Religion and Theology

Visiting St. Louis Catholic Church
I belong to the Jewish tradition.  Experiencing the Catholic Christian tradition was rather awkward for me, but the experience was worthwhile.  I understand that there are different strokes for different folks, and while Catholic practices are contrary to my familys beliefs, I know that other people have their own personal preferences just as various types of people like different food, cars, housing or partners.  I visited the St.Louis Catholic Church and although I was a bit uncomfortable, it was also enlightening. After visiting the church, observing the images or art surrounding it, understanding the symbolism that it represented, practicing the rituals and blending in with the worshippers, I think that I would rather go to another worship center next time where people are more free, logical and sensible.

Entering the church grounds is like traveling to another world.  It is like visiting a museum of modern art.  The building itself resembles a 20th-century U.F.O. or flying saucer.  Being abducted by God or by friendly angelic aliens and flying to heaven seems to be the theme of this church.  There are also a few smaller building structures, like mini space-craft flying out of the giant mother ship.  Truly, the church grounds surrounding the space craft are heavenly.  It is well-carpeted with mowed green grass, decorated by palm trees all over, and embraced by tall bushy trees reaching for the sky.  There is also a paved or bricked plaza for several people to roam around on.  But what probably struck me was a metallic modern-art sculpture of a naked Jesus Christ, with wire poles sticking out of his head, perhaps emulating a halo or a crown of thorns, while he raised both arms to heaven in a dramatic plea for freedom from agony and pain.  I am not used to such sculptures in a place of worship. It is a bit disturbing for me, perhaps because it seems to be sadistic.  But I do know that Catholics find peace with it since it represents the pain of bearing the sins of mankind, like a sacrificial lamb waiting for the slaughter.  There is also a mini waterfall or fountain, symbolizing Jesus Christ as the Living Water that people need.

The interior of the church building is also well-decorated.  A stained-glass image of Jesus Christ, naked and nailed to an invisible cross, while two naked criminals join with him to his left and right, adorn the church.  This depicts the two people who were crucified along with Jesus.  One of them cursed Jesus and challenged him to free himself if he were really the Son of God.  But the other one was more compassionate and asked Jesus to remember him when he ascends back to heaven.  Jesus gave the man his guarantee of salvation.  There are, of course, other stained glass windows in the church depicting other scenes.  All of them washed in various colors as rays of sunlight pass through them like rainbows.

Some of the doors are also sculpted with images.  They are large doors with round, bronze-like beveled or embossed scenes carved into the door. One door has the image of Jesus with a haloed woman, dressed in Middle-Eastern traditional attire, likely to be the Virgin Mary, below him. The other doors show other scenes from the Christian Bible.

There is also a table inside with images surrounding it.  A wooden crucifix with a naked ivory-colored statue of Jesus hanging from it is displayed above the table.  Again, I find such an image disturbing, although I also understand that it is an important idol of worship for Catholic Christians.  The table itself is covered with a white table cloth and adorned with flowers and green leafy plants.  To its upper left side, a picture of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus hangs on the wall.  She is dressed in red and blue, while the baby Jesus is naked, with a small object covering his genitals. What is puzzling to me is why such pornographic images are displayed and even worshipped in a place that is supposed to be holy.  Perhaps these images explain the sex scandals rocking the Catholic Church recently.  Hundreds of Catholics are complaining about child molestation and sexual abuse by priests, and these images seem to confirm its reality.  Allegations of church-based sex abuse are increasing across Europe, says CNN several days ago, including in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. New abuse allegations have surfaced in Brazil, home of the worlds largest Catholic population.

Looking up the churchs ceiling though is quite relaxing.  The circular ceiling is adorned with what seems like authentic wooden beams and panels.  Of course, it is not very environmentally-friendly since many trees were lost to make the church more beautiful, but it is a very aesthetic addition to the churchs architecture, specially when you want to move your eyes away from the images in the church.  The larger cross though behind the main altar has no naked image of Jesus, and that is also quite refreshing.

The mass begins and the priest enters wearing a vestment that makes him appear like Jesus.  He is also wearing a stole, a long piece of cloth about four inches wide draped around the neck, which is a symbol of his priestly office, giving him the right, authority and jurisdiction to perform ceremonies and sacraments in behalf of the church.  The worshippers or the people around though are dressed in normal formal attire.

