Pomp and Circumstance
A remark from that Protestant homeschooling forum….
Personally, I really despise all the pomp and circumstance that comes with much of high liturgy religion. The Jesus I read of who hung out with fisherman, tax collectors, and prostitutes was not the guy on earth to wear scarlet robes and a big pointy hat.
Which leaves me to wonder what Jesus hanging out with “fishermen, tax collectors, and prostitutes” has to do with the liturgy and guys in pointy hats? Are they incapable of understanding and appreciating the pomp and circumstance of high liturgy? The history of the Catholic Church as reflected in the individual stories of those who came from those walks of life to the Catholic Church and high liturgy would suggest otherwise. Are they unworthy? I would also disagree with that because we are all equally unworthy.
Although Jesus did hang out with fishermen, tax collectors and prostitutes we frequently see Him in the Temple (and not always in a bad mood either) where there was quite a lot of “pomp and circumstance.” We also see the Lamb of God in heaven (Revelation) with quite a lot of “pomp and circumstance” so it would seem that He is not opposed to it.
I think it is important to note that Catholics believe that there is nothing more or less special about Mass offered in St. Peter’s vs Mass in hut in the Amazon vs Mass in Dachau vs. Mass on an upturned canoe such as Fr. Wojtyla used to offer before he wore the pointy hat. Our Lord deserves the best we know how to offer both from our hearts AND in the physical expression of liturgy.
