True Love is Not Rigid?

So says Pope Francis, according to an interview posted on the Rorate-Caeli Blog:

[Interviewer:] The simplicity of children makes me also think of adults, with a rite that is direct, participated intensely [translator's note: reference to notion of 'actuosa participatio'], of parish masses experienced with so much piety. What comes to mind are proposals that encourage priests to turn their backs to the faithful, to rethink Vatican II, to use Latin. I ask the Pope what he thinks of this. The Pope answers:

[Pope:] "Pope Benedict accomplished a just and magnanimous gesture [translator's note: the motu proprio 'Summorum Pontificum'] to reach out to a certain mindset of some groups and persons who felt nostalgia and were distancing themselves. But it is an exception. That is why one speaks of an 'extraordinary' rite. The ordinary in the Church is not this. It is necessary to approach with magnanimity those attached to a certain form of prayer. But the ordinary is not this. Vatican II and Sacrosanctum Concilium must go on as they are. To speak of a 'reform of the reform' is an error."

[Scott:] While I understand why the term "extraordinary" is used, I actually like it! The fact is, the Mass celebrated in the traditional form, in Latin and ad orientum (facing liturgical east) is, historically speaking, the ordinary way of celebrating the Mass. The Novus Ordo Missae, (New Order of the Mass) has been with us for less than 50 years in our nearly 2000 year history! Still, I appreciate the label of "extraordinary" - for there is nothing "ordinary" in ANY validly celebrated Mass! In the Mass our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ manifests Himself, physically, in the form of bread and wine. THIS is "the mystery of faith" (mysterium fidei) of which we speak of in the Mass. 

Traditionally the mysterium fidei is part of the consecration of the wine into Christ's blood; in the New Order this was moved to just after the consecration leading most modern Catholics to mistakenly believe "the Mystery of Faith" is "Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again" (or some variation of those words). My friends, "the Mystery of Faith" in this context is the Consecration! The bread and wine BECOME Jesus Christ, in His body, blood, soul and divinity while still having the appearance of bread and wine through this divine mystery! Let us remain "rigid" in that belief!

When the priest faces "ad orientum" (liturgical east) he is not "turning his back on the people!" Quite the contrary! Rather, he is facing the SAME WAY as the people, putting all the focus upon the Sacrament of the Altar. The people should never be focused upon the priest, but upon what is going on at the Mass - and again, the primary focus of the Mass is the Eucharist. What's more, "Vatican II" never stated the priest should face the people - this is something which came out AFTER the council.

As for the use of Latin, this too is strongly supported by Vatican II! In the documents of Vatican II, regarding the celebration of the Mass it CLEARLY states:

36. 1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.
2. But since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended. This will apply in the first place to the readings and directives, and to some of the prayers and chants, according to the regulations on this matter to be laid down separately in subsequent chapters.SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM

[Scott:] So, the use of the Latin language is not only recommended, it is DEMANDED by Vatican II. The complete obliteration of Latin, as was "ordinary" after 1969, is CONTRARY to "the spirit of Vatican II." Thankfully, many parishes are putting Latin BACK into the Mass. It should also be noted at this time that nowhere does Vatican II abrogate the use of the Traditional Latin Mass, nor has the Church since then officially abrogated the Traditional Latin Mass, and this fact recent popes have acknowledged and are allowing for and even encouraging freer exercise of the "Extraordinary Rite." 

[Interviewer:] "Other than those who are sincere and ask for this possibility out of habit or devotion, can this desire express something else? Are there dangers?"

[Pope:] "I ask myself about this. For example, I always try to understand what is behind those individuals who are too young to have lived the pre-Conciliar liturgy, and who want it nonetheless. I have at times found myself in front of people who are too rigid, an attitude of rigidity. And I ask myself: how come so much rigidity? You dig, you dig, this rigidity always hides something: insecurity, at times perhaps something else... [sic] The rigidity is defensive. True love is not rigid."

[Scott:] Rigidity, with all due respect, does not "always hide something!" I would also state that true love IS rigid! It is contrary to true love to allow too much free-play with our traditions. As a parent of six (now grown) children, and the eldest of six siblings as well, the more "rigid" the upbringing, the closer to God these children are. The freer you are with them, the less likely they are to follow our Christian roots and practices. Rigid doesn't equate to being mean or overbearing, it means "holding fast to the traditions we were taught." (2 Thes. 2:15).

