Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

Encourage discerning men

However, there are certain realities which need to be taken into consideration these days. Leaving aside concerns about ever-increasing costs of utilities, building and repair costs, one of the biggest issues is the number of priests.

Roger Rouleau made some superb points in his letter recently about the number of priests. But in the here and now there are fewer priests than there once were.

Catholicism for Dummies rightly points out that "The Mass . . . is the most important, central, and sacred act of worship in Catholicism. This is because the Holy Eucharist is 'the source and summit of Christian life.'"

While the reposed Blessed Sacrament is the real presence of Our Lord, it is the sacrifice of the Mass which is central to our lives. Archbishop Thomas Collins wrote a wonderful pastoral letter entitled The Eucharist: It is the Lord. In it he summarizes eight major important points all of which are important to look at.

The sacrifice of the Mass is the most important liturgical action in our lives of faith. If at times it isn't possible to attend, then lay led liturgies become an option. But these liturgies were never meant as a permanent substitution for the Eucharistic celebration (contrary to some "interesting" theology put out over the last 30 years), and for a Eucharistic celebration, a priest is necessary.

Take up Roger Rouleau's suggestions and let us gently encourage our young men to offer themselves for the communities we love so we can continue to celebrate all of Christ's sacraments in every corner no matter how distant or remote.

Aaron Roth
Seminarian
Edmonton

Kneel and witness your adoration for God

Kneeling or prostration before the Lord descends onto the altar, is not a custom, but is ultimately an act of truth and honesty. By it, we recognize the awesome reality that we are creatures and not God.

Any attempt to obscure or disregard this truth can only lead to our spiritual detriment. In fact, I would go so far as to say that any layperson who willingly stands during the Consecration does not have a true knowledge of self.

What adoration means is clearly laid out for us in the Gospel of Matthew:

"And (Satan) said to him: All these (kingdoms) will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me. Then Jesus saith to him: 'Begone, Satan: for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve'" (Mathew 4:9-10).

Satan didn't ask Jesus to stand. He specifically asked him to fall down and adore. Obviously, Jesus' refusal is a good thing. But let us change the scenario. What does it mean when a Catholic refuses to adore God? Does it suggest mere ignorance? Pride? Sloth?

Let us not forget it was Cardinal Ratzinger, who wrote in the Spirit of the Liturgy, "The man who learns to believe learns also to kneel, and a faith or a liturgy no longer familiar with kneeling would be sick at the core."

We do not kneel simply for ourselves - out of a self-absorbed piety - but as a witness of the real presence to others - especially our children. For they are very perceptive of what adults do or do not do.

We pray that the bishops of Canada will show leadership and true collegiality in this area - understanding that while liturgical postures cannot dispose hearts, they can dispose the heartless.

Edmonton

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