tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post7550540785411142943..comments2024-03-29T04:31:15.219-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: The beauty and language of the liturgy and prayer. . . Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-86747073858954368702020-08-15T18:19:17.281-05:002020-08-15T18:19:17.281-05:00There is a great difference in language being comm...There is a great difference in language being common, and being accessible. <br /><br />Modern slang is common, but accessible only to those who either already know it, or are willing to learn it. The language of our Liturgy (here in the US) is English, not Latin, Greek or Swahili. It is not common, no, but it is accessible. <br /><br />If we don’t understand a word or phrase, has it ever been simpler to check with our phone (in order not to embarrass ourselves by asking another human, thus proving our ignorance - or theirs)? Just as doctors and nurserymen have their own language, so the Church has hers. If we want to understand our doctor (or landscaper) we do our best to learn what is being said. If we are Christians, should we not desire to understand the language of the Church?Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-2122091566066203232020-08-14T14:40:02.851-05:002020-08-14T14:40:02.851-05:00"The language of the liturgy and liturgical p..."The language of the liturgy and liturgical prayer is by its very nature is something solemn, noble, and gracious. The dumbing down of worship has not resulted in either heightened understanding or appreciation for the mystery of faith nor has it encouraged greater attendance. In fact, it may have done just the opposite."<br /><br />A great point. I've heard it compared to a rugby game: if someone has never seen rugby played, they will not understand what they are observing on the field, or the rules, or the strategies for winning (I know I don't!). But the game isn't altered to accommodate the uninformed. Rather, the uninformed are educated about the game's rules, language, nuances, etc. Why should the liturgy, which connects us to the historic church, be treated any less reverently?jwskudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15641383927216557610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-86323214882833547022020-08-14T10:05:59.397-05:002020-08-14T10:05:59.397-05:00Permit me an observation. It would seem that if Co...Permit me an observation. It would seem that if CoWo in the LCMS can be tied to faddishness, then it would be the young, not the old, who embrace and promote contemporary worship. Yet we observe in practice that it is the old, who generally influence what happens in a congregation, who are as apt, if not more so, to enthuse over CoWo. Several reasons are suggested. One, the “show” of a maximalist liturgy is more persuasive and impactful on the impressionable young, not the old. Sasse lamented that one of his sons converted to the glory of Roman Catholic worship because “our poor, simple halls” of the Lutheran churches were not good enough for him. The old eventually move beyond this superficiality. Two, the richest members of LCMS congregations tend to be engineers. Not a lot of social movers and shakers. They tend as a group to be more interested in the mechanical functions of the building rather than the aesthetic display of worship. Three, elderly worshipers are more likely to dress casually because they are retired and not spending money on fine clothes. Fourth, elderly worshipers are going through a lonely time of life in which connection with the “younger” contemporary world is a strong desire. Ditching “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains” and “Rock of Ages” for more lively contemporary songs is part of this reaching out for connection. In truth, the young don’t care about CoWo as much as the old. Having contemporary worship in the LCMS is simply a manifestation of wanting to do what everyone else is doing. We all want to feel like we belong and fit in. Finally, the old are at a point in their lives when their faith in God as sole support and hope as their bodies decline becomes particularly acute. Liturgical niceties fade in importance next to the reality that it is their faith and God’s grace and strength that take over as the focus at the end of their lives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-32712463095507778052020-08-14T06:29:50.223-05:002020-08-14T06:29:50.223-05:00Pastor Peters,
You voice the opinion of many in t...Pastor Peters,<br /><br />You voice the opinion of many in the Catholic Church who for years after Vatican 2 and the Novus Ordo Missae have said what you said. I bet, however, it has not gotten as bad as it has with us with polka masses, clown masses, Halloween masses, etc. So much for bringing the mass to the people in the vernacular. <br /><br />When the focus of the Mass is the people (priest facing people) and not God (priest facing liturgical east) then this is what happens, the cult of self-expression that has nothing to do with Eucharist (thanksgiving).Daniel G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00042322449680137387noreply@blogger.com