Today I played for a wedding, which makes it the 33rd for which I have played my pipes. (I have also played for eight receptions where the couple did not have me at the ceremony). And this was the 14th wedding I’ve done in a Roman Catholic church.
Catholic weddings always make me sad because of the idolatry and other legalistic practices. There is always the prayers to Mary, and there is always the Mass. I have been canceled from a couple because the priest said the bagpipes were a secular instrument and not allowed in God’s house, while others have had the music desires of the bride and groom over-turned because it was considered “secular” by the priest. However, today had just a wee bit of a difference, which led me to write about it.
After the Mass was celebrated, and after the final blessings were given, before the couple could rise from their kneeling position the priest made the following announcement:
“For those here who are Catholic, this Mass does not replace the weekly Mass - you still must be at mass tomorrow.”
And then he spoke directly to the groom and then to the bride in turn: “This includes you, so get up tomorrow morning.” (This was said loud so the whole congregation could hear, which probably mortified the couple.)
Can you imagine the legalistic burden this places on the individual? And how about the bride and groom - they can’t even sleep in after their first night together for fear of missing Mass!!!
While I have known couples who have attended church the morning after their wedding, most couples tend to start their honeymoon trip the evening of their wedding or the morning after. Somehow I don’t see Christ punishing them in any manner for not attending church the next morning!
Listening to the priest’s invocations at Mass, watching his holding up the host for worship, and his statements about this Mass not counting for their weekly requirement, all made me pray that the deception of this false system would be apparent to those who were there.
5 comments:
WOW. I suppose this should somehow shock me, but unfortuantely, as an ex-Catholic, it doesn't.
Hmmm...too bad the couple didn't have the foresight to schedule their wedding after 4:00 pm - that's the cut-off. After 4 on Saturday "counts" as Sunday Mass. Talk about man-made rules and legalism!!!!!
Thanks for that info. My wife asked about why there were Saturday evening Masses available if this one didn't count. Now I know it's about the time.
Isn't the similarity of the legalistic/ritualistic practices of Roman Catholicism to the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus' time amazing? And as you said, sad.
It is sad. That's consistent with what I see with many Catholics: Burdened by a works-based mentality, rushing to church no matter where they are with a hair-on-fire urgency -- but with little if any talk of God, the Bible, etc. the rest of the week. They are just punching the clock.
What a horrid sight it would make at any wedding. Interrupting a beautiful, symbolic vision of the Lord being united with His true Church to bring a message to the members of Satan's counterfeit church: "Don't forget. You're still in bondage, so be on time tomorrow."
Heartbreaking. If they only understood the Sabbath rest they could have by trusting in the Lord alone for salvation. (Matt. 11:28, Hebrews 4) Thank You, Lord, for giving Your saints true rest and the peace that passes all understanding.
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