Simple Reverence

[Cherub]

With all the threads lately bickering between traditionalist and progressive laity over the rubrics of various Mass styles, I find myself indifferent to all but the matter of simple reverence. So we have a new Mass now: I can handle that much of it – but why is it acceptable to have the ridiculous clown, polka, teen, hula, etc… you name it Masses that seem to be suddenly “okay” under the current guidelines?

These things do go on, we all know it. We’ve seen the pictures.

Knowing, then, that the Mass is what it is – all of us coming together to recreate the Holy Sacrifice that is ongoing through space and time, that requires the sorrowful passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ – how can it, in even the most twisted, disturbed mind, be considered reverent to have some kind of lurid theme party at the very feet of our crucified Christ? Because that is where we are at Mass, right there at his feet, joined in spirit with those who actually stood there and witnessed the crucifixion at Golgotha.

I just don’t understand how some of these things are being permitted.

 

[AmyS]

Cherub:

With all the threads lately bickering between traditionalist and progressive laity over the rubrics of various Mass styles, I find myself indifferent to all but the matter of simple reverence. So we have a new Mass now: I can handle that much of it – but why is it acceptable to have the ridiculous clown, polka, teen, hula, etc… you name it Masses that seem to be suddenly “okay” under the current guidelines?

These things do go on, we all know it. We’ve seen the pictures.

Knowing, then, that the Mass is what it is – all of us coming together to recreate the Holy Sacrifice that is ongoing through space and time, that requires the sorrowful passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ – how can it, in even the most twisted, disturbed mind, be considered reverent to have some kind of lurid theme party at the very feet of our crucified Christ? Because that is where we are at Mass, right there at his feet, joined in spirit with those who actually stood there and witnessed the crucifixion at Golgotha.

I just don’t understand how some of these things are being permitted.

People have seemed to lose face of what the Mass is all about… The focus on both ends, has gone off of what we are there for… What binds all Catholics the Holy Sacrafice. I think that a lot of the bickering here happens because people keep looking at these is extreme examples as norms… I don’t see them as norms. I think any GOOD Catholic should be saddened by them… All extremes even those traditionalist that are in schicisim. Those people have put there own needs, and themselve above God. I think we have a role and respondsability when we are in Church to show our reverence in action so others might follow. Neither Mass is better, it is just the people who are attending the Mass that make the difference.

I agree with you though. I don’t see how these things are being permitted either. I do a lot of praying about it. But, I think the majority of GOOD Catholics agree. I don’t think it is a NO thing either. Saying it is would be again “fixing the blame instead of the problem” (my favorite quote). To me it is those priest, bishops, ect. who allow it, not the Mass. If it was the Mass than why would there be good examples of NO Masses?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Cherub:

With all the threads lately bickering between traditionalist and progressive laity over the rubrics of various Mass styles, I find myself indifferent to all but the matter of simple reverence. So we have a new Mass now: I can handle that much of it – but why is it acceptable to have the ridiculous clown, polka, teen, hula, etc… you name it Masses that seem to be suddenly “okay” under the current guidelines?

Well, actually, it’s the fact that these are not permitted that causes people to get emotional and to take exception. There are priests who “do their own thing” because they can. These may have started with an understanding that we are to enculturate the Mass, but those directives were not for us in the first world – the Mass is already enculturated for us. It was to make the Mass speak to those in second and third world countries.

So, while they are not permitted, and while they do continue, we should focus on what is good and what is right praying for those bishops who need to call their priests on the carpet for violating the liturgical rules and regulations.

Deacon Ed

 

[cyprian]

Deacon Ed:

Well, actually, it’s the fact that these are not permitted that causes people to get emotional and to take exception. There are priests who “do their own thing” because they can. These may have started with an understanding that we are to enculturate the Mass, but those directives were not for us in the first world – the Mass is already enculturated for us. It was to make the Mass speak to those in second and third world countries.

So, while they are not permitted, and while they do continue, we should focus on what is good and what is right praying for those bishops who need to call their priests on the carpet for violating the liturgical rules and regulations.

Deacon Ed

Yes, we have to speak when moved to do so (prayer and so) and we must be careful that when we do ask or correct we know what we are talking about and not just satisfying our own personal agenda. There will always be imprudent things going on. Like Deacon says,prayer for our leaders is the first priority, not mis-informed hastiness. The gates of hell will not prevail, we know this. I see the bad stuff all over our diocese and in my parish. One thing, Ed,thatI wanted to say is that as a parent it becomes difficult because they here one thing in Cath school and another from me. I basically instruct my kids in accordance wth Rome and our Cathecism. (much more to this than I can go into now. But it stinks that indifference to Orthodoxy(when since the first century it was orthodoxy forging ahead that kept things straight) becomes the food of my kids. I refuse to give my kids a serpent to eat instead of a fish.
Peace and Love