I received an e mail this morning from a life-long Catholic who says she is now leaving the Ratzinger Church. Ratzinger and his German entourage have been running the Vatican for the last twenty-five years while Pope John Paul II traveled about the world.No doubt he views The Da Vinci Code as the new gospel...
...
A New Reformation can happen swiftly. It is already underway. The Internet can help feed it. The myths that have kept the Roman Catholic Church afloat for 1800 years have been washed away. (The historical Jesus never said: "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church." That came later.) Maybe the new version of Christianity need not be Peter based (Roman Catholicism) or Paul based (the Protestant option) but Mary Magdalene based. Any takers?
Monday, April 25, 2005
Does anyone really take Matthew Fox seriously?
I just finished reading his "22 Questions for Cardinal Ratzinger and the Silver Lining in the Election of this first Grand Inquisitor as Pope" and can only conclude he has suffered some terrible head injury. I always knew he was "out there" somewhere, but this latest rant demonstrates an severe obsession with Hitler, among other problems.
May 22 - Death by Starvation: When Our Catholic Faith Clashes With Our Culture
You and your family are cordially invited to a presentation on:
Death by Starvation:
When Our Catholic Faith Clashes
With Our Culture
By: Mr. John Horvat II
To be held at
The Cedars
St. Raymond’s Co-Cathedral
931 Lebanon Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63104
Sunday, May 22, 2005 at 1:30 PM.
In light of the Terri Schiavo case, death by starvation has been put in the limelight. Many have sought to say that food and water are extraordinary measures to sustain life. Our talk will clearly outline the Catholic position on this matter. It will explain why death by starvation is cruel and contrary to Divine and natural law. How “living wills” do not always resolve the problem. How the term “brain dead” is misused to facilitate death by starvation. We will discuss why today’s culture prepares the way for extending this practice beyond the mentally disabled.
This talk is one of a series of regularly held talks sponsored by the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) and its America Needs Fatima campaign. The speaker is American TFP director John Horvat II who has already spoken on numerous occasions in St. Louis. Please join us for what promises to be a stimulating afternoon of Catholic conviviality, enlightening conversation, and hope for the future.
For additional information, contact Mark Serafino (573) 459-5531
When Our Catholic Faith Clashes
With Our Culture
By: Mr. John Horvat II
To be held at
The Cedars
St. Raymond’s Co-Cathedral
931 Lebanon Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63104
Sunday, May 22, 2005 at 1:30 PM.
In light of the Terri Schiavo case, death by starvation has been put in the limelight. Many have sought to say that food and water are extraordinary measures to sustain life. Our talk will clearly outline the Catholic position on this matter. It will explain why death by starvation is cruel and contrary to Divine and natural law. How “living wills” do not always resolve the problem. How the term “brain dead” is misused to facilitate death by starvation. We will discuss why today’s culture prepares the way for extending this practice beyond the mentally disabled.
This talk is one of a series of regularly held talks sponsored by the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) and its America Needs Fatima campaign. The speaker is American TFP director John Horvat II who has already spoken on numerous occasions in St. Louis. Please join us for what promises to be a stimulating afternoon of Catholic conviviality, enlightening conversation, and hope for the future.
For additional information, contact Mark Serafino (573) 459-5531
Archbishop Dolan: Reflections on Pope Benedict
My first year as rector of the North American College, our seminary in Rome, in 1994. I have to invite a bishop to ordain our fourth-year men as deacons. I ask the 50 of them - these are bright, mature, articulate men in their mid-20s - who they would like me to invite.
Their unanimous choice: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. I ask them why. They responded: "He's a great theologian, and a humble, holy man."
Where is your marriage headed?
In the divorce court the reason is giving as mental cruelty, or incompatibility, or desertion, or perhaps infidelity. In the consulting room it may be called lack of a proper understanding, or inconsiderateness, or emotional immaturity, or instability, or call it what you will, but if you are looking for the real cause of the big breakdown in the marriage bond today, if you want the reason why plaintiffs have to queue up because of numbers, you can find the answer in one word. That word is selfishness.
If a marriage is to be successful, it must be built on unselfishness. When you have said that, you've said a mouthful. You've said all of it.
We just can't conceive two people who are totally selfish falling in love with each other. One or the other party may cleverly guide a courtship to the altar while hiding his selfishness. Even here the motives must be concealed. But for two people totally dedicated to the big "I" to enter marriage with each other is not for this world.
