Take a look at the discussion over at Defenders of the Catholic Faith over the question of whether Christians should ever 1) celebrate a Seder or 2) attend one. And note the positions taken by the “Moderators” and “Head Administrator.”
Would someone kindly let Steve Ray know what’s being done on his board?
5 responses so far ↓
Franklin Jennings // March 22, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Best part (best being a very relative superlative) was when “Seanie” interpreted “Whoever, after the Passion, places his hope in the legal prescriptions and submits himself to them as necessary for salvation and as if faith in Christ without them could not save, sins mortally” to mean “There is no room in Catholicism for Jewish rituals. ”
I mean, a “parish Seder” (which I wouldn’t take part in because it does strike me as “cultural tourism”, even though I never turn down an invite to an actual Seder) has a relationship to an actual Seder similar to the relationship between the Liturgy of the Catechumens and Synagogue worship or between the Liturgy of the Faithful and Temple worship. There’s obviously room within the Mass for Jewish Ritual.
Jim Cork // March 23, 2007 at 7:26 am
Beyond the issue of the Seder is the attitude we often see in some online forums of people who have no joy in their faith, only sarcasm and criticism of others. I used to read certain blogs and magazines (NOR, for one) and it almost destroyed my faith.
Here’s a very good essay on the subject (link via Christopher).
They should also read St. Francis de Sales. There are countless forms of devotion within the Church, and we don’t need to attack people who do something different. I follow CL because it is where I meet Christ; but I wouldn’t dream of telling someone else that he shouldn’t join Opus Dei, or attend a Latin Mass, or go on a LifeTeen retreat.
And if they insist on questioning the use of the Seder in the Church, they should do so in love, assuming that the people they disagree with have the best of intentions. I think St. Ignatius said something along those lines as well.
EV // March 23, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Oy!
Mark Shea // March 27, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Steve himself is one of the most philosemitic people I know. Israel is practically a second home to him. I doubt he saw this.
Bill // March 27, 2007 at 7:20 pm
That was my assumption. I’m sure he’s participated in many seders himself.
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