idolater<\/span> of the words of the liturgy? This I\u2019ve never thought of before.\u201d<\/p>\nIn what I might nominate as the comment of the week, Anne took Michelle\u2019s thinking a couple of steps further: \u201cAm I in love with the consolations of God or the God of consolations? It\u2019s a lot to ponder. It fits in with, am I in love with nature or the creator of nature, am I in love with others or the God I see inside of them? I worry quite a bit about idol worship, feeling that I am extremely guilty of it. But when it all boils down, God made the people I love, God made the nature I love and God made the church I love. I know others could easily argue with me on this, but the reason that I love anything, is because I love God. Yes, I love the words. They are immensely powerful and beautiful. But nothing can surpass The Word, without which none of those words would mean anything. And if I happen to enjoy the words as a consolation from God, it\u2019s all gravy!\u201d<\/p>\n
Warren and Frank both were, perhaps predictably, more on the side of, Stop worrying and worship! Tap agreed with them. Warren wrote: \u201cI think that I have found the spirit-check (think \u2018gut-check\u2019 but much higher) one should get out of our highest ritual, the Mass, has more to do with my assisting at the Mass, no matter the liturgical rite. If I involve myself in the inspired Word, and adore \u2018my Lord and my God\u2019 in the consecration, and eagerly look to take His Body and Blood\u2014all of which as has been meant for two millennia<\/span>\u2014I am with Him, and He is with me.\u201d<\/p>\nTap recalled the introduction of a new missal in the 1960s and his reaction: \u201cI was one of the few that didn\u2019t wander away from the Church just because a few ceremonies and words changed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frank wrote: \u201cI\u2019m with Tap on this one. \u2018Because of the Authority of the Church\u2019 has more weight with me. I too love the Liturgy but changes to it would not be what brings me in to the Catholic Church, nor what would drive me away.\u201d I suspect Ferde<\/span> would agree. His e-mail signature reads: \u201cIf the Catholic Church teaches it, it must be right.\u201d<\/p>\nSo far, Fr. Patrick, a priest from Monterey<\/span>, California, has the last word, and I think it\u2019s worth noting. We lay people can sit around all day debating the liturgy, but our priests have to present it and bear the consequences. Here\u2019s what Fr. Patrick wrote:<\/p>\n\u201cA sociological survey in a three-mile radius of this parish in Monterey<\/span> was taken some years ago; it was for all households, not just Catholic homes. When the word WORSHIP was offered, the word most chosen in connection with it was ENTERTAINMENT, 70 percent. As a parish priest this seems the most pressing problem. In a more progressive parish this may involve anything from rock music to the priest presenting as TV personality; in the more traditional approach, the ludicrous video of a Solemn High Mass in St. John Lateran with an orchestra playing to the left of the high altar. In either case\u2014entertainment. Devout celebration of Mass involves a true selflessness on everyones<\/span> part\u2013a true challenge to us in 21st century USA.\u201d<\/p>\nHere\u2019s a question to further the discussion, and we\u2019re going to post it as a poll, too. So you can give it a quick click or a longer comment here\u2014<\/p>\n
If you had the opportunity of regularly hearing the Mass in Latin, Would you do so? Would you go to a Latin mass sometimes and a vernacular Mass sometimes? Or have you become so accustomed to the Mass in English that you stay away from the Latin Mass?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Please vote above and\/or comment here\u2014 <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_dmDaLWNETzg\/S1WTYD-kFeI\/AAAAAAAAA5s\/Edk7JulPMms\/s320\/Missal\")
<\/a>Amy wrote: \u201cI think a crucial moment of understanding for me came a few years ago when I realized that the contemporary Catholic understanding of liturgy is that of a \u2018prayer meeting\u2019 which is not the same as the ancient understanding of \u2018liturgy.\u2019 Prayer meetings and gatherings are good and important, but the Mass is\u2014and almost has been understood as\u2014something different. Understanding that difference is key to discussing this intelligently.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/tracker\/6738513599344023043-7371851389093602678?l=yimcatholic.blogspot.com\")
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