The usual pattern before marriage is that lovers find it difficult to do enough for their intended. They vie with each other to please, to make sacrifices, to deny themselves for the sake of the other party. Successful marriages are built on self-denial and sacrifice. And if this brings them closer together before marriage, then this same spirit and attitude is going to help them be happy after marriage.
Thomas Aquinas, a very wise saint, looked objectively and with an unbiased mind when he gave us his definition of love. "Love," he said, "is the ability and desire to promote the welfare of someone else."
Many married partners have the ability. They prove this before marriage and oftentimes in the early stages of wedded life. But it takes more than ability. It takes desire. And desire to please in marriage is not a one-way street. Love, then. means sacrifice, and self-denial, and self-immolation without consideration of the return. It is not constantly examining one's partner's conscience; taking their inventory.
If things aren't going as well as we would like in our marriage, is there anything we can do? We would suggest that large doses of unselfishness taken daily will cure the problem like a charm.
From Contact with God, by Fr. James Moriarty
If a marriage is to be successful, it must be built on unselfishness. When you have said that, you've said a mouthful. You've said all of it.
We just can't conceive two people who are totally selfish falling in love with each other. One or the other party may cleverly guide a courtship to the altar while hiding his selfishness. Even here the motives must be concealed. But for two people totally dedicated to the big "I" to enter marriage with each other is not for this world.
The usual pattern before marriage is that lovers find it difficult to do enough for their intended. They vie with each other to please, to make sacrifices, to deny themselves for the sake of the other party. Successful marriages are built on self-denial and sacrifice. And if this brings them closer together before marriage, then this same spirit and attitude is going to help them be happy after marriage.
Thomas Aquinas, a very wise saint, looked objectively and with an unbiased mind when he gave us his definition of love. "Love," he said, "is the ability and desire to promote the welfare of someone else."
Many married partners have the ability. They prove this before marriage and oftentimes in the early stages of wedded life. But it takes more than ability. It takes desire. And desire to please in marriage is not a one-way street. Love, then. means sacrifice, and self-denial, and self-immolation without consideration of the return. It is not constantly examining one's partner's conscience; taking their inventory.
If things aren't going as well as we would like in our marriage, is there anything we can do? We would suggest that large doses of unselfishness taken daily will cure the problem like a charm.
From Contact with God, by Fr. James Moriarty
New Pope Hits Out at Harry Potter Books
New Pope Benedict XVI has blasted J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books for "undermining the soul of Christianity". Benedict, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is grateful to Harry Potter: Good or Bad author Gabriele Kuby for revealing the hidden agendas behind the popular children's books.More.
The Document That Put Ratzinger on Top
Diogenes asks "Did the message get through"?
The following article by Marco Tosatti, titled, "The Document That Put Ratzinger on Top," appeared in the Italian newspaper La Stampa last Friday (April 22). If the story it tells is true, it gives some grounds for hope that the will for reform may be taking root in places where it can make a difference.More at CWNews...
...
It was a reflection in which he spoke of the Church as a "boat on the point of sinking, a boat taking in water on all sides. And also in Your field we see more darnel than wheat. To see the vesture and visage of Your Church so filthy throws us into confusion. Yet it is we ourselves who have soiled them! It is we who betray you time and time again, after all our lofty words and grand gestures."
...
"Remember the prayer to the Sacred Heart, in which we ask particular pardon for the sins of priests. I know it hurts to say the boat's taking in water from every side, but it's true, it's true. We priests ..."
Abortion Clinic Workers Refuse To Help Mother Screaming to Save Live Child
ORLANDO, FL, April 25, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Angele, a single mother in her thirties with two children, thought that abortion was the answer to her circumstances. At almost 23 weeks gestation, she entered the EPOC Clinic in Orlando, Florida. Little did she realize that the next day she would give birth to a live, perfectly healthy boy whom she named Rowan. Cradling Rowan's moving body, her screams for help were ignored by abortion clinic workers while her son took his last breath.A heartrending story from LifeSiteNews.
New status for Cardinal Arinze
Vatican, Apr. 25 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI has raised Cardinal Francis Arinze to the rank of cardinal-bishop, making him one of the ranking members of the College of Cardinals.More at CWNews.com
The cardinal-bishops hold the top ceremonial status within the College of Cardinals. There are normally six cardinal-bishops, and since Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (bio - news) had held that rank, his election to the papacy had created an opening, which is now filled by Cardinal Arinze.
