Priests tell jokes in homilies, incite laughter, clapping, vs. reverence

[Tantum_ergo]

This goes on all too frequently in my parish as well! I don’t care for it either…

Ditto in my new parish.

I am the last person to decry humor (as those who have had my posts inflicted on them lo these many years will testify), and I love to laugh and certainly I will vigorously applaud all sorts of things. . .

but please God, NOT AT MASS.

It simply isn’t the place for clapping. (I will say that jokes can be a very useful tool to get us thinking, but if every Sunday Father is sounding like a cheap Jay Leno, the tool is ‘blunted’ from overuse and becomes worthless).

For those who enjoy it, I’m not saying, "I’m right and holy, you’re wrong and stupid’. Again, I’m not saying that there is NEVER a time for jokes or laughter. And very, very rarely there might be a time for applause but it should not (and both Cardinal Arinze and Pope Benedict support this, it isn’t just my opinion) ever be a ‘regular’ thing.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

Ditto in my new parish.

I am the last person to decry humor (as those who have had my posts inflicted on them lo these many years will testify), and I love to laugh and certainly I will vigorously applaud all sorts of things. . .

but please God, NOT AT MASS.

It simply isn’t the place for clapping. (I will say that jokes can be a very useful tool to get us thinking, but if every Sunday Father is sounding like a cheap Jay Leno, the tool is ‘blunted’ from overuse and becomes worthless).

For those who enjoy it, I’m not saying, "I’m right and holy, you’re wrong and stupid’. Again, I’m not saying that there is NEVER a time for jokes or laughter. And very, very rarely there might be a time for applause but it should not (and both Cardinal Arinze and Pope Benedict support this, it isn’t just my opinion) ever be a ‘regular’ thing.

I agree with you. When we take our vision off of what is happening at the mass and begin to applaud the choir for how well they sing then we are taking our eyes off of God and putting them on ourselves. That is not what we should be doing. A joke once in a blue moon is probably okay but after hearing the readings and the gospel we should be having it explained to us. I think I hear more people asking for better explanations of the word of God and Catholic teaching, rather than jokes. There is plenty of time for joke telling and applauding people outside of mass.

Also, where else in the world do we show as much reverence as we do at Mass? No where. IMHO that is one place the reverence should not change.

I guess I just think at mass it is best to keep our focus on what we just heard and the sacrifice of the mass and our need for it.

Also, I would hate it if I was a visitor at a mass and someone asked me to stand up and be recognized. At a meeting somewhere maybe if needed but not at mass.

 

[floresco]

I would appreciate this priest for appreciating those who serve the liturgy especially if they had made good effort to do it right. Problem is very often we are very reluctant to recognize such service from our brothers and sisters who serve in the church, in this case the liturgy.

When I sang in a choir, I would be very upset if the congregation clapped for us. Even thou I knew it was well meant, I felt like they were cheapening my gift to God by treating it like a human performance. I did not want recognition from my brothers and sisters.

 

[ahaley]

Our parish schola (of which I am a part) received spontaneous applause for our chanting after the Mass had concluded this past Sunday morning. By the standards of this thread, we’re all dirty heretics because the congregation decided to let us know they appreciated our singing.

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

 

[floresco]

Our parish schola (of which I am a part) received spontaneous applause for our chanting after the Mass had concluded this past Sunday morning. By the standards of this thread, we’re all dirty heretics because the congregation decided to let us know they appreciated our singing.

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Nobody is claiming that you are a heretic. However, if you feel disappointed when the congregation does not applaud, it could be a sign that you should examine your motives for singing.

 

[ahaley]

Nobody is claiming that you are a heretic. However, if you feel disappointed when the congregation does not applaud, it could be a sign that you should examine your motives for singing.

I don’t give a hoot if they applaud or not. I chant because it’s a way to tell God that I love him in a manner that’s rich with Church history and fascinating Latin words. I can only hope that our efforts are pleasing to the Lord.

 

[zab]

Yes, there should be some limit to how laughter and clapping is encouraged, but I think it is just as wrong to say a person should never laugh or clap at Mass. And that is the topic of this thread.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

I dislike laughing and clapping during the Mass but I’m not against the choir or cantor getting a bit of applause after the final blessing if deserved. When I hear laughing and clapping during the Mass it is a sign the congregation is not intent on the adoration of the Lord, the main and only reason we should be celebrating the Mass. Priests who encourage such behavior are likely trying to get their message over by relaxing the congregation and hopefully making them more attentive but I think it sends the wrong message. I’d rather people be made aware of their shortcomings and literally scared into the confessional than have them walk out saying “did you hear father, what a hoot”.

