A Different Church

I went to a lot of services this past Holy Week, and I feel content for having done so. I feel closer to God, and I feel like I am more focused on the light.

So, full of the light and joy that came from a beautiful and moving Saturday Vigil service, I got up very early the next morning to go to an Easter service at my future mother-in-law's church. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before.

First off, the church that she goes to is in an affluent area, and the church itself is very large (and Protestant, but it's not your "typical" church, as you will see here shortly). The church I go to regularly is smaller, is in a pretty rough neighborhood, and doesn't have a free shuttle service.

So, I was prepared for a "multimedia experience" in a large, rich church. When I got there, it was very sterile, very bright, and very clean and modern looking. The room where the service was held was much like a movie theater (same kind of seats- very comfy) facing a large stage. On either side of the stage was a large projection screen. A professional worship band took the stage and sang 3 or 4 songs while the words were projected onto the screens, and everyone stood and watched. Next, a young man (I'm used to seeing very old priests) in jeans and a express-looking shirt came out and introduced himself and said his welcomes. Then, a fairly young man (dressed similarly trendily) came out and gave a comedic performance, with short bible verses and religious themed ideas sprinkled in. To finish, more worship band singing.

It was a very feel-good sort of a service. There was some lead-public prayer...but besides that, there was nothing really sacred about it. It lacked any ceremony or ritual, something I have come to love and lean upon in the Catholic church. When we stand up during a Catholic mass, there's a reason. We are giving reverence to something, whether that be the reading of the Gospel by the priest, or the procession of the cross. At the other service, we stood up so that we could clap or sing along with a band. It was very foreign, and very strange.

All that being said, I'm glad that that particular service exists because some people just love it, and feel a genuine emotional response, and leave feeling closer to God. That's great for them, it's just not my cup of tea. It did make my future mother in law very happy to have us with her at the service, so that was nice.

I'm looking forward to going to regular old Mass this Sunday. I never imagined when I first started the RCIA less than 3 years ago that Mass would one day feel so familiar, so comforting.