Well, here we all are at a Roman Catholic feast day. It doesn't matter which one, but let's make sure there are clerics and prelates galore, as well as deacons, acolytes choristers and an organist. Oh, the gold and silver liturgical vessels, the pure white altar linens, the opportunity to wear red! Then there is the cloud of incense teasing the nose and enveloping the sanctuary in a heavenly cloud (that also, like gauze placed before a movie camera, can hide those unsightly wrinkles). The bells ring, and the chorus sings something by Tallis, the 40-part motet preferably. The entire basilica is filled with joy and you so much want to join in.
Until you look at the faces.
What a dour, humorless, constipated bunch of faces those Catholic clergy have. They reflect, I don't know what: pique? indigestion? the weight of the Deposit of Faith? In almost any collection of Roman clerics in liturgical mode, one is most often reminded of the Seven Dwarfs, all of them Grumpy. You tend to get the feeling that all they want is to get this over with and return home for their lunch. The Pope does tend to smile in public a bit; one can only conclude that it appears as a clause in his contract.
Contrast this sight with most mainstream Protestant Churches, where a smile from the Ministry is almost taken for granted.
Really, what can the reason be for this frowning Church-full of men?
The unpleasantness of celibacy? If that is the reason, then they should leave and get married.
The recent sex scandals? Perhaps, but the Church's strongest reaction to them was to redouble its persecution of people who happened to be born homosexual. The very people whom, as the late John Boswell once said, "For 2,000 years have given joyful, faithful service to the Church," are now banned from seminary training and forced into a version of "don't ask, don't tell" in their local parishes, therefore dooming the Church to a dearth of priests who truly have the sense of style necessary to carry off the pink vestments of Gaudete Sunday. And, of course, most of the perpetrators of sexual misbehavior were heterosexual men.
Could it be the weight of the Deposit of Faith? The Faith ought to be carried joyfully as though it were as light as a feather, not bunched in a pack upon sagging shoulders.
Sadly, no answers, and no smiles.
If Anglican pomp is not your thing, well, thankfully there are plenty of incenses, plenty of fabulous clothing to wear, and and plenty of CD's for that Tallis motet. Just make sure you bring a smile, and share it, too.
Until you look at the faces.
What a dour, humorless, constipated bunch of faces those Catholic clergy have. They reflect, I don't know what: pique? indigestion? the weight of the Deposit of Faith? In almost any collection of Roman clerics in liturgical mode, one is most often reminded of the Seven Dwarfs, all of them Grumpy. You tend to get the feeling that all they want is to get this over with and return home for their lunch. The Pope does tend to smile in public a bit; one can only conclude that it appears as a clause in his contract.
Contrast this sight with most mainstream Protestant Churches, where a smile from the Ministry is almost taken for granted.
Really, what can the reason be for this frowning Church-full of men?
The unpleasantness of celibacy? If that is the reason, then they should leave and get married.
The recent sex scandals? Perhaps, but the Church's strongest reaction to them was to redouble its persecution of people who happened to be born homosexual. The very people whom, as the late John Boswell once said, "For 2,000 years have given joyful, faithful service to the Church," are now banned from seminary training and forced into a version of "don't ask, don't tell" in their local parishes, therefore dooming the Church to a dearth of priests who truly have the sense of style necessary to carry off the pink vestments of Gaudete Sunday. And, of course, most of the perpetrators of sexual misbehavior were heterosexual men.
Could it be the weight of the Deposit of Faith? The Faith ought to be carried joyfully as though it were as light as a feather, not bunched in a pack upon sagging shoulders.
Sadly, no answers, and no smiles.
If Anglican pomp is not your thing, well, thankfully there are plenty of incenses, plenty of fabulous clothing to wear, and and plenty of CD's for that Tallis motet. Just make sure you bring a smile, and share it, too.
Image courtesy of SXC.
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