tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post4949502934288602698..comments2023-11-05T02:55:10.230-06:00Comments on Gottesdienst Online: Left-handed Priests?Pr. H. R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16756503062523543708noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-3624715360049604832017-06-26T15:46:09.054-05:002017-06-26T15:46:09.054-05:00Ambidextrous priest? That's me. My left hand i...Ambidextrous priest? That's me. My left hand is cleansed before and after distribution, because I hold the paten in my right hand and distribute the host with my left (thumb and index finger). I make the sign of the cross with my right hand. I serve those at the rail from left to right. I hope I'm not 'doin it wrong'.Dr. JC Naumannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17402610710597359374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-12381075991936844712012-12-05T21:13:18.535-06:002012-12-05T21:13:18.535-06:00When I am tangibly receiving the gift of God at th...When I am tangibly receiving the gift of God at the rail, I only care that my tongue (or, sometimes, hand) safely receive the bread and that the chalice is held firmly for me. I am not there to critique, but to receive. This seems to argue for choosing care and caution in handling, not concern over sinister versus dexter.<br /><br />However, in my not-as-short-as-wish life, I have only shaken hands lefty when that was the only hand available. This regardless of handedness on either party. Thus, I must echo, "But making the sign of the cross? No need to switch that up, certainly: no fine motor skills there. "James Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09625385488445441223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-28384067624390242732012-12-05T12:42:50.908-06:002012-12-05T12:42:50.908-06:00As in so many circumstances, the debate here can b...As in so many circumstances, the debate here can be effectively resolved by pondering traditio’s answer to <b><i>“What would Peter do?”</i></b><br /><br />Scripture relates that Malchus’ right ear, in the Garden, was cleanly sliced off with a surgeon’s precision, by the prince of the Apostles (Jn 18:10). Some rascals have maintained that this could only have been accomplished, were Peter a port-sider like baseball’s Sultan of Swat, or … as revealed here … the internet Lutherans’ Satrap of Satire.<br /><br />The rub here is that we have no clue, from the Holy Ghost, as to what the precise position of the high priest’s servant was. Perhaps St. Peter approached the arresting officer from <i>behind</i>, in which case a <i>right-handed</i> flash of steel would have nailed the target squarely. Think about it. Admittedly, it would be a less than a manly gesture from the burly fisherman, then again it was a tight spot, in which the gates of hell seemed to all eyes to be prevailing at their worst. In addition, a few moments later, St. Peter memorably wilted when he was confronted by a mere maiden, face to face. <br /><br />The tactics of confrontational maneuver are not afforded by St. John. Nor does he provide details about the Great Physician’s compassionate response, to the amputee’s distress. Ditto Ss. Matthew and Mark. Leave it to Dr. Luke (22:51), to write the definitive procedural note.<br /><br />Your (unworthy) servant,<br />Herr Doktor<br />Michael L. Anderson, M.D., Ph.Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158953802996685938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-77644466317272105302012-12-03T22:30:32.253-06:002012-12-03T22:30:32.253-06:00Just so I am not misunderstood, I am referring to ...Just so I am not misunderstood, I am referring to this post by Petersen as a case in point. It was an innocent blog post, not meant to suggest that the Church will stand and fall on the basis of the answer. And then it is made out to be this big deal by a certain lurker on the blog. Ugh. Rev. Paul L. Beiselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165560935974759610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-9098044924012127152012-12-03T20:11:57.926-06:002012-12-03T20:11:57.926-06:00I just don't get it. What can be so wrong abou...I just don't get it. What can be so wrong about writing a post merely out of curiosity? How does that become "an issue that we don't have to lose sleep over anymore"? Are we completely incapable of talking about adiaphora without someone getting their panties in a wad? If there is a war going on, is it reasonable to assume that not every discussion had between officers was of utmost importance? Is it reasonable to assume that sometimes the Officers just brought up a point about maneuvering that didn't really affect the outcome of the war, but just was curious as to how it might be done differently? I'm just amazed at the inability to have a discussion about anything that isn't of profound importance for Christianity. Rev. Paul L. Beiselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165560935974759610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-31497599342372418822012-12-03T12:30:53.787-06:002012-12-03T12:30:53.787-06:00It