Religious Differences: the Eternal Arguments

I probably wouldn't pay attention to arguments about religion if there weren't so many annoying posts about it on Facebook - equal to annoying political posts. I stay on Facebook because it allows me to be in touch with friends, many from long ago and many more recent. Among my friends, there are a number who disagree with me and other friends of mine on religion and politics, but they are still my friends. I really do not want to argue, but sometimes the door opens and I walk right in.

So, here's what I find rude and aggravating:

1. "If you love Jesus (or God), type 'Yes' and send to 10 (or more) people." 
I do not need to prove my devotions on Facebook of all places. I am a Catholic Christian who abides by the Church. If you want to know what I believe, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I will not argue about that.

2. "(So and so) said the end times are near." 
A Senator predicts this for a political reason. On, please. Stop! No one, Senator or whoever, knows the mind of God. The argument following the article goes back and forth in the vein of  "they" always say (or believe) that. WHO is "they?" THEY does not include everyone.

3. A Favorite - NOT!

OR, "Share and you will receive money within 24 hours."

End of rant...temporarily.

I'm back...

Hi all:

In February, I wrote here about never having had a perfect Lent. This year, it was not only not perfect, but my life was a disaster. I got through it and I'm okay, but I did not "enjoy" my Lent - if Lent can be enjoyed. I won't detail the difficulties. I want to take up where I left off.

I intended to work through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. I started and failed outright. It was a very heavy undertaking. I immediately felt unworthy, overwhelmed, frustrated. It was not the fault of St. Ignatius. 

I pray to learn lessons during difficult periods in my life. Sometimes they take a while to reveal themselves, but I look forward to learning and growing from them. 

My faith remains strong. I am thankful for my blessings.

A & P Catholics?

In my small Church group recently, I was expressing my amazement at the huge crowd that appeared at Church on Ash Wednesday (see my previous post). They all smiled and one person said: "They are the A&P Catholics." What??? The person continued with the rest in agreement: "They only go to Church if they get something - ashes and palm fronds."

I was astounded. We are offered the greatest gift of all every Sunday in the Eucharist. Are there actually people who place greater value on ashes and palms over the Body and Blood? I can only guess many of these people are "cradle" Catholics who have become complacent. 

I am a convert and I confess I do not understand the A&P's. Perhaps it's because it took me a lifetime to become a Catholic. I am far from the perfect Catholic, but I love my faith and the Church. At least I keep the Holy Days, including Mass every Sunday, and monitor my thoughts, words, and activity in an attempt to become a better Catholic.

If you call yourself a Catholic, honor your faith.

Ash Wednesday

On Tuesday evening, I lined up my Lenten readings and placed my pen and paper nearby. I was ready to dive into my self-assigned Lenten disciplines on Ash Wednesday morning.  

I began my morning by making coffee and eating one piece of toast. Then, I picked the first, and I think the most important, piece of my Lenten reading, "The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius." I intended to work through the Exercises on my own, but upon reading the first few pages, I decided I should find a mentor. The work appeared to be huge. Good, but huge. I think more would be accomplished by working with someone who could provide some guidance.

I met with my mentor who encouraged me to just read the book and not struggle with the details. The idea is discernment, not being perfect with every detail. Some of us seem to be intent on the struggle.

Here comes the Curmudgeon...
When I arrived at Church for Mass on Ash Wednesday, there was no parking. None. The parish sits in the middle of a large campus, so it wasn't just a small block of full parking. The entire campus was jammed. I parked in an awkward space along with others who were rushing to Mass. I climbed the stairs and looked back down at the school parking lot, which sits below the back of the Church. I was struck by the fact that Ash Wednesday is not even a Holy Day of Obligation and people appeared to have come out of the woodwork.

So I wondered, where are these same people on Sundays which are Holy Days of Obligation? The number of Masses for Ash Wednesday were the same - 5 - as Sunday Masses and the times were the same as the Sunday Masses. This was in the middle of a work week when people should just want to go home after work. Again, it isn't a Holy Day. It is odd to me - a convert - that people would show up for the Ashes, but not on Sunday for the Eucharist. 

