Hypocritical Preaching

[cheezey]

Hypothetical question(s) in somewhat broad terms.

Your pastor/priest/rabbi holds an opinion that is in direct opposition to his/her faith; said opinion is made known publicly but not at services where the preaching of the faith is true to form. There is no backing down with said opinion…

And there you are scratching your head and becoming a little angry at the hypocrisy while standing firm in the teachings of your faith, as per the faith and, ironically, his/her preaching of it. There is no backing down with said conviction.

To all:
What on earth would you do?!

To Christians:
Would you still receive while angry? Would that be considered receiving “unworthily”?

 

[Jelrak_TB]

I would recommend just leaving him where he is…some priests go through times of doubt and/or rebellion just as anyone else. Simply appreciate that such has not made it into the sermons…and yes, receiving communion while angry would be appropriate if the one is not angry with God…further anger is an emotion largely brought about by surprise combined with disappointment…both of which would likely be appropriate emotions seemingly for one to have at such a time…

 

[pianistclare]

Priests confect the Eucharist and it is valid despite any personal issues or disposition on his part.
I would receive. I’m not ever going to let my personal issue with a priest keep me away from Eucharist. I would push aside the anger and pray for him. There is always the possibility that I may be mistaken as well.
I would not like people assuming anything about me.
I give the clergy the benefit of the doubt. They are due that much.
Peace.

 

[ProVobis]

To Christians:
Would you still receive while angry? Would that be considered receiving “unworthily”?

If one feels not properly disposed, then he or she shouldn’t receive. Obviously that includes not fasting or not being in the state of grace. But are you able to fully focus on Christ after you’ve just argued with your spouse or been given a traffic ticket, for example? I’m sure I’ll get some disagreement here, but I’d wait till later to receive.

 

[cheezey]

Priests confect the Eucharist and it is valid despite any personal issues or disposition on his part.
I would receive. I’m not ever going to let my personal issue with a priest keep me away from Eucharist.I would push aside the anger and pray for him. There is always the possibility that I may be mistaken as well.
I would not like people assuming anything about me.
I give the clergy the benefit of the doubt. They are due that much.
Peace.

Anger doesn’t necessarily shut off like a light switch, so meanwhile, on a Sunday morning…
And assumptions like?

 

[pianistclare]

If one feels not properly disposed, then he or she shouldn’t receive. Obviously that includes not fasting or not being in the state of grace. But are you able to fully focus on Christ after you’ve just argued with your spouse or been given a traffic ticket, for example? I’m sure I’ll get some disagreement here, but I’d wait till later to receive.

This is true. You can’t meet your beloved with a heart that is angry. True, you might feel better afterward, but it’s really not a good idea to feel anger against your brother and then attempt to receive the Lord into your heart like nothing is wrong.

 

[pianistclare]

Anger doesn’t necessarily shut off like a light switch, so meanwhile, on a Sunday morning…
And assumptions like?

For example…a friend used to schedule the EMHC’s, the Acolytes, the Lectors, altar servers, etc. Frequently, someone wouldn’t show up. So the Deacons would ask her to fill in. Old biddies in the parish started a rumor that she only volunteered to do the scheduling so that she could schedule herself every week, thus putting herself on display. (she’s very beautiful).
Stuff like that. Nasty stuff.

 

[pianistclare]

We have to work at not being angry, yes. But it’s work we must do, in the context of receiving worthily.

 

[Anglewannabe]

When I am angry, I walk up to communion praying in my head ‘Lord forgive my anger, I want to receive you and hopefully this will help me control my anger’

 

[cheezey]

This is true. You can’t meet your beloved with a heart that is angry. True, you might feel better afterward, but it’s really not a good idea to feel anger against your brother and then attempt to receive the Lord into your heart like nothing is wrong.

agree

For example…a friend used to schedule the EMHC’s, the Acolytes, the Lectors, altar servers, etc. Frequently, someone wouldn’t show up. So the Deacons would ask her to fill in. Old biddies in the parish started a rumor that she only volunteered to do the scheduling so that she could schedule herself every week, thus putting herself on display. (she’s very beautiful).
Stuff like that. Nasty stuff.

The suggested situation is deeply rooted in faith.

We have to work at not being angry, yes. But it’s work we must do, in the context of receiving worthily.

agreed. Anger management, good. Cause, ?

 

[pianistclare]

agree

The suggested situation is deeply rooted in faith.

agreed. Anger management, good. Cause, ?

Cause is for God to handle. We are to keep charge of our own souls.
it’s disturbing and hurtful sometimes yes.
But way above our pay grade.
love you Cheezey!

 

[pianistclare]

When I am angry, I walk up to communion praying in my head ‘Lord forgive my anger, I want to receive you and hopefully this will help me control my anger’

That’s a good way to pray. We want to receive well. Yes!

 

[cheezey]

Cause is for God to handle. We are to keep charge of our own souls.
it’s disturbing and hurtful sometimes yes.
But way above our pay grade.
love you Cheezey!

This is difficult to express, but it’s what I do.

Help for anger is a given, for sure. Are we not called to defend our faith?

 

[pianistclare]

This is difficult to express, but it’s what I do.

Help for anger is a given, for sure. Are we not called to defend our faith?

In the middle of Mass?

Maybe you can meet with the priest in question and discuss it with him, persuade him even, think “Catherine of Siena”.
But in Mass?
Our thoughts should be elsewhere.
If it bothers you that much, you can go to another church.
If it troubles you a lot, you could also write a letter with supported facts to the Bishop. But in years of working in an Archdiocese…it’s been my experience that ye olde letter writing…doesn’t really accomplish much except to make you feel better. Unsigned letters go in the round filing cabinet, and signed letter might get a response.

