I’ve been thinking about the new trend to live-stream masses…
As a sacramental Church not being physically present in the Church building is less than ideal. A virtual participation is better than nothing, but its not to be endorsed as normative and an acceptable way to replace actual attendance. When a dispensation is offered for good reason by the Bishop, I’d think it would be praise-worthy to participate in this way if it isn’t prudent to be present or one isn’t able to be. It would be somewhat odd to “take advantage” of the dispensation as though we were excited by the absence of a responsibility to commune with God.
Some might suggest the ideal of using what is already out there, and done well. After all, it isn’t the priest that draws us to mass, but Christ and His word. Nonetheless, something I’ve observed is the benefit of remaining connected to your local community in prayer. This concept is somewhat lost on us these days, however the Church offers some wisdom.
You see, while its true that we go to Christ for Christ’s sake, we also are responsible in Christ to build up His Kingdom in what the Church calls our domicile. That is, the place where we live within the boundaries or for legitimate reasons, the parish we attend regularly. In this sense, there is a commitment to that community because we are not merely “passive recipients of grace” or “consumers” but are called to take ownership and responsibility for the community of the faithful.
Lets break down this responsibility into three categories: Time, Talent and Treasure. The long standing, and biblical tradition of tithing is a concrete manifestation of this view – and although it is not enforced by Canon Law, it is not discouraged either. Rather, individual discernment is left to the people of God with the resources they have. Nonetheless the principle remains the same: we are to give out of our abundance and sometimes even our poverty to the Community that God has chosen.
In our individualistic culture its hard to ascribe to this notion because psychologically we only want to give to the community if it first is giving to us. This is what is best described as a “consumeristic model.” However, I’d like to suggest a conversion in this attitude: We are building up not a community of its own making, but rather a community “elected and chosen” by God for the sake of God’s Kingdom on earth. We should take a healthy dose of pride in that we belong to a community not built by secular wisdom, but rather it has the Divine-Agency of Christ Himself as its author. That is our foundation, and our encouragement. How could we take more pride in our social responsibilities in the world but not in the community God himself elected?
Biblically the early Christians understood this – seeking to sow peace amongst themselves, highlight and expose the wolves amongst sheep’s clothing, to be compassionate and unified with one another so as a Community to be an evangelical sign to the world of the transforming power of Christ.
To summarize – the importance of remaining connected to our community is vital – not merely as a passive recipient but as a contributor. This can occur in diverse ways: such as prayer (time), the usage of our gifts (charisms), and our practical financial support. The way we approach our parish is in part a particular manifestation of whether or not we are building God’s Kingdom.
So to round this thought off, the live streaming is a very small part of this equation, but I think of the consolation it has brought to those who inside and outside of a pandemic who could not reasonably attend mass – such as the shut ins and those in the nursing homes. Yet they remain, with longing to be physically present at mass when they could as well, and in this spirit, I think we strike the right balance. But to me this highlights the importance of staying connected to a parish.
From the priest’s perspective, although he is a father to the community, he must also remember that one day he will leave it, and entrust it to another. Therefore he must draw attention to Christ rather than himself, ensuring that the people do not depend upon him for everything to run well. Discerning, therefore the authenticity of faith and formation as disciples of the Lord he must wisely entrust without micromanagement or indifference the task of building up that community so that the soul of the Church has the habit of doing what will continue to be done when its priest is changed.
There are many more things that can be said about the leadership of a priest in a parish, such as speaking to the regularity or stability that is required (as seen in a recent document from the Pope pertaining to Pastors), but these things are subject of course to norms, and don’t take into consideration some dynamics that can interrupt what should be the norm. Nonetheless, the local Church, or the domicile is and should be in the hearts of its parishioners a place of both liberty and responsibility directed to the building up of God’s Kingdom.
Photo: Public Domain
