There was a time when people behaved somewhat differently regarding their Christianity than they do now. For example, you'd go to a hospital or a school and you'd see a Crucifix or a Cross on the wall.
In our school all the pupils and teachers used to gather in the big hall every morning for prayers and a hymn before we went to our class for lessons. We said prayers at lunch time, led by the headmaster or a teacher, before we ate.
Women used to wear a hat or a veil on their heads when in church.
The sermons were more relevant to life as it is. The priest used the theme of the Gospel of the day and made what he said relevant to how we live and how we should behave. These days all he does is repeat the Gospel we've just read and does not add or explain anything. I know one priest who manages to put me to sleep with the first sentence of his sermon. I am often suddenly awakened with a sharp elbow in the side.
In them days men would stop and take their hats off if a funeral hearse would pass in the street. People would do the sign of the Cross when passing a church.
Priests used to visit their parishioners at home, not just when they were ill, but at all times just for a cup of tea. Often people would invite priests for Sunday lunch, and they were always there at special events like wedding anniversaries. Now priests seem to be always too busy with administrative work, and Ecumenical Meetings and don't seem to have time for their parishioners.
These days it's all different. Maybe it's me. Perhaps I got it all wrong. I've been lucky to have known some good priests in Olden Days ...
But let's not focus on those around us. How about us Christians? Yes, you and me! Whatever happens in the world what is our Mission here in this life ... right now?
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28-19:20
Your absolutely right Victor, l'm with you 100%....
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd paragraph made me think..back in my
school days..and yes..l did go to school..! :).
At the 'BIG' school there were 300 pupils, and
every morning they had there assemby..prayers
etc..Prodestant prays..for about 15~20mins....
Now! The Catholics, like myself had to be
separated from them..so we were put in a small
classroom..so out of 300 pupils there were only
12 of us Catholics..Yes! 12..! Oh! I've just thought
we could have been the 12 Apostles..! :)
So..we prayed in our way, and they prayed in there
way..Over the years, they tried to join the two together,
but has never really worked..! They changed the rules,
so to speak, but..it's still the same to~day, and no one
bothers any more..! :(.
And the Christians..Goodness! What hard time they've
had, never did to well with the lions and Romans did they!
And..you can't argue with the say.."The Good Old Days"
Because they were..And the very best decade ever, and
still voted the very best decade ever..was the 60's....
HeHe! As we used to say..jokingly of course...if you
remember the 60's you were'nt there..! :).
So remember...
"Add life to your days..not days to your life"..Amen!
Times have certainly changed, Willie. But God is still the same.
DeleteGod bless.
Add life to your days. Well said, Willie. And well said, Victor. We can see the result of this in the way the world is today. People need God.
DeleteI'm very much a sayings person Sandi..
Delete"A son is a son, till he finds a wife..a daughter is a
daughter ALL of your life"..
Thank you Sandi, and Willie, for your comments. The world is changing, and not for the better.
DeleteGod bless.
Hi Victor, my mission is to do whatever the Lord has called me to do while I am in this world. Jesus said 'Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men' Mark ch.1 v.17 God bless as you do what you have been called to do.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Brenda. We must all do our best to proclaim the Word of God.
DeleteGod bless you.
...you can say that again!
ReplyDeleteYes, Christianity is not what it used to be.
DeleteGod bless, Tom.
Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you R.
DeleteGod bless you.
I really did enjoy this Victor. I smile as I learn from you and friends that basically the Catholic Church and it's 'brother' the 'Protestant' are a lot alike. I get the 'elbow' but only when I am singing the wrong verse or song!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Prayers... ;-)
I tell you, Jack; there's this priest whose sermons are very boring and I switch off. My dilemma is that I cannot go to him and confess that he sends me to sleep.
DeleteGod bless always.
Why not? It might help him spice up his sermons, especially if he sees more than a few people snoozing.
DeleteIn my opinion the sermons DO tie the readings back to everyday life better than they used to. Maybe in my area they're preparing seminarians better than they did years ago.
ReplyDeleteYes, perhaps you have better priests. Send them over here; the weather is great. It rains all the time.
DeleteGod bless, Kathy.
You are absoutely right. I remember seeing older people back when I was small blessing themselves when passing a church. Haven't seen that in decades now.
ReplyDeleteSad isn't it, Bill? People have no respect any more when passing a church or as a funeral hearse passes by. Life has changed.
DeleteGod bless.
I grew up in a different social surrounding where there was no making a cross when passing a church or even a Crucifix on a wall of a public building or other things mentioned. So I don't know the "good old times" you describe. Christianity has changed in my country as well. But it's we, the Christians of today, that make the times either good or bad, I believe.
ReplyDeleteChristianity has changed because the people have changed. They do not believe any more and don't want to believe. Many do not believe in eternity; so life is just for today.
DeleteGod bless you, Ladka.
Although I was not raised as Roman Catholic, I recognize many similarities - both from my youth and today. For a period, my father got it in his head that mother and I should wear head coverings. How I hated that, and now I love wearing hats to services! Here in the South, if a funeral procession approaches it's customary to pull one's vehicle to the side; also, pedestrians stop what they're doing and stand out of respect. What we're witnessing these days is disappointing, yes. But like our church t-shirts proclaim, "Be the light."
ReplyDeleteThe head covering was a sign of respect in church. Now it no longer happens over here; and people do not stop their vehicles to the side when there's a funeral procession, nor do pedestrians stand out of respect. It's very sad over here.
DeleteAs best we can we should be the light to others. Even when Christianity is mocked as often happens here on TV.
God bless you, Mevely.
The church I attend now is pretty much the same as the one I grew up in. Maybe because both churches are Bible believing churches where we actually read and study the Bible. : )
ReplyDeleteGOD DOES NOT CHANGE.
Amen Happyone. God does not change.
DeleteGod bless.
We are blessed with Pastors who tie the sermons to life each week. You are right that much has changed and it's sad to watch. When persecution comes, and someday it probably will, i am afraid to see how many will just melt away from the faith.
ReplyDeleteWe need to pray more, Mimi; much more.
DeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteOh, you are spot on here!
On our quarterly grades in the booklet was written at the very top: Church absenteeism as we had to go to Mass before school would start! Yes, it was a Catholic school and the principle was a nun and there were more nuns.
Life was so strict and respect and courtesy were in high regard as part of good morals; a true Christian exemplary lifestyle.
Morals are long off the table and you often get being mocked at when still going to Church.
But wait, when they finally DO stand before their final Judge, there will have to be a lot of explaining to do, or worse.
May others wake up before it will be too late!
Don't Let The Devil Win...
Hugs,
Mariette
Sadly, it seems that at the moment the devil is winning; but not really. It is an illusion. An illusion that is fooling many people not to believe and to live a life that they want full of greed and materialism.
DeletePeople cannot fool God. He knows peoples' hearts and motives.
God bless, Mariette.
AMEN!
DeleteYou're right, things are different now. People work hard all week and need the weekend to catch up on other things. Many sports meetings/games are held on weekends, even Sundays in some places I suppose. There just isn't time for everything, so Church is one of the things that are let go. That doesn't mean the people aren't still Christian and living Christian lives.
ReplyDelete"That doesn't mean the people aren't still Christian and living Christian lives."
DeleteIt means that they have lost their priorities and don't think that going to church is important. Would they treat their friends like that? Ignore them because they're busy and only turn to them at times of difficulties and needing help?
Living a Christian life means, amongst other things, making time for God - daily, not just at weekends.
God bless, River.