Cervantes
It’s not good to impose such practice on people who, perhaps by reason of religious zealotry or simple friendly accommodation or being simpletons, would comply with an imposition often outside the scope of fine breeding. Nay, beyond the liturgical peripheries.
It’s a practice that puts to shame Catholicism amid the backdrop of such groups as Ang Dating Daan or Iglesia ni Cristo whose ministers deliver sedate, well prepared, and yet effectively delivered sermons, totally shorn of comedic maneuverings to keep their audiences awake.
Liturgical improvisations flowered after Vatican II. But then, here’s what Zenit.org had to say about such improvisations:
“Before Vatican II there weren’t any surprises when it came to the Mass. Now in many parts of the United States you’ll find priests improvising as they go along. Even archbishops issue pastoral letters directing things at odds with liturgical regulations. As Pope John Paul II noted in a 1998 ad limina address to the American bishops of the western states, not all of the changes in the liturgy “have always and everywhere been accompanied by the necessary explanation and catechesis; as a result, in some cases there has been a misunderstanding of the very nature of the liturgy, leading to abuses, polarization, and sometimes even grave scandal.”
In the Church’s vocabulary, the word “Scandal” means just what it means in the Bible: a stumbling block, something that obstructs a person’s way to the faith (Matt. 18:6–9).
Some would probably say that the socialization practice during homilies conform to the provisions of Vatican II which encourages “full participation” of the faithful in the liturgy.
So, let us recall what St. Pope John Paul II said about this, He said: “The sharing of all the baptized in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ is the key to understanding the Council’s call for “full, conscious and active participation” in the liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 14). Full participation certainly means that every member of the community has a part to play in the liturgy; and in this respect a great deal has been achieved in parishes and communities across your land. But full participation does not mean that everyone does everything, since this would lead to a clericalizing of the laity and a laicizing of the priesthood; and this was not what the Council had in mind. The liturgy, like the Church, is intended to be hierarchical and polyphonic, respecting the different roles assigned by Christ and allowing all the different voices to blend in one great hymn of praise.”
More explicit was Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who said: “Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.” The statement obviously also applies to extreme socialization practices.
He added: “We do at least need a new liturgical consciousness, to be rid of this spirit of arbitrary fabrication. Things have gone so far that Sunday liturgy groups are cobbling together the liturgy for themselves… The most important thing today is that we should regain respect for the liturgy and for the fact that it is not to be manipulated.”
This is not to say that humor is out of place in the liturgy, particularly in the homily. Why, Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen often started his sermons with funny anecdotes. One time, he related the case of a diabetic patient who was told by his doctor that one of his legs had to be amputated; soon after the amputation, the doctor arrived with a bad news and a good news. The bad news was that the amputated leg was the wrong one; the good news was that the remaining leg was regaining health. And then Fulton went on seriously with his captivating, mesmerizing homily that left his audience knowing God, His Church and living well better. (End of article.)
Meanwhile, amid another scandal allegedly again involving a priest in Pampanga, I feel the need to share the message of our Blessed Mother to mystic Angela on April 26, 2021:
"Dear children, thank you that today you are again here in my blessed woods to welcome me and to respond to this call of mine. Beloved children, I am here among you to welcome you and to bring joy and peace to your hearts. I am here because I love you, and my greatest desire is to save all of you.
"Beloved children, I have been here among you for a long time; I have been telling you for a long time to follow me; I have been telling you for a long time to convert, and yet you still do not listen to me, you still doubt, despite the signs and graces that I have granted to you. My children, please listen to me: these are the times of pain, these are the times of trial, but not all of you are ready. I extend my hands to you — grasp them!
"Beloved children, this day I again ask you to pray for my beloved Church; pray for my chosen and favored sons [priests], do not judge, do not become judges of others, but be judges of yourselves."