Consider the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, what if "true love" were not "rigid" there? "Honey, I love you, but do not feel like you're rigidly bound to me." Does that make any sense? How long do you think such a "free" marriage would last? But wait! There's that "rigid" thing called The Sixth Commandment and "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). Should we be less "rigid" there - or in relation to ANY of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments)? 

I conclude this article in saying, I do not wholly oppose the Novus Ordo Missae, in fact, I participate in it frequently. My primary participation is in the "Extraordinary Rite," as I believe this is the highest form of worship we can offer the Lord. While there are some Novus Ordo parishes I would never go back to due to the "abuses" I've witnessed - there are several which I can, have and do go back to. I also would not put a whole lot of weight upon this "interview" with Pope Francis. The interview is not official Church teaching nor is he officially stating faithful Catholics cannot or should not participate in the Extraordinary Rite.

(Yes, I took a little break from my studies to write this).

Trinity Sunday

Today was Trinity Sunday and as appropriate, our sermon was on the Trinity.  The relationship of the Trinity as it relates to Father, Son and Holy Ghost - in a familial sense is impressive.

FATHER

Starting with the Father, it is the Father who begat the Son.  The Son is not made, He is begotten before all worlds/ages - that is - this begatting is outside of time, He is (not was) eternally begotten.  If there is one way to describe the God the Father, it is actually one word - charity (or love).  God IS love.  The Father loves the Son.

SON

The eternally begotten Son of the Father loves the Father too, for also being God, the Son IS love.  The Son shows His love for the Father in doing whatever the Father asks of Him.  No questions, no excuses - just love.

HOLY GHOST

The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father, through the Son.  Since the Father and the Son are both One, the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son as well as the Father.  There is one love which comes from God and we receive that love through the Holy Ghost, for the Holy Ghost also being God, IS love.

The Holy Ghost is also the maternal - as in our mothers.  When it comes to the good and well-being of her children, every good mother would do everything in her power to keep her children safe.  The same is true of the Holy Ghost who will be there for the children of God and provide the means necessary for their salvation.

WHAT IS LOVE?

Well, God is love - we've already stated that.  How is that love expressed?  The love of the father for his children is shown in him being there, not just for their physical needs - but spiritual as well.  Matthew 7:9-10 and Luke 11:11 say it well.  It goes both ways too - if the son loves the father, he not only will DO what the father asks of him, he also won't just say things he thinks the father wants to hear for is that really love?

OTHER VERSES TO PONDER

Just hover over these verses and/or click on them to read them:
Matthew 7:21
Luke 6:46
Romans 2:13

Feel free to add your thoughts to the comments section, or hey - if you're one of MY children and have more to share - call me!  I promise, if you ask for bread, I will not give you a stone.

Did You Take Time To Know Me?

Last Sunday, where we heard the Gospel message about the Transfiguration, the sermon I heard was simply wonderful.  I was speaking to someone recently about the Transfiguration, and they thought I was talking about the bread and wine becoming the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ in the Eucharist.  While Fr. spoke on a variety of topics, the one which stood out for me the most was very catechetical.  Most who read this blog profess to be Christians, but what does that really mean?  What does it entail to call yourself a Christian? Do you know the difference between transubstantiation and the Transfiguration?  Is being a Christian something you "put on" on Sundays and "take off" Monday through Saturday?  How much time do you spend in building your relationship with Jesus Christ?  Many seem to have the attitude that while the "believe" in Jesus Christ, they don't want that to get in the way of their life and fun.  "Jesus is just alright with me," as sung by the Doobie Brothers, seems to sum it up - Jesus is "just alright."  He doesn't reign supreme in most of our lives.  How comfortable will you be, standing in front of the Judgment Seat when how much time you spent to know Him, love Him and serve Him is exposed and judged?  Get to know Him, because the more you know Him, the more you can love Him.

I am reminded of the simplicity and beauty of the Baltimore Catechism.

Q. 150. Why did God make you?
A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.
Q. 151. Why is it necessary to know God?
A. It is necessary to know God because without knowing Him we cannot love Him; and without loving Him we cannot be saved. We should know Him because He is infinitely true; love Him because He is infinitely beautiful; and serve Him because He is infinitely good.
http://www.baltimore-catechism.com/lesson1.htm

I know that my children grew up with these questions and answers memorized, but now that they are grown - I am asking them (and I primarily write this article for THEM) do you love God?  What do you do to get to know Him better?  If you wish to be happy with Him forever in the next life, you have to get to know Him in this life, and love Him and serve Him.  What does that mean to you?  Can you do more?  I know I can.  We all must strive to continue to grow in Him, to know Him and love Him and serve Him.  If you don't have time for Him - how do you think that will fly when He's planning an eternity for you?   Giving God your time and worship shows how much you love Him.  Putting God FIRST in your life will result in all your other concerns working out (Matt. 6:33).  I ask myself the same questions - and I know the there is more I can do and I know there are times when I fail. 

