Respect in the House of God

In the Eucharist we share in the divine mysteries in the company of families, communities, the universal church and the choirs of heaven.  It is no small thing.  In between services we are in a very special place which our ancestors called ‘the house of God’ or in the Irish language ‘teach an phobail’ (the house ofthe people). Now, there is a huge difference, in Irish, between ‘teach tábhairne’ ( the local pub) and ‘teach an phobail’. Both venues were, traditionally, the main gathering places for people not least when someone died.  However, the sacred space that is the parish church (or cathedral or abbey church) is a place set apart for community worship and private prayer. 

When I was a child, going to a church meant signing yourself with holy water at the porch and entering a quiet and sacred place where, instinctively, you looked towards the tabernacle straight ahead on the altar.  You made for your pew or place and genuflected.  Silence was kept and if someone needed to say something they whispered in a very low voice.  Silence was, generally, observed after Mass and when the church was empty apart from yourself and a few others. 

It seems to me that these outward gestures have shifted. I am not jumping to conclusion about the inner attitude or anyone but the change is remarkable. That sense of awe, respect, devotion and even wholesome holy fear is not what it was – at least going by external behaviour which in any case can often be in contradiction to people’s true state known to God alone.

The practice of chatting, clapping and laughing out loud has crept in.  I am not a purist or dour sort but I do wonder.  Is there a need for the congregation to clap when a singer or choir has finished? Are we not all participants in singing? Are we not there to applaud the Lord of all? Are we not participants and worshippers joining in and not spectators at a fine spectacle?

It has been increasingly popular for church buildings to be used for secular concerts in which the sanctuary area is largely cleared, the Blessed Sacrament is temporarily removed and a stage and lighting is installed.  On some of these occasions, it seems that almost anything goes in terms of gestures and jokes from the sanctuary area.  I must admit that it feels very strange to be at a popular concert singing, dancing and jiving and, then, coming to the same place for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the day after. Now, singing popular country and western and dancing along is an excellent thing indeed but must it be done in ‘teach an phobail’?  Is it just me that asks? Yes, such occasions are for a good cause (raising money for church restoration or for a good charitable cause). But, does it in any way contribute to a ‘de-sacralising’ of the sacred?  Should we find alternative sites and even forego revenue if it means choosing a somewhat smaller venue and paying for it?

In a nutshell I am reminding myself that going to Mass and participating in Mass is not about me and is not merely about the people there. It is about God.