Let me see if I can clarify, we should be conscious of worshipping in unity as a community but there is a huge difference from worshipping in unity and the focus of our worship.
We can worship in a community but lose sight of what is the focus of our worship by seeking to make it entertainment rather than worship. Or elevating human actions to bring us in rather than focusing on the actions of Christ for us.
I would agree that this potential is always there, but I think we can get into questions of making judgments and of personal tastes and expectations that we also have to be careful of. Some of us are more comfortable with a very solemn and somber presentation, in which any hint of joyousness or levity is seemingly irreverent, though that may not be the case at all for others (the Charismatic community, for example) for whom the joy cannot be contained and will express itself very outwardly.
All of us standing together, singing a hymn is the community praising God, some of us singing in front of everyone else and then clapping is us praising each other for our own talents.
A Priest joking and seeking the communities approval is not really properly focused, it might sound picky but this is serious stuff. He should let God work through him not seek the approval of others for himself.
I guess it would depend on the context, Certainly, anyone who is “perfrorming” for their own gratification is out of line. If a singer, or the whole choir, is “performing” and expecting applause,that is a serious issue. I have on occasion heard songs performed with such beauty that the congregation could not help but break into spontaneous applause in appreciation. To me there is a great difference.
The use of humor in a homily is similar. Humor, as any good speaker knows, is an incredible tool for capturing people’s attention, and I see no problem with an appropriate use of it as a lead-in to a homily. If done for strictly entertainment purposes, or to affirm the likeabillity of the priest, I would fully agree with you. How to establish which is which can be problematic though.
Stuff that seeks to change the focus of Mass from the Holy Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross which is the reason why we even show up, to other things are very common.
I guess I have not run into that, and I’m not sure what “other things” the focus might be toward, unless you are referring to things that end up being a distraction. I can’t imagine someone consciously trying to change the focus of the purpose of the Mass.
We as people enjoy entertainment, we enjoy pleasure, and pleasure isn’t bad and the Mass should be pleasurable in that it fulfills us, yet pleasure should not be the draw but the result.
I would agree.
I really think that there has been a misrepresentation of older times as if people only thought of Jesus and Me as worship long time ago did foster community. It just wasn’t stated as clearly as it has been done these days, which is very important.
The teaching of the Catholic Church never changes, it just needs to be re-emphasized and problems sometimes need to be resolved.
I think the “community” aspect that Vatican II was seeking to imbue had to do with the fact that the pre-Vatican II liturgy had become, largely, a group of individuals showing up and doing their own thing while the priest “offered” Mass. The intent was to bring people, by use of singing, gestures, responses, etc, to praying together as a community and recognizing the Body of Christ rather than the individual. And in its intended form, I think that happens in spite of some of the abuses that occur.
Right now we have a problem of the humanity being the focus instead of God in areas of our faith.
We need to see Christ in others because God is the focus, whereas sometimes we just see each other as Christ and man becomes the focus.
I agree that there is a balance that must occur and that the overall focus must not be lost.
There is a huge difference there though one can say almost the same words and mean it differently, and that is why people are confused.
Exactly, and that is why it gets dangerous to make broad judgments. What one sees as someone wanting affirmation, another sees as a legitimate form or singing or speaking. It can be confusing, and it can be disconcerting if you are in a Mass with a different “tone” than one’s preference.
I guess I’m blessed that I’ve found a parish where I can find a reverent Mass that doesn’t seem to cross at least my personal bounds, though others may be less pleased in one direction or the other. I understand that you must have a less satisfying situation, and I would pray that things would improve in that area for you, that you might find that fulfillment instead of distraction.
Peace,