If you're stuck in a rut, or routine - then you're not working on your relationship with God - or at least not working hard enough.  What more can you do?  What more can I do? 

Best Gift

I just had to share this photo my son shared on Facebook...

Charity Covers A Multitude of Sins

Today is the Sunday After the Ascension as celebrated by the Extraordinary Rite (Traditional Latin Rite) of the Catholic Church.  The Epistle reading got me thinking about my Protestant/Separated Brethren again.  Let's read it...

I Peter 4: 7-11
Dearly beloved, Be prudent and watch in prayers. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity coevereth a multitude of sins. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring: as every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God: if any minister, let him do it, as of the power which God administereth: that in all things God may be honored through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The thought occurred to me, if, as according to Protestant belief, Jesus has already covered all our sins and nothing we do changes this, then how could "charity cover a multitude of sins?"  We are to use hospitality towards each other - and do so without murmuring.  As we have received grace, we are to minister that grace to one another - as what?  As good stewards of the manifold grace of God!  

James 5:20 gives us a similar message:

He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

Again, the converting of a sinner covers a multitude of sins.

I seek to share the manifold grace we Catholics have received with our Separated Brethren - and urge them to end their separation from the Church founded and built by Jesus Christ Himself - and not upon traditions of men who separated from that Church within the last 500 years - or as in the case of the Orthodox who left our communion some 500 years prior to the dawn of Protestantism.

Quinquagesima Sunday

OK, that was LAST Sunday, and the last Sunday before Lent begins (which began three days ago, on Ash Wednesday), but I wanted to bring out something which was in the readings of the Traditional Latin Mass (the extra-ordinary rite).

The Epistle. 1 Corinthians xiii. 1.

THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

I thought this rather appropriate after reading through TurretinFan's "Rome Colored Glasses" article.  We ALL see as through a glass, darkly - for now - but one day we will see Him face to face.  The main point of this Epistle is charity.  Those who post to their blogs and have not charity are just sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.   Let us not forget to convey the love of Christ in our blogging.

More reading here: http://www.catholicteaching.net/readings-quinquagesima-sunday.html

Trusting God in Every Circumstance.

"Let nothing trouble you
Let nothing frighten you
Everything passes
God never changes

Patience

Obtains all

Whoever has God

Wants for nothing

God alone is enough."

[Quoted in CCC 227]

"It is not so essential to think much
as to love much."

"We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials"


--St. Teresa of Jesus

Free Will and Calvinism

What is the first thing a man must give up when he yields to God?  He surrenders his own will for the Will of God! 

We live in a life governed by our nature, this is true, but our life is not without choices.  When I get up in the morning, one of the first things I must do is use the restroom and I am not "free" to do otherwise - or am I?  Well "nature" says I have to relieve myself, but "nature" does not dictate where!  We are so conditioned (and rightly so!) to use the "proper facilities," but I could "choose" to use the sink, the tub - or step outside to the flower garden, but I choose the toilet.  Or, like a baby or an incontinent adult, I may have no real "choice" in when or where.  The point is, we are given the ability to reason and make choices based upon the reasoning we choose to use.  We are then rightly judged based upon those choices.  We all begin as babies, physically and spiritually; but there comes a time when we must put aside childish things.

Society is the "judge" when it comes to the example above.  Society would frown upon us using a sink, the tub or even the flower garden; and would judge us accordingly.  Now, on a bit higher level - when we are young and unable to reason, all we think about is our self.  As we interact with others we "learn" how to share and please others - at least some of us do.  Some do not "learn" these social interaction skills, perhaps never taught these skills by their parents, and continue to "learn" how to please themselves.  Such is where bullies come from - a child who never learned to yield his/her own will in concern/caring for or about others.

Likewise, moving to the spiritual realm it is not much different!  Left to our own devices, we would seek the hedonist path of pleasing our self.  We must be taught about God in order to know, love and serve Him.  The more we learn about God brings us to choices in our lives where we choose to either give up our will to His, or reject His Will and pursue self satisfaction in life.  Each of us makes such choices all the time! 

