Apr
1
Palm Sunday at the church
April 1, 2007 |
It’s after Mass. The church has as usual turned into some sort of meeting place where people exchange greetings. A little old lady has advanced to the altar and is praying before the cross, at the foot of the altar. A gentleman, perhaps feeling that he owns the altar, passes before this little old lady over the steps of the altar, between her and the altar, not once but twice. Then another young man runs across before her, over the altar mount also.
That struck me as something wrong. I have been taught that and I hear ideals about the church, that it is a place built for quiet prayer, where the Tabernacle is respected. However, there are times when you are using the very first pew directly before the Tabernacle trying hard to concentrate, when, Behold, a group of people starts to commune right before you and chatter together.
This post is an observation, more than a rant. I think.
Comments
1 Comment so far
I agree. I am one of those old fuddy duddies who bow every time I pass the altar and genuflect when passing the Tabernacle. If we in this society do not respect each other, then at least we can acknowledge and respect the Presence. After mass the organist plays some very lovely classical music which is so conducive to lifting one’s soul up above the world. It is my desire to stay, sit and reflect after receiving the Sacrament. Sadly, though, no one will join me. Disturbance abounds as the altar is being cleared for the next mass which takes place upstairs within the hour. I have given up trying to sit quietly after mass in the parish, but do so whenever I go to a nearby shrine as I did today.