is weird, though, the way people play guitar. ...It is weird, though, the way people play guitar. Left handed people use the right hand to fret and vice versa, which really doesn't make sense when you think about it.Pastor Fienehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701830939108213662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-37456619714552938282012-12-03T12:21:37.754-06:002012-12-03T12:21:37.754-06:00Can you do satire left handed? Left handed compli...Can you do satire left handed? Left handed compliments? The left hand of fellowship? Rev. Larry Beanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-42597474226433800332012-12-03T12:19:07.271-06:002012-12-03T12:19:07.271-06:00I'm left handed and I struggle to do anything ...I'm left handed and I struggle to do anything well with my right. Also, as a left-handed purist, I consider southpaws like Martin who play instruments right-handed to be total sell-outs:-)Pastor Fienehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701830939108213662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-86932451977812838562012-12-03T12:11:07.889-06:002012-12-03T12:11:07.889-06:00Thank you, Paul. I greatly appreciate it as do my...Thank you, Paul. I greatly appreciate it as do my parishioners. Peace in Christ!Rev. Larry Beanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-61239311677204881232012-12-03T11:01:14.498-06:002012-12-03T11:01:14.498-06:00Just a brief word here of apology, both to my brot...Just a brief word here of apology, both to my brother-in Christ and office, Pr. Beane, and to his dear congregation for my remarks posted here yesterday. I was able to reach out personally to Larry first and receive his gracious word of pardon and am happy here to share these remarks.<br /><br />Pray for me that the Lord would guard my fingers from typing things that should not be said!<br /><br />PTMRev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-20650929448003185452012-12-03T09:02:58.870-06:002012-12-03T09:02:58.870-06:00I'm left handed. I would like to know whether ...I'm left handed. I would like to know whether there are ANY left-handers out there who actually have trouble doing anything with their right hand except for writing/drawing and eating.<br /><br />I type, play piano, use a mouse, open door knobs with my right hand. I play flute, whistle, and fiddle right-handed. My little league coach switched me to right-handed catching because I had a weak left arm, and I adapted within a week. I know other left-handers with similar experiences.<br /><br />The thought never occurred to me that anyone would have trouble making the sign of the cross with their right hand. I distribute the host with patin in left, wafer in right, but honestly, I never gave it a single thought.Martin Diershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14455045241461983409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-12469182527913214352012-12-02T22:20:22.390-06:002012-12-02T22:20:22.390-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Larry Beanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-76212121694829078702012-12-02T22:01:09.891-06:002012-12-02T22:01:09.891-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Thomas C. Messer, SSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13740553600700598394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-9731107749929122912012-12-02T21:55:26.925-06:002012-12-02T21:55:26.925-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Thomas C. Messer, SSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13740553600700598394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-4647694238335348252012-12-02T21:41:21.709-06:002012-12-02T21:41:21.709-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-20277786187382960852012-12-02T21:26:40.898-06:002012-12-02T21:26:40.898-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-55699800872317562692012-12-02T21:24:37.888-06:002012-12-02T21:24:37.888-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-27653290608637999712012-12-02T21:17:12.739-06:002012-12-02T21:17:12.739-06:00Now, now, Tom. According to his own biography htt...Now, now, Tom. According to his own biography http://cyberbrethren.com/about/, "Pastor" McCain served two years in the ministry twenty years ago. That's more than 700 days in the parish!<br /><br />You need to listen to him. <br /><br />I do believe he is the smartest man in the LCMS. While critiquing how actual pastors use their time (in this case one that works a secular job in addition to fulltime pastoral ministry), Paul manages to pull in a pretty good salary (reputedly $180k but frankly I can't believe CPH would be throwing money around THAT recklessly - but I suspect he makes a tad bit more than the guys who actually lead worship and give pastoral care...), while having time enough on his own hands to deign to speak to the rest of us peasants on such topics as his midlife crisis/decision not to wear ties any more. Oh, what would we ever do without Paul tossing us such golden nuggets? <br /><br />I was following that one with baited breath. <br /><br />Way too much time... And money?