Why does communion make everyone so miserable

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Albany said:
Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx
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Well remember you can’t know the heart and mind of an individual. I usually don’t smile because I remember the fact that I am partaking in Christ’s sacrifice for us and see it not only as serious but as an awe-inspiring matter. If you asked me why I’m not smiling I would just say, “Because I’m thinking of Jesus on the cross, I’m just blessed to be here in this parish.” But yeah… Maybe you should get a chorus to sing something as the parrishoners take communion or something idk 🤷
 
bmullins said:
I usually am in too much awe and appreciation of what I’ve just received to be looking around to see everyone’s facial expression. I do know this, while the Eucharist is a joyful moment… it’s also one of sadness. Especially when we consider that the cross is being made present to us, it’s right there before us… and it’s not for his sins, but ours. So yes, it’s joyful that we are being forgiven! That each person in that room who is receiving the Eucharist is having their sins forgiven and life itself is entering their bodies… But there is always sadness too at the cross. Sadness that it came to that.

So I guess my face would probably be a mixture of the two, a joy, but a solemness as well. Usually some tears too if I’m honest. As I return to my kneeling on the floor and begin to ponder seriously what has just occurred, and what it means… and how am I going to share that with the world when I leave this room?
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I think you stated it much better than I ever could. I agree completely.
 
I don’t understand why you would be looking at people’s faces. Communion is a time of reverence, respect and I don’t think we should be scrutinizing or judging anybody. I know for myself I am thanking GOD for the Eucharist and just reflecting. It doesn’t mean that someone is not happy or joyful.
 
Albany said:
Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx
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Your title made me laugh because I’ve pondered this off and on through my life.

To some degree, I think that we come the closest we can to understanding how sinful we are when we receive the Eucharist with open hearts.

Sometimes I feel like Peter when he first understands who Jesus is and says: get away from me, I am a sinful man.

What you describe sounds more like a cultural thing, though. If I were you, I’d ask the music director what motivates them. (Leave out the whole funeral music accusation). lol

Maybe it’s some generational memorial to some hideous massacre. 🤷
 
LittleSoldier said:
It seems that it is a bit more complicated than:
(1) Jesus died for me.
(2) Now I can go to Heaven.
(3) I am so happy!

I think everyone goes through a time (and probably many times) when he/she realizes that Jesus died for HIM (or HER). It’s very serious and solemn and holy and sacred. That realization is something everyone should have. Our souls, hearts, and minds *should *be bowed down before God, whether in sadness because we know how He suffered horribly or in joy because we know He did it because He loves us. For me, it’s a combination of the two. Tears of joy mixed with tears of sadness. I always cry when I receive the Eucharist and want to die right then and there.

Please remember that He did it because He loves us that much. His love is cause for celebration. His giving of Himself is cause for celebration. Yet we should never forget that He suffered.
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You should see me after Confession. Haha. It’s even worse. That’s just how I approach God since my conversion. I’m not ready for the celebrating yet. I’m still in the conviction and contrition part of my journey (after two years!!!).

Everyone approaches God differently. Sometimes I think those who seem blissfully content and joyful are doubly blessed and other times I think they just aren’t getting it but no matter what I have no right to judge them or their hearts so I try to chase all wondering away!
 
InspiritCarol said:
Your title made me laugh because I’ve pondered this off and on through my life.

To some degree, I think that we come the closest we can to understanding how sinful we are when we receive the Eucharist with open hearts.

Sometimes I feel like Peter when he first understands who Jesus is and says: get away from me, I am a sinful man.

What you describe sounds more like a cultural thing, though. If I were you, I’d ask the music director what motivates them. (Leave out the whole funeral music accusation). lol

Maybe it’s some generational memorial to some hideous massacre. 🤷
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Thanks for bringing the thread back on-topic. It is about the music. The type of music used seems to be up to the priest, at least in the U.S. Maybe in Scotland it is different because of culture and history.
 
LittleSoldier said:
Thanks for bringing the thread back on-topic. It is about the music. The type of music used seems to be up to the priest, at least in the U.S. Maybe in Scotland it is different because of culture and history.
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Is it about the music? Funeral dirge to one may just be elevator music to another?

I think my parish, personally, only ever plays three communion songs, one of which is Table of Plenty.
 
Albany said:
Hi Nicky,

No babes of course i dont think Jesus would have wanted people laughing at his cross but I’m not standing two thousand years ago at the foot of his cross. I’m in a mass to celebrate his sacrafice for the world and dont think He would want me or anyone to be down at the thought of it.
Respect is one thing but when people cant find joy in the eucharist then we should all be worried.

Just my opinion though.

