A Time to Speak

A TIME TO BE SILENT, A TIME TO SPEAK    Ecc.3:1, 7

I am not an orator trained in rhetoric and I often fail in articulating a logical syllogism, but there is an appropriate time for everything, so I still feel compelled to speak about our church as I see it. What I see are souls languishing for want of sound teaching and confused from a lack of knowledge. Many souls today wander about in intellectual and moral confusion like sheep without a shepherd. Since the 1970s our shepherds have promoted new philosophies and teaching that “tickle our ears” as it says in the letter of Timothy. Back then, if you wanted to use contraception, you could shop around until you found a priest who would condone the practice, that is, give you permission to sin! So, who was more culpable?

The celebration of the Mass lost its reverence with the introduction of balloons, banners, dance and tambourines. One young man once told me that if he wanted guitars, drums and tambourines he would go to the bar! The solemnity of the mass was often interrupted by inviting people into the sanctuary, a place once so sacred that only the priest and servers could enter. People stood around the altar shifting from one foot to another and looking about. It was not an atmosphere conducive to prayer but rather an opportunity to check out how people looked.  The offertory became an endless procession of meaningless offerings such as books and toys along with the essential elements for consecration. The hosts and wine were just another thing presented. The music was trite, and the words seldom related to what was occurring on the altar. Sometimes hymns were accompanied lyrics flashed onto a jumbo screen.  Absent were periods for sacred silence and contemplation. It felt like a grade school presentation giving everyone a part and a lot of excited activity. Even the host was sometimes homemade bread which easily crumbled. In one parish, the priest was called the “cookie priest” because he made his own host.

 Forgotten was the fact that the divine liturgy is more than a communal meal.  It is the solemn sacrifice of Christ on Calvary and the celebration of gifting us with His presence among us through the transubstantiation of bread and wine on the altar. Thus began of the descent down the slippery slope of disrespect present in some churches today: the chatter, the casual, sloppy, immodest attire, lack of participation in the prayers, and loss of reverence in performing its rituals and receiving Holy Communion.

Sadly, some Pastors do not address any of this, perhaps they fear losing parishioners or the income parishioners provide or don't want to correct people and be unpopular. These are sins of human respect. We need our priests to be heroes for Christ and teach us how to behave reverently in the House of God. They set the example for us. One of the most inspiring sights I have observed was seeing my pastor on his knees praying before mass. Mass is not just another place to go to fulfill an obligation that is no more important than attending the PTA meeting.  

We are not to criticize our pastors but to help them to do their jobs. They need to know our needs and that they have our support and encouragement. If they know how much we hunger for sound teaching about sin and judgment and discerning the world and its affairs, then they may find the courage to be more bold. As it says in Ecclesiastes “there is a time to be silent and a time to speak”.  I believe that this is the time for the laity to speak up. Speak to our prelates and priests about our concerns. Speak for the truth. Speak not in anger or in sarcasm nor with accusations. but with a hungry heart and a mind asking to be enlightened in the teachings of our faith. Teach us how to respond to the world's culture of death and media propaganda. We desire to be informed and lead a holy life. I believe that in this age God is raising up Saints in the family for his church. We are called by our confirmation to be the defenders of the faith.

 Saint Joan of Arc pray for us.

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