What Pope Benedict said about clapping at mass, it's not an option if you know what's going on. It's not a party or even entirely a commemoration or a rejoicing in one another's presence . . .

. . . or entirely a holy meal celebrating sisterhood and brotherhood per membership in the Mystical Body . . .

Reader Thom Clark:

Sad commentary on the rich Eucharistic celebrations we regularly participate in at St St. John XXIII Parish Evanston or viewing the Catholic Community of St Sabina wherein the Spirit is so evident we are often moved to expressions of Joy and Gratitude.

Celebrate in patriarchal Latin if you wish, but don’t denigrate other forms of Catholic worship wherein if two or more are gathered in my name, there shall I be.

Ah. What do you mean by Eucharistic? Celebration of brotherhood and sisterhood at expense of Jesus sacrificed and thus conquering sin? Reenactment.

It’s natural to applaud a good performance, but there’s so much more happening here. Here there be a supernatural event that beats all.

Divine presence losing out among churchgoers, we hear. What price relevance?

Finally, that patriarchal Latin. It’s a first for this reader. Wild, I must say. In any event, crying for explanation.

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Room I see for one small item:

Regrets

Regrets are a pain in the behind. And lots of other places. They can consume you if you don’t watch out.

Solution lies somewhere between accepting God and accepting God very much.

Don’t worry about overdoing it. That won’t happen. In a million years it won’t, which is short for never.

Wha? Long for never, ok?