charity and the liturgy or why I am glad to be Catholic QUESTION from john barkley May 22, 1999
timeo. because of you...we have saints like joan of arc...there is a parable...three parishioners were going to communion...one said on his way to receive...I am modern...I like the new ways of the church and never get caught up on the old tired things...so that is why i receive communion in my hand... The parishioner next to this one looked at the first and thought...Oh, there's another one...showing no respect...I always follow the old ways...I shun the new things because God is immovable and so is the liturgy...change is the work of the devil.. and he received communion on his tongue. The third parishioner prayed..Lord, I know I am not worthy to receive you..I pray for my family and those who are sick...make me a better person, parent, spouse... And the student's asked: Teacher, how did this person receive communion? And the teacher said: You know, I didn't notice.
ANSWER by Mr. John Miskell on May 23, 1999
The problem with your parable is this; Permission to receive Communion in the hand has been granted by Rome to the American Bishops. On the other hand, liturgical dancing is not allowed -- in fact the Vatican has specifically repudiated liturgical dancing. People who do liturgical dancing do so disobediently. Whenever liturgical dancing or other unauthorized innovations are introduced, the legitimate rights of all the faithful are violated. The faithful have a right to a true liturgy, which means the liturgy desired and laid down by the Church. Undue experimentation, changes and creativity bewilder the faithful. The Second Vatican Council's admonition in this regard must be remembered: 'No person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority'. [Pope John Paul II, April 17, 1980] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you (the church) bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [Matthew 18:17-18] And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says I know him but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [1 John 2:3-4] Pax, John Miskell
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