Reverence

Reverence

  I will apologize now for what I will call “ Getting on my Jesus Soap Box”.  This is not about judging a person but judging actions. This blog is going to be handling the idea of reverence and how we may differ on what is considered being reverent or not being as reverent. Yesterday I was at a healing mass and today I was at mass and things happened that caused me to think about being reverent and just plain courtesy.

    First what is reverence? Reverence is the act of showing honor, deep respect or adore. It is taking the time to stop and show respect to someone or something, There is something special about that person that causes you to want to show reverence to. 

     Many people will show reverence by bowing or as a catholic genuflecting before entering a pew. It is second nature for me to do this at church. It was how I was raised to do it. I remember not genuflecting before entering the pew and my mother said for me “to get up and do it again”.  I am not saying if you do not that you are not being reverent.  I think it is just that moment where you acknowledge who is there. Think of it as walking into your family or friends home and you walk in and say hello, shake their hand or kiss on the cheek. This is what you do when you bow or genuflect in church. You are acknowledging Jesus’ presence there. It is the same as you do with family and friends. It can be just a simple bow of the head when you enter. Just think how you would feel if someone walked into your home and walked past you and did not say hello or acknowledge you. 

      Some people get to mass early so they can pray the rosary or just to have some quiet time with Jesus. We should show the respect to them and not be loud when we enter the church. Many churches have areas before walking into the inner sanctum of the church that we can laugh, joke and talk.  I am not saying that we can not talk in church but just be mindful of those people who are praying. We can talk in low tones and not be loud. The same would be when we are in line for communion. We are passing people who have received and may be praying. This is not time for what do we need from the store conversation before going home. Mass or service is not that long that some conversations can not wait till it is over. It is both showing reverence to God as well as being respectful to your brother and sister in Christ. 

       Another thing that has always baffled me is that people leave right after receiving Christ. The church starts to empty before mass is even over. The best way to explain this is think if you were invited to someone’s home for dinner and right when you are done you get up and leave. Other people are still eating but since you are finished you leave. Do you think that person will be inviting you again? How would you feel if someone did that to you? Jesus is inviting us to receive from His table (the alter) and He is feeding us spiritually and we are taking and just leaving. Beside the fact that when you leave early you are missing the final blessing. I know I need all the blessings I can get. Yes, there are times where something may happen that you do need to leave early but they are rare. 

       I do not mean to cast a stone at anyone. This is not a judging blog but a hope blog to suggest that we all need to be reminded of the reverence and respect that we all should be showing in God’s house and to each of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Church is not just a building like the post office or Target, and we should not treat it as so. The same for the person sitting next to, in front of or in back of us. We are there to worship with each other. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and remember who’s house you are in.