I forgot to mention....
Over the weekend, I felt compelled to place an order for a coupl of things from The Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club.
I already had several of Cardinal Ratzinger's books, but I did not have which I could wear of give away as a gift to someone. So, I ordered the T-Shirt with the phrase "Truth is not determined by a majority vote" on the back with the familiar expression "Putting the Smackdown on Heresy since 1981" on the front.
Several other gift items for your family and friends are available there. You might want to check it out the shop here.
I already had several of Cardinal Ratzinger's books, but I did not have which I could wear of give away as a gift to someone. So, I ordered the T-Shirt with the phrase "Truth is not determined by a majority vote" on the back with the familiar expression "Putting the Smackdown on Heresy since 1981" on the front.
Several other gift items for your family and friends are available there. You might want to check it out the shop here.
Please Contribute Generously to the Annual Catholic Appeal
The Annual Catholic Appeal begins in parishes April 23 and 24, and continues through the weekend of May 7 and 8.
To learn more about the Annual Catholic Appeal, click here...
Web Site - The Crossroad Initiative
Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio has a web site called The Crossroads Initiative.
Many already know of the excellent work in which Dr. D'Ambrosio is engaged. He is a frequent guest of Catholic Answers and EWTN. He has been here in St. Louis as a speaker for the Annual Marian Conference.
You may want to check it out and include in your list of Favorite sites. He has a special section, the "Pope Benedict XVI/Cardinal Ratzinger" page here.
Many already know of the excellent work in which Dr. D'Ambrosio is engaged. He is a frequent guest of Catholic Answers and EWTN. He has been here in St. Louis as a speaker for the Annual Marian Conference.
You may want to check it out and include in your list of Favorite sites. He has a special section, the "Pope Benedict XVI/Cardinal Ratzinger" page here.
English Portion of Address: Meeting with the Representatives....
.....Meeting with the Representatives of the Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities and other World Religions (April 25, 2005)
-------------------------------
I turn now to you, dear friends from different religious traditions, and I thank you sincerely for your presence at the solemn inauguration of my Pontificate. I offer warm and affectionate greetings to you and to all those who belong to the religions that you represent. I am particularly grateful for the presence in our midst of members of the Muslim community, and I express my appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians, both at the local and international level. I assure you that the Church wants to continue building bridges of friendship with the followers of all religions, in order to seek the true good of every person and of society as a whole.
The world in which we live is often marked by conflicts, violence and war, but it earnestly longs for peace, peace which is above all a gift from God, peace for which we must pray without ceasing. Yet peace is also a duty to which all peoples must be committed, especially those who profess to belong to religious traditions. Our efforts to come together and foster dialogue are a valuable contribution to building peace on solid foundations. Pope John Paul II, my venerable predecessor, wrote at the start of the new Millennium that “the name of the one God must become increasingly what it is: a name of peace and a summons to peace” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 55). It is therefore imperative to engage in authentic and sincere dialogue, built on respect for the dignity of every human person, created, as we Christians firmly believe, in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26-27).
Source. or
here.
-------------------------------
I turn now to you, dear friends from different religious traditions, and I thank you sincerely for your presence at the solemn inauguration of my Pontificate. I offer warm and affectionate greetings to you and to all those who belong to the religions that you represent. I am particularly grateful for the presence in our midst of members of the Muslim community, and I express my appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians, both at the local and international level. I assure you that the Church wants to continue building bridges of friendship with the followers of all religions, in order to seek the true good of every person and of society as a whole.
The world in which we live is often marked by conflicts, violence and war, but it earnestly longs for peace, peace which is above all a gift from God, peace for which we must pray without ceasing. Yet peace is also a duty to which all peoples must be committed, especially those who profess to belong to religious traditions. Our efforts to come together and foster dialogue are a valuable contribution to building peace on solid foundations. Pope John Paul II, my venerable predecessor, wrote at the start of the new Millennium that “the name of the one God must become increasingly what it is: a name of peace and a summons to peace” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 55). It is therefore imperative to engage in authentic and sincere dialogue, built on respect for the dignity of every human person, created, as we Christians firmly believe, in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26-27).
Source. or
here.
