I take issue with the word “demand.” Yes, to demand would be prideful. However, I don’t think either celebration of the Mass is inherently more prideful is more prideful than the other. Especially because the Church gives us the right to do both. Some draw closer to the lord by serving him in Mass. Others draw closer to him by remaining silent and in reflection. What a wonderful Church we have that recognizes this fact and provides us with both means.
I think pride can also come in when we forget why we attend Mass. I don’t like when people hold hands during the Pater Noster, but am I going to let it get between me and my Lord? No! I and my personal opinion are just not that important nor am I going to allow the devil to take my focus away from my Lord so I can seethe in my chair about this abuse of the Mass. I am there to see Him. I am there to worship Him. I am there to tell Him I am sorry for what I have done. I am there to learn about Him. I am there to remind Him and myself that He is most important in my life. I allow the Church to tell me how we are going to do that for one hour each week (since I can decide the other 167 hours a week) and I mold myself to HIS Church.
I can’t wait till we all get to heaven and people start saying to God, “ummm, I really don’t like that hymn, so can we worship you with a different song right now. And Bob over there isn’t kneeling while we worship your beatific vision. Hey, are those two people holdings hands! Heretics!!!”
Let’s not lose focus of why we are there.