Today’s gospel was about the one cleansed leper, a Samaritan, who gave thanks [Luke 17: 15 – 16]. As the priest left the altar after mass, the church erupted into conversations. As I sat in silent thanksgiving, two people immediately in front of me were loudly discussing yesterday’s rugby results. I go to various parish churches according to commitments. This one is particularly noted for its 7am chicken-farm atmosphere after mass. The priest encourages social interaction, a display of Christian charity, and attracts a congregation accordingly. It’s been suggested that if the priest handed out $100 bills instead of the Body and Blood of Christ, people would attend in the hundreds. They would all shake the priest’s hand after mass, thanking him. Three people of the estimated 60 people attending [all of whom went to Communion] seemed to be recollected after mass. Leadership in the church, today, is the most important. In the novus ordo mass the focus is on the face, the dedication of the priest. If he genuflects [rather than a lame bow] to the tabernacle, if he clearly directs his ‘Our Father” to the Father, he inspires the same focus on God. If his focus is on greeting people as he leaves, he attracts a ‘social’ congregation….. but not devotion. Socializing after mass is good….. outside! Thanksgiving for the Divine Sustenance, can only be seen as ESSENTIAL! It is, arguably, His greatest gift to us. It is the envy of the angels! A leader “knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way”. Priests here seem to think socializing after mass is an ‘outreach’. Indeed it is but… But the former bishop of Wagga Wagga in Australia, Bp. Brennan, besides demonstrating his devotion with a “Hail Holy Queen…..” as he left the altar after mass, and, BEFORE he greeted the faithful after mass, stopped for a brief thanksgiving. After socialising, he again spent time in thanksgiving. He taught by example. I have always believed that my prayers intimately united with Our Lord, after Communion, is the most powerful time of prayer. Besides thanksgiving, we should pour out our desires for others expecting, more than ever, that God will hear our prayers. Give thanks to the Lord always with prayer and thanksgiving, present your petitions to the Lord [Phil.4]
'Give thanks to the Lord for He is good His mercy endures forever'. I think in heaven we will give continous thanks and praise to God for allowing us mere mortals to share in the Divine Intimacy of the Holy Trinity. For we will see God as He truly is and be awestruck for eternity. We will all sing before Him like the birds of the dawn chorus.
