Those who have followed my posts know that I have a good friend who is a Catholic priest. This has led to an opening of understanding that is unparalleled in worldly joy. Considering the world today especially with the persecutions unto murder of Christians in the Middle East it is also a miracle. This also has application to Israel and the threat of its existence. Intolerance against Israel threatens its very survival. Will the world follow suit with those who ally themselves with animal behavior of intolerance? Learn the simple message of Jesus Christ and pattern your compassion and outreach after His manner, and after the manner that we've undertaken here in Southwest Iowa.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it was an honor for myself, our local Bishop and our wives to accept an invitation to the Good Friday service at St. Mary's Catholic church. It began with the Stations of the Cross and also included the Adoration of the Cross. Yes, of course the proceedings differ between our faiths. However, being inherently observant I sat (and stood several times) and listened to the message presented by the good Father and those doing the readings. The message resounded and reaffirmed the first impressions from our first encounter several years ago. No matter how different the gatherings are the message among most Christian faiths are one the same. Jesus is the Christ!
This is why it was such an honor to attend this service. Both congregations accept each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. We accept that there is good among the various flocks of the Good Shepherd. We know that through His design it was known from the beginning the varied nature of the spectrum of worship of the Anointed One. God loves wondrous variety!
There are fourteen Stations of the Cross. These include various chapters in the final hours of Christ's mortality up to and including His crucifixion. I believe this encompasses what many consider the Passion of Jesus Christ. To include a little levity and humor I must say that we did get our exercise as we stood and sat several times. A healthy dose of calisthenics is good and healthy. Now come on, before anyone frays in offense let us also learn to love one another with a jovial nature. Just remember, the notions of Mormons out there are numerous and off the wall. Yet to add and substantive side it did offer a refreshing of the body and a retained focus of the Stations of the Cross. It was a very good and vital part of the Good Friday service of which I am eternally grateful to have been a part of.
The Adoration of the Cross was also interesting and a solemn occasion among our Catholic brethren and sisters in Christ. This ceremony includes the physical presentation of a cross and the invitation for all to come, approach and offer their humbled gratitude and reverence for the sacrifice of the Lamb. Sure, for many in other faiths this observance is different, but one must always remember that the message remains the same. Jesus is the Christ!
The Catholic setting of Good Friday is that of a tomb. It compels the person to a solemn state of heart and mind. The displayed cross is adorned with a red banner and the priest offers his liturgy and service with red vestments. As a Latter-day Saint there are few symbolic representations of the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ outside the pictures we may have on the walls in our regular meetinghouses. Our temples, though, are filled with symbolic representations of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Again, the message is still the same.
I will offer this observation and it is meant not as anything but a complimentary comparison. Probably what makes Latter-day Saints and Catholics "in a different zone" in each other's edifices especially during the Easter time is the focus. It is very interesting, if you remember that the message is still the same. In the Catholic faith the focus is on the Passion or the process of sacrifice of the Son Jesus Christ and His heart-wrenching suffering. Of course, it gladly ends with the glorious promises of the faithful in His Resurrection.
In a Latter-day Saint setting the focus is a little different. We tend to focus our preaching of the events of that sorrowing last week along with the significance each step of the way. The focus tends to take us from the finishing chapter of mortal death to the rising sun of the Resurrection and the renewal of life and understanding for all God's children. Both faiths preach both ends of the spectrum (which are one the same) with just a little more time focused on each side of that winding up scene. Heck, I think its a good thing to be exposed to both schools of worship.
I am deeply grateful for the friendships formed between the Catholic and Latter-day Saint faiths. Not only here in Southwest Iowa but across the globe. Together we shall stand lest we be divided and fall.
Now....... let us get to another deep and serious comparison between the Catholics and Mormons - food!
