Posted by april on September 05, 1999 at 05:09:24:
I recently attended two very different types of Catholic Masses. The first was advertised as a Mass focused on healing. I went... thinking that the atmosphere would be one of love and acceptance. It was not. The priest began the Mass with an emphasis on our sinfulness and contiued this theme throughout. During the homily, he began to shout about every possible sin we could commit. He, then, began to yell that it was wrong for us to not like John Paul. (I guess this is a new sin. :) ) He said if we thought we were following the guidance of the Holy Spirit what we were really following was the guidance of demons. Shortly thereafter I left. I thought of St. Joan of Arc and her run-in with Church authorities. They told her similar things. Have things changed so little?
The second Mass was with a priest who touched and welcomed us as we entered the Church. His emphasis was on the Love of God. He told us how we were already forgiven by this Loving God. His music, homily, and manner included laughter, love, and touching. After my first experience, this was a real relief.
So, where was the real healing Mass? I think that's self-evident.
Has anyone else out there had experiences like this?
What do you think of these fundamentalist priests?
Thank you.
april