Well said. The same conflicts over “better” run rampant in Protestant circles, too. Hymns or Contemporary music, Biblical exposition or Needs of the Congregation, Kids with parents or Kids in Sunday School... ad nauseam. How about everyone worship the Lord according to his calling? Or studying the Scripture before Sunday morning using the vast resources available on the internet. How about we begin defaulting to Grace first? Let the Holy Spirit do his work while we get out of the way.
"What if you treated that Mass with the utmost of reverence and respect, you poured your heart and soul from the pew into seeing and experiencing God’s presence in the Eucharist." Yes! Fully participate in the Mass. It's not like Jesus doesn't show up. Nice article. I like the example of the accordion traffic.
Dear hearts, this is a work of fiction. I was there when the Franciscan pastor of the wonderful Polish parish in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, told us to stay after mass in the church and socialize. I knew it was wrong, and I tried my best to continue to pray before and after mass as before. But it's not possible. One's chain of prayer collapses as friends stand about you chatting. It is impossible to ignore, and not the least problem is the pastor is there urging them on. It is as if that traffic were being stopped and started by cops between the cars. This was at the turn of the century. Do you not think many people tried to reverse that trend by quietly praying? I believe the church has closed now and its faithful families scattered to the four winds.
“What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40b)
Well said. The same conflicts over “better” run rampant in Protestant circles, too. Hymns or Contemporary music, Biblical exposition or Needs of the Congregation, Kids with parents or Kids in Sunday School... ad nauseam. How about everyone worship the Lord according to his calling? Or studying the Scripture before Sunday morning using the vast resources available on the internet. How about we begin defaulting to Grace first? Let the Holy Spirit do his work while we get out of the way.
This! I wish every Catholic with an extreme take on the "liturgy wars" would take this message to heart.
Agreed! It is more important that we be present for Christ than anything else!!
"What if you treated that Mass with the utmost of reverence and respect, you poured your heart and soul from the pew into seeing and experiencing God’s presence in the Eucharist." Yes! Fully participate in the Mass. It's not like Jesus doesn't show up. Nice article. I like the example of the accordion traffic.
Thank you so much, Mark!
Dear hearts, this is a work of fiction. I was there when the Franciscan pastor of the wonderful Polish parish in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, told us to stay after mass in the church and socialize. I knew it was wrong, and I tried my best to continue to pray before and after mass as before. But it's not possible. One's chain of prayer collapses as friends stand about you chatting. It is impossible to ignore, and not the least problem is the pastor is there urging them on. It is as if that traffic were being stopped and started by cops between the cars. This was at the turn of the century. Do you not think many people tried to reverse that trend by quietly praying? I believe the church has closed now and its faithful families scattered to the four winds.