What’s wrong with this guy? Praying from the heart instead of repeating vain repetitions? Good grief! Probably he’ll use the Holy Spirit defense. If he wants to go that direction he should have chosen a church system that is not so ritualistic and legalistic. The authorities don’t want the Indians wandering off the reservation even if it’s to help some poor soul out. Show him no mercy.
There are times in Mass when the priest can ad lib and “pray from the heart” - the homily is an example. There are other times, however, such as when he is turning the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus, that there is no room for ad libbing. The priest must use the words of Jesus - “This is My Body” and “This is My Blood”.
Not all Christian denomination recognize the Biblical roots of the Eucharist and Jesus being present in the appearance of bread and wine. Those Christian denominations should refer to John 6 and they should refer to Matthew 16:18-20 to understand that Christ founded the Catholic Church.
Before we get into this discussion, lets start by saying the pledge of allegiance. I’ll lead.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, and to the flag of any immigrants, and to the rainbow flag; and to the democracy for with it stands, multi-cultural, with liberty and justice for the disadvantaged.”
Any problems with that?
Bob,
words matter. Their meanings matter. We Catholics have a saying: Lex Orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi - As we pray, we believe. As we believe, we live. When he changes the liturgy, he changes what it means. He may have meant no harm, but was likely warned to cease before having faculties removed, which means that he chose to continue, out of disobedience. This is a serious matter, and there has been much liturgical abuse in the last 40 years. It needs to stop, and this is actually a good thing. One hopes that this time apart will give the priest in question time to reflect, and to amend his ways. It is shame when a priest runs this particular risk to the souls in his care, not to mention the peril it places him in. Pray for him. Seriously. I will.
4. Serious Abuses - Those which Invalidate the Mass
The serious abuses which invalidate the Mass are all those which inhibit transubstantiation, that is fail to bring about Jesus’ True Presence in the Eucharist. The Church has very specifically defined what must - and must not - occur so that transubstantiation will result. There are four conditions required for a valid Consecration resulting in the miracle of transubstantiation. All of these conditions must be present for a valid Consecration. This is dogma. Therefore, anyone who denies these requirements is liable to heresy.”
But since the bread remains bread with all the attributes of bread and the wine remains wine with all the attributes of wine how would anyone know when or if this transubstantiation has taken place?
They don't, the whole doctrine is the result of a willful misunderstanding of the word “estin”.
Vain repetition? Are you kidding? How many times hae you said the Lord's Prayer (rounded to the nearest hundred?)
That’s right, bipolar. What do them apostles and church fathers know? Pastor Bob’s winging HAS to be better... it’s *heartfelt*!
(Of course, the real goal would be to conform one’s heart with that of Christ’s so that the prayers of the His Church would be the most perfect expression of his heart.)
You should pose that question while looking at a mirror.
Would you improvise the Lords Prayer?
May I suggest the Unitarian Universalist or Episcopalian or United Church of Christ? They're not so stuck on such legalistic restraints such as abortion, birth control or homosexuality.