<br /><br />Interestingly, Paul is not commenting on Pastor Petersen's previous post here: http://gottesdienstonline.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-should-synod-do.html in which he suggests this as a possible reform:<br /><br />"CPH needs to rethink its mission. It should be taken back as a non-profit subsidized by synod. Hymnals and Catechisms should be "sold" at as near cost as possible. Grants should be created to help CPH give away hymnals and catechisms at less than cost. The point of the hymnal should be to unite the Synod in doctrine and practice not to underwrite a terrible VBS program that promotes contemporary worship. CPH execs should not be paid at the same rate as Zondervan execs but at district scale. The Catechism translation should be owned by the synod not CPH. It should be made available for reproduction, without cost, to anyone who is using it piously, without modifying it."<br /><br />All of a sudden, our friend Paul McCain is silent!<br /><br />And again I say: Way too much time... And money?Rev. Larry Beanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-62059000233422794972012-12-02T20:47:18.410-06:002012-12-02T20:47:18.410-06:00Yes, Paul, because Fr. Petersen made it vividly cl...Yes, Paul, because Fr. Petersen made it vividly clear that this matter was of the utmost importance and in crucial need of settling right away in his post, lest any of the elect be deceived, were that possible. <br /><br />Don't they have any books for you to edit? Rev. Thomas C. Messer, SSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13740553600700598394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-21570300292105331402012-12-02T20:26:17.043-06:002012-12-02T20:26:17.043-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-13405009922388897682012-12-02T20:23:26.745-06:002012-12-02T20:23:26.745-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-64171633466181514412012-12-02T19:49:44.274-06:002012-12-02T19:49:44.274-06:00I agree with Fr. Petersen, by the way. This is ce...I agree with Fr. Petersen, by the way. This is certainly a place where freedom in the Gospel must reign supreme. In fact, I'd suggest that it'd be fine to wear the maniple on the right hand when distributing with the left.<br /><br />My primary concern would be that the pastor be comfortable and not feel like he's risking a spill or drop everytime he gives out the Lord's gifts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06735462640274208129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-514578768927776612012-12-02T19:44:54.679-06:002012-12-02T19:44:54.679-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06735462640274208129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-6157997475743568202012-12-02T17:25:49.937-06:002012-12-02T17:25:49.937-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778905687600416321.post-21447409318324557212012-12-01T10:46:09.399-06:002012-12-01T10:46:09.399-06:00"Nobody wants to talk about it. Everyone is a..."Nobody wants to talk about it. Everyone is afraid. In such a climate nothing will ever get fixed."<br /><br />I think it just takes time. Even the Soviet Union eventually collapsed. It all started with the tiny little crack appeared in the Iron Curtain. As more people found their courage, eventually a critical mass was reached, and things changed. <br /><br />I've only been in the ministry for a little more than 8 years, and one of the things that I have found shocking is the stifling atmosphere of the LCMS. The DPs have a lot of power, and frankly, it is intimidating to have one's family and their welfare subject to the whims of one man who really might like to see you gone, with weapons at his disposal like restricted status, compulsory mental health evaluations, and even greater power to destroy ministries and careers in an informal way with a whisper here and a raised eyebrow there. We live and work and serve in a highly-politicized culture. The stakes are high - spiritually and temporally - and the Church has a 2,000 year history of what those in power are willing to do to whistle-blowers (we are Lutherans after all...).<br /><br />So, a lot of guys lay low, only speak when no-one is around, and "play the game." I think one of the unintended consequences of having men working at outside jobs and becoming less financially dependent on their ministries for salary and insurance is the willingness to engage in dissent and criticism without being cowed into silence. And you're right. Until we can speak freely and until we have a culture that does not intimidate critics and whistle-blowers - it can't get better.<br /><br />But I'm actually encouraged to see that little crack appearing in our synod's own Curtain - especially with younger pastors (it seems to me) being a little more willing to express their opinions and ask the tough questions. And I think social media has been a game-changer.<br /><br />Rev. Larry Beanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.com