 

[Reuben_J]

When I sang in a choir, I would be very upset if the congregation clapped for us. Even thou I knew it was well meant, I felt like they were cheapening my gift to God by treating it like a human performance. I did not want recognition from my brothers and sisters.

I can understand that and your humility and sincerity in service for God is commendable. But there is still a place for recognition in a human culture provided it is given in a sincere way too. Though not always but often times a parish priest would try to raise up a choir from very ordinary people, I knew some of them, and they tried their best and could come up with a very good choir group.

An acknowledgement from the priest or perhaps the congregation is to show appreciation for fellow believers for the service and effort. But also when something good is being acknowledged, it is to tell people too that good work for the Lord is recognized and that everybody should endeavour to do the same. It could be in terms of giving, tithing, love or other services for the church. So it is not just for the choir but also an example to be followed for the congregation as a whole. Sometimes the church can give teaching in an indirect way by encouragement.

 

[zab]

I dislike laughing and clapping during the Mass but I’m not against the choir or cantor getting a bit of applause after the final blessing if deserved. When I hear laughing and clapping during the Mass it is a sign the congregation is not intent on the adoration of the Lord, the main and only reason we should be celebrating the Mass. Priests who encourage such behavior are likely trying to get their message over by relaxing the congregation and hopefully making them more attentive but I think it sends the wrong message. I’d rather people be made aware of their shortcomings and literally scared into the confessional than have them walk out saying “did you hear father, what a hoot”.

Generally speaking, I also dislike laughing and clapping at Mass. I also dislike clapping for the choir after the final blessing. But if it happened on a rare occassion when the people were filled with appreciation for the beautiful job the choir did, then the choir should graciously accept their gratitude, not think that their gift to God was lessened by the outburst of applause. I may be initially disappointed in the applause, but it would pass. I disagree with your comment that laughing and clapping during the Mass “is a sign the congregation is not intent on the adoration of the Lord…” There was no one more devoted to “Our Blessed Lord” than the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Holy people always live in the presence of God in every thing they do. And we can too. Priests who use a little bit of humor to get the people’s attention during their homily are trying to reach the people so they can get them to listen. There is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Reuben_J]

I don’t give a hoot if they applaud or not. I chant because it’s a way to tell God that I love him in a manner that’s rich with Church history and fascinating Latin words. I can only hope that our efforts are pleasing to the Lord.

A true spirit of service. Like I said below, it is not just you but also to encourage others. That is what the church is all about - supporting and encouraging and calling each other on in love and charity remembering love and service work both ways - vertical to the Lord and horizontal to the church and people at large. You are doing great and you are focused and that’s the most important thing.

 

[TimothyH]

Yes, there should be some limit to how laughter and clapping is encouraged, but I think it is just as wrong to say a person should never laugh or clap at Mass. And that is the topic of this thread.

Yall are talking about Mass but the OP was talking about jokes, laughter and clapping in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, not just in the Mass exclusively but also in repose in the Tabernacle.

He was not talking about Mass exclusively, but in the Church when someone is giving a talk in the Church or a meditation, Jesus is repose, the tabernacle door is shut, and the sanctuary lamp is lit.

-Tim-

 

[zab]

Yall are talking about Mass but the OP was talking about jokes, laughter and clapping in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, not just in the Mass exclusively but also in repose in the Tabernacle.

He was not talking about Mass exclusively, but in the Church when someone is giving a talk in the Church or a meditation, Jesus is repose, the tabernacle door is shut, and the sanctuary lamp is lit.

-Tim-

Yes, you are correct

 

[Reuben_J]

Yall are talking about Mass but the OP was talking about jokes, laughter and clapping in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, not just in the Mass exclusively but also in repose in the Tabernacle.

He was not talking about Mass exclusively, but in the Church when someone is giving a talk in the Church or a meditation, Jesus is repose, the tabernacle door is shut, and the sanctuary lamp is lit.

-Tim-

Yes, that seems to be what OP was asking:

(1) Clapping and laughing during the mass.
(2) Laughing at jokes during talk in the church (not during the mass)
(3) Reverence in the presence of a closed Tabernacle.
(4) Then about the mass again – priest telling jokes and incite clapping.
(5) Priest asking visitors to stand to be recognized (perhaps with the purpose of welcoming them)
(6) Priest asking the congregation to applause the choir at the end of the mass
(7) General reverence while in the church
(8) What would the Popes do in such situation (paraphrased).

