When I reflect on the disaffiliation and or apostasy from the Christian church since the 1960’s, I can't help but think that it’s a result of a perfect storm, or as the saying goes, the stars and moon aligned. Was it a coincidence or was it a calculated siege on religiosity, as described by Pope Leo 13th in 1885, by the mastermind of Satan battling the church on numerous fronts such as:
- The spread of Communism and its anti-religious doctrine in the early part of the 20th century.
- Freemasonry and it's alleged infiltration into the church
- Modernistic clerics, and as Pope Paul VI said “the smoke of Satan has entered the church”
- 20th century atheists such as Anthony Flew, who was the poster boy of the time, spreading disbelief, long before the likes of Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens. (interestingly Flew became a believer in an intelligent designer in his later years)
- Liturgical abuses removing anything supernatural from the liturgy and within the four walls of the church
- The sexualization of the culture: contraception and women being looked upon as sexual objects by men with no or little consequence
- The false Trinity of "me, myself and I"
- The destruction of the nuclear family
- Men walking away from their obligations and as Bishop Barron puts it, “The Homer Simpson Effect” in his 7 min YouTube video on the topic.
There have been numerous studies done in the past decade and the number one reason people say they have left the church is disbelief. They think it's like Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. No wonder Christians, specifically Catholics disavow religion. Especially the demographic of the young, with intellectual predators at high schools and universities whose goal it is to make atheists of our youth and eliminate their superstitious foundations.
The Catholic Church’s liturgy been has been stripped of its supernatural mystery, all but eliminated teachings on Heaven and Hell and consequences for our lives… Jesus seemed to be always warning of this saying, many will be shipped off where there will be “ wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Not long ago, some friends and I were discussing some of the Mass changes and I wrote them an email, copy below, of my thoughts which I would like to share with you, about what I think are the results of liturgical changes, especially towards the Eucharist in the past number of decades:
Hi Guys
Re our conversation earlier today, I have been thinking about this for some time and thought I would share my thoughts. No wonder the Pew research center showed seventy five percent of Catholics don't believe the real presence... Comes as no surprise to me. I am 58 and when I think of the changes that were made in the church since I was a boy, it is staggering. Father Joe Mills, my boyhead idol wouldn't recognize the Catholic Mass today. When people enter most churches today, before Mass you can hardly tell the difference between it and Tim Hortons with all of the conversations. How many kneel in deep thought that Jesus, the King of creation, is in the building.
How can someone say that the Eucharist is the focal point of the Mass? Yes, we have a respectful consecration and words are read of the last supper but then, what happens moving forward, is a complete lack of respect for the King ... a complete contradiction of reverence from anything or anyone special.
- The Tabernacle has been moved to the side. the King has been stripped from His royal position, front and center, now subjugated to the sidelines or remote locations. Most often the priest’s (His servant) and even alter server’s seats are in a more elevated position than our King. Picture the Queen, or even the Bishop, as a guest to the Mass, can you imagine them being sat off to the side, at a lesser status than one of her servants.... Seriously?
- While approaching for Communion, little reverence is shown to the Eucharist, not on our knees, like decades ago, when people believed that it was in fact Jesus. Most do not even bow, in addition, many, especially young people, take Him in the hand and often walk away with the Eucharist like they were just given change at Walmart.
- After all have received Communion and Jesus is still visible on the alter, many socialize. While Jesus, is taken to the tabernacle little reverence or love is shown, even most priests don't wait until Jesus is placed in the tabernacle. Instead, they tidy up the alter like doing the dishes or walk to their elevated seat while someone else carries Him to the tabernacle, most often not even looking over to show any demonstration of reverence towards the tabernacle. Sadly, these lay people often show more love towards the Eucharist at this point than our religious.
These are the facts of what I have witnessed whether in most churches from NS, Florida, Vancouver, New Hampshire to Toronto... and then someone asks why people don’t believe in the real presence? Like seriously… In our own families if we were wanting something elevated to a wondrous supernatural state with our children would we treat it so ordinarily and disrespectfully? Is it any wonder the Pew survey resulted the way it did? To be honest, I am surprised it was at 75% who don’t believe in the real presence, treat something Holy and others will too, treat something as a symbol and others will too! People of any age are like children; they learn from example- not "Do as I say" but "Do as I do".
The old analogy of Einstein’s theory of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting bigger and better results begs a Big Question... will the church continue with Einstein’s example of insanity expecting different results by continuing to do the same things? Or in this, 2020 The year of the Eucharist, will the church initiate changes of love and reverence, demonstrating that the Eucharist, mysteriously and supernaturally becomes Jesus? From time to time I will go to a Mass where great love and reverence is shown to our Lord and when I do I always leave moved, saying, wow, that was awesome, sadly not very often. Kudos to those Priests, Deacons and Bishops who love Jesus. They are truly today's childhood heroes, like mine, Fr. Joe Mills…RIP
Respectfully,
David
See how a protestant, Francis Chan- Evangelical Pastor, reacts to learning of the real presence. 3:33 Minutes
https://relevantradio.com/2020/01/francis-chan-evangelical-pastor-preaches-on-the-real-presence/
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