Posted on 07/23/2012 12:09:39 PM PDT by NoKoolAidforMe
Yesterday at mass, a man came in with two girls (both of an age where each could stand and speak on their own.) ten minues after the liturgy began.
He stood along the side aisle wearing shorts, an advertisement tee shirt, and sneakers and leaned one foot against the wall of the church while standing. There were seats available.
When we stood for the gospel, he then decided to sit down. He did not pray with the girls nor follow along with the missal. He held one girl up for the entire mass, talking throughout with her feet on the top of the pew in front of him, even through the announcment that asked parishioners to show up on time and dress appropriately for mass and set a good example for our children. He bounced her up and down, kissing her repeatedly throughout the entire liturgy.
I write this diatribe because I am not sure if I am being unreasonable in expecting people to show up on time for mass, dress in attire that does not look like you are going to play baseball in the park, and behave in a respectful manner (you know, don't talk in church.)
Whatever happened to manners? Does anyone else notice this?
My grandfather was a poor Mexican laborer his entire life, but he never neglected to wear his best coat and white shirt for Mass.
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Poverty (as opposed to destitution)is no excuse to dress like a slob on his way to the beach at Mass. I wear a uniform everyday at work, so I don’t have a lot of everyday clothes. I have one pair of dress slacks that I wear only to Mass. I buy all my shirts for Mass at the second-hand store—for $4 or $5 bucks you can get a nice collared shirt that beats hell out of sloppy t-shirts and wife-beaters. It isn’t THAT hard to dress up a notch for one hour a week. Sure God looks at your heart—but where’s your heart if you can’t inconvenience your precious self to show Him how honored you are to be in His house at least once a week? Don’t most of us dress up for lesser reasons, like parties and nights out at a nice restaurant? Especially for Catholics who are receiving the Lord of the universe in Holy Communion, isn’t Mass a special occasion?
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I live in the hottest part of the country in an area that is only second to Salt Lake City in it’s concentration of LDS. As much as I disagree with their doctrine, you never see anyone dressed as a slob or a harlot go in their meeting houses, no matter how hot it is. Catholics have so much more in the Mass than these people have in their meetings—shouldn’t we act like it?
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We have two new young pastors who just came from Spain and they are absolutely scandalized by the immodesty and irreverence shown by those coming to Mass in our parish. They have launched an initiative to bring some decorum and respect back to Mass. Here is a video they have played before all the Masses:
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Reverence 2012
http://www.stanneaz.com/stanne/
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Some of the people who have posted on this thread probably would not mind if folks showed up at church naked, and would say it is "judgmental" if anyone were to object.
Johnny lost me right there.
First, it's simply not true. Stained glass is expensive, but not that expensive.
Second, that stained glass was made by somebody, and it did feed his family for some period of time. Should the glazier have said 'take this job and shove it?' I think NOT.
Third, the money for that stained glass was given for the purpose of buying it by somebody who earned it.
Fourth, I can't say for sure about the particular church Johnny visited, but most that I'm aware of would be happy to help the wino. Mine would. It also wouldn't have turned Johnny away, so there's that too.
Fifth, the whole song reeks of smarmy snobbishness. Ick.
To live forever in heaven with you: well, I’d sure hate to be in this crowd.
Yes, indeed ... I thank thee Lord that I am not like other men ....
But I’ll tell you: I believe a man is judged by what’s in his heart, not what’s in his bank account.
Yet that's precisely what he's doing.
The Divine Liturgy is not a parable or about parables.
It is worship, and modesty,dignity and respect are demanded.
Since the priests and hierarchy refuse to do their job of instructing those that somehow never knew this,the trend of hot pants,sheer tops,tube tops and all other forms of immodest dress will continue.
I’m noticing that church culture is changing.
No longer do we sing, “come, just as you are to worship” but mean “come, dress formally and act stiffnecked”.
Our ancestors used to dress up on Sundays to go to church. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact we were an agrarian society. A man spent 6 days plowing the fields and stepping in cow poop. If he came just as he was, the place would stink up fast. No doubt, the pastors pushed heavily for parishioners to show proper respect and to at least smell right. So our ancestors cleaned up, dressed up and showed up. Today, many parishioners spend 5 days dressed up like our ancestors were for Sundays, so the need is to dress down to a comfortable level.
The example you gave was on the extreme, especially with the fact the man was talking through the sermon. As has been said on this thread, the man was probably there just for his child. He showed as much respect as he has, which is not much.
The word “worship” comes from the english word ‘worthship’ and its connotation is that we show God what He is worth to us. For that man’s case, God is not worth much to him, but God is beginning a good work on him and will be faithful to complete it. Check back on this individual 5 years from now and let us know his progress.
Hear-hear.
Let’s look at this scenario —
If you were meeting Jesus, would you have good manners?
Would you be dressed appropriately?
Men in suits with a tie?
Women in dresses with hopefully a mantilla or hat?
Or do people no longer care to wear their best for God?
I always wear a dress or skirt and a blouse.
No because we were behind four Sisters in full habit at Latin Mass.
This Divine Liturgy?
Luke:
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Don’t let a post on Free Republic take away something that has been a comfort to you.
It’s about reverence. Nothing more and certainly nothing less.
We used to be a reverent society. Now we’re more interested in what the right fit is for us. If you can’t show up on time for church and can’t show up without looking like a beach volleyball player, how is your worship supposed to be reverent?
And if your worship isn’t reverent, where else will you compromise? We should do all we can to remind ourselves that whenever we step into a church we don’t go there for ourselves — we go for God. What we get in return is the closeness with Him that makes worship a truly enriching, and miraculous, experience.
The stained glass window, IMHO, is symbolic for displaying religion instead of living that religion. Paycheck’s song, (again IMHO) illustrated that scrubbed faces, nice clothes, shiny cars are not displays of religious values. A church that turns a lamb away based on hair length, clothing styles, facial hair etc... is simply a country club of sorts. I love the song and always have. How many front row Christians... there every Sunday for all to see.. are rotten Christians the other six days a week? I’ve known quite a few and I am sure my church isn’t different than any others. Paycheck’s song asks the question about being religious and presenting oneself as religious when they aren’t.
Exactly....and honoring the One who made us. Some forget that He is the audience who must be pleased with our offerings of worship, NOT us!
Want to be “entertained”? Go to a theatre or zoo!
God will not be mocked.
Thanks. I did learn a lesson about letting go of things that day.
The difference is that bosses judge and God doesn't.
First, we have become a nation of slobs. Of this there is no denying. So the family in question probably never even gave a second thought about being the slobs they are. Especially after a couple generations of slovenly behavior and attire by just about everybody at Mass. There should be more done to encourage people to present themselves in a respectful manner, but unless society as a whole decides to reverse its slide towards slobbery, this is probably a losing battle.
Second, when people behave like that at Mass it can be an indication that they are not regular church goers. So their showing up late and goofing around might actually be an improvement for them--a step in the right direction. It could be something good, and if they continue to show up for Mass, perhaps the example set by the rest of the congregation will have an effect on them as they notice that they are the only goof balls.
Another point to consider:
Distracting behavior interferes with other people's attempts to worship god, and as such it is rude and inconsiderate. So I guess according to some folks Jesus doesn't mind if one is rude and inconsiderate to others.
go to their boss’s party dressed in daisy dukes The difference is that bosses judge and God doesn't.
Or it could be that one is considered an important event and the other isn't.
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