Posted on 01/31/2014 12:58:48 PM PST by matthewrobertolson
“Certain signs point to a weakening in the sense of mystery in those very liturgical celebrations that should be fostering that sense. It is, therefore, urgent that the authentic sense of the liturgy be revived in the Church. The liturgy...is a means of sanctification; it is a celebration of the Church's faith, and a means of transmitting the faith.” - Ecclesia in EuropaTo be forthright, I have always found the “Charismatic” style, whether Protestant or Catholic, repugnant. The first time I witnessed it, I instinctively recoiled: I thought, “How is this pleasing to God?”
Praise is great (CCC #2639), but the gestures, the dancing, the circuses – they disturb me. In my view, Charismatics tend to, unwittingly or not, demote to the Mass to a kind of “religious entertainment,” which Pope Benedict XVI warned against. In response to this charge, proponents of these things almost always turn to 2 Samuel 6:14. Yes, King David danced to celebrate God. But did God commend him for this behavior? No. Did this even take place in the Temple, the formal place of worship? No. The writer surely did not mean to set some kind of liturgical precedent. He, instead, meant for us to better understand the importance of thankfulness and humility. But context be damned!
Perhaps I am so bothered because I am an American. I recognize that the individualistic culture of America, which is being exported to the rest of the world, has caused the rise of excessive indulgence and a disinterest in any sort of solemnity or sacrifice. Caput is the cilice and forgotten is Friday fasting. This mentality does not bode well for evangelization efforts.
There has been little upside to the Charismatic movement. While, in and of itself, it has been supported by popes for its purported ecumenical benefits, it has caused problems.
In South America, this has all been imported. These abuses were certainly not encouraged by the Spanish settlers. These foreign additions were only incorporated to appease the masses. Do they even help the Church? I think that that question is answered by the rapid and continuing rise of Pentecostalism. The new culture of the region promotes using the Church for self-gratification, though “[t]he purpose of the liturgy of the Church is not to placate people's desires or fears” (Ecclesia in Europa). After they get their highest high, parishioners leave and look for a new dealer. As one of my Mexican friends bluntly put it, “Hispanics like to use the Church as a crutch.” Take into account the gross negligence of area bishops, and you have a recipe for spiritual disaster. When Pope Alexander VI spread the Faith to the continent, I doubt that this is what he had in mind.
In Africa, meanwhile, dancing and jubilation are historically ingrained in cultural events, so it has a different set of circumstances that make them more acceptable. On top of that, Africans deserve a lot more leeway because of their demonstrated perseverance. But even there, cardinals have had to set up barriers in response to the movement.
Liturgical relativism leads to doctrinal relativism. That is the reality. Once barely-restrained liturgy is allowed, the practitioners of said liturgy usually like to see what else they can get away with. “If you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to want a glass of milk.”
There is a place for Charismatics in the Church – I'm not a bloodhound, just mindful of liturgy – but instead of shouting the equivalent of, “Throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care!”, perhaps the clergy and the leaders of the movement should restore a deeper respect for our Lord.
“Liturgical celebrations need once more to put Jesus at the [center], so that we can be enlightened and guided by him” (Ecclesia in Europa).
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They have evidently been taught that the “faith” that Protestants rely on is so bad they don’t want to emphasize or even mention it at times. That line from the article that entrigued me was this one.
“The liturgy...is a means of sanctification”
A means of sanctification? They are earning their sanctification? Scripture says those of us with faith are already sanctified.
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Why would they deny the sanctification “through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”?
Interesting
I have tried to engage a few of them on that topic over the years...They don't have a clue what I was talking about and weren't interested either...
I would submit that there is no change for a Catholic (generally speaking)...
They teach that the spiritual rebirth comes from getting wet...Therefore, it doesn't happen...
Absolutely agree!
You see the pattern, too? I'd say, yes, you are correct.
But the vet (just returned from a visit there) thinks it is spinal disc problem, which it may well be. The little guy has a pain in the neck, it seems.
It must be pretty bad, for it's enough to have dramatically effected his balance too, with whatever the cause, the worrisome results have become acute in the last few day.
Anti-inflammatory injection, with that directed to be followed by a course of medication for him, including some heavy painkillers. And this dog is less than 4 years old...this sort of thing usually occurs with older dogs.
This dog may be layed out like a lump for a few days...muscle relaxers and painkillers both. Starting this evening, according to veterinarian instructions.
I think I'll have the little dog sleep with me (he and the other dog would prefer to do that all the time, if I would allow it) to keep track of his condition better.
My own backaches didn't get any medical care, even though at the onset of those the pain was bad enough to cause me to vomit. Somehow, I managed, but with a bit more whimpering than the poor little sweet dog has let out --- he doesn't complain, just looks at me, "help me".
Bless his little 'ol doggy heart. poor critter. I'm a lousy excuse for a god...
For my earthly father, there are the remaining earthly details.
....”change in behavior that occurs when one becomes a new creature in Christ”....
Very important statement Metmom. I think as Christians we can look back to how we saw life overall after our Salvation. I think for me it was an immediate sensitivity to the things of God, and equally of sin when faced with it myself or hearing and seeing it in others. You could identify it as never before.....where the “little sins” could easily be ignored as unimportant, if that, suddenly roared!
