Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.
Thank you Fr Tim for bringing this to our attention (and Diane of Te Deum Laudamus).
This is one of the most profound issues for our times. Bishop Shneider comes across so gently and eloquently yet with words that cut deep into the heart. His many wise words and what amounts to 'good spiritual counsel' should make anyone who receives Our Blessed Lord in their hands give up this practice immediately and on the next occassion fall to their knees (or stand if physical health prevents) and receive on the tongue.
The good Bishop recounts how in his youth he was fore-warned about going back to Germany and finding this practice widespread. He was so shocked to hear it. In his town there were four Catholic Churches and his family went to each in turn only to find that all four had adopted the new way!
On returning home after attending Holy Mass in the 4th he remembers his mother began to weep (this is about 3 minutes in to the video).
On hearing Bishop Shneider recalling this vivid memory from his youth, the image of Our Blessed Mother came to my mind with tears in her eyes - weeping for the 'lukewarmness', the lack of respect, reverence and love with which we receive her Son when we accept the most Holy Lord, King and Creator of the Universe in our hands with a cursory nod toward the altar, Our Blessed Lord Jesus, who died that agonising death on the cross for each and every single one of us that we should be saved to share eternal life with Him.
Is it too much to ask that we heed His words 'unless ye become like little children...', as Bishop Shneider puts it quite emphatically - that is the whole point, that we receive God as little, trusting children, trusting in Our Father to nourish us as babies and little ones trust their mothers and fathers to feed them.
It's that old 'sin' of course, pride! Humility and being of humble heart are words not found in the modern liberal dictionary.
I had a sleepless night last night. I had been at a meeting where the Latin Mass was trashed. NObody understood the Latin and nobody participated, that kind of nonsense. I came home turned on the TV and thee was the Pope celebrating a Latin Mass in Germany and there were about 6 children who had recently received Holy Communion kneeling and receving so naturally on the tongue.The participation nonsense filled my head and I could not sleep. Then I found myself thinking of the crucifixion and standing beside Mary, St John, and other disciples. They did not speak a word, were they participating? Yes, they were offering their love, their sorrow, their hearts. I remembered scripture, "This people honours me with their lips but their hearts are far from me" It was good to turn to your blog, Father, and find this. I feel much better now.
4 comments:
I like him, I wonder if he's going to be Cardinal Mahony's replacement...(one in LA can dream can't he?)
Thank you Fr Tim for bringing this to our attention (and Diane of Te Deum Laudamus).
This is one of the most profound issues for our times. Bishop Shneider comes across so gently and eloquently yet with words that cut deep into the heart. His many wise words and what amounts to 'good spiritual counsel' should make anyone who receives Our Blessed Lord in their hands give up this practice immediately and on the next occassion fall to their knees (or stand if physical health prevents) and receive on the tongue.
The good Bishop recounts how in his youth he was fore-warned about going back to Germany and finding this practice widespread. He was so shocked to hear it. In his town there were four Catholic Churches and his family went to each in turn only to find that all four had adopted the new way!
On returning home after attending Holy Mass in the 4th he remembers his mother began to weep (this is about 3 minutes in to the video).
On hearing Bishop Shneider recalling this vivid memory from his youth, the image of Our Blessed Mother came to my mind with tears in her eyes - weeping for the 'lukewarmness', the lack of respect, reverence and love with which we receive her Son when we accept the most Holy Lord, King and Creator of the Universe in our hands with a cursory nod toward the altar, Our Blessed Lord Jesus, who died that agonising death on the cross for each and every single one of us that we should be saved to share eternal life with Him.
Is it too much to ask that we heed His words 'unless ye become like little children...', as Bishop Shneider puts it quite emphatically - that is the whole point, that we receive God as little, trusting children, trusting in Our Father to nourish us as babies and little ones trust their mothers and fathers to feed them.
It's that old 'sin' of course, pride! Humility and being of humble heart are words not found in the modern liberal dictionary.
Father, thank you for posting this. I met Bishop Schneider last June and it really was a pleasure.
Joe: we can always hope, AND pray! :D
I had a sleepless night last night. I had been at a meeting where the Latin Mass was trashed. NObody understood the Latin and nobody participated, that kind of nonsense. I came home turned on the TV and thee was the Pope celebrating a Latin Mass in Germany and there were about 6 children who had recently received Holy Communion kneeling and receving so naturally on the tongue.The participation nonsense filled my head and I could not sleep. Then I found myself thinking of the crucifixion and standing beside Mary, St John, and other disciples. They did not speak a word, were they participating? Yes, they were offering their love, their sorrow, their hearts. I remembered scripture, "This people honours me with their lips but their hearts are far from me" It was good to turn to your blog, Father, and find this. I feel much better now.
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