tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post5736754831716083141..comments2024-03-08T08:54:08.632-05:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: The Psalms, the liturgy, the MassFr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-21710589431099618832007-11-08T22:35:00.000-05:002007-11-08T22:35:00.000-05:00So much emphasis has been placed on trying to elev...So much emphasis has been placed on trying to elevate the laity to the level of the priesthood in the last 40 years. It is true that the laity have sacrifices to offer, but they are only acceptable because of the Priest acting on behalf of them. Christ works through the Priest to offer Himself to God the Father. The one Sacrifice that makes all other sacrifices acceptable (Calvary)is re-presented on the altar at the hands of the Priest. This needs to be realized by all Catholics because only thinking about the Mass as a meal or a celebration is not very sustaining. If I didn't believe in the real presence of Christ on that altar I wouldn't be there because it is pretty lame entertainment. I can think of a lot more fun things to do. Anyone who would go to Mass to be entertained is not participating in worship. Well, maybe self worship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-77058139460734383722007-11-06T15:26:00.000-05:002007-11-06T15:26:00.000-05:00See Bill Mahrt's editorial in the upcoming Sacred ...See Bill Mahrt's editorial in the upcoming Sacred Music:<BR/><BR/>http://www.musicasacra.com/2007/11/06/winter-sacred-music/<BR/><BR/>...which makes your point.Dad29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08554276286736923821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-88794241630005846492007-11-05T22:30:00.000-05:002007-11-05T22:30:00.000-05:00Sometimes I wonder if the concept of offering was ...Sometimes I wonder if the concept of offering was lost when liturgy began to be referred to as a "celebration". Most folks think of celebrations as wedding receptions, birthday parties, winning the lottery bashes, et al. All of that makes the individual the focus of attention and control.<BR/><BR/>Liturgy is not intended to be a big party we plan in order to have a great time and enjoy some entertainment. Liturgy is about worship, not self-gratification.<BR/><BR/>AnnieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-12694954193828180202007-11-05T20:21:00.000-05:002007-11-05T20:21:00.000-05:00Wow, what a great post and how interesting to see ...Wow, what a great post and how interesting to see a priest that cares enough to give this that much thought. I think this is also why the music at mass is so critical. Nothing disturbs the flow so essential to the mass as hearing bongo drums and tambarines break out with the wrong type of music at the wrong time. The mass is so important and for many, the only time they have an opportunity to get close to God during the week. A sermon on fund raising, while important, seems like it should come after the mass, not during the homily. I know how important it is to reach people and how hard it is to do so outside of the homily, but somehow, I think Christ would expect something different. In the past, we had parishes built with huge churches and wonderful huge stained glass windows. However, I do not remember the homily on fund raising.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-24468560921696198302007-11-05T18:40:00.000-05:002007-11-05T18:40:00.000-05:00Hi Father -Some good thoughts here. Thank you for ...Hi Father -<BR/><BR/>Some good thoughts here. Thank you for posting them. They trigger thoughts here too.<BR/><BR/>Sacrifice<BR/><BR/>It seems that there are three sacrifices going on during the Mass. Obviously we are offering the sacrifice of wine and bread. It's a small thing, but it is the work of human hands and represents our offering to God.<BR/><BR/>At the same time there is the sacrifice of Christ, the Paschal Lamb. Not many folks know it, but "host" comes from the Latin "hostia" which means "victim". So what begins as our offering of bread is returned to us as Christ's offering of Himself as a victim.<BR/><BR/>Not to be forgotten is the sacrifice of God the Father who does give up His only begotten Son. In its own way that is as great a sacrifice as Christ's own.<BR/><BR/>The priest stands as the focal point for all three sacrifices - <I>to</I> God and <I>from</I> God - all in the same Mass.<BR/><BR/>Experience<BR/><BR/>You bring up the issue of our hot-button discussions on liturgy, music, churches, vestments, etc. Has anybody ever spoken with a deaf or blind parishioner? What is their experience in the Mass when we separate out all of the things we experience sensually?<BR/><BR/>Smell has been reputed to be the strongest trigger for memory. Have we lost anything by the reduction in the use of beeswax candles and incense in our Mass? What of feeling and taste? Do they still affect our participation in the Mass?<BR/><BR/>I don't have answers, but the questions have me puzzled.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-55925368036981599852007-11-04T22:28:00.000-05:002007-11-04T22:28:00.000-05:00the lord is coming. these are the end times. http:...the lord is coming. these are the end times. http://www.bushisantichrist.