How do Catholics hear the Gospel?

[Pixie_Dust]

is there a book that contains these prayers in the pews? I went to a mass and was a little lost it would have been nice if I could have read and better understood what was being said. I thought it was beautiful but would have appreciated it all the more. I do think this points to a problem with a repiticious prayer. It is all to easy to recite the words without them meaning anything to your heart. the same can be said of worship songs that we sing a lot. we get to know them so well that we can sing worshipful words to the LORD while thinking about going fishing:blush: like Hes sitting up there in need of a concert.

As others have said, there will be either a missalette or, at my parish, the text of the Mass is included in the hymnal. Jesus wasn’t opposed to repetitious prayers, but VAIN repetition. I really like what CS Lewis had to say about liturgical worship in Letters to Malcolm:

“Every church service is a structure of acts and words through which we receive a sacrament, or repent, or supplicate, or adore. And it enables us to do these things best– if you like, it ‘works’ best– when, through long familiarity, we don’t have to think about it.

As long as you notice, and have to count, the steps, you are not yet dancing but only learning to dance. A good shoe is a shoe you don’t notice. Good reading becomes possible when you need not consciously think about eyes, or light, or print, or spelling.

The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God. But every novelty prevents this. It fixes our attention on the service itself; and thinking about worship is a different thing from worshipping…

A still worse thing may happen. Novelty may fix our attention not even on the service but on the celebrant. You know what I mean. Try as one may to exclude it, the question ‘What on earth is he up to now?’ will intrude. It lays one’s devotion to waste.

There is really some excuse for the man who said, ‘I wish they’d remember that the charge to Peter was Feed my sheep; not Try experiments on my rats, or even, Teach my performing dogs new tricks.’

Thus my whole liturgical position really boils down to an entreaty for permanence and uniformity. I can make do with almost any kind of service whatever, if only it will stay put.

But if each form is snatched away just when I am beginning to feel at home in it, then I can never make any progress in the art of worship.”

 

[AmateurPianist]

Very true. What so many Protestants fail to see-or admit-is that so many of their fellow protesters are doing the same blasted thing.

The use of the word “protesters” is very condescending. It seems like a pejorative.

I am not protesting anything.

 

[Apryl]

The use of the word “protesters” is very condescending. It seems like a pejorative.

I am not protesting anything.

In the English language, in American (and European) culture, and historically, the churches that are Christian but not Catholic are known as ‘Protestant’.

That’s like people who don’t like the term ‘step-daughter’. It’s still the correct term. If it offends you, it’s not the intent.

What else would you have one to use?

 

[Anna_Scott]

As others have said, there will be either a missalette or, at my parish, the text of the Mass is included in the hymnal. Jesus wasn’t opposed to repetitious prayers, but VAIN repetition. I really like what CS Lewis had to say about liturgical worship in Letters to Malcolm:

“Every church service is a structure of acts and words through which we receive a sacrament, or repent, or supplicate, or adore. And it enables us to do these things best– if you like, it ‘works’ best– when, through long familiarity, we don’t have to think about it.

As long as you notice, and have to count, the steps, you are not yet dancing but only learning to dance. A good shoe is a shoe you don’t notice. Good reading becomes possible when you need not consciously think about eyes, or light, or print, or spelling.

The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God. But every novelty prevents this. It fixes our attention on the service itself; and thinking about worship is a different thing from worshipping…

A still worse thing may happen. Novelty may fix our attention not even on the service but on the celebrant. You know what I mean. Try as one may to exclude it, the question ‘What on earth is he up to now?’ will intrude. It lays one’s devotion to waste.

There is really some excuse for the man who said, ‘I wish they’d remember that the charge to Peter was Feed my sheep; not Try experiments on my rats, or even, Teach my performing dogs new tricks.’

Thus my whole liturgical position really boils down to an entreaty for permanence and uniformity. I can make do with almost any kind of service whatever, if only it will stay put.

But if each form is snatched away just when I am beginning to feel at home in it, then I can never make any progress in the art of worship.”

I really appreciate this quote from C.S. Lewis. I think this is very true. The liturgy keeps distractions to a minimum, and directs our thoughts and heart toward God.

Anna

 

[eucharisteo]

Let’s be real: BOTH sides are guilty of doing this - being there in body but not in spirit, and complaining of the behavior of others.

This is nothing to try to challenge the other side on, esp if you don’t have your house in order!

And I think that even the most devout, at some time, can zone out. Let’s cut the finger wagging…

EVERY ONE!

I’m speaking from first handed experience as a former Protestant. Getting one’s house in order includes evangelizing ALL of our brothers and sisters in Christ, including Protestants.

 

[AmateurPianist]

In the English language, in American (and European) culture, and historically, the churches that are Christian but not Catholic are known as ‘Protestant’.

That’s like people who don’t like the term ‘step-daughter’. It’s still the correct term. If it offends you, it’s not the intent.

What else would you have one to use?

I will accept the name Protestant even though I consider it inaccurate.

