tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156010004467129157.post5036175889303043868..comments2023-04-17T05:59:18.247-05:00Comments on The Unprofitable Servant: A Short Insight on Improvisation at MassUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156010004467129157.post-3906666146983233642014-08-05T21:21:25.779-05:002014-08-05T21:21:25.779-05:00Good points Terry and admittedly much of the fault...Good points Terry and admittedly much of the fault lies with me. You do know I attend and support both forms of the Mass. I was just trying to make the point that it's easier for me at the TLM where there is virtually no opportunity for people and laity to act up. I am a bit of a spiritual mess right now. Thanks for the much-needed nudge to work harder.TLWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05699746979019393620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156010004467129157.post-6434931396488878252014-08-03T10:37:05.915-05:002014-08-03T10:37:05.915-05:00I was thinking of these same things this morning. ...I was thinking of these same things this morning. I recalled Jesus saying, Martha, you are worried about many things... etc.<br /><br />The FSSP priest is right - we must have reverence. It has taken some time, but because I try to recollect myself through prayer before Mass - even amid organ rehearsal and people talking, I'm able participate spiritually through out Mass - I remain recollected throughout Mass. Even with the applause, the 'hymns' the announcement, the novelties, the kids being kids, and so on. It's not that I don't notice, but I'm focused upon Christ - and reverence and interior worship 'happens' - even if I'm distracted, I can return to that awareness. I don't know how to write about this without coming off holier than thou - and though it is sheer grace, we can acquire it through practice, and often Our Lord bestows it. We prepare ourselves for it through prayer and attentiveness - the practice of recollection - or the presence of God.<br /><br />The reverence we have cannot be taken from us - like Jesus said about Mary. If we choose the better part, he will not let us be disturbed. We can do this at the Ordinary Form or the Extraordinary Form.<br /><br />After Mass, in my thanksgiving after Communion, the noise of the organ, the people talking - often shouting and laughing, really becomes a wall of white noise that actually facilitates recollection. I can lose myself in Christ. <br /><br />I think we need to try harder to be able to pray without traditional supports - to practice recollection throughout the day - at lunch, in traffic, on the street, the train, while the tv is on. I think religious contemplatives such as Mother Teresa's sisters and St. John Paul II were able to do that.<br /><br />It is very important to try and practice this prayer of recollection. <br /><br />Terry Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09819523933502820341noreply@blogger.com