Father Alexander of St. Stephen’s, Providence has an excellent post on worship. While I am unconvinced of the practicality of the “Silent Canon”, I think the underlying thought is right on target.
Read it all Here.
The money quote:
“Several years ago, I received an anonymous note after Mass complaining about the noise of the fans we use in the church on hot summer days. The note read in part: “The entire service was a waste of my time, for I could not hear a single word that was said.” (Or words to that effect.) Admittedly, the noise of those fans resembled the whine of airplane propellers, and I have since replaced them with quieter ones.
But I wished I could have explained to that person that the purpose of liturgical prayer is not primarily the instruction or edification of the faithful, much less their entertainment or aesthetic gratification. I wished I could have explained that regardless of what this person could hear or understand, his assistance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by presence and prayers, was anything but a waste of time. But the Silent Canon itself makes all those points much more forcefully and eloquently than any such explanation ever could.”
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Deaf and Mute
In my personal study of the scriptures, I examined Mark 7:31-37. This passage is a healing story. Jesus encounters a man who is deaf and suffers from a speech impediment. Jesus takes him aside, touches him and prays, "Be opened."
Obviously, the man was healed or there would be no story to tell. The literal meaning of the story is powerful. We depend on hearing and speech to such an extent that it would be difficult to imagine life without these abilities. To have these abilities restored, or experience them for the first time would be monumental. In Jesus time, life without speech or hearing must have been incredibly lonely.
Fortunately, time often brings progress. Therapies and technology have helped many with these same issues. Sign language, itself, has relaxed many of the barriers to communication, so much so, we often speak of "Deaf Culture.” Some argue that we should think in terms of difference, rather than disability. The cultural argument recognizes the existence of community and connection.
I don't really know what it means to be deaf and unable to speak. I do know what it means to be lonely and isolated. Jesus' words have resonance beyond the particulars of the story. When Jesus commands, "Be opened," the assumption is that something is closed.
There are numerous ways we are closed. As individuals, we have formative backgrounds and experiences that shape the way we see and hear. Through trial and error, each of us developed strategies to manage life. We tend to gather into groups that reinforce our individual choices, even if we are unaware of having made choices. Perspectives develop, opinions form, minds are made up and doors close.
What would it be like to examine the closed doors in our lives? Is it possible to examine who we are, what we think and remake choices? Can we be honest with ourselves that some of the doors we have closed make us residents of our own self-constructed prisons? When I am closed to you, I am closed to God. The promise of the Gospel: there is no door that cannot be opened.
Have a look at Father Matthew’s video below this entry. I think this is the story he is talking about telling.
Obviously, the man was healed or there would be no story to tell. The literal meaning of the story is powerful. We depend on hearing and speech to such an extent that it would be difficult to imagine life without these abilities. To have these abilities restored, or experience them for the first time would be monumental. In Jesus time, life without speech or hearing must have been incredibly lonely.
Fortunately, time often brings progress. Therapies and technology have helped many with these same issues. Sign language, itself, has relaxed many of the barriers to communication, so much so, we often speak of "Deaf Culture.” Some argue that we should think in terms of difference, rather than disability. The cultural argument recognizes the existence of community and connection.
I don't really know what it means to be deaf and unable to speak. I do know what it means to be lonely and isolated. Jesus' words have resonance beyond the particulars of the story. When Jesus commands, "Be opened," the assumption is that something is closed.
There are numerous ways we are closed. As individuals, we have formative backgrounds and experiences that shape the way we see and hear. Through trial and error, each of us developed strategies to manage life. We tend to gather into groups that reinforce our individual choices, even if we are unaware of having made choices. Perspectives develop, opinions form, minds are made up and doors close.
What would it be like to examine the closed doors in our lives? Is it possible to examine who we are, what we think and remake choices? Can we be honest with ourselves that some of the doors we have closed make us residents of our own self-constructed prisons? When I am closed to you, I am closed to God. The promise of the Gospel: there is no door that cannot be opened.
Have a look at Father Matthew’s video below this entry. I think this is the story he is talking about telling.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
