child molester???
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?
At least the poor guy tried to bring the kids to church. Maybe you should get a “crying room” for the kiddies in your church, or start a “baby sitting service” downstairs so that tots can go there while the parents pray.
I used to stand in the back of church all the time, so I could zip out when my beeper went off ...
Maybe the priest should start saying the Latin mass, or at least say the Mass as if he really believed that Christ was present in church and the bread and wine really did become Jesus.
A little reverence might make people respect God’s presence at church. And if you have a prayer group, maybe they should pray for God’s inspiration to come down on all those attending church.
As for clothing: The bad dress is a sign of spiritual dryness, a symptom, not the disease. The answer is to pray for them.
Now that is wild! Did he even know he was at a church or did he think he was at the local park?
There are women who still wear the chapel veil in a catholic church. Mostly women over 50.
child molester???
come to Poland....
No just a father who can’t/won’t be a parent and make the kids behave in church.
Yeah, i noticed it several years ago and that was partly why i quit going to church.
Men wearing shorts so loose that if they did not keep their knees together well...
These were rare happenings but when the minster and a couple other men showed up in shorts at a church social that was too much for me.
IIRC, Southern Baptist congregations are famous for dressing for service, with ladies in dresses and hats and gents in suits or, at least, jackets.
It is certainly possible to go overboard with dress, showing the sin of pride, but I don’t feel that that is the issue here.
What I am hearing is a call for modesty, for humility, and reverence, as a show of respect for the God who created us, and the Lord jesus, who died to redeem us.
Modesty - clothes should not distract, or draw attention, or inspire untoward thoughts; behavior is quiet so as not to disturb others’ thoughts, meditation, and prayers.
Humility - All are equal in the eyes of the Lord; clothes are not to be flashy or make us stand out. It is our respect for Him, and our knowledge of our own fallen natures, that inspire us to attend. Our clothes are to cover our nakedness as we seek redemption together.
Reverence - We are in a house of worship, where our families become one Family. It is not about us, but about Him, and immodest clothing tickles the vanity and pride of the wearer, and inspires sin in the heart of others (Anger? Lust? Envy?)
While it is laudable that people attend service rather than not attend, we, as a family, as a community, as a congregation, and as a nation would perhaps find true happiness in the self-discipline required to dress appropriately for services.
Football jerseys, flip-flops, tee shirts, and halter tops reflect adolescent cravings (IMHO). We do our children no service by lowering ourselves to their level; far more children are harmed by the soft bigotry of low expectations than by upholding high standards.
I have found the Tridentine Mass late in life, and it is an epiphany. Contemplation of the Divine is encouraged; People dress modestly, children are quiet (or gently disciplined), and the distractions of the modern world are largely left outside the Church door.
Ann Barnhardt has some great riffs on feel-good megachurches
http://barnhardt.biz/index.cfm
YMMV
I would argue that manners is about respect for others (not to be confused with “etiquette”) and should be present in all of our social interactions, including FR postings. So, manners have everything to do with how people behave in church. Or perhaps you are saying that currently manners are not in evidence at your place of worship...;)
We don’t all “dress up” to worship, but we also don’t dress inappropriately in shorts, crop-tops or low-cut tops. Common sense SHOULD tell a person what would be disrespectful to the Lord. just as you said.
What does our dress have to do with our salvation? And the finished work of Christ on our behalf? What does our "dress" have to do with God's offer of reconciiation based on 2 Cor. 5:14-21? We all stand naked before Him, He sees our hearts, and He knows our thoughts. The only thing that is DISRESPECTFUL to the Lord is to reject the death burial and resurrection of His Son on OUR BEHALF, for our own "beautiful" clothing of self-righteous works.
Yes, I DO think we can dishonor God by inappropriate (ie. slutty/exposed)) dress....and speech...and worship. ....and general behavior.
There were only two people at the service wearing a hat - the piper..... and me.
“Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.” Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:48
Though I will always think Jesus should have washed his hands before eating.
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