Justin86 Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 No, it wasn't because I was hungover. I was getting all dressed up to go to Mass when I heard a gentle knock on my door--as if someone was just curious to see if I was up. I answered it to find another sailor I know sweeping the deck (for those of you who don't know I'm a sailor stationed in Okinawa). "Hey, we just have have to do a quick field day and we were wondering if you could help out." A field day in the Navy is when we clean the barracks. Usually its done by decks(aka floors). We sweep hallways, clean the lounges and laundry rooms. All together it probably takes about half-an-hour with a few people. Now it's now 8:15. Mass starts at 8:30. I technically already consider myself late as I like to be 15 minutes early to prepare myself spiritually for Mass. I could, at this point, have told him I wanted to go to Mass, and there really wouldn't be anything anyone could have done about it, but I didn't. I said, knowing full well I was going to miss Mass, that I'd help out. Why? Believe me, it's not because I'm so in love with cleaning. Getting up early on a Sunday to clean is not my idea of a fun weekend. Its because, at that moment I just couldn't see any reason to bother going. I have priest that has no reverence for the Eucharist or the Sacrifice of the Mass. During Communion he likes to stay on the altar and have everyone come up to him. He leaves the Blood on the altar and if you would like to drink it you have to go behind altar--where the priest stands--and pick up the chalice yourself and drink. He does other weird stuff too that I don't really care for, and I know isn't allowed by Rome, but this is the big thing that I can't stand. I mean, where the heck did he come up with this? It's definitely not an authorized liturgy. Having me go on the altar? What does that say? That I have to go up to God? God comes down to me the last time I checked. And what's up with going behind the altar for the Blood? Are the laity all priests now who can just mosey behind the altar like its no big deal? Oh, and never mind that he obviously just came up with this in his head, and completely disregarded Church officials. I could either go to Mass and watch someone disrespect the Eucharist, disrespect the priesthood, and disrespect Church authorities, or I could do something actually productive with my life. After all, a messy barracks can get us sailors and marines into alot trouble. Better to avoid it. No good comes from a messy barracks. I have three years to do in Okinawa. I already am having issues living my Catholic faith on this God-forsaken island. I don't need this priest-bozo complicating them any further. I'm not getting a presence of God on this island. Anyone from Okinawa seen Him around lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 aww... Hugs and prayers! Have you spoken to the preist? Maybe written to the bishop? (priest first, always). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lioness For Christ Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 I understand how horrible it is to go to a disrespectful Mass,(makes my blood boil over) however, I do say it's better to go anyways than not at all... First, because it's a mortal sin to knowinly choose not to, but second is even when it doesn't appear to make an impact, resepctful LAITY can even influence others... Trust me, when I see reverence, I feel like imitating it--it's inspiring... And the most important reasons is Jesus is there all the same! I'm sure He's not thrilled with "creative ideas" either... Please, please, PLEASE do not miss Mass again... At least there's Jesus, and He's the only One Who can really help you get through tough days! Even when it feels He is far away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin86 Posted October 21, 2007 Author Share Posted October 21, 2007 I have a feeling somebody's already said something to the priest about it. Like most liberals, I doubt he cares. As for the bishop, the Military Archdiocese doesn't have one at the moment, as O'Brien went to be Bishop of Baltimore. We're inbetween Bishops right now. My life smells of elderberries. I want off this island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mortify Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 (edited) That's a good question, is it worth attending a mass full of liturgical abuses, I'm not really sure, though it's probably worth the effort going anyway. Edited October 21, 2007 by mortify Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autumn Dusk Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 If you're a marie find Trammel, female, red hair. Hang with her. She's a good seed (for the most part) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 look, you really shouldnt have missed mass. I hate sitting through a mass full of abuses, but sometimes you have to offer it up as a sacrifice and PRAY for that priest who is not following the church. Sit there and unite that frustration and anger with the crucifixion. Please dont miss mass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mortify Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 I don't know how realistic this is, but maybe if you did something additional like getting together with the guys and saying a rosary, reading the bible, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 [quote name='Justin86' post='1406295' date='Oct 20 2007, 10:33 PM']I have a feeling somebody's already said something to the priest about it. Like most liberals, I doubt he cares. As for the bishop, the Military Archdiocese doesn't have one at the moment, as O'Brien went to be Bishop of Baltimore. We're inbetween Bishops right now. My life smells of elderberries. I want off this island.