Catholic Ninjas
Posted by: andymcnutt in Family / Chlann, tags: catholic conversion stories, catholic convert, catholic ninjas, catholic piety, leaving mass early, non participation in mass, reverence for the eucharist, why do people treat church like a social hour?You may remember way back in the day when I posted an article about Catholic Ninjas. You know, the people who are in and out of Mass before they are noticed? The past two weeks in Mass I have noticed a decrease in Catholic Ninja activity. Normally, I know that we have been Ninjafied when I at Mass. There are always two significant occurances.
1. During Father's collect prayer after the Penitential Rite, my eyes are closed. When I open my eyes, where there were empty seats I now see people standing. It's like magic! No, you fool, it's Catholic Ninjas. Abra Cababra and all that jazz. The only thing missing was a puff of smoke, but maybe that happened when my eyes were closed as well.
2. After Communion, I kneel to pray with my family. When we finish praying, sometimes the Blessed Sacrament has not yet been reposed in the Tabernacle. As I look toward the altar again, I notice that many previously occupied spaces in the pews are now vacant. Where did those people go? They were not people. They were Catholic Ninjas. You have been Ninjafied! Again, no smoke bomb or flash powder, just disappearance. It would be a really awesome trick if it weren't so sinful.
I haven't seen as much Catholic Ninja activity the past two weeks. People are still appearing after the penetential rite but I'm not seeing the vanishing act after communion. Now, to be frank with everyone, I'm sure that there are still Catholic Ninjas practicing their dark arts. However, it does appear that either they are appearing in another section of the Church or they are decreasing their activity. I'm hoping for the latter.
If Catholics knew the significance of the Mass, and especially of the Eucharist, we would not see Catholic Ninja activity. We would not see people chewing gum, or parents feeding their kids sandwiches during Mass. We would not see people yawning or looking at their watch. We would see and hear people participating in the Mass. We would see people concerned about proper gestures (bowing during the recitation of the Incarnation in the Creed) and not concerned with improper gestures (holding hands during the Our Father) during Mass. We would see people concerned with the state of their heart and not the status of their cell phones. We would see lives changed. We would see an increase in holiness. We would see an increase in vocations to the consecrated life and to Holy Orders.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:40 am - Edit
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!! Did I say AMEN!!!!!!!! I got in trouble once becuase I was helping hand out bulletins and was preparing in the back during Communion, a lady received and “bolted” for the door, I stopped her and said “um, perhaps you don’t know becuase being a Catholic all this time no one told you, but Mass isn’t over until the final blessing of the Priest.” Let me say that I don’t recommend nor condone this type of evangilism. But it is really fun sometimes. (sinister laugh).
So now the big question. How can we fix it? Is it enough for us to attempt to live authentically Catholic lives as an example? I think we need to hear more TEACHING from the pulpit during Homilies. I’m not there to feel good, I’m there to be Sheparded. We as laity need to support our Priests in proclaiming the truth. They need to know that we support them. If our clergy fear dissention among the people, it’s human nature to shy away, but if we ask for truth, beg for truth, and demand truth, they will feel supported and affirmed in saying from the pulpit, “We shall have no ninja’s here!”
God bless brother. Great article.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:55 am - Edit
Thanks. I love the statement they read at EWTN before Mass. If all parishes would read the same thing before Mass begins I think things will change. There is also a need for strong preaching in general. I’ve heard many priests who do not shy away from Theology or Morality and I applaud their efforts. I make it a point to let them know I’m behind them 100% and I support the proclamation of truth.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:18 pm - Edit
Yes, preach it, my brutha!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm - Edit
Oh, wow, I didn’t make a longer comment because I was sure it wouldn’t work, but it did! You fixed your comments! Yippee!!! Okay, hubby and I will be checking back here often now. Kudos on the great blogging! And Hi to wifey for me!
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 am - Edit
Just wanted to say that I had a great priest down south who had a tendency to address this issue once in awhile to us Northerners…”You may rush around in your daily life, but here, in God’s house, you stay and wait until the priest leaves and the Mass is over. When you turn your back to leave the church before Mass is over, you are turning your back on Jesus! Now, would you do that if he was standing here in front of you?! No? - Well then why do it now? - when you know he is truly present, even if you can’t see him.”
Thanks also for your prayers & stopping by to comment. Peace be with you!