Pope Benedict lightens up with German pilgrims
In this photo made available by the Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano, world religious leaders applaud Pope Benedict XVI, in white, during a meeting in the Sala Clementina at the Vatican, Monday, April 25, 2005. Benedict told ecumenical leaders on Monday that he fully supported the need to work toward uniting Christians divided by schism. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano)
***
A rather interesting part of this story is this:
Cardinal Ratzinger entered last week's conclave as one of the presumed frontrunners, but he told the Germans:Source.
"As slowly the balloting showed me that, so to speak, the guillotine would fall on me, I got quite dizzy. I had thought I had done my life's work and could now hope for a peaceful end of my days.
"So with deep conviction, I told the Lord: 'Don't do this to me! You have younger and better men, who can do this work with a very different verve and strength'. In this situation ... the Lord clearly did not listen to me."
At the same time, he said another cardinal slipped him a note reminding him that, in his sermon at John Paul's funeral, he had quoted Jesus Christ telling St. Peter -- the first pope -- to follow him.
"Remember what you preached and don't refuse," he quoted the cardinal as telling him. After a well-timed delay, he added: "So in the end, I had no choice but to say yes."
Archbishop Chaput on Election of Cardinal Ratzinger
"The election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI is a tremendous moment for the Church and a great affirmation of the legacy of Pope John Paul II.Source.
Today's events may have been more of a surprise to those outside the Catholic community than they would be to anyone who has lived the Catholic faith seriously over the last two decades. People with direct experience of Cardinal Ratzinger invariably encountered a man of character, kindness, refined intelligence, humility, simplicity and grace; a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and a faithful son of the Second Vatican Council where he served as a theologian.
Pope Benedict XVI will pastor the People of God with dedication and love. He will be a great Holy Father to us all."
Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Church pins hopes on saint
Archbishop Raymond Burke has said that Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Catholic Church is closing at the end of June. Its people will merge with the congregation of St. Margaret of Scotland. The churches are about a mile from one another; both are north of Tower Grove Park.More...
But Immaculate Conception/St. Henry's pastor and some of its people are taking the issue to a higher power: They are praying to St. Rita of Cascia, patroness of the impossible, that their church and outreach center be allowed to stay open. The church is at 3120 Lafayette Avenue, and the outreach center is at 3135 Lafayette Avenue, between Grand Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue.
[Fr.] Gavin and his parishioners have postponed making plans for a closing ceremony. They are too busy planning a celebration for St. Rita, on her feast day, May 22.
Are Living Wills a "Mortal Sin"?
The Bishop of the Madison Diocese is clarifying the church's position on living wills.More here.
Bishop Robert Morlino says he needed to do so because of the debate that erupted over the Terry Schiavo case. "According to the church's doctrine, if a living will gets in the way of medical procedures that could prevent death, even if a person is permanently unconscious, it is a mortal sin."
A previous post covered some of the differences between a "living will" and a "will to live".
**** Updated ****
I had neglected to link to Bishop Morlino's articles where he discusses this matter.
The first article is here, and the current article, "Medical treatment:Make decisions based on Catholic teaching", is here.
Inaugural Mass Full of New Symbolic Gestures
Benedict XVI's inaugural Mass was the first one to incorporate new symbolic gestures that finalize the process of updating the installation rites of a new Pope.More at Zenit.
The solemn Mass for the beginning of the pontificate replaced the coronation ceremony, which had been abolished by Paul VI in which a new pope received a tiara.
Gospel for April 25, Feast: St. Mark, Evangelist
From: Mark 16:15-20
Jesus Appears to the Eleven. The Apostle's Mission
[15] And He (Jesus) said to them (the Eleven), "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. [16] He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs will accompany those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
The Ascension
[19] So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
The Apostles Go Forth and Preach
[20] And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
*******************
Commentary:
15. This verse contains what is called the "universal apostolic mandate" (paralleled by Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 24:46-48). This is an imperative command from Christ to His Apostles to preach the Gospel to the whole world. This same apostolic mission applies, especially to the Apostles' successors, the bishops in communion with Peter's successor, the Pope.