[/quote] [quote name='mortify' post='1406296' date='Oct 20 2007, 10:34 PM']That's a good question, is it worth attending a mass full of liturgical abuses, I'm not really sure, though it's probably worth the effort going anyway.[/quote] Ex opere operato- the work having been worked. Grace is given [b][i]simply because the sacrament has been effected[/i] [/b]It does not matter about the disposition of the minister. So of course it worth going. to say that the Mass/sacrament depends on the disposition/holiness of the minister is verging clase to donatism, which is schism. That said, it's SOOOO easy to get discouraged with stuff like this. But yes. the grace and Jesus are STILL THERE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin86 Posted October 21, 2007 Author Share Posted October 21, 2007 [quote name='missionseeker' post='1406304' date='Oct 21 2007, 01:40 PM']Ex opere operato- the work having been worked. Grace is given [b][i]simply because the sacrament has been effected[/i] [/b]It does not matter about the disposition of the minister. So of course it worth going. to say that the Mass/sacrament depends on the disposition/holiness of the minister is verging clase to donatism, which is schism. That said, it's SOOOO easy to get discouraged with stuff like this. But yes. the grace and Jesus are STILL THERE.[/quote] Yeah, I know all that. It's just on top of everything else, why do I have to deal with this too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 Complain to his religious superiors? Isn't their a military archdiocese or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 [quote name='Justin86' post='1406306' date='Oct 20 2007, 10:50 PM']Yeah, I know all that. It's just on top of everything else, why do I have to deal with this too?[/quote] i know that feeling. life smells of elderberries. but here's a prayer i like to say when the suckiness of like is getting me terribly down. it was written by Miguel Pro, God Jester, in Mexico in the 1920s Does our life become from day to day more painful, more oppressive, more replete with afflictions? Blessed be He a thousand times who desires it so. If life be harder, love makes it also stronger, and only this love, grounded on suffering, can carry the Cross of my Lord Jesus Christ. Love without egotism, without relying on self, but enkindling in the depth of the heart an ardent thirst to love and suffer for all those around us: a thirst that neither misfortune nor contempt can extinguish... [b]I believe, O Lord; but strengthen my faith... Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love. Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence. Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee[/b]. Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life. i bolded it, cuz that's my favorite part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 [quote name='Justin86' post='1406306' date='Oct 20 2007, 11:50 PM']Yeah, I know all that. It's just on top of everything else, why do I have to deal with this too?[/quote] Don't mean to sound like a parent, but what if Jesus had said that? "On top of suffering and dying, I have to give them Myself to eat?! Even though there will be abuses and people will commit sacrilege against me in the Eucharist? On top of everything else, why do I have to deal with this, too?" Trust me, Jesus appreciates seeing those of us at Mass who do try (however failingly) to treat Him with reverence. Please don't miss Mass again. It is a sin, but worse, it fails to acknowledge the love of God (which is something I often fail at, but still). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mortify Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 [quote name='missionseeker' post='1406304' date='Oct 20 2007, 10:40 PM']Ex opere operato- the work having been worked. Grace is given [b][i]simply because the sacrament has been effected[/i] [/b]It does not matter about the disposition of the minister. So of course it worth going. to say that the Mass/sacrament depends on the disposition/holiness of the minister is verging clase to donatism, which is schism. That said, it's SOOOO easy to get discouraged with stuff like this. But yes. the grace and Jesus are STILL THERE.[/quote] But improper form can invalidate a mass. If the Priest is changing the words around in the consecration, that is a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 If the Liturgy is this screwy their is a decent chance that the required intent for the Consecration (not to mention any other Sacramental Acts) is lacking. The man should be reported to his superiors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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