Well, this we know… that St. Peter admonished those to whom he wrote “for the time has come for judgement to begin with the household of God…” (I Peter 4:17). That would include you and me. The Bishop of any given diocese with his priests are entrusted with the legitimate authority to teach, govern and sanctify those souls in their care. They must ultimately give an account for their exercise of that authority, whether for good or for ill. My saying that does not mean I am copping out. We can appeal to the priest, to the Bishop if necessary, and even to Rome if unaided (or even derided) by our diocesan shepherds. I empathize with the disgust you feel… especially when assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.The distraction and irreverence have angered me to the very point of sin.
That said, what are the practical considerations re: my faithfulness to Our Lord and His Church… and His unfailing promises? For years I carried an anger and deep resentment ( I’m a convert of 25 years) that led me and my family into parish-hopping and ultimately out of what some derisively call the “novus ordo” into the camp of the “traditional” Catholics with all *their *resentments and baggage. I could have easily convinced myself after all those years that I had 10’s of thousands of reasons to be done with all things Catholic. The miracle is that I didn’t… It even became clear to me that I should, if nothing else, rejoice in the now experiential knowledge that my conversion to the Catholic Faith was indeed firm and real. For me, what was required was to find my way back to a true and timeless understanding and practice as concerned my being truly Catholic in my life in His Church, and all that that implies. So having brought my family back to the diocese of our conversion a number of years ago, we now attend our local parish. I don’t view it as a “novus ordo” or “traditionalist” parish… I view it as the Church I was added to in its “local expression” 25 years ago, with all its problems and hurts and challenges. Through grace and the overwhelming, healing Love of Our Savior I lift my heart and my eyes to Him who is the Head of His Church not only at Mass but continually and always… longing to, in some small way, console Him with my small faith and fledgling love… If in His Mercy I can do that, I believe He will see it in the midst of all gathered at that Mass and be pleased and honor- ed and even refreshed! Him… the One already wounded beyond telling. Perhaps as He comes to me in Holy Communion, I will hear in His Voice His desire for me to love all those at that Mass that day, for His sake, and pray for the healing and courageous shepherding that we all (especially I) need so desperately. His promise will not fail… neither will He allow His Bride to! Humility and love, dear brother, and a faith that works by charity.
PS> My anger and resentments (which were the fruit of pride and presumption) ultimately landed me in the hospital close to death…
All for Jesus and Mary… all… or nothing!
God bless you and me, precious soul!
PJ