I have never started Mass by saying `Good morning` after making the sign of the cross. Sometimes I have been asked why I don`t do it. Well, because it brings the sacred liturgy down to the level of a purely secular encounter. I can hardly wait for the new ICEL translation to come into force where we will have the greeting`The Lord be with you`: `And with your spirit`. It will be worth it for that alone.
Now I see that I have been getting it right all these years after all. According to the Telegraph there has been a meeting for priests in the diocese of Leeds where it has all been explained. Sounds great. Will we be due such a meeting in Hexham and Newcastle? Is this something that is doing the rounds?
Here is an extract from the Telegraph`s report. Yes, the debate has been going on a long time about whether we are `doing a cabaret or are we actually celebrating the Eucharist`
A spokesman for the diocese said: "The review of the liturgy is looking at whether there are elements of the service that have become a bit too distracting.
"People might argue that if you go in to a house, you say 'hi', but the priest is not going in to a house. He is going in to a sacred service. We need to emphasise that the priest is president of the community and is presiding at the service.
"It is a debate that has been going on in the Church for a long time – are we doing a cabaret or are we actually celebrating the Eucharist?
"The fear is that if some guidance is not given and general decisions are not put down, the interpretation of the liturgy leads to unsuitable things, like strobe lights and girls in hotpants. The aim of the new translation is to bring more dignity to the service."
6 comments:
It starts with 'good morning, everybody', and where does it end? Strobe lights and hotpants, that's where!
That made me laugh even more than the LED sheep on your other blog ...
I'm sure that you're right about not saying Good Morning.
It strikes me as conveying a terribly clerical view of what is going on: that the priest is welcoming the people to 'his' mass. Whereas, actually, he is representing the people to God, and making God present to the people.
It's even worse when the priest thanks us for coming, as though we turn up to do him a favour...
What a good way to end the week. This is splendid news, we need dignity and devotion at Mass, and who knows, maybe some day we will get round to stopping the chat and gossip before and after Mass.
... We need to emphasise that the priest is president of the community and is presiding at the service ...
Oh dear, we still have a long way to go.
Well said, but even with the new changes, don't count on some not to ignore it and continue to say "Good morning."
It's not a huge deal, but when combined with other such things "adds up" to "hi, welcome to MY Mass." Priests will end up showing personality at the sermon and in the Hall after Mass and that's enough! :-D
After reading of the 'Ballerina for God' item in the Telegraph on Saturday 'Good morning' by the priest sounds quite harmless.
Apparently an ex-Lap Dancer, now a nun, is to 'perform for clerics next week at Holy Cross in Jerusalem Bascilica , one of Rome's best known churches' so we are quite lucky to get away with 'Good morning'
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