As a convert to the Catholic Church from the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) and Protestantism and someone who has moved to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and other places, it amazes me that many of my Catholic brothers and sisters here seem to be looking for more than just Jesus when they go to Mass.
As a JW, our “worship” consisted of classes on how to convert others (mainly Catholics) to the JW faith. We attended five meetings a week at the Kingdom Hall and the extent of our worship was the prayers and songs before and after each meeting. It really was rather empty from a worship standpoint.
My first experience with Liturgical worship came from my time in the Lutheran tradition. The music at the Lutheran Churches I attended was beautiful and the organ was used at these services. We even knelt when we received communion!!!!! And at one Lutheran Parish I attended the Pastor celebrated the communion service facing away from the congregation and no one made any complaints about it. By the way, the altar at that Lutheran parish was beautiful!!
Upon becoming Catholic, I realized that there was something missing in the Lutheran tradition and JW tradition and that is the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. I realize now that when I go to a Catholic Mass that Jesus is there, not just in the words that are being preached, but He is there Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist which we, as Catholics, receive. What an amazing gift!!!!!!!
However, I have come to realize that for many Catholics this is not enough. For some Catholics, including many Bishops and Priests, the Mass is a “dinner party” that focuses on the community and not on our Lord who comes to us in the Eucharist. I think the recent article written by Bishop Sklba in the current issue of Herald of Hope demonstrates this. The entire focus of the article is on how Native American culture has been added to the Masses that are celebrated at the Congregation of the Great Spirit. Bishop Sklba gives examples of how Native American Culture has influenced the worship at this parish by giving us a sort of blow by blow description of what happened at a Mass in celebration of the Winter Solstice at this parish. The parts that were added to the Mass included the following:
“At the Advent Winter Solstice Eucharist last month, the community of the Great Spirit began with a “smudging” ritual. Smoke was gently sent by the waving of eagle feathers in the direction of the assembly and inhaled deeply by each participant as a symbol for the inner personal purification needed prior to celebrating the Eucharist. This same ritual was similarly used in some of the Native liturgies by the Holy Father.”
“Prior to the three Scripture readings of the Sunday, a special tale was read, describing the benefits and blessings of welcoming “Grandmother Winter.”"
“At the General Intercessions each individual came forward to place a bit of shredded tobacco, or perhaps sweet grass or cedar, on the charcoals as a silent personal prayer was offered. Watching the faces of youth and elders at prayer was very inspiring.”
“At the time of Communion the consecrated hosts were first brought to the elders scattered throughout the congregation before the general assembly was invited forward. That deep respect, so characteristic of their culture, was almost instinctive and automatic in its gesture.”
While many of these actions, particularly that of offering the Eucharist to the elders of the community first as a sign of respect, seem good and inspiring, it just seems to me that in all of these actions the focus is on the community and not on God. It just seems the focus is on how I can come together as a community and make Jesus relevant to me instead of the other way around which is that I encounter Jesus at the Mass and must make my life and my actions relevant to Jesus. It just seems backwards to me.
Furthermore, I just have to wonder why a Catholic parish feels the need to celebrate the winter solstice when we have Christmas, Easter, and all of the feasts of the Saints to celebrate? Why does this parish need to welcome “Grandmother Winter” during the time we are supposed to be getting ready to welcome our King Jesus Christ?
In short, I have to wonder, Why is Jesus, the Almighty Creator and Redeemer, not enough?
