Last week we attended a different traditional parish for Sunday Mass. All the rubrics were the same, but there were parts where we were used to standing (during the incensing of the Altar, and during the Sanctus while the bells were ringing, for instance) where this congregation was sitting.
The standing at our parish was new. For almost two years during COVID, we only had low Masses, which is what I attributed it to. One of our friends was insistent the red booklets we had indicated that during High Mass we stand at times we were previously sitting. So he and a handful of others started doing while others were kneeling or sitting. I'm not proficient enough to know what is "right" so I followed his lead for a while.
I think this was something particular to the red missal books we use, which are not the norm. It bothered me that we weren't all doing the same thing, and our pastor hadn't addressed it yet. My friend had even made an announcement at hospitality after Mass one Sunday, to try to get everyone on the same page. I thought we were in the right standing while everyone was sitting, but after being at Mass at this other parish last Sunday, I now had my doubts. Oddly, when we attended Mass this Sunday at our home parish, everyone was kneeling/sitting in the way we used to, and similar to the parish we attended while on vacation.
I think there is a latitude in the Latin Mass with some things--for instance, the pre-1962 missal versus the 1962 Missal may instruct differently on these matters. I don't get bent out of shape with these things. And this is a minor and particular example
But there is kind of self-consciousness when you think you're right about something, and everyone else is doing it wrong. Many people in these situations double-down, unless one has the humility to admit they were wrong and change course. Changing course and accepting instruction is not a weakness, as holy Scripture says, "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end" (Prov 19:20).
Since it was Trinity Sunday today, I thought about how Arius in the fourth century was leading a large contigent in a not-so-trivial matter: the co-eternal nature of Jesus, whom Arius claimed did not exist from all eternity with the Father. There was a time when everyone started standing while a handful were sitting, so to speak. "Men were impressed by his aura of intellectual superiority, " as one historian noted, and Arius was righteously assured that his theology was sound and that the Church was in error. But, as we know, this was not the case. Thank God for the Holy Spirit, the teacher of all Truth.
"Lean not on your own understanding," as scripture says (Prov 3:5). And King Solomon asked of God something pleasing to Him: "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong" (1 Kings3:9). The virtue of meekness comes into play here. I have a real distrust of people who are convinced they are right, except of course when scripture and tradition backs them up. Even then, though, someone like Arius may have been seen as the one needing vindication. But he was wrong in this theology, and the Truth was not in him.
I think there is an element of docility in meekness, which should not be confused with weakness, and part of that is being able to admit and change course when they are made aware of their error. David displayed this virtue when Nathan confronted him. He did not "double-down" but was laid bare, repented, and begged forgiveness. Though his sin was like scarlet, he was washed white as snow (Is 1:18).
For many of us sincere Catholics, we just want to know what is right so we can do it. We know the precepts of the Lord are right, and give joy to the heart (Ps 19:8). But living that out we can mis-step and err, even haughtily so. We should give thanks to the Lord when he corrects us, or sends us a Nathan or a St. Nicholas, for He does not discipline those whom He does not love (Heb 12:6; Prov 3:12). Doubling down in error, especially when pride comes into play, may set your trajectory on a misguided course. We see this in sedevacantists, various Christian sects, in Martin Luther and other heretics and those they led astray. Those who lead others astray from Truth will have to give account to the divine Judge when they come before Him. In this life, we would be wise to heed the words of St. Paul, whom himself changed course when shown the error of his ways:
"Now all these things happened to them in figure: and they are written for our correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor 10:11-12).
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