This is, ultimately, why I stand. In reading the Early Fathers and the Saints, I came to realize that we must follow our bishop rather than our own feelings in such matters. Unless what the bishop commands constitutes true apostacy, we are bound to follow his instruction.
I wonder where you learned religion. The Church has repeatedly said that it is the community which worships at Mass. You might try listening to the prayers that are actually being said.
You lack of knowledge of the history of the Church liturgically is showing. It would help if you didn’t simply brand something Protestant, just because it doesn’t fit with your particular view of the Catholic Church, and the Roman rite.
As far as I’m concerned we all have options. There is no Liturgy police … (but, even if there were): kneel, stand or sit if you want! There is way too much emphasis on ‘community’ in the Church today … a good individual relationship with God is more important than being compliant with senseless uniformity. The Church prides itself on its ability to ‘aculturate’ in different areas of the world - except, it seems, when it comes to our country. Here the culture emphasises the importance of individualtiy and the corresponding accountability and responsibility for ones own actions. The Church would do well to aculturate accordingly - a healthy individual relationship with God, will by its very nature result in communal empathy and care of the indivdual for others in our Church (or civil) community. Expecting everyone to act alike, diminishes individuality and individual accountability and responsibility. History shows us that “Group think” is never healthy!
Cafeteria Clergy!
While I disagree with his excellency’s reasons, I don’t accuse him of being among the cafeteria clergy for the simple reason that he is abiding by the current rules and laws of the Church. He is the archbishop of Seattle and the GIRM clearly states that he has the authority to determine if we stand instead of kneel after the Agnus Dei. Additionally, the practice of moving the Holy Days to Sunday is one that has been granted by the Holy See.
The bishop is a successor of the Apostles and the appointed head of your local Church. If you read through the writings of the Early Church, you will see that unity with the Church cannot exist without unity and obedience to one’s own bishop. The only time that this is not the case is if the bishop is preaching heresy or is an apostate; which is a matter of the Pope’s judgment, not ours.
You seem to be neglecting the help that their prayer can be to you in the present. Yes, our relationship to Jesus is a personal one but the Mass is the worship of the community - that is of the entire Church - and not of the individual. If you feel deprived (as I do) by the instruction to stand, then arrange to spend extra time before the Blessed Sacrament in kneeling adoration. You don’t have to wait for a scheduled Eucharistic Adoration - just go and kneel in front of the Tabernacle.
As do I.
I don’t think that anyone is advocating anything close to what can be described as “group think,” however it is not, and has never been, the role of the Church to conform to the standards of any society. Instead, it is the role of the Church and her members to transform societies in accordance with the teachings of God. We have many options and freedoms in how we express our religious faith but the Mass is not one of them. The Mass is the collective act of worship of the universal Church and it is the Church that directs what is and is not permissible.