Mainly utility. . .

Although there are always honest and honorable concerns to do with way things are done, the casual approach to them is its own position and is not without consequences.  I am weary of the many warnings there are about formalism and ceremonies which could detract from the thing itself and focus instead upon how we do them or receive them.  There is an abundance of warning against Pharisaism and hypocrisy that those of us who honor reverence must endure.  Seldom is the cost of a casual and laid back way of dealing with the mysteries of God admitted.  All that said, there is some vindication for those who believe reverence is in keeping with faith.

A survey meant to find out if Roman Catholic erosion of belief in the Real Presence is, well, real, found a number of comments that not only mirrored what the other surveys bemoaned.  This survey offered respondents to suggest why reverence and doctrinal disunity with respect to the Sacrament seems to be so high today and what might be done about it:

1) Encouraging the practice of receiving the Eucharist on the tongue while kneeling;
2) Catechizing the faithful;
3) Promoting greater reverence for the Eucharist;
3) Eliminating the use of Extraordinary Ministers;
4) Withholding the Eucharist from public sinners; and
5) Increasing Eucharistic events such as Adoration and Benedictions.

Perhaps the Lutherans who are serious about their Lutheranism should listen in a bit.  Imagine that.  The more mundane the means of receiving the Eucharist, the less serious people take it.  When utility becomes the primary concern, doctrine automatically becomes secondary or lower down on the list of priorities.  I would love to imagine the protests from those who think using the prefab little coffee creamer style of elements is peachy keen or those who think that tossing the remains of those things into the garbage on the way out is just fine.  Surely sitting in your unholy bluejeans with holes and a slogan adorned T-shirt in the chancel or in the pew will not diminish the awe of God's presence now will it.  Can you really believe that the constant mention of grape juice in the center of the individual cup trays would harm how the Sacrament as a whole is viewed?

Catechizing the faithful should never go out of style nor should adequate preparation for receiving the Eucharist be discouraged.  It may not make us worthy but it helps the worthy by faith to receive faithfully God's gift.  The organization of several posses of lay folk to do what the clergy ought to be doing will not make it seem less solemn or diminish the mystery now would it?  How about actually encouraging people who believe differently or whose public witness is in conflict with our confession and offends our fellowship to NOT commune?  Would it be too unfriendly to tell people to wait until they have been catechized or unless they keep the faith to stay in the pew?  By all means, do not offend anyone but God.

As a Lutheran I am not suggesting that we have Adoration of the Host outside the Mass or Benediction services.  Who would?  But the reverent adoration within the Mass ought to be encouraged and demonstrated at the altar or people will get the idea we do not believe anything is really happening at the altar or that anything there is worth the trouble.  Sure, somebody might be offended because that is not how they did things where they grew up or they don't like ceremony or they want their Lutheran congregation to look more like the big box denominational site down the road, but this is who we are as Lutherans (at least according to our Confessions).  I would suggest that where we are now in the chaos of worship styles and sacramental practices has been informed by the casual way we wear the name and live it out in the liturgy.  Treat the Sacrament like fast food and act like you are eating in the car will come back to haunt you. And it has!