Now, I didn't go to Mass there. Never would I be caught attending Mass there again. I went at about quarter to three with my father to pray a Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Silly me, I forgot they had Mass at 4. As we said our Rosary, people started filing in. The noise! It was nearly. deafening. I had trouble hearing my Dad who was praying in the predu next to me. Anywho, We proceeded to say our Rosary, and then my favorite EMHC (can you smell the sarcasm?) came over, turned on the lights behind the statues of Our Lady and St. Joseph, and did as he normally does, waltzed right up to the Tabernacle, stuck the key in, opened the door, lifted the cover to the ciborium, replaced it, and then closed the Tabernacle and walked away.
"Hey!" I whisper-yelled (is that a thing?). He turned and looked at me. I waved him over. "Just a tip. When you go to the Tabernacle, make sure you genuflect or bow or something. Our Lord is in there!" I was nearly steaming. He seemed to be a bit annoyed that he had just been corrected by a clearly far younger woman in a doily. But hey, that's my Lord, and I've had it with EMHCs. Again.
like O.M.G.
I've struggled with this, too. And also used to serve as one. I have to remind myself that they don't know any differently. I once had one apologize to me as I was praying as he opened the tabernackle. Which I found strange... to apologize to me. The reverence should be for Jesus. .. The respect for Him. Not me.
ReplyDeleteThat said, this man, and all those I've encountered doing various "services" that are at least unnecessary and at most border on disrespectful (ie guitar players during Mass), well, they're doing it out of love. Just like I did before I knew better. So I guess I try to pray for them, of course, as I'm so grateful for those who I hope to meet some day who prayed for me, whether they knew me or prayed general prayers for my conversion of heart.
I admire your bravery in speaking up. I haven't ever been able to find that courage- I just try to be reverent. And too, I pray for myself to be less judgemental, but it's a process! Someday maybe the Lord will give me the grace to speak out in love and not from a place of pride. But for me, right now, that's really tough. It seems as I grow closer to God (i.e. Praying more, veiling, daily mass, kneeling for communion), my pride becomes even more. I'm working on it through prayer. But it's really tough.
Sorry for the lengthy comment. I enjoyed your YouTube channel and look forward to reading more of your posts.