as you are truly worshipping with your heart.

Im a very reserved NCC I would probably fit better in a catholic service as far as my behavior goes.

I silently cry sometimes too–well except when I wipe my eye my daughter catches me and asks if Ive been crying. Not so silent/secret anymore

Cant get anything by those teenagers

I believe it is about how we were raised, our experiences and how God made us and our personalities. I dont think any one way is right or wrong.

 

[MH84]

…or they are kneeling in silent awe, reverance and adoration. They know its not about their feelings but about what He did for us. For myself, I am thanking Him for that, asking pardon for my failures and praying for others during Holy Communion. Sometimes I even silently cry.

Okay, okay, you are a lovely person. What about the rest of us?

 

[Della]

How come when I see them on tv, they are always yelling out praise, and lifting up their hands when a preacher says something exciting (why do they do that by the way?). They are really excited about the scriptures (and how it applies to them) and they have tears of joy.

But Catholics don’t seem to have this same feeling. If they are hiding their emotion, they are doing a very good job!

How can one type of people get excited about what a preacher is saying, and another who are receiving the living Body and Blood of Jesus act like nothing has happened?

1. Either the Eucharist is not the Real Presence; or
2. People are not realising Who they are recieving; or
3. They are spiritually immature; or
4. Their thoughts are wondering during Mass or they are sort of going through the motions; or
5. Something else.

There are bound to be some who fit #s2-4, however, there is a #5 to consider here–why some Protestant groups act out in the way you described.

When all you have is your emotions to measure how spiritually alive you are, you are more likely to try to make those emotions happen than not. That was certainly what I experienced when I was a Pentecostal Christian.

The Eucharist is what we receive in faith not what we hope will get us to some emotional high. God’s grace comes to us silently and our reactions can vary from elation (sometimes I have a hard time holding down the urge to jump for joy, which would be inconsiderate of others in attendance) and sometimes we have to take it on faith alone that we have received the very body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ because we feel nothing. But, no matter what emotional response one might feel, it is the same Eucharist, the same Risen, Glorified Christ.

 

[ibkc]

This is one of the silliest questions I’ve seen asked on here, and the reasons you put forth to explain your silly question are some extreme stretches of logic and reason, so congratulations. Why don’t you ask why Buddhists still still and quiet, and question whether they’re getting anything out of their spiritual practice? That question would make as much sense as the one you’re asking.

People have different worship styles, and the kind you describe isn’t even the default or most common “Protestant” way to worship. The Eucharist and the Real Presence has absolutely nothing to do with it; if you’re receiving the Eucharist hoping to get all hopped up on Jesus, then you’ve really missed the point, anyway.

 

[rich123456]

Can you relate this to the topic at hand?

When you do fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17] But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18] so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Who exactly are we trying to impress here? I have felt the pressure to wave my own hands in a warehouse church in Scaramento California. A lot of peer pressure it at work. If you don’t do it you feel different, like somehow your worship is not good enough. It is easy to be acceppted in these things.
I have found reality in Catholioc worship. It transends are need to be noticed. I have been to MLM meetings that could make the protestant meetings you speak of seem quiet.

I am deeply moved by the Mass each and every time I attend. It has given me life, it gives me life.
Do I stand up and shout it out? The Mass takes care of this all in Jesus.

God Bless
www.utahmission.com

 

[MH84]

This is one of the silliest questions I’ve seen asked on here, and the reasons you put forth to explain your silly question are some extreme stretches of logic and reason, so congratulations.

Are you being so harsh because you were wrong in another thread? I hope you didnt just attend Mass, and come home with that attitude.

 

[MH84]

Ive heard that the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is such that it is the same as if Jesus were to appear in person. Is that true? How can that be?

 

[ibkc]

Are you being so harsh because you were wrong in another thread?

Um, no. A) I wasn’t the one wrong in that other thread; and B) I’m being harsh because your questions are ridiculous and apparently intended as flamebait.

 

[tundramom]

Not all Protestants stand up and shout either.

I’ve been to Catholic Charismatic Mass and they’re shouting and saying “Amen!”.

I attended a concert last night in a large arena. The group is a Christian group called Casting Crowns. There were Protestants of every denomination and Catholics there. Probably some unbelievers as well. There were some with their hands raised, there were some with their heads bowed, there were others who were dancing in the aisle.

I did all three…

But it was at Mass this morning that I was truly in Worship. Worship singing right out of the Gather book, listening to an excellent homily and then finally being gathered together with the rest of us in communion receiving Jesus body, blood, soul and divinity.

I used to be a Pentecostal. Feelings are fleeting. Truth is eternal.

in Christ
Steph

 

[ralphinal]

1 is right out. Sorry. Just because people don’t react like it is Jesus in the form of bread and wine does not mean that He is not there.

2 and 4 are the most likely.

3 is not. To me, loud and bousterous worship is more a sign of spiritual immaturity than silence. As we are to remember that God is more often in the Whisper than the thunder. Besides, I cannot and will not act like I do at a football game just because the folks on tv do.

5 is always possible if you mean it that each person sees a different reason for the reaction that they have. I am naturally loud and outgoing EXCEPT when around the Real Presence. It is not a consciece decision on my part. I just get introspective and withdraw some.

 

[MH84]

Um, no. A) I wasn’t the one wrong in that other thread; and B) I’m being harsh because your questions are ridiculous and apparently intended as flamebait.

flamebait? is that even a word? Get off the thread if you don’t want to participate.

 

[ibkc]

flamebait? is that even a word?