I totally reject and consider an insult the word “protester”. It is the equivalent of calling y’all “papists”.

It this is indicative of the attitude of ex-Protestants, I will never convert on fear this attitude in contagious.

 

[CWBetts]

Wow! I loved this story! I think its time to post the link on a “social networking” site!

 

[Apryl]

I totally reject and consider an insult the word “protester”. It is the equivalent of calling y’all “papists”.
.

It’s not a complement to be called a ‘papist’?

Who knew??

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

You’re right, it is real easy to say stuff without it having any meaning in your heart, but I think it is an individual responsibility for people to actually make sure they know what it is they are saying. I don’t think any Church organization can be faulted for this.

no I wasnt trying to find fault, I actually thought the liturgy was beautiful when I attended a Mass two weeks ago.

 

[MartinJordan]

It’s not a complement to be called a ‘papist’?

Who knew??

I didn’t know that either

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I found this story

a while back, dug it out again (I gots Google skillz ) and it was suggested that I share it in a new thread. Enjoy!

Very good eye opener to our reality; How many generations lacked true catechesis and formation?

In the Catholic Mass, God’s people hear, taste, smell, and see the Word of God made flesh, blood in both the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. And if one has ears to hear, the most beautiful thing of the Mass is that heaven becomes present in the “lifting of our hearts” when the Word of God is felt with our heart and soul from eternity in time.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

yes there is a book in the pews, its called the missilete. All of the words of the mass are in that book.

There are dvds out there that explain the entire liturgy of the mass by priest. It is a beautiful celebration once you understand the meaning behind everything. Everything that is done in the mass is based on scripture.

Yes unfortunately, some do just recite the words without feeling them in their heart.

A short explanation of the mass can be found in the story of the road to amais where two followers of jesus were distraught over the death of our Lord. They were feeling that it was all over. Jesus appeared to them and walked with them. They didnt know who he was.

Jesus went over sacred scripture with them explaining how the coming of our lord was foretold in the writitngs of the hebrews and that everything that happened, his dying and ressurection had happened just as had been foretold.

The Mass does this same thing by having readings from the old testament, new testament and Gospel proclaimed at every mass

Then jesus is invited by the two men to dine with them. When jesus took the bread and broke it, his true identity was revealed to the men.

We celebrate that breaking of the bread in the celebration of the eucharist.

So the mass has two parts, the reading of the scriptures and the breaking of the bread.

Next time you attend mass, find a catholic friend who is knowledgable in the parts of the mass go with you

God Bless

I dont know any Catholics who attend Mass, the few Catholics I know have lttle to do with the church in any way. I attended to see how it was diffferent from my own church. this is a tread I started about it . I think I might go again and follow along in that missilete
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=429048

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

MyRdmrLvs,

The worship services in the Episcopal Church I am visiting, are liturgical. The liturgy is printed and given to each person as they enter the Sanctuary. So even visitors can follow the service and participate. The prayers and confessions are very similar to a Catholic Mass. I’ve actually compared the liturgy of the two (Liturgies are online for both Episcopal and Catholic Services.) There is some variation from week to week; but there is much repetition.

I have found the liturgy, and the reverence of the services, has the opposite effect. I am much more focused on God, Christ, the Holy Spirit. The environment is more conducive to self reflection and repentance. So, I am better prepared for the Eucharist.

There are so many distractions in the Protestant Churches I’ve attended.

I grew up in Baptist Churches. Before I left the Baptist Church, I began to feel disturbed by the entertainment factor-with live Orchestra and professional singers. It is good to lift our voices in praise, but that can reach a level, which calls more attention to the talent of the singers, than to the praise of God.

In addition, the Episcopal Church has far more Scripture read during the Worship Service. This was really quite a surprise. The emphasis is on the Word of God, and the Eucharist (celebrated every Sunday and Thursdays) rather than the oratory skills of the Priest.

In the Baptist Church, the Sermon is usually based on a couple of verses. Most of the Sermon involves the Minister expounding on his interpretation of those passages. Minimal Scripture, maximum commentary. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated monthly, at most.

Anna

I love our worship team, but I do like for them to stop and just lets the people sing they do this sometimes and it just makes the words of the song so much more meaningful. the last time the worship team was on a weekend retreat, we had just one woman leading songs from the piano, I had been on this forum debating for a couple of weeks so my testimony of how I came to the lord was very fresh on my mind and I dont think we sang a single song without tears running down my cheeks.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

In the Church of Christ the men would say prayers “from the heart”. The problem with it then, based on your last comments, is that they usually said the same thing each and every time. I have a huge Protestant family on both my wife’s side and my side. They pray from the heart as I used to be one of those that stood up in the front to pray the dismissal prayer or the Lord’s Supper prayers. When I prayed, having been a former Catholic, the congregation would often approach me and tell me what a beautiful prayer. I think had they known that many of my prayers, though alwasys prayed from the heart, were in essence prewritten prayers that I knew growing up from daily mass and scripture reading. Now that I’m Catholic again I feel like I was possessed by some external being for having been away. It took me years to get used to not being the one to say the prayers. We also have a huge church leadership family, elders, deacons, preachers.

