Today was my day back at the Novus Ordo, after visiting a TLM last week, and I gotta say it seems a lot different now. The Novus Ordo seems much more boring, less ecumenical, and less participatory than the TLM, which is really not what you’d expect. I had to practically-
-to slap myself to stay awake, during the eternal sitting portion of the Mass, (which is something I rather looked forward to before). The walls, like the liturgy were kept to a thread bare, minimum. Which was introduced to bring simplicity, in effect reminded me-
-of a high school math class. Maybe the TLM has accumulated extra trappings over centuries, but those trappings kept people awake.
Another thing that surprised me was how unecumenical it was. I was glad I hadn’t invited a Protestant with me, during the homily when-
Another thing that surprised me was how unecumenical it was. I was glad I hadn’t invited a Protestant with me, during the homily when-
-the priest talked about religious vocations, but didn’t mention that men and women’s vocation were different, which is something I would have to explain. I also realized that this liturgy was very different than the one we last had when the Church was united. Leaving-
-it the same, would’ve been like leaving a light on for a run away child, for when they come home. I would’ve loved for a Prot I know to see everyone bow and hear the chants and the incense, it might’ve felt familiar to them as their long lost spiritual patrimony,-
-they would not recognize, however the rite of purellification, and the legion of “””Eucharistic ministers””” as the priest referred to them.
Finally it was very unparticipatory. I know that being a part of the liturgy isn’t the real goal, and true participation is spiritual-
Finally it was very unparticipatory. I know that being a part of the liturgy isn’t the real goal, and true participation is spiritual-
-but it was kind of shocking to see Susan from the Parish council and her ten closest friends get the spotlight, being lectors or singers or EMHCs while I sat back and tried to fight the urge to sleep, and try to remember that God was literally in front of me, while they went-
-back and forth taking the stage. I don’t need the spotlight, the Mass isn’t about me, but doing very little, bowing and standing, smelling and seeing, tasting or praying, made it even less about my relationship with Christ. Maybe some extremely holy monks far holier than I-
-can sit through the Novus Ordo as some sort of self deprecating penance, but it was almost unbearable for me. No wonder the pews are empty. If we want more austerity, just put nails on the seats. We’d still fill more pews that way.
