Complaining

Last Sunday's post was perhaps a little harsh, though I experienced the same thing this week (no Psalm or Second Reading). What I must make clear is that I don't hate the priest for doing this - I'm just disappointed and a little frustrated at the whole situation. While I can make no judgement on the priest's motives for changing the liturgy, I can't help but think that there is a little hubris involved, as though somehow the priest thinks that their interpretation of what liturgy should be is better than the two thousand years of development in the liturgy throughout the whole church. Furthermore, to what extent is it my duty to correct the priest on such a matter? I have already gone to my local ordinary in Edinburgh about such a matter and the whole thing blew up in my face (lack of prudence on my part). I should have spoken to the priest first. But then I know that I would somehow come out being the pharisee. In France I spoke to a priest about the whole matter (as I was in France during my correspondence with the aforementioned ordinary) and he basically told me I should never complain, even when I know I'm right. I found this a dangerous idea and was confused - so do they just get to play havoc with the liturgy, with our pious sensibilities?
Herein lies the  real bone of contention - do we discuss the matter first with the priest, and so assume authority on such matters? Or should we go higher up and allow someone more competent to deal with the matter?
I'm not here long enough for it to be worthwhile complaining about it, though I may give the priest a letter about my concerns. One thing that must come first, is charity. And sometimes charity means doing things which may be uncomfortable for you and the other person.

In meinen Geboten wandeln

This morning I went to my first Mass this year in Germany. Obviously, during my time in Heidelberg I went along to Mass too, so going wasn't a new experience for me. Experiences could, however, vary dramatically. For instance, in Heidelberg I would usually attend the Jesuitenkirche in the Altstadt, and most of the time Mass there was fine. The hymns sung were sometimes difficult but it was ok. Every now and then, though, a different priest would come along and mess everything up, saying things like "Der Herr ist mit uns" (The Lord is with us), meaning the congregation felt a bit stupid and embarrassed when responding "Und mit Deinem Geiste" (And with your spirit).
Well, today was one of those not so good times. Please allow me to indulge in my favourite pastime - criticizing terrible "liturgies".
The main problem with today was that the priest messed with the Liturgy of the Word. First of all, the most blatant error was the complete omission of the responsorial psalm and the second reading. The first reading was also completely different - it should have been from Zechariah, but instead the lector read from Ezekiel, the bit about "making you sincerely respect my observances". Finally, while reading the Gospel (the correct reading, as it happens, from Matthew 11:25-30), he missed out huge chunks, particularly those awful bits about shouldering yokes and about the Lord's yoke being easy and His burden light. It was disappointing that the priest did this as I thought the Gospel was perfect, particularly since the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart was just on Friday ("I am gentle and humble of heart" - Mt 11:29).
Luckily the Liturgy of the Eucharist was fairly untouched, though I think he made up the offertory prayer (as well as the collect and the postcommunion). He sang the preface, which I love and wish they did it all the time in Scotland.

Below, an example of the German preface, from Eucharistic Prayer II.

Der Herr sei mit euch.

Und mit Deinem Geiste.

Erhebet die Herzen.

Wir haben sie beim Herrn.

Lasset uns danken dem Herrn unserem Gott.

Das ist würdig und recht.

In Wahrheit ist es würdig und recht, dir, Herr, heiliger Vater, immer und überall zu danken durch deinen geliebten Sohn Jesus Christus. Er ist dein Wort, durch ihn hast du alles erschaffen. Ihn hast du gesandt als unseren Erlöser und Heiland. Er ist Mensch geworden durch den Heiligen Geist, geboren von der Jungfrau Maria.
Um deinen Ratschluß zu erfüllen und dir ein heiliges Volk zu erwerben, hat er sterbend die Arme ausgebreitet am Holze des Kreuzes. Er hat die Macht des Todes gebrochen und die Auferstehung kundgetan.
Darum preisen wir dich mit allen Engeln und Heiligen und singen vereint mit ihnen das Lob deiner Herrlichkeit:

Back in Germany!

I am now back in Germany (in Bavaria, to be more precise) and working as a translator. Finally!