Friday, August 14, 2009

Fisheaters and Headcoverings

Great question....Here it is for those who are not following the question I was asked....

"I was reading that "fisheaters.com' site tonight. I know nothing about the site at all, so I have no idea where it's loyalties lie. There was a section devoted to women wearing headcoverings during Mass. It was very compelling. I really don't know what the Church's stand on that is. This website seems to imply that we're really SUPPOSED to be wearing them still, but due to some political hand-waving, the issue went away. I'm confused. Know anything?"

Fisheaters hmm?--well, it's pretty Traditional in it's viewpoint. Most liberals would say very VERY right wing arch-conservative. It is a good resource if you get past some of the long-harbored anger and bad feelings the Traditionalists have for being shut out of the mainstream of the Church for the last 50 years. I personally use it and I find it helpful.

Headcoverings-Oh boy--I'll catch it here...First, this came from the Jewish Temple worship. In the old Testament, Jewish women were to wear headcoverings in the Temple, no exceptions. Since most of the early Christians were Jews, headcoverings were a tradition that was maintained in the early Church.

All that said, there are three Theological basic reasons why women should cover their heads in Church:
(See I Corinthians 11:2-16--showing Paul's instructons to the Church)


1)It is a outward sign of the recognition of the Headship of God--see vs. 3

2) Paul tells us that is is an outward sign or recogintion of the order of Creation -vs. 7-9

3) Paul additionally teaches us that it is because of the presence of angels when we pray together. v 10

Additionally, it has been the tradition of Holy Mother Church for over 1900 years. We have changed this for what reason other than fashion and convenience? Ooops. did I say that out loud?

9 comments:

Jen James said...

Yes, you DID say that outloud! That's okay though...I'm still muddled. It does seem like we should uphold this tradition..I've spoken to some other "modern/traditional" women in the church my age regarding it. This is going to sound like an excuse..but bear with me: since most women do NOT cover their heads now, when I appear, along with my 3 little girls, heads covered suddenly, the entirety of the congregation will be zeroed in on us during Mass, ultimately DETRACTING from the ceremony. Isn't this exactly the point of the headcovering? To minimize the "self" in light of the importance of the presence of God? Sigh...

Adam said...

Don't be confused. I'd further say that it depends on which Mass you attend. If you attend a Latin Mass, you would stand out if you didn't have a headcovering....

I think if you did this in a place like St. Francis, people would look, but only at first/for a time. It would be novel and diferent. You would be surprised at how many people know all about this but just don't practice it. The novelty would wear off and you would shortly be just another person at Mass. Depemnds on if you can stand the heat/attention it will create at first. If you are doing it to distract, I'd say don't. If you are doing it out of obedience, then by all means....I would also say that it is not important what other people think--only what the Church and God say. It would REALLY hack off all those in mini-skirts and bare shoulders and low cut tops

Jen James said...

lol...yes, it would hack them off...especially the ones handing out Holy Communion with cleavage so reavealled it's like a train wreck. Okay, well, since I'm not going to Latin Mass, I suppose I need to pray on this option. Thank you for your direction and frankness. I guess that's what I gleaned from my reading about head covering, but then, I just couldn't see what I was missing? If this was true, why aren't we doing it anymore?? Anyway, trying to keep my hand to the plow here. Thanks again.

Adam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Adam said...

Really after sleeping on it, I should point out that we are only responsible for our own heart and mind. If we attend Mass and are critical (like I just was!) of others WE are focused on the wrong thing. We are in charge of only ourselves who we have a hard enough time controlling. Let 'em look.--edited of schpelling

Martha said...

Is it a tradition or an instruction? It is in the Bible. Pual says women should cover their heads. Why would there be any dbate on whether to follow a Biblical instruction?

Adam said...

Martha:

I specifically addressed this in the original post. However, please remember there are a lot of practices that we no longer "do" that are "in the Bible". My family continues this practice, but HMC has seen fit to change this 40+ yars ago, primarily to satisfy the outcry of women who felt oppressed by the requirement to cover their heads, flaunting the genuine theological reasons I pointed out.

Jen James said...

Hey Adam, have you seen the movie, "Knowing" yet? It seems to me loaded with an alternate theological construct. I can't help but think Hollywood is again trying to undermine Christianity to the masses.

Adam said...

Not yet---I had the same thoughts seeing the trailer and info on the film.