So, the trio (grandchildren, ages 7,6,4) and I went to Mass this morning. We were well pressed and shined. We smelled dandy, looked great, were on time! An usher escorted us to a pew where an elderly couple sat...only one middle aged, well dressed woman was way on the other end. There was room for a small regiment of average sized people to slip in and have room for their packs! The grouchiest man on the planet glared as the usher said, "Excuse me sir, could you move in?" After a snarl, dirty look, a nudge to the wife (I guess), he said, "No, they gotta go in" He didn't step out of the pew, (no walker, crutches, wheel chair by the way...those seats were empty IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH..we do accomodate needs). He signaled and grumbled to me, "Go ahead, geez, this is a pain" I smiled, said excuse me, I'm sorry and climbed over Smilin' Jack. The trio was extremely well behaved, sitting, standing, kneeling as required. No talking, no stupidity or silliness, throughout the entire Mass. He and the wife practically fell over themselves to leave as the last note of the recessional hymn sounded. A friend and his wife came over to chat for a while, actually the producer of a News show that I occasionally pop in to talk and talk and you get the idea. Ray did mention that he observed how well behaved Todd, Tess,, Tanner were in church. Hmmmmmmmmm...
Note to Mr. and Mrs. Grouchie Pants,
You were in a Christian/Catholic Church...The old "Love Thy Neighbor" thing holds up there you know. No one expected you to do stand-up, or even to smile if it just isn't in your repetoire, but, a more pleasant disposition, a slight bit of tolerance just might help you not appear to be such a hypocrite. We all come to Church with issues...joy, sadness, frustration, pride, etc. However, to check that at the door, or to just appeal to the Lord because He knows our strife, our needs BEFORE WE DO should eliminate nastiness to three little children and a grandmother who are simply practicing Catholics or in training, so to speak. By the way, a priest, years ago, once said that if people are unnerved by children at Mass...1. You are not absorbed in the Celebration or focused, or you wouldn't be distracted and 2. Jesus said, "Bring Me the Children". Also, if it is so detestable to you to go to Mass with a congregation, to have anyone in your pew (still leaving plenty of room for the little old lady in the shoe with so many children, etc)...have a private Mass said for you in your living room, your basement, your kitchen, your bedroom, your bathroom, the trunk of your car!
So, recalling the words of Sr. Claudine, "I'll pray for you, sir"
No comments:
Post a Comment