Just being raised in a "good home" does not mean every child in that home will make "good choices," or the choices which his/her parents would have liked to see them make.  Children are influenced by parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, bullies, teachers, pastors and even physical/genetic things.  Now "naturally" they would have no control over a physical or genetic trait which may affect their will, but for most of us - the influences are not so "natural."  We can choose to be influenced by good or bad people in our lives.  Sometimes a "bad" person can have a "good" influence too. 

In my own experience, it took me standing up to a bully which dramatically changed the way I was treated by just about everyone else.  That's a long story, but the point is I CHOSE to stop being picked on, I took a chance (which could have resulted in me getting beat up), grabbed that bully by his shirt collar, slammed him up against a wall and said, "LEAVE ME ALONE!"  Instead of fighting me, he yielded - and from that day forward I was no longer picked on by any of the bullies at my school.  What if I had "chose" to not stand up against that bully?  I'm confident that my entire life would be quite different than it is today.

On a similar note, my family moved in the middle of my sophomore year of high school.  At the new school the first group of people I started "hanging" with was what most parents would call "the wrong crowd."  I saw myself actually becoming "one of them," but my mother had instilled upon me a true love for God and what is right - so one day I prayed, "God please get me out of this group of people I have been associating with."  That weekend, my best "friend's" dad died and his mom packed up and moved to another part of town moving him to another school.  Suddenly my contact with "the wrong crowd" was gone.  I seized upon this as a new start - and I found new friends, leaving that culture behind forever.  I can only imagine if I had not willed to get out of that culture and remained in it.  I've seen others in my family affected by their choice to not get out of that culture and how it has ruined their lives and relationship with God too.

I hope you're seeing the point I'm making.  Our lives are governed by our choices.  God, in His sovereignty, GIVES us the ability to make these choices because we are made in His image and likeness.  Determinists, primarily Calvinists, will argue that no one can choose God unless God first chooses and draws them.  They will cite a few verses from Scripture which seem to bolster their position - while ignoring the main thrust of Scripture.  So let me deal with these points.

First off, the "main thrust of Scripture" and especially the Gospel, is that God is LOVE and He wants us to know, love and serve Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength (Mark 12:30; Matt 22:37).  Jesus Himself refers to this as the "first," or "foremost," or "greatest" commandment.  When Jesus was asked what one must DO to inherit eternal life, well the story goes:

And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"  And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE." (Luke 10:25-28 NASB).

According to Jesus Himself, salvation is based in LOVE.  And what IS love?

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.  When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.  But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor. 13 NASB, emphasis mine).

When you love your wife, you aren't giving her something she already has, you are giving of yourself.  The same is true of love given to God, we give of ourselves and likewise when He loves us, He is giving of Himself for God is love.

Back to the Determinist stating God must first draw one in order for them to respond to Him and love Him.  This is truth!  John 6:44 tells us that no man can come to Jesus unless he is first drawn to Him; so when does this drawing occur?  Plainly stated by the same Gospel writer in John 12:32, when He is lifted up ALL MEN will be drawn to Him!  The Determinist who equivocates the drawing with the coming errs here, for the two are wholly separate actions!  Not ALL who are drawn WILL come to Him!  As Matthew 22:14 tells us, "Many are called, but few are chosen."  There is a difference between those called/drawn and those who actually heed the call and come to Him.  Along with the context of Matthew 22:14 we see that even some who heed the call and go in to the Wedding Feast, if you do not put on the Wedding Garment (which was traditionally given by the Wedding Host, so there is no excuse not to be wearing it), even if you "show up" you are not guaranteed a spot in Heaven, for the one who showed up without the Wedding Garment was cast out into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth! 

The point is clear... if "many are called, but few are chosen," then it is not God who fails - for that would be impossible - but man who fails to heed the calling AND properly prepare himself for the Wedding Feast.

The Determinist may cry out, "but St. Paul says we're predestined, even before our birth - even before the creation of the universe!"  However, we must point out to the Determinist that this predestining is not done in a vacuum!  In the "Golden Chain of Redemption" (which includes the statement of predestination) they tend to overlook and/or minimize the first "link" in that "chain."  Let us look at it:

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30 NASB).

The first "link" in that chain is God's FOREKNOWLEDGE.  God is not limited by our linear view of time - He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and therefore He KNOWS us, even before we're born.  He KNOWS what decisions we will make in this linear path of time - and based upon this FOREKNOWLEDGE ("for those whom He foreknew...") He also predestined.  Predestination cannot, therefore, be viewed outside of His foreknowledge of us.
 
Strive then to know, love and serve God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength - for that is what He wills for us to do.

AMDG,
Scott<<<