No, but one has to understand that kneeling is not part of Eastern Catholic tradition. Kneeling is a part of Western, Roman Catholic tradition.
which suggests to me that it is not kneeling that is important but proper teaching and understanding.
This is true, but there is a more deeply seated reason. This is because St. Peter’s Basilica (and many other ancient basilicas of Rome for that matter) were built with their altars facing East, i.e. ad orientem. Thus the priest, (or in the case of St. Peter’s, the Pope) are already facing East, and it just happens that it is towards the people. An interesting thing to note is that during the consecration, in ancient churches such as these, the people who were facing towards the altar, (West), would turn East.
And when the Holy Father travels he does the same which to me implies that it is not essential for the faith or the understanding and acceptance of the real presence.
True, but through the organic development of the Liturgy, and a more advanced understanding of it, the rubrics naturally developed to ensure reverence, and foster a spirit of devotion.
Agreed. However, the point still exists that those rubrics are not essential to the understanding and acceptance of the real presence. I like a beautiful Mass as much as the next guy, but the question, in my view, is “what is the root of the issue” or “what is the underlying cause for the things we are observing?”. I feel strongly that if we do not focus on what the
essential issues are first, meaning those things that absolutely must be in place for the faith to be present, then we are missing the boat. Once we have made significant efforts and progress in those areas, then the time will come to focus on the things which might be
helpful but not necessarily
essential.
I completely agree with you, please don’t think I am disagreeing. The Faith needs to be taught in its fullness, and unashamedly. However I believe that the Mass is the best form of evangelism and catechism, and is the perfect arena in which to begin.
Pax et Bonum
Perhaps, perhaps not. Again, we will likely have to agree to disagree on that last part. I believe that there are of course small changes which might help the Mass, but I also believe that too many use the issue of the acceptance of the real presence as a hammer to initiate changes which are primarily based on their own preferences rather than the issue at hand.
Perhaps that is uncharitable of me, but I see it over and over again here on CAF. My opinion is that focusing on those changes which are, at the end of the day, probably not the underlying reasons for the things we have seen in the Church, removes focus from the real issues at hand. In political/media terms one might describe it as writing a process story rather than a policy story. If that makes any sense.
I respect where you are coming from, I really do. I just have come to a different conclusion as to how to approach the situation. My training as a biologist and biomechanist has taught me to look at mechanisms of action rather than to focus on what may reside on the surface. That approach tends to come across in my faith as well. Mostly, to good benefit.
This has led me to the conclusion that if one does not focus on the underlying mechanisms as to why the real presence is really true, it is subject to doubt much more easily. For example, my understanding of the real presence exists because that is what Jesus said and he left no room for ambiguity on the matter. In addition, the first Christians all believed and taught the same thing which also left no room for ambiguity on the matter. What direction the priest faces, how I receive it, etc. has no bearing on my belief in that doctrine. Why? Because my belief is not built on those things but rather the underlying reasons.
I believe strongly that teaching the real presence in such a way that focuses on the reasons
why we believe it rather than
how we express it will yield much greater fruit. I could of course be wrong, but that is where I am at on the issue.
Thanks for the stimulating discussion.
Best regards,
Jason
What this Cardinal is doing is very important because the rubrics in the Mass are supposed to reflect the reality of what’s taking place. They should be so profound that an outsider could walk into a Catholic Church, see Mass, and walk out knowing that Catholics believe something truly sacred and important has happened. This usually sparks the person’s intellect to find out why the Catholics have such reverence during their Mass and that interest usually leads to conversion.
, the real issues are ones of teaching and ones of societal secularism and relativism.