It is difficult to really assess the specific situation so as to make accurate comment but the topics that were raise up may be generalized. I think we touch on what were being brought up by the OP unless he clarifies and then we can zoom on specifically on what he wants.

 

[Armor_of_Light]

Well, If it’s only one thing I’ve learned here on CAF…it is that no matter what tom-foolery goes on in the parishes we have to just take it.

Pray, etc…

 

[Usige]

Yall are talking about Mass but the OP was talking about jokes, laughter and clapping in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, not just in the Mass exclusively but also in repose in the Tabernacle.

He was not talking about Mass exclusively, but in the Church when someone is giving a talk in the Church or a meditation, Jesus is repose, the tabernacle door is shut, and the sanctuary lamp is lit.

-Tim-

I tend to agree with him. The nave and sanctuary should be a place of prayer, not a place to entertain.

I grew up in the Presbyterian church and it was always quiet in the worship space. Parties and fellowship were done in the fellowship hall. Now consider that we didn’t have the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In contrast we recently were giving a tour of the Church to an RCIA class the deacon invited everyone up into the sanctuary, opened the tabernacle and then turned around and gave a brief explanation of the function of the tabernacle. While the tabernacle was opened several conversations broke out and most discussion was about how cool the tabernacle was. Not one word was said about Christ presence in the tabernacle. Never a mention of reverencing Christ in the reserved hosts. I had to walk out at one point because it made me heart sick that people would turn their backs to Christ chitchat, joke and talk about his house while ignoring Him. It is just another sign that we have lost a sense of wonder at the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and redemptive love when people can’t shut up for 5 minutes and reflect on what Christ did for us.

A couple of the candidates noticed my distress and we talked about it after class. We then returned to the church and quietly prayed in front of the closed tabernacle. They said thank you because they were confused about why some people genuflect but we were not asked/told to when approaching the tabernacle.

 

[NeedImprovement]

. . . but if every Sunday Father is sounding like a cheap Jay Leno . . .

FOCL

I’m even having problems visualizing an “expensive” Jay Leno fitting in.

 

[TimothyH]

I tend to agree with him. The nave and sanctuary should be a place of prayer, not a place to entertain.

I grew up in the Presbyterian church and it was always quiet in the worship space. Parties and fellowship were done in the fellowship hall. Now consider that we didn’t have the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In contrast we recently were giving a tour of the Church to an RCIA class the deacon invited everyone up into the sanctuary, opened the tabernacle and then turned around and gave a brief explanation of the function of the tabernacle. While the tabernacle was opened several conversations broke out and most discussion was about how cool the tabernacle was. Not one word was said about Christ presence in the tabernacle. Never a mention of reverencing Christ in the reserved hosts. I had to walk out at one point because it made me heart sick that people would turn their backs to Christ chitchat, joke and talk about his house while ignoring Him. It is just another sign that we have lost a sense of wonder at the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and redemptive love when people can’t shut up for 5 minutes and reflect on what Christ did for us.

A couple of the candidates noticed my distress and we talked about it after class. We then returned to the church and quietly prayed in front of the closed tabernacle. They said thank you because they were confused about why some people genuflect but we were not asked/told to when approaching the tabernacle.

With all due respect, you are agreeing with something I didn’t say.

-Tim-

 

[Saints_Alive]

Thanks Elizium23

There was a time when Catholics would accept the words of their pope and not argue otherwise.

Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.
Benedict XVI

Pretty simple isn’t it ?

 

[NeedImprovement]

I guess it comes down to what you can and cannot live with. What was the “joke” in the Homily? Was it "A Catholic a Baptist and a gorilla walk into a bar…? . . .

Yeah, yeah . . . :yup: - that’s the one . . . and then the bartender objects, “Hey you can’t bring an uncivilized animal like that in here.”

And the Catholic replies, " Oh pleeeeeease, don’t be so melodramatic - he just had his fur shampooed !"

To which the bartender replies, “I was talking to the Baptist and the gorilla.”

Then the gorilla turns to face the Catholic and the Baptist and says, “Before you crazy Christians start on me you both had better understand one thing: I am not my brother’s keeper !! Actually , according to Darwin, I’m my keeper’s brother.”