People say they can't pray because of it.
I say, just don't listen to it. Then you can pray.
You may have to practice before you get it down though.
Old people in big cities with big tourist cathedrals know how to do it.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
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I'm afraid I'm one of those who just can't pray with all the din. But I'm fortunate. During the week I go to a TLM where there is absolute reverence both before and after Mass, and on Sunday I escape the noise by walking a few blocks to another church to pray. One of the perks of living in NYC - there are churches everywhere.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the kind of din. There was a woman with Tourette's who used to visit the same Adoration chapel that I did. Many people were bothered by her, but I found it easy to tune her out. She said the same thing over and over. Poor soul. After awhile I didn't even notice her.
ReplyDeleteI think what bugs me most about the chatter is that people are ignoring Jesus while they yak it up with one another.
As for old people, I hate to generalize, but some of them behave as though they have reached the age where they feel entitled to talk out loud, not to mention many of them can't help it because they're hard of hearing. Anyway, I need to do more about internal distractions that pop up in my head before I can get too worked up about old people talking after Mass.
Terry - this smacks of "blaming the victim." Wouldn't it be easier to tell the chattering classes to shut the hell up?
ReplyDeleteI know! But, what do you do when you're trying to keep reverent silence after Mass and someone starts talking to you?! Argh!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I just try to be really nice and say hello and talk. Later I resume my thanksgiving. It takes practice however.
ReplyDeleteKatharine - Terry is right about that little problem.
ReplyDeleteTerry, this issue still bothers me but a lot less than it used to. Why? Because I just keep in mind something you've repeated here: "...and He walked in the midst of them." Or through them, or whatever (Jesus getting through the crowd when they were going to pitch Him off a cliff). The noise still gets to me but I cannot control others (praise God), so I let go and try to focus on Him in my heart and mind. Shutting my eyes can sometimes help.
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, I sometimes do tell people to shut the hell up. Well, I (hopefully) gently remind them that others are praying. I wanted to dropkick a bunch of teenagers who were chatting in front of the Blessed Sacrament; to get where they were sitting, they walked past signs that said shut the hell up, people are praying, and were chatting anyway.
ReplyDeleteYes, Terry, those are the new signs we got when we got the new rector. I think he brought them from St. A.
Is it too late for Confession today?