We have a wonderful new priest in our parish from Nigeria. It is amazing to see the cultural differences in the perception of joy. Yesterday, was the Feast of the Assumption and Father could barely contain himself with the joy of the occasion. He rightfully pointed out that we probably express more joy at Thanksgiving. We should treat the wonderful feast days of the Church in that manner, too. He even broke out in song at one point during his sermon. You could sense the sincerity. He was actually joyful and expressing a full heart.
A friend said he met a Nigerian in the seminary and the young Nigerian's main confusion was how quiet our Masses are. I guess that we have sort of evolved into a people who are more afraid of what others will think rather than face true emotions.
My husband likens our priest to a crashing wave and the congregation are the rocks on the shore. Water doesn't wear down rocks immediately but, perhaps, we eventually learn to break out into joyful song when we mean it.
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