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-10374033555390340602007-11-04T17:23:00.000-05:002007-11-04T17:23:00.000-05:00You are on the same track as another blogger who s...You are on the same track as another blogger who stated that "sacred music is not [principally] didactic." Nor is the Mass principally "didactic."<BR/><BR/>It's not all that different from Paul's (?) analogy to the body--there are feet, hands, head, but all are part of a whole.<BR/><BR/>By nature, musicians think more highly of music than of homilies (sorry about that...) just as priests think more highly of homilies than of music.<BR/><BR/>And by the way, you're right about building design serving the un-aided voice. That's putting the priorities where they belong.<BR/><BR/>Priests should be trained to project their voices and speak slowly for clarity, just as singers have to learn the same things.<BR/><BR/>And in the old stone-and-plaster 'shoebox'-dimensioned church design, there was no need for a microphone at all.Dad29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08554276286736923821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-24714586410753009192007-11-04T14:16:00.000-05:002007-11-04T14:16:00.000-05:00To show my ignorance -- I didn't even know what a ...To show my ignorance -- I didn't even know what a SCRIP program was until I Googled it. We were reminded today about the ASA and what it does. I guess everyone who reads this knows that means annual stewardship appeal.<BR/><BR/>As a convert from a Protestant denomination where unless it was Communion Sunday, there was only the sermon (and usually a long one), I understand this completely. My favorite homilies are those at the daily Mass which are short and to the point and thus easy to remember. I must say that both last week and this week, Fr. has said things in his Sunday homily that I felt I really needed to hear and that helped me. <BR/><BR/>BTW, will you be going in Columbus for NCYC next weekend? We have a vibrant youth program in our parish and Fr., Deacon, and quite a few youth will be participating.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-71645018047191033342007-11-04T11:28:00.000-05:002007-11-04T11:28:00.000-05:00It is all so simple and clearly explained, it is s...It is all so simple and clearly explained, it is such a shame that so many reject it all.<BR/>As soon as a someone starts talking about community instead of a offering, a sacrifice, you know that they don't get it, and they don't even understand how you know they don't get it.<BR/>I've seen this erroneous understanding of the Mass from priests as well as liturgists. It's so sad, because these individuals are not trying to follow bad theology, most have been taught in error, some even at seminary.<BR/>I try to get them to read Papa Ratzinger's The Spirit of the Liturgy and pray they'll finally understand.TerryChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534442176545473283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-86946975297152611522007-11-04T10:05:00.000-05:002007-11-04T10:05:00.000-05:00Spot on, Father! I wish more parish "liturgists" w...Spot on, Father! I wish more parish "liturgists" would grasp the simple concept that the Mass is essentially an offering. (And why do we think we need special laypersons to plan the liturgy, anyway?) Oops! Shouldn't be grumbling on a Sunday.Catholic Bibliophagisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10697706672495544901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-52863737924891443922007-11-03T20:49:00.000-04:002007-11-03T20:49:00.000-04:00i enjoyed reading this post...but when you mention...i enjoyed reading this post...but when you mentioned co-ed dorms, i really perked up!! my oldest is off to college in the fall and it is darn near impossible to find ANY school without co-ed dorms...it's so sad.The Bass playerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12472528278761962452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-21830899798258053782007-11-03T15:40:00.000-04:002007-11-03T15:40:00.000-04:00How do you talk about SCRIP and also lead into the...How do you talk about SCRIP and also lead into the heart of the liturgy?<BR/><BR/>Easy! SCRIP is about buying food (mostly) - nourishing ourselves, and, as a fruit of our involvement in the program, nourishing others (the students in the Catholic school, those whom they will touch with their faith on down the line, etc). <BR/><BR/>So it is with the Eucharist, we pay a price, we offer ourselves up with Christ, and we are nourished with him in this essential way, called to go and love in his name.<BR/><BR/>Or something like that.<BR/><BR/>Well, maybe not <I>easy!</I><BR/><BR/>Great thoughts, as usual!<BR/><BR/>BTW, I read a little bit of Walter Burghardt when I was younger (who knows why) and that was always his big point - that the homily should point to the Eucharist, every, single, time.Amy Welbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10183910226071592917noreply@blogger.com