Maybe people came from other places and it was a matter of convenience that they chose this time and parish. I don't know the reasons, of course, and there may have been many good ones. I guess I should simply appreciate that so many people showed up, but still...

A Perfect Lent?

I've never had a perfect Lent. I guess a less than perfect Lent provides lessons in humility I must need.

As an Oblate to Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, I set out my Lenten agenda each year - my bona opera - with the best of intentions. Ultimately I have to ask forgiveness for my missteps, although I do not plan to have them. I keep praying for a perfect Lent.

My bona opera this year includes the following:

1. Working through "The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius" - since the "Exercises" last only 4 weeks, I will read Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Michael Casey.
2. Leading one of the "Christ In Our Neighborhood" weekly sessions for the 6 weeks of Lent.
3. Writing poetry based on my Lenten experiences this year. I'm trying to involve people in my parish to participate so I can put together an Anthology, but people are kind of hesitant about writing poetry. 

The only alms I can give this year will have to be donations of useful items, or I will serve in other ways at my parish. (I was laid off from my job last August so I don't have money to give,)

• What are your plans for Lent? 
• Do you look forward to this holy season? 
• Would you be willing to write a poem about your Lenten or Easter experiences and post it here?

"Curmudgeon"

The word "curmudgeon" is normally attached to a "bad-tempered or surly person." I am not either - at least I don't see myself that way at all. I decided on the word as I thought about Andy Rooney, who was indeed a curmudgeon. I loved to watch Rooney when he closed "60 Minutes" with his commentary. As crabby as he could be, he was also amusing.

For this blog, I hope most readers will take the word "curmudgeon" in a lighthearted way, as I did Rooney. I know I'm attempting to attach a new meaning to the word. Forgive me. My next post on Tridentine Latin Mass will fit my idea of a curmudgeonly discussion. Pretty tame, I think.

Please comment.

Tridentine Masses

Yesterday, I sat with five other women at a Church luncheon. We prayed, we chatted, and we ate lasagna with an impossibly huge slice of cheesecake for dessert. (We all agreed that it wasn't the cheesecake that we loved so much, it was the graham cracker crust.)

During a lull in our conversations, I asked if any of them they thought the Tridentine Latin Mass should be offered at more parishes. To a person, they said "yes" enthusiastically and added that attending a Latin Mass made them feel more Holy. Of course, we immediately acknowledged that it would take training more priests in the Latin Rite. We speculated on seminaries that might offer that training, but didn't know of any off hand.

In my opinion, Latin Masses seem more reverent - women with veils, quiet in prayer, walking in soft-soled shoes. I am an Oblate at Prince of Peace Abbey, although time and travel have made it difficult to get to the Oblate meetings. I feel the connection deeply. It's where I go for my Gregorian Chant fixes. Heavenly!.

So, my question to you, my readers (I'm sure I'll have some soon): what do you think about Latin Masses. Should they be offered in more parishes? What is your experience?

Come on...don't be shy! I look forward to your thinking.

What do you think?

For the record, I love the Church. It took me a lifetime to become a Catholic and I treasure my faith more everyday. My strongest influence was the pre-Vatican II Church when I traveled in Europe with my family. I was always pulled toward the churches and cathedrals - my family never understood that part of me. They were supportive, but still never quite understood

As I've settled into the rhythm and thinking of the Church, I've found many "cradle" or long-time Catholics are aware that converts or reverts are the most ardent Catholics. Are you one of those? If so, please post your thoughts here; however, be reverent. This is not a place to post heavy grievances or slam the Church - such posts will be deleted. What would you like your brothers and sisters in Christ to know about your journey into the Church and your experiences since your confirmation? What has surprised you? If you could change a thing or two (but you wouldn't because you're Catholic and you respect the Church), what would it be?