tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34254421.post2168123658146320395..comments2023-09-23T07:04:26.564-04:00Comments on Vita Nostra in Ecclesia: The "Obligation" to Go to MassBenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09322135500288738561noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34254421.post-91731709075295126452010-08-17T14:03:50.598-04:002010-08-17T14:03:50.598-04:00I find, more often than not, that if I just consci...I find, more often than not, that if I just consciously suspend my irritations, they will go away. <br /><br />My point was simply that you have to look beyond yourself and focus on the prize, which in this case is the Eucharist.<br /><br />And I know that we wouldn't need grace if everything was easy.Jannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34254421.post-48431102632556126882010-08-17T12:54:13.378-04:002010-08-17T12:54:13.378-04:00Traveling last week, I went to Sunday Mass at this...Traveling last week, I went to Sunday Mass at this one small town parish where there were a couple of moments that almost had me grumbling like Marge Simpson. Am I sorry I went? No.<br /><br />If one absolutely <i>must</i>, in order to maintain one's peace and sanity, go to a different parish if there is one nearby. Personally, I do not go to my "official" territorial parish, but the next closest. I tried going to the closest for Mass, but their rock band was something I found that I could not get past no matter how much I tried (they are LOUD for one thing). But if there is no alternative, don't simply not go. You may indeed need to "offer it up," but you can't not go -- that's not merely cutting your nose off to spite your face, it is cutting your entire head off.<br /><br />While we're at it, perhaps a few prayers for folks like Miss Rice and others would be appropriate.Bendernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34254421.post-22105089905774929202010-08-17T12:39:46.264-04:002010-08-17T12:39:46.264-04:00hard as I try to live up to Bender's expectati...<i>hard as I try to live up to Bender's expectation that we would leave our anger, disgust and resentment at home, sometimes it's hard</i><br /><br />If everything was easy on our own, there would be no need or use for grace.Bendernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34254421.post-87615409995437089542010-08-17T11:09:11.235-04:002010-08-17T11:09:11.235-04:00Two things, Nora - first, nothing, nothing should ...Two things, Nora - first, nothing, <i>nothing</i> should keep us from hearing the word of God and receiving Him in the Holy Eucharist. <br /><br />Believe me, I understand perfectly what you are saying because I have nearly walked out of Mass several times. But by the grace of God I've gotten beyond that - and hard as I try to live up to Bender's expectation that we would leave our anger, disgust and resentment at home, sometimes it's hard. But, I grit my teeth if I have to, and just do it.<br /><br />Next, were I in your parish and my priest used an off-color joke, I would be ALL OVER Abp. Niederauer with complaints. The only reason priests get away with half the stupid things some of them do is because their congregations let them.<br /><br />Do I advocate running to the bishop for every little thing? No. But there are lines that need to be drawn and you've described one of them. Abp. Niederauer was my bishop. He has been known to respond to complaints.Jannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34254421.post-60688871662860844212010-08-16T13:09:14.085-04:002010-08-16T13:09:14.085-04:00Well, you try going to a Catholic Mass in San Fran...Well, you try going to a Catholic Mass in San Francisco...seriously...you're better off at an Episcopalian church. <br /><br />After this past Sunday, where the priest felt it appropriate to open his homily on the Assumption with a really gross joke about men cheating on their wives -- like it's a good thing! -- forget about it.~Ninahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952223887024831105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34254421.post-56097545034673374832010-08-14T08:20:00.972-04:002010-08-14T08:20:00.972-04:00Excellent post! Spot on! Celebrating Jesus at Mass...Excellent post! Spot on! Celebrating Jesus at Mass should not be considered an "obligation".Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908173926196232573noreply@blogger.com