Today I went to St. Joseph's Proto-Cathedral here in Bardstown for their 6:30 mass. I've grown so used to the Trappist liturgy that it was almost shocking to be at mass with thirty other people, and all the lights on. The whole thing took right at twenty minutes, which I'm sure is for people on their way to work. On the financial side, it was much easier on gasoline consumption.
I hate to think that money matters and conserving gasoline plays such a large part in where I go to morning mass, but it has to be that way. While the liturgy was the same at St. Joe's, the atmosphere was completely different. It reminded me that my religion is not totally a private affair. That's what appeals to me at Gethsemani is how private one can feel, and how dark the church is. Mass for monks, and mass for laity have a very different character, by necessity. I prefer the mass for monks. Still, I must respect the resources at my disposal.
My birthday present arrived yesterday. On Loving God arrived from Cistercian Publications, a translation with about 100 pages of commentary. I ordered it to have a copy of the book, and to see what other, more scholarly, people have made of Bernard. Today I start reading. Hopefully it will make my commentaries on Bernard a little easier to write.
I ask for prayers for Bryan and Heather Sherwood. Heather's grandmother died Sunday morning.
1 comments:
One day I'll have to make it to Gethsemani for the early mass. I've never done that for some reason. Definitely on my next retreat, though.
Thanks for the prayers. The funeral today went well. The family is doing as well as can be expected. Thanks again.
Peace.
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