 

[cheezey]

In the middle of Mass?

Maybe you can meet with the priest in question and discuss it with him, persuade him even, think “Catherine of Siena”.
But in Mass?
Our thoughts should be elsewhere.
If it bothers you that much, you can go to another church.
If it troubles you a lot, you could also write a letter with supported facts to the Bishop. But in years of working in an Archdiocese…it’s been my experience that ye olde letter writing…doesn’t really accomplish much except to make you feel better. Unsigned letters go in the round filing cabinet, and signed letter might get a response.

Oh, Clare!! Did I mention an action during anyone’s service?!
If the shoe were on the other foot, would you ‘just got to another church?’

 

[SuperLuigi]

Hypothetical question(s) in somewhat broad terms.

Your pastor/priest/rabbi holds an opinion that is in direct opposition to his/her faith; said opinion is made known publicly but not at services where the preaching of the faith is true to form. There is no backing down with said opinion…

And there you are scratching your head and becoming a little angry at the hypocrisy while standing firm in the teachings of your faith, as per the faith and, ironically, his/her preaching of it. There is no backing down with said conviction.

To all:
What on earth would you do?!

I have found hypocrisy is something that American society claims to abhor on the surface, but delights in discovering and using as cannon fodder, but I’m to be clear I’m NOT saying that’s the case here.

To Christians:
Would you still receive while angry? Would that be considered receiving “unworthily”?

I was reading an article on ETWN once that said if a person is distressed (but not in a state of mortal sin, obviously), before receiving, they at the very least should fight the emotion and received as best they are able.

I don’t know what that ultimately means here, Cheezy, because I can’t evaluate individual consciences.

I pretty much will receive unless I think I am mortal sin. Bottom line is I need that grace, even when things are perfect.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Oh, Clare!! Did I mention an action during anyone’s service?!
If the shoe were on the other foot, would you ‘just got to another church?’

I don’t know if I would, but depending on what was said, my wife might want to, which means I would by default.

 

[cheezey]

I have found hypocrisy is something that American society claims to abhor on the surface, but delights in discovering and using as cannon fodder, but I’m to be clear I’m NOT saying that’s the case here.

I was reading an article on ETWN once that said if a person is distressed (but not in a state of mortal sin, obviously), before receiving, they at the very least should fight the emotion and received as best they are able.

I don’t know what that ultimately means here, Cheezy, because I can’t evaluate individual consciences.

I pretty much will receive unless I think I am mortal sin. Bottom line is I need that grace, even when things are perfect.

Thankyou very much for your (name removed by moderator)ut. This is a most perplexing scenario to say the least.

 

[Trident_H]

Hypothetical question(s) in somewhat broad terms.

Your pastor/priest/rabbi holds an opinion that is in direct opposition to his/her faith; said opinion is made known publicly but not at services where the preaching of the faith is true to form. There is no backing down with said opinion…

And there you are scratching your head and becoming a little angry at the hypocrisy while standing firm in the teachings of your faith, as per the faith and, ironically, his/her preaching of it. There is no backing down with said conviction.

To all:
What on earth would you do?!

To Christians:
Would you still receive while angry? Would that be considered receiving “unworthily”?

There once was a priest who was very lax with his faith. He wore jogging pants and a t-shirt all the time when not on the altar so it seemed very easy to dismiss him as just doing a job. Some parishioners decided to confront him about him not taking things seriously by taking it up with him and then meeting with the bishop. The result was an angry priest with hurt feelings who felt unappreciated and unloved.

Other parishioners saw this and so did something different. They invited him to join them for each and every event they planned. They made a really big deal about his birthdays and the anniversarys of his ordination. They asked his advice more than they needed to. They asked him to speak once in a while at their get togethers. They learned that he had a real passion for music and loved singing and playing the guitar so they they helped him to record his own CD and then all bought copies to send to friends and relatives. Basically they tried to love him to death, but the result was that this priest bragged so much about his little church that even though it was originally scheduled to be closed down by the diocese more than 15 years ago it is still going strong. All the priests in the area knew about it and so those who came to preside there over the years knew in advance that they would be happy there and so came with joy.

Love can break in where anger can’t. Love your priest. Love him even with his faults. Love is never wasted, but multiplies. Love is what makes it all worthwhile.

Peace.

-Trident

 

[cheezey]

There once was a priest who was very lax with his faith. He wore jogging pants and a t-shirt all the time when not on the altar so it seemed very easy to dismiss him as just doing a job. Some parishioners decided to confront him about him not taking things seriously by taking it up with him and then meeting with the bishop. The result was an angry priest with hurt feelings who felt unappreciated and unloved.

Other parishioners saw this and so did something different. They invited him to join them for each and every event they planned. They made a really big deal about his birthdays and the anniversarys of his ordination. They asked his advice more than they needed to. They asked him to speak once in a while at their get togethers. They learned that he had a real passion for music and loved singing and playing the guitar so they they helped him to record his own CD and then all bought copies to send to friends and relatives. Basically they tried to love him to death, but the result was that this priest bragged so much about his little church that even though it was originally scheduled to be closed down by the diocese more than 15 years ago it is still going strong. All the priests in the area knew about it and so those who came to preside there over the years knew in advance that they would be happy there and so came with joy.

Love can break in where anger can’t. Love your priest. Love him even with his faults. Love is never wasted, but multiplies. Love is what makes it all worthwhile.

Peace.

-Trident