Certainly this is the work of God’s Spirit, now in us instead of outside, but I really didn’t understand this so young in my walk with Him. Even so, I definatly saw a huge change in how I viewed pretty much everything....and this without “trying to do” anything other than seek a closeness with Jesus.
I think when we see the world and life through His eyes and His mind and heart...all things change....we do indeed become a new creature....and that has nothing to do with anything at all we do.
As I read that statement I thought of being in a very dark room.Seeing only dark shadows and shapes,bumbling slowly around objects real and imagined and suddenly the light comes on.
Simplistic I know but vivid nonetheless.
... “the light comes on”....
Indeed Mitch..... pretty much how it is within and without as our perceptions are changed. When people live in darkness and not known what light is imagine how they feel when He changes their nature.
That’s why I try not to be critical of the vices etc. some Christians continue with after their conversions....you should have seen them BEFORE!
Aside from where I came from, I know what I STILL deal with. How can I not grant others the same grace I want from them and God?
You’re exactly right...we really can’t...and i don’t think God let’s us get very far at all when we do!
However, that is not the same thing as when we take a stand against false teaching and counterfeit Christianity. Unfortunately those who follow false teachings seem to not understand that difference...and it was a difference Jesus clearly taught when He faced the false teachers of his day.
....And because they cannot understand the difference it is easy for them to cry out ‘persecution’ rather than be open to search the scripture in debates and find the truth.
The other day I was just reflecting on the fact of how Jesus’ harshest words were for the RELIGIOUS of the day.Just like the tax collector and Pharisee. Thank you God, that I am not like that *sinner* over there......
How many times have we seen THAT kind of mentality on FR?
Who was really important to Him and touched Him the most were the *sinners*, the same type still despised by the *religious* elite of today.
In our day it just seems there's so much information (false teachings) enticing people that confusion escalates. But then that is a tactic of the enemy of men's souls....flood the mind with information.
I also think people are looking for “more” than Christ because they haven't developed the relationship with Him HE desires. They've established religiosity rather than relationship.
Can't belief I'm still up ....have been fighting to keep either a bad cold or the flu away. So far it hasn't quite caught on...so sleep has escaped me this night....will be trying again soon...thank God I do not have work to go to today!
We were talking about that just last night at Bible study.
How when you're friends with someone, you just want to spend time with them. You aren't trying to get something out of them or about how you can use them. You just want to be with them because of who they are and you enjoy their company and value them as they are.
We need to see our relationship with God that way. Jesus did say He was our friend. When He was talking to people about what wanted, how often did He ask them for details? He IS interested in us.
It occurred to me one day that we have it all backwards (in typical human fashion).
He is really interested in what we are doing and what affects us. All the running the universe stuff that we think is so important, is nothing to Him. It is just the backdrop against which the really important stuff is being played out.
He has put His life into us. We are the pinnacle of His creation. So although the heavens declare or speak of the glory of God, they are just stuff, things, *WE* are created in His image. We can reflect His glory in a whole different way and He does care about us, what we want, what we like and dislike, how we feel about things.
I think it actually pleases Him when we WANT to spend time with Him without all the other distractions. So that takes devotions from a legalistic, gotta do it works kind of activity, to a time of intimacy that we can have of spending time with the light of our lives. Wow! What motivation to grab a Bible and sit down and read it and pray.
Just like when we met that person we were smitten with and wanted to spend the rest of our lives with. So it should be with God.
God, let me be smitten with You!
I get where you're coming from, but God is not my prom date. He's my Savior and Lord. As a spirit-filled Christian myself, my desire to study Scripture and become closer to God isn't based on emotion. It's based on the fact that this is what God wants for me and He has laid down clear guidelines for what His children are to do to gain Salvation. Along the way, listening for the "still, small voice" and seeing His goodness first hand is more than sufficient for me.
Bless your day.
Wow. That’s a good post.
I agree with you about what our relationship is based on. However, I think we need to have a little more emotion in it, a little more passion for God.
My relationship with Him is not BASED on emotion, rather what He did for us, but He is our Abba, our Father, and we are the Bride of Christ.
Most people I know are excited about the person they are marrying.
Amen
It seems to be a side effect of not seeing yourself properly.No doubt we all need to have the thoughts and intents of our own hearts discerned,to see ourselves in a more realistic light.If that doesn't cure any notions of superiority you aint doin' it right.
There's a certain two edged sword that will do that very thing,it has no equal in this regard and needs no help,just a willing spirit.We need to fall on that sword and...well...die.
If we don't then that same "desperately wicked and deceitfull above all things" heart will continue to be lord.It can change it's nomenclature but it's still carnal and will still lead to death.
Really enjoying your posts.Candid,heartfelt and personal.
Which is why it's paramount that we are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we entrust to Him and that we indeed do entrust it to Him! When we know we are accepted by God we can believe that we are to "inherit all things".All things.
In that light "entice" no longer holds any real meaning to us and we can truly be still and know that He is God.There is no 'more' than all.
So true and a great excuse for me to post a favourite scripture!
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." (Malachi 3:16,17)
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