Thanks to all who have sent me greetings and cards on the occasion of my 52nd Birthday! Isn’t it amazing? We all get to receive accolades and good wishes just for the simple fact of existing in the world for another year. These days more people know the day (and even the precise age) due to Facebook and other social media. I have received birthday greetings as if it were Christmas. . . . In a flash, I glance across the whole spectrum of my life since people from every part of it are jumbled together in the messages sent my way.
It has been said that time passes more quickly the older you get. This seems to be true to me. On the other hand, Eternity and time also appear to intermingle more, which gives time a new quality even as it seems to pass by more quickly. Moments become ever more precious. Particular memories stand out with a new quality when they are seen from the perspective of all that has happened since they were created. Recalling childhood in middle age offers a greater enjoyment of the experiences that have made us who we are.
This past week was the beginning of the new school year. I recall with delight how each new year felt when I was in grade school myself. Mom would make sure we were all ready and Dad used to line us up on the front steps of our house for a picture. We would have new clothes and we looked forward to the new adventures and learning each year would bring. There was a sense of accomplishment as we moved to the next grade. I always wondered whether I would be able to keep up, sure that this next grade might be the one that proved too great a challenge.
At least once a year, early on, when I would make a trip to the lavatory, I would find myself walking back into the wrong classroom, going to the one I was in the previous year. The surprised look on the faces of the teacher and all the students of the grade behind me was no doubt mirrored by the look of horror and embarrassment on my face as I sheepishly closed the door and went to the right room, hoping that none of my classmates would hear about it.
The greatest joy that came from the experience of a Catholic education is the love of life-long learning. The unity of Faith and Reason is not just an abstract concept or an ideal. It is truly a reality in the web of relationships created by a Catholic School at every level. I am truly grateful to be part of a parish with a Catholic School and with a PSR program that has such a dynamic staff. May this year unfold all its promise as we return to the classroom and all the activities that are part of the education of our children.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching. For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing," and, "A worker deserves his pay." Do not accept an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest also will be afraid. I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to keep these rules without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. Do not lay hands too readily on anyone, and do not share in another's sins. Keep yourself pure. (I Timothy 5:17-22)
The challenge of leadership has many hazards. In St. Paul’s advice to St. Timothy, we can see that there are two primary struggles: the witness of a poor leader and the negative response of those who do not want to be led. Presbyters, that is the “elders” of the community, now called priests, have these same difficulties in every era of the life of the Church. As the chief shepherd of his community, Timothy is counseled to walk the fine line between these two situations. Affirmation (even with double pay!) of the good shepherds is encouraged in order to promote good preaching and teaching. Reprimand is to be given when there is good reason for the good of the flock. Discernment of the candidates for ordination is called for lest the chief shepherd bear responsibility for an unsuitable co-worker in the vineyard.
When we read these counsels, we can readily see that the Church has always dealt with the fallen world in which we live. Scandals occur and the Church has the means necessary to overcome them, namely living in accord with the rules set down by proper authorities in the name of Jesus Christ. Timothy serves as a model for us all in addressing the problems of our own time. We must keep ourselves pure that our witness may be clear.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The document that guides the Church in the Latin Rite in the celebration of the Liturgy is called “Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani,” the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. This has been published in three editions. The new Roman Missal which will be promulgated in English this November finds its norms in this Instruction. It will be helpful to offer a few notes on the principles guiding the celebration of the Liturgy as they are given in the G.I.R.M.
The G.I.R.M. is available online on the US Bishops’ website.
http://old.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml
A Witness to Unbroken Tradition
6. In setting forth its instructions for the revision of the Order of Mass, the Second Vatican Council, using the same words as did Saint Pius V in the Apostolic Constitution Quo primum, by which the Missal of Trent was promulgated in 1570, also ordered, among other things, that some rites be restored "to the original norm of the holy Fathers." [Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 50.] From the fact that the same words are used it can be seen how both Roman Missals, although separated by four centuries, embrace one and the same tradition. Furthermore, if the inner elements of this tradition are reflected upon, it also becomes clear how outstandingly and felicitously the older Roman Missal is brought to fulfillment in the new.
7. In a difficult period when the Catholic faith on the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the ministerial priesthood, and the real and permanent presence of Christ under the eucharistic species were placed at risk, Saint Pius V was especially concerned with preserving the more recent tradition then unjustly being assailed, introducing only very slight changes into the sacred rite. In fact, the Missal of 1570 differs very little from the very first printed edition of 1474, which in turn faithfully follows the Missal used at the time of Pope Innocent III. Moreover, even though manuscripts in the Vatican Library provided material for the emendation of some expressions, they by no means made it possible to inquire into "ancient and approved authors" farther back than the liturgical commentaries of the Middle Ages.
It is suggested at times that “the changes” that have taken place in our Liturgy in the current era were an innovation that had no precedent in our history. On the contrary, as this passage points out, they represent the ongoing effort of the Church to be faithful to the witness of her whole history. Even the Council of Trent called for study of the earlier centuries of the practices of the Church in order to renew the Liturgy by a restoration of what was lost. Emphasis in the Missal of 1570 was on keeping intact the Liturgy that was being called into question by the leaders of the Protestant Reformation.
The resources needed for the study called for became available only after the passage of time, and so the Church some 400 years later was now in a position to fulfill the mandate given by Trent. Our Church thinks in centuries. The Tradition of the Church is kept intact not by a slavish adherence to forms of the past, but rather by an ever-new embracing of the truth expressed in the experience of celebrating the Mystery. Deeper insight that comes through prayer is meant to influence the life of the Church and is to be found in the Liturgy. Greater knowledge of the writings of the Fathers and of the Church in earlier times allows for an appropriation of the old and the new that enhances the life of Faith as expressed in the Liturgy. The current situation of a new translation of the Latin Liturgy continues the effort to be ever more faithful to the Tradition.
No comments:
Post a Comment