People watching is, in a word, fascinating. And, easy to do: anytime, day or night; at no cost, to boot. All you invest is your time, and no sweat is involved. In fact, you can eat while you do it, so it is the perfect occupation for Americans. It’s a wonder that more people don’t do it. Well, in a way, most Americans do it; trouble is, they don’t learn anything from it. It’s pure, unadulterated, mindless entertainment. It’s the national pastime. Is this a great country, or what? But, I digress.
What I’d like to know is why people do what they do. Yeah, I’m a people watcher, and the reason why I am is because they are everywhere. Damn hard to avoid. Especially, living in a city, having to have a “9-to-5” (i.e., traditional) job, and trying not to be distracted by the trees and not see the forest during Mass.
So, last night (when I can, I go to Mass both Saturday and Sunday – I need a lot of help), I plant myself in the pew about half-an-hour before Mass to try to get my head into the most important thing I do all week. And, as usual, the “Edmonds Group” was in full voice. (I have mentioned them before in these pages). It is, quite literally, a group of about 5 or 6 “little old ladies” that see the church building as a bus station. Being women, they do like to talk (tho, I’m beginning to wonder if men don’t rival them for idiotic prattle). And, being older, their hearing is not particularly acute. Altho, their voices haven’t lost any volume. Hmm.
Now, if their football stadium voce (sorry, I couldn’t find an antonym for sotto voce) was discussing religion, at least it would be relevant to the situation; that is, something to do with why they were there.
Sorry. I guess I mean to say: something to do with why < I > was there. They are obviously not there for any reason other than to gab about things they won’t remember tomorrow. In fact, one of their number proudly (or, at least loudly) announced that she hadn’t been in church since Thanksgiving (some kind of injury, I think); her compatriots hadn’t noticed her absence, apparently.
Thank GOD, the opening procession and hymn quieted them down.
Of course, by this time, two young men sat in front of me. Two young men that I had seen before. Two young men that clearly want to be someplace else (but, at least they don’t chatter). They enter the pew with nary a nod, let alone genuflection, or (ugh) perfunctory bow and sit. They mostly stand and kneel and sit with the congregation. Mostly sit. They go to Communion. and they leave early (typically walk straight out the door after receiving).
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know: I should be paying attention to Mass and not to GOD’s children and their “interesting” behavior. I could (feebly) offer that, if I am going to ignore everybody else, I should stay home and pray in my garret. But, I am trying to be part of the community. Clearly, I have a long way to go.
But, if you’re still with me, then I’ll try to get back to my point:
If people are going to make a minimal effort to do something that clearly has no meaning for them, why bother? I mean, if it means so little, then how much value can it have? And, if it has so little value, why do it? As my mother and I say to each other: at least they’re in church.
But, why?
Well, they can honestly say they go to church, if some pollster ever asks. Instead of being like those baptized pagans who claim to be Christian and don’t bother going to church. I can see claiming to be an American, even if you never vote or participate in the political process, ‘cause this is where you live (it seems the only legitimate definition of an American these days is somebody who pays taxes). But, why claim to be a Christian, if you don’t do any of the stuff that conscientious Christians do? More people can honestly claim to be shoppers.
Why do something that has no meaning? Maybe because being “average” takes so little effort? But, average is just another word for “mediocre”; does anybody really jump out of bed in the morning to just slog thru another day, doing as little as possible? Dunno about the jumping, but clearly doing the minimum, just to get by, is something of a national sport (especially now that, thankfully, football season is over – or, is this just the brief respite between seasons?)
“Average” is a judgment, or conclusion; it should not be a goal or objective.
I’ll grant you that they are doing all they can, and just showing up for Mass might be all they can do. Actually participating, actually trying to contribute, now that’s a horse of a different color (I know all I can do is make a joyful noise during the “hymns,” but I offer that the choir, which has practiced and has the music in front of them, can barely handle some of the stuff).
If trying to try has so little value, why bother? Certainly other people notice (present company included). Do you think GOD notices? Him, who sees everything, including what other people can’t see; including what we can’t see in ourselves.
To paraphrase a story told by a Desert Father, if I was deep in prayer, I wouldn’t even notice the behavior of those around me. And I concede the point. But, I do go to Mass to be with all those other sinners because, quite frankly, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t a sinner. I fit in.
So, I ask why when I observe others because I want to know why for myself.
Do I do what I do out of habit? Or to be seen by others? Well, after years of wandering around in the wilderness, going to Mass is definitely not a habit. Every week, it is deliberate, conscious decision. But, I admit, sometimes I do go to be seen by others. In all my arrogance, I think looking like I want to be there is a good example for others: “Hey! keeping your mouth shut for an hour is not gonna kill you!” Mostly tho, I go because I am supposed to. I am a Roman Catholic, and the Church requires my attendance; when I want to be something, I follow the rules. By not following the rules, I am stating I don’t want to be something. Period. For me, no gray area there; no room for lukewarmness in practicing my religion.
And, with Lent coming up (this Wednesday is the day when, as the priest this morning put it, we get something from the Church for free: ashes), I have an official opportunity (according to the Church, the word is “obligation” – I look upon those obligations as opportunities, and I need lots of ‘em). What will I give up for Lent this year? Chocolate? Well, I kicked that habit years ago, so that doesn’t count. Last year, I fasted: nothing to eat or drink (save water) between sunrise and sunset; yeah kinda like Ramadan, but without the bacchanalial of Mardi Gras or the Ramadan Rush at the beginning and Eid al-fitr at the end. Sackcloth and ashes are always inappropriate, so that’s out (Matthew 6:17-18).
More Bible study? Maybe. Certainly will have more time: I have just been laid off.
Well, whatever I do, I should go to Church more (Lent is a good time to do penance) and pray more (I won’t try singing more: I might get arrested for disturbing the peace).
Maybe this would be a good time to ask why, as in “Why do anything at all?” Let’s see: I believe in GOD, I believe in a life after this one, I believe the purpose of this life is to prepare for the next one, and I know I’m not ready for the next life. I know I need lots of preparation. I also know (wait for it): Eternity is a long time.
Eternity is a Long Time 