Anyone who reads my blog has probably already figured out that I weigh in heavily on the conservative side of life. Although I would much prefer a more dignified daily Mass, I do know that Jesus IS in the tabernacle and I AM receiving his Body and Blood. I do, however, have a problem with extraordinary ministers pawing their way through the tabernacle and insisting Father cannot possibly distribute Communion to 30 attendees without the threat of a stroke.
I was talking to our relatively new pastor last Sunday and he said that he is working to stop the onslaught of EM's at daily Mass as their assistance when not really needed IS a liturgical abuse. Besides the sheer numbers of willing laity that love nothing more than clambering around the altar, it is their lack of regard and honor due our Lord at the Mass. They 'make it their own' and then the priests wonder at the lack of real belief. One EM has a good deal of her chest hanging out of her Sunday-best sleeveless, practically front-less tank top. Another one goes into a windmill patomaine as she feels a need to direct people to the altar when it is pretty evident WHERE the altar is located. Then there is the EM who likes to grin a greeting, and call you by name as she hands over the Eucharist. She is veering it from a solemn reception of a precious sacrament into a meet and greet with everyone but Jesus.
The Novus Ordo does lend itself to 'personal' interpretation. Our earlier Sunday Mass is relatively calm, however, the next Mass is often a free for all of Protestant hymns and greetings, greetings, and more greetings.
The aftermath of Vatican II brought us 'ministries'. One does not help out at church but joins a 'ministry'. Greeters evolved and you cannot quietly enter a church without at least two people glad handing you and distracting your pre-Mass preparations and thought. In fact, the entrance into the church greeting is followed by a beginning of Mass in the pews greeting, soon followed by the Sign of Peace greeting and then the after-Mass greeting. My husband tried holding a handerkerchief to his nose at stragetic times, claiming by action, a cold. After about six months, he kind of had to get 'over' the cold.
You have to ponder over the lack of wonderment found in the Mass these days. I think it has to do with the loss of dignity and the beauty of the altar that all added to the awe of coming into church. Not many of the 'servicable' churches, these days, carry the everlasting hint of incense that speaks of eternity.