A
xx
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One thing to keep in mind is that the Mass isn’t just a memorial like Guy Fawkes Day that has a celebratory mood. When the priest performs the two consecrations, Christ’s crucifixion is mystically present on the altar, as He continues to offer Himself to the Father for our sakes at every Mass until the end of time. We are really at the foot of the cross at each Mass.

I feel a lot of joy by the time I get back to the pew, and I try to thank God as best I can, but I’m sure it rarely shows on my face. Perhaps you don’t really know what other people are feeling at Mass.
 
Albany said:
Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx
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The same if you crack a smile at someone they look at you like your weird. I think its a rule one is suppose to look sad at Church or something. I feel the same as you.
 
Albany, I have noticed that it’s different with every church I go to. My church home has people who are very excited to be there. I know many of the Eucharistic ministers, and they smile when they give communion. It’s a wonderful environment and the joy is evident everywhere. At the church in my current town though, I notice it is not as happy. It’s not necessarily “funeral music” like you speak of, but people seem to be more focused on getting out quickly than appreciating the miracle that’s right in front of them.

It’s strange you should say that though…I was just studying in Scotland last summer and noticed exactly what you mentioned. I don’t know why it is like that; I wondered the same thing. One thing I have noticed though is that smiling is contagious. Maybe by showing your own joy for communion, you can influence others at your church to show their appreciation more too. I don’t know, I hope that helps.

Personally, I have mixed emotions with communion. Sometimes it brings me to tears to realize that I have a God who loves me so much that He sacrificed EVERYTHING and loves me infinitely more than I will ever deserve. It’s hard for me to grasp that sometimes. I don’t deserve it, I didn’t earn it. I’m selfish. Yet, He offers Himself anyways and constantly welcomes me back. Other times, it makes me extremely happy. For those same exact reasons.
 
Luvtosew said:
The same if you crack a smile at someone they look at you like your weird. I think its a rule one is suppose to look sad at Church or something. I feel the same as you.
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This is untrue. I have people smiling at me and greeting me WHILE I’M IN THE COMMUNAL LINE, during the Sign of Peace, during other parts of the Mass. So it all depends on what people you are around and/or your timing. There are times to smile and times to maybe refrain.
 
Albany said:
Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx
Click to expand...
Just a couple of thoughts here… 🙂

Keep in mind that the Mass is not intended to be a knee-slapping, foot stomping, hillbilly hoedown. It is the re-presentation of Calvary, where Jesus was murdered horribly for our sins. Would you have stood at the foot of the Cross of Christ, smiling and joyfully clapping your hands, etc.? Or would you be more solemn, serious, grateful, etc.?

If we are properly disposed at Mass, we get the same graces had we actually been at the foot of the Cross of Christ.
 
thanks me2nd i guess you have to see it to understand what i mean.

i’d love our masses to be more upbeat but i take everyones point though.

I worry as well cause catholicism if a big part of my family history so i in a way feel i have to practice it to honour my family. Not that im saying i dont want to be catholic cause i do.
But 90 odd percent of parishioners at my church are elderly and im one of the few young ones who go. None of my friend go even though some where raised catholic and i just worry that anyone joining the church would look at us and think no way. in the last five years i think only 3 people have joined the church as adults there is not many baptisms and at first holy communion about ten kids each year who you never see at mass after that.

i know thats all really cultural to scotland but all i mean is i can understand why people dont attend.

im not saying i want mass to be a circus but i honestly think it should be a joyous celebration. and ok it might sound judgement but i said in the post that this was only my opinion but i do think Jesus would want communion to bring joy.

A
xxx
 
where I go everyone sure looks depressed at mass. It is also very unfriendly. I’m sure it can’t be that way everywhere.
 
Why didn’t you just go to confession?
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I had many times especially early on. Though I found myself having to come back literally each week for one sin or another, and sometimes it was for the same one as the week before. Eventually I felt discouraged from even trying anymore.

In any case, as some people said I will admit that I’d softly cry in silence during the Transubstantiation. Back then I did understand the importance of the Eucharist and it actually provided me peace when I would attend adoration. It really is a wonderful gift, it is simply my own faults that let jealousy of others, misery of self, and discouragement from receiving confession get between that gift.
 
Uriah_Betrayed said:
It’s been about seven years since I entered a Catholic Church, but I don’t recall such poor spirits among those receiving the Eucharist.

Of course I personally felt miserble every time I had to sit in the pews while the rows emptied with people going for the Eucharist simply because I knew I commited a sin before hand and should not partake.

Partly why I stopped attending, why spent time somewhere that only feeds your depression?
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Do you realize every one that was up there receiving communion also had sin on them, even if they went to confession. Only people in mortal sin need to go to confession before receiving. I would enc you to go to confession and start going again and realize you as human as everyone else.😉
 
As a fellow Scot I blame the Calvinists. They’ve had undue influence on Catholicism in Scotland 😃
 
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