Dancing Our Prayers Away?

TCR News ^ | June 2003 | Carrie Tomko

[saradippity]

Thanks for the links. I don't think the "blessings" are specifically prohibited. How typical,find a crack and bring in a whole lot of clutter and junk that may in itself be innocuous and harmless,but serves no purpose but to distract and feed feelings that lead to "community" self-importance rather than to God.

You asked if this was a diocesan "ritual"? It has occurred at three parishes. Twice we were to bless comnunicants,a couple of other thimes,the newly baptized and once,last week,in fact,it was to bless all of those parishioners celebrating their anniversaries in June. Several mother's days have occasioned this "blessing" too. This has been going on here for many years and as I said in my previous post,from the back of the church,it looks for all the world like a Hitler Youth Rally.

[NYer]

from the back of the church,it looks for all the world like a Hitler Youth Rally.

Yes, I have seen pictures of similar blessings on other web sites. That was my first impression too!

It takes strength of character and the courage of your convictions, but if I were you, I would pull the pastor aside one Sunday after mass and ask him where these blessings are to be found in the GIRM. You have nothing to lose and plenty to gain.

[asformeandformyhouse]

When James says to abstain from things strangled, and from blood what does he mean?

Just that. I've always read that this was common pagan practice in the first century and the apostles didn't want the newly converted christians to be associated with this practice anymore, as it would be extremely insulting to their formerly jewish brethren and God did say that the life was in the blood.

Leviticus 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Jesus' blood had made the final atonement. Just as the blood of animals was respected for its atoning power, so it continued. This was one restriction that was obviously carried over from the OT as we have BC&V for it in the NT. My point was not that we have NO restrictions but that we don't have the restrictions of the OT. Perhaps I would have been more accurate to have said 'Jewish' dietary restrictions.