There is also the practical reality of the ‘bricks & mortar’ issues. Things like bills and maintenance tend to crowd out Liturgy, usually unintentionally. But when Liturgy becomes one of many functions of a parish rather than its sole reason for existence (i.e., the worship of the Lord) people also conclude that the Lord can be second in their lives. And that has a profound, negative impact on the whole Church.
Too true, and not just in the BCC.
I suspect my post will further draw this thread away from its original question.
Nope. It deepens the discussion.
Now for the flip side: I have witnessed clergy become upset during the homily because not
enough people had attended the previous night's Vespers. I've seen the same kind of anger over a lack fasting. It is one thing to correct; it is another get mad at people; and, unsurprisingly, neither attendance at Vespers nor fasting improved ...
Clergy must actually love what they are doing; but they must love with Christ's love, which is patient as well as corrective.
-- John / harmon
