I don't know what I'm going to do. Today after giving a really lame

[hedgehog]

and patronizing sermon on the Beatitudes, our pastor finished off the Prayer of the Faithful with his usual extended prayer for the safety of our brave troops overseas and that the people over there turn away from hatred and terrorism. I don't know if I've conveyed the full flavor, but clearly he thinks this war was thrust upon us and only the soldiers are keeping terrorists out of small towns in Upstate New York. It was so bad I was literally shaking to keep myself from shouting out a demand that he pray for forgiveness for us all for inflicting this was on the people of Iraq.

[JNelson6563]

1. Go talk to him

You'd be surprised. Once I was at Mass and the Gospel was about the whole money-changers in the temple scene. Then a wealthy local merchant got up during the homily and gave a scheduled pitch for some fundraising effort or other. I marveled at the irony, truly. I grabbed the toddler and infant and marched right outta that church. I later met with the priest to tell him I'd been trying to bring my hubby into the church but he insisted Catholicism was always about money (he was raised Luthern and taught to hate all things Catholic from an early age). Anyhow, told the priest how I sure was glad that wasn't a week I'd gotten my husband to attend.

THe priest was pretty distressed over my point. Said he'd definitely be paying closer attention to the readings when scheduling fund drives and that was a bad timing thing. I had other topics to talk with him about but he kept going back to that. I'd made my point very effectively (though respectfully of course).

You'd be surprised how much a talk between the two of you might make a difference for the future homilies/whathaveyou.

Best wishes in your efforts,
Julie

[hedgehog]

2. I'm pretty much decided that I'm just going to send him a copy of Mark Twain's

War Prayer.


My daughter wants me to post it in the bulletin board in the vestibule at church. Not quite the front door, but then it isn't 95 theses, either.

[JNelson6563]

3. That popped into my mind

as I read your post. Great minds and all that, eh? Good luck.

Julie

[pnwmom]

4. What would you have to lose, during the Prayer of the Faithful,

if you DID speak up and offered your own prayer about our sinfulness in starting the war?

I mean, after they released you from the Funny Farm, of course.

;)


Back in the old days, at another Parish, the pastor ALWAYS left time for the laity to offer their own prayers of the faithful. Wonder if they do that anywhere now?

[rug]

5. Ironic he used the Beatitudes to support military adventures.