Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:28 am
To the Rear - March!
When praying facing east, we pray towards Rome and Mecca.
That is a fairly good reason for Christians to
re-think praying facing east. In an attempt to divert attention from
far more serious issues in the Church today, various prelates,
(including Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa, OK and even Pope Benedict)
are agitating with a retro-liturgy by celebrating Mass facing
the (preferably east) wall and away from the worshiping community. One
wonders if these pious folks are aware of the symbolism of turning ones
back to another. Such are clerics whose hard drive was programmed
before Vatican II and has not been upgraded since. Worse still, they
are selling this antiquated program to seminarians.
Consider some reasons NOT TO FACE THE WALL when the community celebrates:
1. Fr. has no need to turn around praying "The Lord be with you" to see if anyone is out there.
2. Hiding from people can imply shame or guilt (as do those accused of a crime).
3. Jesus spoke directly to his friends when he said,"Do this in memory of me".
4. High Church Christians will rejoice that we finally got it right again after 50 years.
5. We face the wall only when we eat alone.
6. Turning away is a universal sign of rejection.
7. God is in the community, not in a wall, statue or cross.
8. God hears our prayers no matter which way we face.
9. The Mass is a participatory act of worship, not a private one.
10. More importantly, it is against common politeness and offensive to the sensus fidelium
You probably can think of a few more.
If your Sunday Mass is a parade
following the back of a priest marching "about face" to Vatican II,
look around for a community that prays with a
more Christ-like celebration.
9/20/09, 25th Sunday, Proverbs 31:10-31 and James 3:13 & 4:3,7-8
9/27/09, 26th Sunday, Ester 7:1-8 & 9:20-23
ARCC is a co-sponsor of THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC COUNCIL (ACC) Please consider joining this effort to bring about much-needed organizational restructuring in the Church
Please pass this on after 9/30/09. Past Spot Lights are found at:
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