Meaning the words we say at Mass

This afternoon I was listening to a Catholic radio station while driving someplace in Metro Detroit. I have no idea who the guy was on the radio, though I think it might have been a priest and -- a very exceptional one at that if this was his homily. In any case, one thing he said was that Catholics probably are guilty of breaking the Second Commandment (against taking the Lord's name in vain) more often at Mass than anywhere else. Do we mean the words we say? Take the Gloria. Do we think about what we're saying, or are we guilty of mindlessly repeating the words between half a yawn and distraction? Stop a moment and think about the words. Try it. They're amazing: "Glory to God in the highest ... We worship You, we give You thanks, we praise You for Your glory ... You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High ..."

Now this makes for all sorts of important discussion points, but one connection my thoughts immediately ran to was, of course, our liturgies. It goes without saying that any liturgy, in principle, could be celebrated thoughtlessly; but are there not identifiable differences that either help or hinder the kind of mindfulness this priest was urging on the radio? What is suggested, for example, when we see altar servers in flip flops sauntering up the aisle, as I did last Sunday somewhere in suburban Metro Detroit? Does this suggest that we are in the precincts of "the Most High," that we have come to "worship You," to "praise You for Your glory"?

I don't know about you, but while I would be the last person to turn away a homeless vagabond in rags from any church door (like Newman once was at St. Paul's in London), the sort liturgical ambiance described above is all-too casual to evoke anything like a sense of reverence. I know why I keep going back to the classic form of the Roman Rite. Maybe it's just a weird personal idiosyncrasy, but I find it hard to feel like I've been in the presence of anything HOLY anywhere else.

Yes, yes, of course, HE is objectively there, regardless. I know that. That's beside the point. The point is whether liturgical form helps or hinders us in knowing that. Does it help us to mean the words we say at Mass, or not? Do kneelers help or not? What about folding chairs? Altar rails? Musicians performing up front? Priests facing the people? Aisle homilies? Jokes? Are we as easily disposed to enter mindfully into the words of a prayer while sitting casually with our legs crossed and an arm draped over the back of our pew as we are when kneeling? Why or why not? Your thoughts?