But this mission extends further: the whole "Church was founded to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to make all men partakers in redemption and salvation.... Every activity of the Mystical Body with this in view goes by the name of `apostolate'; the Church exercises it through all its members, though in various ways. In fact, the Christian vocation is, of its nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well. In the organism of a living body no member plays a purely passive part, sharing in the life of the body it shares at the same time in its activity. The same is true for the body of Christ, the Church: the whole body achieves full growth in dependence on the full functioning of each part' (Ephesians 4:16). Between the members of this body there exists, further, such a unity and solidarity (cf. Ephesians 4:16) that a member who does not work at the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be considered useless both to the Church and to himself.
"In the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in His name and by His power. But the laity are made to share in the priestly, prophetical and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole people of God" (Vatican II, "Apostolicam Actuositatem", 2).
It is true that God acts directly on each person's soul through grace, but it must also be said that it is Christ's will (expressed here and elsewhere) that men should be an instrument or vehicle of salvation for others.
Vatican II also teaches this: "On all Christians, accordingly, rests the noble obligation of working to bring all men throughout the whole world to hear and accept the divine message of salvation" ("ibid.", 3).
16. This verse teaches that, as a consequence of the proclamation of the Good News, faith and Baptism are indispensable pre-requisites for attaining salvation. Conversion to the faith of Jesus Christ should lead directly to Baptism, which confers on us "the first sanctifying grace, by which Original Sin is forgiven, and which also forgives any actual sins there may be; it remits all punishment due for sins; it impresses on the soul the mark of the Christian; it makes us children of God, members of the Church and heirs to Heaven, and enables us to receive the other Sacraments" ("St. Pius X Catechism", 553).
Baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, as we can see from these words of the Lord. But physical impossibility for receiving the rite of Baptism can be replaced either by martyrdom (called, therefore, "baptism of blood") or by a perfect act of love of God and of contrition, together with an at least implicit desire to be baptized: this is called "baptism of desire" (cf. "ibid.", 567-568).
Regarding infant Baptism, St. Augustine taught that "the custom of our Mother the Church of infant Baptism is in no way to be rejected or considered unnecessary; on the contrary, it is to be believed on the ground that it is a tradition from the Apostles" ("De Gen., Ad Litt.", 10, 23, 39). The new "Code of Canon Law" also stresses the need to baptize infants: "Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptized within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the Sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it" (Canon 867).
Another consequence of the proclamation of the Gospel, closely linked with the previous one, is that "the Church is necessary", as Vatican II declares: "Christ is the one mediator and way of salvation; He is present to us in His body which is the Church. He Himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism (cf. Mark 16:16; John 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse to enter it, or to remain in it" ("Lumen Gentium", 14; cf. "Presbyterorum Ordinis", 4; "Ad Gentes", 1-3; "Dignitatis Humanae", 11).
17-18. In the early days of the Church, public miracles of this kind happened frequently. There are numerous historical records of these events in the New Testament (cf., e.g., Acts 3:1-11; 28:3-6) and in other ancient Christian writings. It was very fitting that this should be so, for it gave visible proof of the truth of Christianity. Miracles of this type still occur, but much more seldom; they are very exceptional. This, too, is fitting because, on the one hand, the truth of Christianity has been attested to enough; and, on the other, it leaves room for us to merit through faith. St. Jerome comments: "Miracles were necessary at the beginning to confirm the people in the faith. But, once the faith of the Church is confirmed, miracles are not necessary" ("Comm. In Marcum, in loc."). However, God still works miracles through saints in every generation, including our own.
19. The Lord's ascension into Heaven and His sitting at the right hand of the Father is the sixth article of faith confessed in the Creed. Jesus Christ went up into Heaven body and soul, to take possession of the Kingdom He won through His death, to prepare for us a place in Heaven (cf. Revelation 3:21) and to send the Holy Spirit to His Church (cf. "St. Pius X Cathechism", 123).
To say that He "sat at the right hand of God" means that Jesus Christ, including His humanity, has taken eternal possession of Heaven and that, being the equal of His Father in that He is God, He occupies the place of highest honor beside Him in His human capacity (cf. "St. Pius V Catechism", I, 7, 2-3). Already in the Old Testament the Messiah is spoken of as seated at the right hand of the Almighty, thereby showing the supreme dignity of Yahweh's Annointed (cf. Psalm 110:1). The New Testament records this truth here and also in many other passages (cf. Ephesians 1:20-22; Hebrews 1:13).
As the "St. Pius V Catechism" adds, Jesus went up to Heaven by His own power and not by any other. Nor was it only as God that He ascended, but also as man.
20. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the evangelist attests that the words of Christ have already begun to be fulfilled by the time of writing. The Apostles, in other words, were faithfully carrying out the mission of our Lord entrusted to them. They begin to preach the Good News of salvation throughout the known world. Their preaching was accompanied by the signs and wonders the Lord had promised, which lent authority to their witness and their teaching. Yet, we know that their apostolic work was always hard, involving much effort, danger, misunderstanding, persecution and even martyrdom--like our Lord's own life.
Thanks to God and also to the Apostles, the strength and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ has reached as far as us. But every Christian generation, every man and woman, has to receive the preaching of the Gospel and, in turn, pass it on. The grace of God will always be available to us: "Non est abbreviata manus Domini" (Isaiah 59:1), the power of the Lord has not diminished.
****************************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Jesus Appears to the Eleven. The Apostle's Mission
[15] And He (Jesus) said to them (the Eleven), "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. [16] He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs will accompany those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
The Ascension
[19] So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
The Apostles Go Forth and Preach
[20] And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
*******************
Commentary:
15. This verse contains what is called the "universal apostolic mandate" (paralleled by Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 24:46-48). This is an imperative command from Christ to His Apostles to preach the Gospel to the whole world. This same apostolic mission applies, especially to the Apostles' successors, the bishops in communion with Peter's successor, the Pope.
But this mission extends further: the whole "Church was founded to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to make all men partakers in redemption and salvation.... Every activity of the Mystical Body with this in view goes by the name of `apostolate'; the Church exercises it through all its members, though in various ways. In fact, the Christian vocation is, of its nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well. In the organism of a living body no member plays a purely passive part, sharing in the life of the body it shares at the same time in its activity. The same is true for the body of Christ, the Church: the whole body achieves full growth in dependence on the full functioning of each part' (Ephesians 4:16). Between the members of this body there exists, further, such a unity and solidarity (cf. Ephesians 4:16) that a member who does not work at the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be considered useless both to the Church and to himself.
"In the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in His name and by His power. But the laity are made to share in the priestly, prophetical and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole people of God" (Vatican II, "Apostolicam Actuositatem", 2).
It is true that God acts directly on each person's soul through grace, but it must also be said that it is Christ's will (expressed here and elsewhere) that men should be an instrument or vehicle of salvation for others.
Vatican II also teaches this: "On all Christians, accordingly, rests the noble obligation of working to bring all men throughout the whole world to hear and accept the divine message of salvation" ("ibid.", 3).
16. This verse teaches that, as a consequence of the proclamation of the Good News, faith and Baptism are indispensable pre-requisites for attaining salvation. Conversion to the faith of Jesus Christ should lead directly to Baptism, which confers on us "the first sanctifying grace, by which Original Sin is forgiven, and which also forgives any actual sins there may be; it remits all punishment due for sins; it impresses on the soul the mark of the Christian; it makes us children of God, members of the Church and heirs to Heaven, and enables us to receive the other Sacraments" ("St. Pius X Catechism", 553).
Baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, as we can see from these words of the Lord. But physical impossibility for receiving the rite of Baptism can be replaced either by martyrdom (called, therefore, "baptism of blood") or by a perfect act of love of God and of contrition, together with an at least implicit desire to be baptized: this is called "baptism of desire" (cf. "ibid.", 567-568).
Regarding infant Baptism, St. Augustine taught that "the custom of our Mother the Church of infant Baptism is in no way to be rejected or considered unnecessary; on the contrary, it is to be believed on the ground that it is a tradition from the Apostles" ("De Gen., Ad Litt.", 10, 23, 39). The new "Code of Canon Law" also stresses the need to baptize infants: "Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptized within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the Sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it" (Canon 867).
Another consequence of the proclamation of the Gospel, closely linked with the previous one, is that "the Church is necessary", as Vatican II declares: "Christ is the one mediator and way of salvation; He is present to us in His body which is the Church. He Himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism (cf. Mark 16:16; John 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse to enter it, or to remain in it" ("Lumen Gentium", 14; cf. "Presbyterorum Ordinis", 4; "Ad Gentes", 1-3; "Dignitatis Humanae", 11).