All prayers are always supposed to be prayed from the heart. Anything less is a vain repetition of clanging whatever. We, including Protestants, are all guilty of not praying words instead of from the heart when called upon to pray publically. If you haven’t done this then you simply may not realize it. We, former members of the Church of Christ, make fun of ourselfs all the time for having done so. The joke goes that “you know your church of Christ when you believe the Guide, Guard and Direct are one work guideguardanddirect”.

yup guilty I have said the Lords prayer as if reciting a poem. I was thinking of the vein repetition thing but didnt want to make that charge because I cant see into peoples minds to know if the words they are saying mean anything or not.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

I don’t think we can decide that some people are just going through the motions while at Mass, much less judge that theirs are empty prayers or that they are not saying them from their heart. I think this is an unfair accusation. How can we possibly know what is going on in another’s heart? It is uncharitable to assume the worst.

I agree and was just making that point. But its fair to say that the woman in the article that started this thread must have been doing it all her life as a Catholic. I dont think its a condemnation of anyone but rather something we should all guard against.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

Very true. What so many Protestants fail to see-or admit-is that so many of their fellow protesters are doing the same blasted thing.

I just did.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

Pixie Dust,

I started a new Thread and I quoted your OP and link to this Thread. Topics are very similar.

Anna

A,B,C A) Ask Jesus to come into your heart and give you His Holy Spirit to transform your life. B) Believe that Christ died on the cross for the propitiation of sins. and rose again on the third day. C) Confess with your mouth that you are in fact a sinner in need of Christs saving grace. The “sinners prayer” is really not some magic formula, some magic words that a person says to be saved. But if you share th gospel with someone and they come to believe that the gospel is true, and they wish to receive Gods grace, they may not have ever prayed to God before in their lives. that is why we help them to pray this prayer. Some people will say the prayer and go back to their lives and maybe forget about it. My stepson did this, he said he was afraid of hell and everyone was going forward. It meant nothing to his heart. BUT My wife and I were lead in a Sinners prayer and our lives have never been the same from that day forward.

 

[AmateurPianist]

It’s not a complement to be called a ‘papist’?

Who knew??

It is against the rules of this forum. Read them, the term “papist” is specifically mentioned.

 

[CWBetts]

A,B,C A) Ask Jesus to come into your heart and give you His Holy Spirit to transform your life. B) Believe that Christ died on the cross for the propitiation of sins. and rose again on the third day. C) Confess with your mouth that you are in fact a sinner in need of Christs saving grace. The “sinners prayer” is really not some magic formula, some magic words that a person says to be saved. But if you share th gospel with someone and they come to believe that the gospel is true, and they wish to receive Gods grace, they may not have ever prayed to God before in their lives. that is why we help them to pray this prayer. Some people will say the prayer and go back to their lives and maybe forget about it. My stepson did this, he said he was afraid of hell and everyone was going forward. It meant nothing to his heart. BUT My wife and I were lead in a Sinners prayer and our lives have never been the same from that day forward.

The “Sinner’s Prayer” is a good thing. It is what could be described as “Spiritual Communion.” I pray it at every Mass when I am not in the proper standing to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. But understand that Spiritual Communion is just a part of the richness of the Christian faith, the fullness of which subsists in the Catholic Faith. Again, I repeat, the SInners Prayer is a good thing, but that is nat all that there is. THere is so much more that we can have, and that the Lord is eager to give us, all we need do is look for it.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

As others have said, there will be either a missalette or, at my parish, the text of the Mass is included in the hymnal. Jesus wasn’t opposed to repetitious prayers, but VAIN repetition. I really like what CS Lewis had to say about liturgical worship in Letters to Malcolm:

“Every church service is a structure of acts and words through which we receive a sacrament, or repent, or supplicate, or adore. And it enables us to do these things best– if you like, it ‘works’ best– when, through long familiarity, we don’t have to think about it.

As long as you notice, and have to count, the steps, you are not yet dancing but only learning to dance. A good shoe is a shoe you don’t notice. Good reading becomes possible when you need not consciously think about eyes, or light, or print, or spelling.

The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God. But every novelty prevents this. It fixes our attention on the service itself; and thinking about worship is a different thing from worshipping…

A still worse thing may happen. Novelty may fix our attention not even on the service but on the celebrant. You know what I mean. Try as one may to exclude it, the question ‘What on earth is he up to now?’ will intrude. It lays one’s devotion to waste.

There is really some excuse for the man who said, ‘I wish they’d remember that the charge to Peter was Feed my sheep; not Try experiments on my rats, or even, Teach my performing dogs new tricks.’

Thus my whole liturgical position really boils down to an entreaty for permanence and uniformity. I can make do with almost any kind of service whatever, if only it will stay put.

But if each form is snatched away just when I am beginning to feel at home in it, then I can never make any progress in the art of worship.”

I can relate, I feel this way when i dont know a worship song.