THREAD:
1) The divergent reactions to the video of the end of the NCYC Closing Mass reveals fundamentally different presuppositions about the Mass between traditional Catholics and non-traditional yet orthodox (i.e., “conservative”) Catholics.
1) The divergent reactions to the video of the end of the NCYC Closing Mass reveals fundamentally different presuppositions about the Mass between traditional Catholics and non-traditional yet orthodox (i.e., “conservative”) Catholics.
2) I see this pretty clearly because I used to be in the second group and now I’m in the first group.
The problem, at least as I see it, isn’t that these kids are excited about their faith. Obviously that’s a good thing.
The problem, at least as I see it, isn’t that these kids are excited about their faith. Obviously that’s a good thing.
3) It’s also not that I think the organizers had bad intentions; I’m sure they likely had good intentions.
Nor is the problem with this type of music and having concerts like this (although I do think such concerts can sometimes be problematic).
Nor is the problem with this type of music and having concerts like this (although I do think such concerts can sometimes be problematic).
4) The real issue comes down to, “What is the Mass?” How we answer that question impacts the whole ethos of how it is celebrated.
5) Is the Mass first and foremost the re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Calvary? Or is it seen mostly as a service of worship, not completely unlike a Protestant service, but with the Eucharist thrown in?
6) If it is the Sacrifice of Calvary, then we are being mysteriously transported through time and space to be at the foot of the Cross. And we can look at how Mary, John, and Mary Magdalene acted at Calvary to see our model for how we should act.
7) If you look at Calvary, you see two groups of people: Mary and the other disciples, who were silent, solemn, and prayerful; and then the Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders, who were loud and obnoxious. Which do we want to be?
8) I think many conservative Catholics (who do acknowledge the Mass’s sacrificial nature) don’t fully comprehend how much this should impact its entire ethos (I know I didn’t for a long time). But if we really think we are at the foot of the Cross, then we will act accordingly.
9) The NCYC Closing Mass wasn’t an abomination nor were those who were there terrible Catholics. But for the traditional Catholic, it shows how far we have to go to really return to a sense of the sacred at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. /fin