The worshippers sit on wooden benches called pews.  There are also kneeling contraptions with cushions behind the benches so that people dont have to kneel on the floor and bruise their knees.
There is also an altar that symbolizes the Lords Supper.  The linen corporal is spread over the altar, and bread and a chalice of wine are placed on top of it.  The altar functions as both altar of sacrifice and banquet table.  As St. Thomas Aquinas says, it is a paschal banquet in which Christ is eaten, the heart is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory given to us  (cited in Second Vatican Council 1963).  This is where another controversial event takes place.  It is where the priest eats the body of Jesus and drinks his blood with a chalice.  The act is a representation of Jesus last supper with his disciples before he was crucified.  To remember him after his death, he asked his disciples to eat bread that symbolizes his body and to drink wine that represents his blood.  It reminds me of a Roman Catholic directors (Mel Gibson) movies.  Gibson directed the Passion of Christ, which is a depiction of Jesus suffering recently celebrated during the Lenten season and climaxing on Easter Sunday.  Some say it is anti-Semitic, but when I see the sacrificial altar, it reminds me of his other movie, Apocalypto, which portrays human sacrifice in ancient Mayan Mexico.  The Mayan priest also had a sacrificial table where he would tear out a human sacrifices heart, eating its flesh and drinking its blood.  Scholars point out the similarities of this cannibalistic ritual with Catholic Holy Communion and its pacified form using Iranian Mithraism (Beck 2000).  The ancient Egyptians also practiced similar rituals as mentioned in the Cannibal Hymn because the bodies of the gods are said to be full of magic (cited in Faulkner 1924).  I feel very uncomfortable with the idea of cannibalism practiced in a religious ritual, so when Holy Communion started later, I did not partake of the host or sacramental bread that the Priest offered to the worshippers.  Perhaps Moses felt the same way.  Thats one of the reasons why he probably left Egypt.

Then when the Catholic priest arrives at his chair, he motions the sign of the cross with his hands.  In the name of the Father, he says, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  The people then respond with, Amen.  Catholics believe in the trinity.  They say that God is in three forms.  The Father is YHVH (Yahweh or Jehovah as Catholics call Him), their Old Testament God.  The Son is Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is Gods mysterious force.  The three are one, and this is a Catholic mystery.  Whenever Catholics also initiate prayers, they also motion the sign of the cross and repeat the same statements that go with it.  Throughout the mass the priest may also say something and the people respond mechanically with an answer.

There are also Scripture readings, about three, recited in the mass.  The first reading is from the Biblical Old Testament.  Then the people answer with a Responsorial Psalm.  The second reading is from the New Testament, and the final reading is a proclamation from the Gospel.  Then the people respond, Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then the homily or sermon is given followed by the Apostles Creed.  Easter Sunday is supposedly the day when Jesus physically resurrects from the dead.  While Catholics believe that this event actually took place, there is also symbolism and a message in Christs resurrection.  When the peoples sins are buried, the people become new again.

Then the Apostles Creed is recited.  Everyone says the following in unison to express their confidence and belief in the Roman Catholic faith

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin

Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into dead. On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting.

Amen.

Finally, the Liturgy of the Word ends with Prayers of the Faithful.  Some intentions for prayer are expressed and the people respond with, Lord hear our prayer.  

The Liturgy of the Eucharist, with Holy Communion, then begins.  The priest prepares the bread and wine on the altar by mixing the wine with some water, like a bar tender.  He then says a silent prayer over each individually.  The priest washes his hands afterwards which is a symbol for purification.  The priest says, Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.  And the people respond, May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.  The priest then says, Lift up your hearts.  And the people respond, We lift them up to the Lord.  Then the Priest says, Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.  And the congregation answers, It is right to give him thanks and praise.  The Sanctus is then recited Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might, Heaven and Earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the Highest, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the Highest. And the people kneel down.  Unfortunately, if you are not used to all the standing, sitting, kneeling and recitations, you will tend to be out-of-sync, which is what happened to me.  But for worshippers who are used to the ritual, they follow everything very fluidly.

There are many other recitations and responses in a Catholic mass.  What I mentioned is just a sample of what I think is very mechanical and monotonous.  Perhaps, it is just my personal preference, but I do not like this style of worship.  Standing, sitting, kneeling and reciting memorized lines are not for me.  I dont enjoy doing it, but for Catholics, it is an act of worship.

In the end, I find it difficult to be a Catholic.  If my parents and family were Catholic, I would probably convert to another religion.  This is probably why many Catholics around the world are leaving their faith.  Indeed, many Catholics around the world were forced into it by Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors.  It may not have much of a future, but at least I learned a little from it.