We will always have those who don't SEEM to "participate" at Mass--or don't even seem to PRAY at Mass. What shall we do about that?
This caught my eye. The answer lies in a little secret that the Church has learned over the Centuries (and seemingly has forgotton recently here in America).
Other than offer a dignified Mass - do nothing. That is, let individual people drift in and out of "participation" as God calls them to. That is one of the benefits of chant - people can drift into it at any time and out again for whatever reasons. Reasons known only to them. It's when you start trying to "force" "the people" that the troubles soon begin. Think of all the games played by music leaders (leaders of music?) - oftentimes well intentioned people who took classes, etc., etc. - trying to get "the people" to sing. Frustration in all parties involved.
Just allow Christ to offer His Sacrifice. A sober, dignified, mysterious event happens. Each individual needs the freedom to absorb it "where they are at".
Of course, the foregoing gets to the heart of all the abuses generally encountered at many "modern" Masses.
Precisely.
It's like trying to stop babies from crying. The cure is most often far worse than the disease.
Attempting to force 'attention' to the Mass logically leads to making the Mass more "attention-getting," which has led to all the game-show host-priest stuff (in some places,), the cha-cha/marimba/Protestant show-production music and drama, and the eventual focus on what is here and now v. what is eternal.
The fact is that contemplation is difficult for most, as is adherence to every single Commandment.
Has to do with Eve's work in the Garden, you know.