Because That's What We Do

Christmas I attended Midnight Mass with my Father-in-law and my wife's Grandma. It was very interesting for me, as I had not been to a RC Mass since I became a Lutheran. Alot of the liturgy was familiar, some not.

What really struck me, and bothered me, was that upon entering the church most of those attending geneflect before entering the pew (no problem there) and then kneel to pray. I don't have a issue with kneeling and praying, I think its a great idea, what bugged me was those who kneel, and then proceed to use this time to look around and see who is in church for a few minutes and then get back up and sit. I wanted to scream "it's not the kneeling thats important, its the praying, you may as well stand on your head for all the good it's doing". I'm fairly certain if I had asked them why they kneel when they enter the pew, they would say "well, because thats what we do".

I'm not picking on the RC's, I'm sure we have the same type if thing in the Lutheran church. I'm sure there are folks in the pew who don't know, or care why we stand for the reading of the Holy Gospel, why the Pastor wears white for the Divine Service, or why the liturgy is structured the way it is.

I'm glad these folks are in the pew, at least they will have the chance to learn, and absorb some knowledge, but really, if your just mumbling your way through the liturgy without a thought of what your saying, just sit down and be quiet until you mean it.