No doubt like the Latter-day Saints skirmishing to the chow line at a potluck the Catholics also eagerly await their dinners (pun intended). After the liturgy and Good Friday service all enjoyed the excellent food at their final fish fry of the Lent season. The Knights of Columbus always prepare a very good meal for the patrons. So, if nothing else we can all take great comfort in knowing that we all observe a good dinner in much the same way. ;)
In conclusion, if we don't learn to reach out and clasp hands with our brothers and sisters of other faiths we will never increase our capacity of love and compassion. Attend, observe and do your best to understand what makes everyone tick as it does in your own church setting and always remember that Jesus is the Christ.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it was an honor for myself, our local Bishop and our wives to accept an invitation to the Good Friday service at St. Mary's Catholic church. It began with the Stations of the Cross and also included the Adoration of the Cross. Yes, of course the proceedings differ between our faiths. However, being inherently observant I sat (and stood several times) and listened to the message presented by the good Father and those doing the readings. The message resounded and reaffirmed the first impressions from our first encounter several years ago. No matter how different the gatherings are the message among most Christian faiths are one the same. Jesus is the Christ!
This is why it was such an honor to attend this service. Both congregations accept each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. We accept that there is good among the various flocks of the Good Shepherd. We know that through His design it was known from the beginning the varied nature of the spectrum of worship of the Anointed One. God loves wondrous variety!
There are fourteen Stations of the Cross. These include various chapters in the final hours of Christ's mortality up to and including His crucifixion. I believe this encompasses what many consider the Passion of Jesus Christ. To include a little levity and humor I must say that we did get our exercise as we stood and sat several times. A healthy dose of calisthenics is good and healthy. Now come on, before anyone frays in offense let us also learn to love one another with a jovial nature. Just remember, the notions of Mormons out there are numerous and off the wall. Yet to add and substantive side it did offer a refreshing of the body and a retained focus of the Stations of the Cross. It was a very good and vital part of the Good Friday service of which I am eternally grateful to have been a part of.
The Adoration of the Cross was also interesting and a solemn occasion among our Catholic brethren and sisters in Christ. This ceremony includes the physical presentation of a cross and the invitation for all to come, approach and offer their humbled gratitude and reverence for the sacrifice of the Lamb. Sure, for many in other faiths this observance is different, but one must always remember that the message remains the same. Jesus is the Christ!
The Catholic setting of Good Friday is that of a tomb. It compels the person to a solemn state of heart and mind. The displayed cross is adorned with a red banner and the priest offers his liturgy and service with red vestments. As a Latter-day Saint there are few symbolic representations of the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ outside the pictures we may have on the walls in our regular meetinghouses. Our temples, though, are filled with symbolic representations of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Again, the message is still the same.
I will offer this observation and it is meant not as anything but a complimentary comparison. Probably what makes Latter-day Saints and Catholics "in a different zone" in each other's edifices especially during the Easter time is the focus. It is very interesting, if you remember that the message is still the same. In the Catholic faith the focus is on the Passion or the process of sacrifice of the Son Jesus Christ and His heart-wrenching suffering. Of course, it gladly ends with the glorious promises of the faithful in His Resurrection.
In a Latter-day Saint setting the focus is a little different. We tend to focus our preaching of the events of that sorrowing last week along with the significance each step of the way. The focus tends to take us from the finishing chapter of mortal death to the rising sun of the Resurrection and the renewal of life and understanding for all God's children. Both faiths preach both ends of the spectrum (which are one the same) with just a little more time focused on each side of that winding up scene. Heck, I think its a good thing to be exposed to both schools of worship.
I am deeply grateful for the friendships formed between the Catholic and Latter-day Saint faiths. Not only here in Southwest Iowa but across the globe. Together we shall stand lest we be divided and fall.
Now....... let us get to another deep and serious comparison between the Catholics and Mormons - food!
No doubt like the Latter-day Saints skirmishing to the chow line at a potluck the Catholics also eagerly await their dinners (pun intended). After the liturgy and Good Friday service all enjoyed the excellent food at their final fish fry of the Lent season. The Knights of Columbus always prepare a very good meal for the patrons. So, if nothing else we can all take great comfort in knowing that we all observe a good dinner in much the same way. ;)
In conclusion, if we don't learn to reach out and clasp hands with our brothers and sisters of other faiths we will never increase our capacity of love and compassion. Attend, observe and do your best to understand what makes everyone tick as it does in your own church setting and always remember that Jesus is the Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment