Bryan Kinas Church Visit #2

 Church name: Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Church address: 36 North Ellsworth. Naperville, Illinois

Date attended: December 14th 

Church category: Tridentine Mass

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

The worship experience was different in many ways from my home church experience. First the church was massive, with huge pews, and beautiful architecture and stained glass windows, which since it was a night service, did not shine so brilliantly. But there were only about 30 people there, when the church could comfortably fit about 400 or 500, which made the service seem very barren. I felt pretty out of place, given that most people there knew what to say and do and when to say and do it, while I lagged a couple seconds behind the entire mass. The sermon or homily was brief and lasted only 5 or so minutes, and it was clear that the center of the entire service was the Eucharist. 

How did the worship service illuminate for you the history and contours of global Christianity?

While the numbers in the service I attended were low, diversity was not lacking. It made me reflect on how Catholicism in Hispanic countries is quite prevalent, and why this may be. It also brought a greater understanding to how most of the world views Christianity, and how power, status, and wealth could be associated with church, for simply the building and property must be worth a couple million dollars. However, in the same strain I realized that for centuries this is how all Christian churches were and how the services operated, and how the liturgy was received. The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, and the transfer of the Bible into vernacular would be a big big shift in the practical routines of the church.

How did the worship service illuminate for you your personal identity as a Christian?

It has always been a good experience for me to go to services of various denominations and experience Church a different way, and this experience was no different, for I am again reminded that Christian is a much much bigger term, with a wider history and a more robust theology than I know. I love to see how others experience God, and to try and see the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, and understanding the different theologies that underlie these practices. If I were not hoping of going into cross cultural mission work then it would be easy to ignore these questions and remain in my own conceptions of church and community, but since I am, I must continue wrestling how to think theologically, act lovingly, and cooperate and work together as the body of Christ, even when these different parts may be in tension.

Church Name: Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Church address: 136 N. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL 60540 

Date attended: November 1, 2015

Church category: Tridentine Mass

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

The church service I attended was similar to my own in a few ways. We sat in pews, were greeted at the door, prayed and sang. It was clear that most in the service were deeply meditating on God's message and presence to them in that time. It was different in a number of ways than the context I am used to. Something I noticed that I really appreciated was that there were so many whole families in mass together. Small children sat or knelt right beside their parents. While making young children attend such a solemn service may have the potential to put a bad taste in their mouths about Christianity, I think there is something sacred and special about children watching their parents worship and being a part of it for as long as they can remember. I also realized in the book I was reading along to guide me through the service how much symbolism is part of the Tridentine mass. I think it made me realize how intentional liturgy is and made me curious as to what symbolism I was missing in the traditions of my own church. I also noticed that I couldn't see where the music was coming from. It was as if it was from heaven. I liked this aspect of it because my attention wasn't drawn to who was singing but rather who they were singing about.  

How did the worship service illuminate for you the history and contours of global Christianity? 

I sympathized with Martin Luther and John Calvin after sitting (and kneeling.. wow that got painful fast!) through Tridentine mass. It really did feel as if I were in another time, and that I enjoyed. I imagined the mass not in the 21st century but the 15th century and enjoyed picturing myself in that time. I could see how the tradition and regularity of the liturgy provided a space for the individual to contemplate and meditate, but I was so frustrated by not being able to understand the language! What good is it hear the good news if you can't understand it? The beauty of the inside and the music cultivated an atmosphere in which I could experience the presence of God, but not hearing God's word in my own language was a challenge to say the least. It made me wish for more reverence and liturgy in more protestant denominations, but grateful at the same time for Luther and Calvin's reforms, particularly in seeing the necessity of the Word of God in one's own language, and the non-necessity of ceremonies only. 

 

How did the worship service illuminate for you your personal identity as a Christian?

Although I mentioned that the kneeling was painful, it really illuminated for me my need for a penitent attitude. I realized how reluctant I was to remain on my knees for ten minutes while my Lord was mocked, stripped, beaten, and crucified for me. I should be flat on my face rather than merely on my knees. So, one lesson I learned was one of true humility and repentance, not only in my soul, but in my physical body as well. It also made me appreciate the Word of God and be thankful that I have access to it on a daily basis. I was inspired and grateful to be able to read it whenever I wanted in my own language. Reflecting on the figures of the past who made this possible for me made me grateful for God's providence in providing leaders such as Luther and Calvin who recognized the needs of the church in their day. As a result, I am inspired by the reformers to never stop reforming my own church, my own generation, my own personal life as follower of Christ.