17-18. In the early days of the Church, public miracles of this kind happened frequently. There are numerous historical records of these events in the New Testament (cf., e.g., Acts 3:1-11; 28:3-6) and in other ancient Christian writings. It was very fitting that this should be so, for it gave visible proof of the truth of Christianity. Miracles of this type still occur, but much more seldom; they are very exceptional. This, too, is fitting because, on the one hand, the truth of Christianity has been attested to enough; and, on the other, it leaves room for us to merit through faith. St. Jerome comments: "Miracles were necessary at the beginning to confirm the people in the faith. But, once the faith of the Church is confirmed, miracles are not necessary" ("Comm. In Marcum, in loc."). However, God still works miracles through saints in every generation, including our own.
19. The Lord's ascension into Heaven and His sitting at the right hand of the Father is the sixth article of faith confessed in the Creed. Jesus Christ went up into Heaven body and soul, to take possession of the Kingdom He won through His death, to prepare for us a place in Heaven (cf. Revelation 3:21) and to send the Holy Spirit to His Church (cf. "St. Pius X Cathechism", 123).
To say that He "sat at the right hand of God" means that Jesus Christ, including His humanity, has taken eternal possession of Heaven and that, being the equal of His Father in that He is God, He occupies the place of highest honor beside Him in His human capacity (cf. "St. Pius V Catechism", I, 7, 2-3). Already in the Old Testament the Messiah is spoken of as seated at the right hand of the Almighty, thereby showing the supreme dignity of Yahweh's Annointed (cf. Psalm 110:1). The New Testament records this truth here and also in many other passages (cf. Ephesians 1:20-22; Hebrews 1:13).
As the "St. Pius V Catechism" adds, Jesus went up to Heaven by His own power and not by any other. Nor was it only as God that He ascended, but also as man.
20. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the evangelist attests that the words of Christ have already begun to be fulfilled by the time of writing. The Apostles, in other words, were faithfully carrying out the mission of our Lord entrusted to them. They begin to preach the Good News of salvation throughout the known world. Their preaching was accompanied by the signs and wonders the Lord had promised, which lent authority to their witness and their teaching. Yet, we know that their apostolic work was always hard, involving much effort, danger, misunderstanding, persecution and even martyrdom--like our Lord's own life.
Thanks to God and also to the Apostles, the strength and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ has reached as far as us. But every Christian generation, every man and woman, has to receive the preaching of the Gospel and, in turn, pass it on. The grace of God will always be available to us: "Non est abbreviata manus Domini" (Isaiah 59:1), the power of the Lord has not diminished.
****************************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Background Music During the Eucharistic Prayer?
Question: Recently, I have noticed that at some Masses background music is played during the Eucharistic prayer. Although it sometimes sounds very nice, I have difficulty hearing or understanding the priest. When did the Church allow background music to be played during the Eucharistic prayer?
Answer: The fact of the matter is that the Church does not permit any background music during those parts of the Mass said by the priest. This is one of many innovations started by those who are many times uninformed about the liturgical laws of the Church. The Church has addressed this issue many times following Vatican II as the excerpts below of documents from the Holy See demonstrate:
Musicam Sacram – Instruction on Music in the Liturgy (1967)
The use of musical instruments to accompany the singing can act as a support to the voices, render participation easier, and achieve a deeper union in the assembly. However, their sound should not so overwhelm the voices that it is difficult to make out the text; and when some part is proclaimed aloud by the priest or a minister by virtue of his role, they should be silent. (no. 64, emphasis added)
Musicam Sacram
In sung or said Masses, the organ, or other instrument legitimately admitted, can be used to accompany the singing of the choir and the people; it can also be played solo at the beginning before the priest reaches the altar, at the Offertory, at the Communion, and at the end of Mass. (no. 65, emphasis added)
Eucharistiae Participationem - Letter on Eucharistic Prayers (1973)
By its very nature the Eucharistic Prayer is the "center of the entire celebration," and "a prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification" whose purpose is "that the whole congregation of the faithful may unite itself with Christ in proclaiming the wondrous things of God and in offering the sacrifice." This prayer is offered by the ministering priest, who interprets God's voice as it is addressed to the people and the people's voice as they lift their souls to God. The priest alone should be heard, while the congregation gathered to celebrate the sacred liturgy remains devoutly silent. (no.8, emphasis added)
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM-1975) states:
"The nature of the presidential prayers demands that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone present listen with attention. While the priest is reciting them there should be no other prayer and the organ or other instruments should not be played."(no.12, emphasis added)
Notitiae (from 1977)_ confirms the above.
