Is it okay to have a perma-smile during the Liturgy of the Word, and if not how can I tone the joy down?

[elizabeth_anne_1]

Your face hurts? You are describing something approaching religious ecstasy. Quite frankly I find this whole thing so utterly self indulgent. The question posed could easily have been ‘is it ok for me to be much more religious and appreciate of everything than all the other people at mass who aren’t in rapture’. Daft

I can understand what you are getting at. Right after my conversion I would look around at fellow Catholics and wonder, “Why isn’t anyone as excited as I am?” Then the initial excitement mellows and the relationship matures and the consolation isn’t as constant. These are actually good developments as the Lord leads to a deeper place that isn’t so wrapped up in emotion. This is not to say that emotion in prayer does not have it’s proper place, but just that soaring emotion does not and should not last forever. God leads the soul past this and the emphasis must be more on daily fidelity even when there is not great consolation. I am still learning this lesson. On the other hand, I believe that God knows what we need and when, so if Lily Pearls is experiencing such joy in her spiritual life now, God will certainly use this to draw her to Himself. However, the rest of us at Mass are not necessarily “bored” and that was not the most charitable way of describing the way we “look.” I definitely think less concern should be placed on what everyone in doing, including ourselves, and more on concentrating on the actual liturgy. Peace to you all!

 

[LoveMercyGrace]

You smile during mass?

just teasing

The priest at our parish was just mentioning this very thing couple weeks ago…all the faces look no joy ( from his vantage point able to see all the congregation)
smiling, he continues on saying how its ok to be joyful and rejoice in our Lord.

Yes, I think Jesus loves to see us smile and hear us rejoice!

 

[Jimmygill88]

There is a statue in St Peters Rome of St Teresa of Avila in rapture which, arguably could be thought to be erotic in any other context. And I certainly do no deny religious ecstasy. However the tone if the question posed seems to me to be very wrong. This awareness of self and others at mass is spiritually immature. Places where his seems to be acceptable are these superstore sized churches which provide entertainment so that supposedly reborn Protestants can sing dance and maintain a rictus grin for an hour or so. In any other context they would be scoped up and placed in a secure unit to cool down. I think any actions which distract the mind or attempt to distinguish one person from another are full of pride and I would find it slightly distasteful. This is my opinion I would write it happily on here. I would never say it to anyone face to face because it is a harsh and uncharitable diatribe but it REALLY how I view it. Sorry

 

[Jimmygill88]

You smile during mass?

just teasing

The priest at our parish was just mentioning this very thing couple weeks ago…all the faces look no joy ( from his vantage point able to see all the congregation)
smiling, he continues on saying how its ok to be joyful and rejoice in our Lord.

Yes, I think Jesus loves to see us smile and hear us rejoice!

He isn’t a mind reader is he

 

[Brendan_64]

**
Loads of people all express emotions at the Holy SACRIFICE. Some break into tears of contrition at times **

That is generally how I feel, but I make an effort to control the outward display of emotion so as to not distract my fellow worshippers from their worship.

When we’re at Mass it isn’t about the relationship between one person (i.e. ourselves) and God, it is about the relationship of us all in joint Communion and God. I think its only right to curtail our outward display of emtion, if that outward display would distract others around us from their worship.

I probably one of those people who look ‘bored’ at Mass, but I can assure you that that is far from the case. I just think we have a personal duty to control our outward display of emotions out of respect for those around us. Mass is communal, rather than individual worship.

 

[LilyPearls]

. . .I think its only right to curtail our outward display of emtion, if that outward display would distract others around us from their worship… . .we have a personal duty to control our outward display of emotions out of respect for those around us. Mass is communal, rather than individual worship.

Great points. I’ll keep them in mind.

 

[PatriceA]

That is generally how I feel, but I make an effort to control the outward display of emotion so as to not distract my fellow worshippers from their worship.

When we’re at Mass it isn’t about the relationship between one person (i.e. ourselves) and God, it is about the relationship of us all in joint Communion and God. I think its only right to curtail our outward display of emtion, if that outward display would distract others around us from their worship.

I probably one of those people who look ‘bored’ at Mass, but I can assure you that that is far from the case. I just think we have a personal duty to control our outward display of emotions out of respect for those around us. Mass is communal, rather than individual worship.

I disagree. Aren’t we suppose to participate as a community? So why shouldn’t we look “alive” and happy to worship together? I’m a happy Catholic and I’m not afraid to show it during mass. I’m not going to curtail my joy so you aren’t distracted at mass, not going to happen, sorry.

To the OP, if you have the urge to be joyful during mass, than be joyful during mass. Be fully alive in the pews, its the Holy Spirit moving through you.