BEING A GOOD CATHOLIC: PARTICIPATION

Keith F.Pecklers' book, The Unread Vision, traces the American liturgical movement from 1926-1955. He writes, "During the 1920s religious individualism dominated...Catholic life and piety...There was little recognition of the Eucharist as a common act of worship because...Catholics failed to recognize their own relationship to one another as brothers and sisters--as members of that same living body of Christ (pp.26-27)."

That is a powerful quote. It does not say that Catholics devalue the Eucharist. It says that our spiritual poverty is rooted in undervaluing our relationship to one another as sister and brothers. We belong to each other as members of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is a living organism. It is not an organization. We who are church thrive when we cultivate affective and loving relationality with one another. When we work at this, our full, conscious, and active participation in Sunday worship is maximized.

We function in many circles which reinforce aggressive and discourteous relationships. So, when I speak of the Eucharist as a communal action, when I recommend courtesy towards one another, I am advocating countercultural behavior. If we cultivate courtesy and etiquette in worship, then we shall move from the poverty of isolation to a satisfying experience of community and conviviality as the body of Christ.

The following practical tips can help us re-value ourselves as the body of Christ.

1. Show up at church early enough that you can greet others and then get settled and ready to be a responsible, contributing participant.

2. If you find yourself being late, enter the church and note what is going on. What is the community doing? If we are singing, sing. If we are listening, get to your place, sit down and listen. Curtail the individualistic temptation to pull down the kneeler for your personal prayer.

3. Listen to the Bible readings. Do not read them. Reading isolates us and keeps us from receiving the full impact of a word vibrantly proclaimed.

4. Develop enthusiasm. When the priest says, The Lord be with you, answer, and also with you, with robust vigor and energy. Speak the responses with some umph.

5. Sing loud, with feeling and vitality. All special ministers need to model a style that the rest of the assembly can emulate.

6. Receive the Eucharist by taking and eating the bread and drinking (no dunking is allowed, really) from the cup. Do not pass by the minister of the bread or the cup without a reverent bow before the bread and cup.

7. Stay till the final music is over. It ain't over till it is over. It's only over when the music and the singing stops.

8. We learn from one another. Parents model worship courtesy and prayer etiquette for their children. Teenage brothers and sisters model behavior for their little sisters and brothers. Young people model behavior for elders and eldresses. We call this mutual edification.

If we cultivate these habits of worship, we shall develop in our love for one another. Isn't it wonderful?