Questions from a Pentecostal
I have gone with my friend to her church lots of times. She has been very curiouse about my church. So I took her to St. Johns Cathedral in Fresno California. She liked a few things, like the music, she sang alone to a few songs, and that alot of people go to church only like 20-30 go to hers. Many do participate and she liked how we genuflect. Also how little kids participate and help the priest. Obviously she didn't like alot of things, she is protestant so I did expect that. I loved the fact that she had questions, but I couldn't answer all.
One was why we have candles?
And why does the priest sing at times, like when he is going to read the Gospel and after the Gospel?
Why does the priest enter the church at the beginning of church with men carring the cross and candles and a bible?
Why do we make the sign of the cross during Mass? And why before he reads the Gospel we do it different, three signs of the cross?
I know that I should know these, especially the last one. I really would appreciate it if you can help me answer these questions for my friend. For a few months now I have talked to her alot about my faith and why we believe what we do, and she is starting to have alot of questions, but especially about her own faith. She went to seminary a few years ago and her dad is a pastor, so that kind of gets her mad. I didn't push her to go to Mass, and I usually wait for her to ask questions, so I think I'm doing it the right way. I just hope one day she won't be anti-catholic.
QUESTION from Tizoc on July 26, 2003
ANSWER by Staff on July 31, 2003
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Dear Tizoc: May God be praised that your friend finds the Catholic Church interesting. Perhaps a seed is planted that we grow someday. On the questions: 1. why we have candles? Candles have rich symbolism. The lighted Candle is a symbol of the light of Christ. Also, the heat (or smoke) rising from the flame symbolizes our prayers rising up to heaven. 2. And why does the priest sing at times, like when he is going to read the Gospel and after the Gospel? St. Augustine said once that when we sing we pray twice. Singing is an expressing of joy and worship before God. While singing is not required, to sing parts of the Mass not only speaks to the joy and praise of God through music, but also makes the Mass more beautiful ascetically.
This is called the Procession. Procession is an ancient custom that gives honor to the one for whom the procession is for. We have remnants of this ancient custom in the practice of introducing a person before they stand up to give a speech, or introducing a person before they come out on stage. These modern practices are derived from the ancient practice of processions. In the case of the Mass, when we are talking about a full procession, the Crucifix is given this place of honor because it is the holy symbol of the Passion of our Lord and God who died for us on that Cross to redeem mankind. The Bible is also given this honor because it is the Word of our God and by that Word God reveals Himself to us so that we might live. Then following is the priest who represents Christ. He is in that place of honor NOT as an honor to the "man" who is a priest, but to the fact that he is the alter Christos who represents the person of Christ in the Mass. Following after him are the entourage of various others.
The sign of the Cross is a blessing given to ourselves in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. It recalls to us our baptismal promises and reminds us of our faith. It is an exterior sign of our faith. The triple sign of the cross at the Gospel is a sign of blessing and offering our mind, our words, and our heart to God, thus the sign made on the forehead, the lips, and the heart. There is a book that you might want to get called "Catholic Sourcebook". It gives a LOT of information about questions like these. Also Catholic Answers website, and the Biblical Evidence for Catholicism website will be useful.
God Bless, |