It sure is, MH84. It su-u-u-u-u-u-re is. And it has been around as long as there have been internet forums.

encyclo.co.uk/define/Flamebait (See especially def. 2)
"

1. 
   *] Flamebait
   a provocative posting to Usenet that deliberately tries to elicit flames
   Found on archivemag.co.uk/
   *] Flamebait
   Flamebait is a message posted to a public Internet discussion group, such as a forum, newsgroup or mailing list, with the intent of provoking an angry response (a flame) or argument over a topic the troll often has no real interest in.
   Found on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamebait"
   

   Get off the thread if you don’t want to participate.

   My presence in the thread should be ample indication that I do, in fact, want to participate.

 

[MH84]

Not all Protestants stand up and shout either.

I’ve been to Catholic Charismatic Mass and they’re shouting and saying “Amen!”.

I attended a concert last night in a large arena. The group is a Christian group called Casting Crowns. There were Protestants of every denomination and Catholics there. Probably some unbelievers as well. There were some with their hands raised, there were some with their heads bowed, there were others who were dancing in the aisle.

I did all three…

But it was at Mass this morning that I was truly in Worship. Worship singing right out of the Gather book, listening to an excellent homily and then finally being gathered together with the rest of us in communion receiving Jesus body, blood, soul and divinity.

I used to be a Pentecostal. Feelings are fleeting. Truth is eternal.

in Christ
Steph

The thing is many people are quiet in church because that’s what “you should be doing”. People seem to act the same before Mass, and after they have received the Eucharist.

Its as though, if one doesn’t bring forth their own emotion, Jesus won’t present Himself to the communicant in a way that will bring out change foe the individual. So perhaps the effects and gifts of Communion are different for each person depending upon their faith, preparation etc.

 

[MH84]

It sure is, MH84. It su-u-u-u-u-u-re is. And it has been around as long as there have been internet forums.

encyclo.co.uk/define/Flamebait (See especially def. 2)
"

1. 
   *] Flamebait
   a provocative posting to Usenet that deliberately tries to elicit flames
   Found on archivemag.co.uk/
   *] Flamebait
   Flamebait is a message posted to a public Internet discussion group, such as a forum, newsgroup or mailing list, with the intent of provoking an angry response (a flame) or argument over a topic the troll often has no real interest in.
   Found on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamebait"
   
   My presence in the thread should be ample indication that I do, in fact, want to participate.

1. 
   for a 40+ person, you are quite immature.

 

[PatrickJT914]

We do have different styles of individual worship. If you feel comfortable doing it one way or another, nobody should look down on you for doing it your way. With that said I too have wondered that same question.

My response is actually questions to be thought about and pondered.

1.) Didn’t Jesus say we are to love God with our whole heart our whole being etc.? (Yes, emotionally too)
2.) If we claim to have to have Jesus in our church, isn’t that something we should shout from the roof tops? Not keep it under a bushel basket.
3.) Is our church a sensual (5 senses meaning) church? Touch? See? Taste? Smell? Hear?
4.) Didn’t God make us make us complete human beings? With everthing that entailed?
5.) Jesus wept, didn’t he?

I’m only trying to help bring out another side to worshipping as human beings. Again it is a matter of personal reverence. Just like the TLM and New Mass. Both valid & licit and a part of our 2000 yr old Catholic faith.

 

[MH84]

1 is right out. Sorry. Just because people don’t react like it is Jesus in the form of bread and wine does not mean that He is not there.

2 and 4 are the most likely.

3 is not. To me, loud and bousterous worship is more a sign of spiritual immaturity than silence. As we are to remember that God is more often in the Whisper than the thunder. Besides, I cannot and will not act like I do at a football game just because the folks on tv do.

5 is always possible if you mean it that each person sees a different reason for the reaction that they have. I am naturally loud and outgoing EXCEPT when around the Real Presence. It is not a consciece decision on my part. I just get introspective and withdraw some.

I just want to note that some people seem to think I am talking about Christian rock concerts. I am talking about the average evangelical services were there is just a preacher speaking, but people seem to be really there, clinging to his words, even though as a Catholic Im not too impressed by most of them.

Also, silence doesn’t mean that someone is being prayerful or in awe of the Presence of God. They could just being respectful.

 

[MH84]

We do have different styles of individual worship. If you feel comfortable doing it one way or another, nobody should look down on you for doing it your way. With that said I too have wondered that same question.

My response is actually questions to be thought about and pondered.

1.) Didn’t Jesus say we are to love God with our whole heart our whole being etc.? (Yes, emotionally too)
2.) If we claim to have to have Jesus in our church, isn’t that something we should shout from the roof tops? Not keep it under a bushel basket.
3.) Is our church a sensual (5 senses meaning) church? Touch? See? Taste? Smell? Hear?
4.) Didn’t God make us make us complete human beings? With everthing that entailed?
5.) Jesus wept, didn’t he?

I’m only trying to help bring out another side to worshipping as human beings. Again it is a matter of personal reverence. Just like the TLM and New Mass. Both valid & licit and a part of our 2000 yr old Catholic faith.

Yes, some people mistake silence with reverence.

I am a generally quiet person, and more so in church. Does that mean Im in awe all the time? Lately no. I feel i am respectful in His Presence. Lately, sometimes I just kneel staring at the tabernacle, sort of not needing to pray; just thinking. Sometimes I can pray, and my requests start to flow. But not real adoration.

Does that mean I am fully believing and acknowledge that Jesus is 100% present, like He was 2000 yrs ago? At this stage, Im lacking faith. I dare say though, that most (not everyone of course), people don’t really believe in the way that the Church (and God) would like us to.

 

[ibkc]

for a 40+ person, you are quite immature.

I am not the one who thinks that yelling, waving arms in the air and rolling around on the ground equals higher levels of reverence and superior worship.