"This is a clear rule, leaving no doubt, since it is a reminder of wrong practices that have greatly impeded or diminished the people's participation in this central part of the Mass. Further, it is obvious that the organ's so-call background music often puts in the background what should be foremost and dominant. A 'background' accompaniment of the priest's homily would be out of the question: but in the Eucharistic prayer the word of the presider, Tou proestou in Justins's expression, reaches the peak of its meaning." Notitiae 13 (1977) 94-95, no. 2 (emphasis added).
Inaestimabile donum (1980)
It should be remembered that the Eucharistic Prayer must not be overlaid with other prayers or songs. When proclaiming the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest is to pronounce the text clearly, so as to make it easy for the faithful to understand it, and so as to foster the formation of a true assembly entirely intent upon the celebration of the memorial of the Lord. (no.6, emphasis added)
General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Third Typical Edition) (2002)
32. The nature of the "presidential" texts demands that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone listen with attention. Thus, while the priest is speaking these texts, there should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other musical instruments should be silent. (emphasis added).
Redemptionis Sacramentum (March, 2004)
[53.] While the Priest proclaims the Eucharistic Prayer “there should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other musical instruments should be silent”, except for the people’s acclamations that have been duly approved, as described below. (emphasis added).
_____________________________________________________________
Answer: The fact of the matter is that the Church does not permit any background music during those parts of the Mass said by the priest. This is one of many innovations started by those who are many times uninformed about the liturgical laws of the Church. The Church has addressed this issue many times following Vatican II as the excerpts below of documents from the Holy See demonstrate:
Musicam Sacram – Instruction on Music in the Liturgy (1967)
The use of musical instruments to accompany the singing can act as a support to the voices, render participation easier, and achieve a deeper union in the assembly. However, their sound should not so overwhelm the voices that it is difficult to make out the text; and when some part is proclaimed aloud by the priest or a minister by virtue of his role, they should be silent. (no. 64, emphasis added)
Musicam Sacram
In sung or said Masses, the organ, or other instrument legitimately admitted, can be used to accompany the singing of the choir and the people; it can also be played solo at the beginning before the priest reaches the altar, at the Offertory, at the Communion, and at the end of Mass. (no. 65, emphasis added)
Eucharistiae Participationem - Letter on Eucharistic Prayers (1973)
By its very nature the Eucharistic Prayer is the "center of the entire celebration," and "a prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification" whose purpose is "that the whole congregation of the faithful may unite itself with Christ in proclaiming the wondrous things of God and in offering the sacrifice." This prayer is offered by the ministering priest, who interprets God's voice as it is addressed to the people and the people's voice as they lift their souls to God. The priest alone should be heard, while the congregation gathered to celebrate the sacred liturgy remains devoutly silent. (no.8, emphasis added)
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM-1975) states:
"The nature of the presidential prayers demands that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone present listen with attention. While the priest is reciting them there should be no other prayer and the organ or other instruments should not be played."(no.12, emphasis added)
Notitiae (from 1977)_ confirms the above.
"This is a clear rule, leaving no doubt, since it is a reminder of wrong practices that have greatly impeded or diminished the people's participation in this central part of the Mass. Further, it is obvious that the organ's so-call background music often puts in the background what should be foremost and dominant. A 'background' accompaniment of the priest's homily would be out of the question: but in the Eucharistic prayer the word of the presider, Tou proestou in Justins's expression, reaches the peak of its meaning." Notitiae 13 (1977) 94-95, no. 2 (emphasis added).
Inaestimabile donum (1980)
It should be remembered that the Eucharistic Prayer must not be overlaid with other prayers or songs. When proclaiming the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest is to pronounce the text clearly, so as to make it easy for the faithful to understand it, and so as to foster the formation of a true assembly entirely intent upon the celebration of the memorial of the Lord. (no.6, emphasis added)
General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Third Typical Edition) (2002)
32. The nature of the "presidential" texts demands that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone listen with attention. Thus, while the priest is speaking these texts, there should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other musical instruments should be silent. (emphasis added).
Redemptionis Sacramentum (March, 2004)
[53.] While the Priest proclaims the Eucharistic Prayer “there should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other musical instruments should be silent”, except for the people’s acclamations that have been duly approved, as described below. (emphasis added).
_____________________________________________________________
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)