Holy Mass
The current turmoil in the Syro-Malabar Church is about which direction the priest should face during the Holy Mass. Social media has even given the public an opportunity to watch these events in real time and be entertained during the Christmas season. The protagonists of this drama are priests — the very representatives of Jesus Christ, who taught that God is love. Years ago, they staged a similar drama in the streets.
Do not ask what it matters to Jesus whether one turns this way or that. This is said to be the Lord’s concern. According to convenience, Jesus becomes “Lord,” “Christ,” and more — that is theology. Theology can describe God the way an anatomy class explains the parts of a hibiscus flower.
But that is not the point. Though this dispute over direction has been going on for a long time, it has not affected me, even as a devout believer who attends Mass, goes to confession, and receives communion — because I do not turn in any direction. Then why do I feel this way now? Because many faithful are pained by these conflicts. Some priests are among them. One such friend asked me yesterday to join a small effort toward reconciliation.
I replied: what business does a cat have at a gold-melting furnace?
In this sacrifice, this mystery of the Eucharist, the laity have no role. The lamb’s duty is to obey the shepherd’s staff; only then can it reach the right side in heaven. I want the right side, so I will not oppose the shepherds. Although I told my friend this, I wondered what reconciliation is possible with those unwilling even to discuss the nun–bishop abuse case.
Sacrifice, altar, offerings — these all come from Old Testament Jewish rituals. Outside the authority of the Church, they are labeled superstition, impropriety, and primitivism (Abraham’s sacrifice). A God pleased only by the offering of what is most beloved; a God who punishes disobedience harshly. Yet Jesus called that God “my Father” and said God is love. He said mercy is needed, not sacrifice.
At a time when priests debated whether God should be worshipped on one mountain or another, Jesus told the woman who questioned him that God is to be worshipped not on this mountain or that, but in one’s own heart. Such a question, it seems, was asked only by a woman.
The Church teaches that Jesus instituted the mystery of the Eucharist. Jewish priests accused him of blasphemy, sacrilege, and treason and brought him before the authority to be condemned. The authority asked, “They have spoken; do you have anything to say?” The Bible taught by the Church itself says: “I have taught nothing in secret.” Yet the same Church later explained everything through theology.
It is taught that Jesus entrusted the Eucharistic mystery to twelve male disciples, including Saint Peter — who denied him three times before his enemies — and even handed him the keys of heaven before dying.
Thus, in the Catholic Church, the successors of Peter still do not permit women to become priests, offer sacrifice, or administer sacraments that bestow heavenly grace. Yet the very Bible taught by the Church shows that women who thought most progressively stood alongside Jesus — but they disappeared from theology.
Jesus taught that all are children of God and that each person should call God “my own Father.”
After Jesus’ death, the disciples — men and women together — gathered in love to remember him, tried to live as he did, and shared meals to affirm that they were united and equal. Over two thousand years, this has been transformed into something highly ritualized and a center of clerical authority.
At the very least, in a Church that hesitates to recognize women as priests, women should boycott priests’ Masses (no matter which direction they face) — this is what my Catholic life experience has convinced me.
What Jesus told the woman drawing water at the well is what women, at least, should follow. Let priests go to this mountain or that to offer sacrifice, turn south or north — what is that to us?
Let us cleanse our hearts and worship God, who is love, within them.
Let the esteemed clergy clear the weeds in their garden or do as they wish. Only if women of the Syro-Malabar Church decide not to attend Mass will anything change.
During the COVID period, television and mobile phones became our churches. Those who died without receiving last rites or a church funeral still went to heaven, did they not? If another pandemic comes, the same will happen.
Even while claiming that Jesus is our savior, is this not a faith that says we cannot be saved without police protection, without protection from our own people?
For some time now, in this tug-of-war for property and power, what becomes ridiculous and meaningless is the clerical authority structure itself — an authority center in Jesus’ Church that does not resemble Jesus. What people need is a God who stands with them in their suffering. Jesus showed that. That is why he is loved.
It is that love which compelled me to say all this.
Dr. Rosy Thambi
Rossilva
3-1-2023
