|
Another cause of this dissatisfaction is poor
catechetical instruction of Catholics, young and old. Inadequate religious
education coupled with unwillingness on the part of many to put in the extra
effort required for study and the mature, prayerful reflection needed by
today's Catholic believer is a recipe for the disasters in faith we
frequently encounter these days.
Among these obstacles another factor must be
considered that stands out most. It is the similar trait that underlies both
situations initially described above. That trait is a woefully inadequate
understanding of and appreciation for the Mass. Were this deficiency not
present, the influence of many of the other negative factors would be
significantly reduced if not eliminated.
In the first scenario, a very un-Christian, childish,
and unnecessary sentiment was engendered by an inability to use instruments
to enhance the celebration of Mass (keep in mind, the choir was allowed to
sing, but a cappela). One would have thought that the group was not being
allowed to celebrate Mass at all! In fact at one point I had to remind some
complaining folks that we were about to do the most important thing in the
world, namely, encounter the Risen Christ in Word and Sacrament through our
celebration of the Eucharist which was about to begin. Our favorite or
preferred form of liturgical music would have been a wonderful aid in this
celebration, but the absence of instruments certainly did not mean an
absence of the Lord!
In the second situation, one far more serious, a lack
of understanding of the incredible and mystical nourishment which is the
Eucharist, has led baptized Catholics to depreciate or even to abandon the
Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar! They have left the Eucharist for
alternative forms of worship and prayer that may truly inspire, satisfy
religious sentiments, motivate to live Christ-like lives and often surpass
in style preaching and singing in the Catholic's experience, but they are
not able to give what only the Eucharist worthily received can give, the
most complete "Communion" with the Blessed Trinity effected by a singular
union with Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, who in the Eucharist has
himself become our food and drink.
|
|
