Saturday, December 31, 2011

Resolutions

My personal mission statement was, and still is, "To leave the world a better place than I found it; by being a positive influence to others, and by doing the best that I can in all things."

God has given each of us unique talents and gifts, and our work for Him while on earth is to use our talents and gifts in the service of others! Each of us has something to offer to someone in need. We can give our money and our time to charity, be a friend to someone who is sick or lonely, do volunteer work, or be a peacemaker. We can give our time unselfishly to our spouse, our children, and our parents. We may choose a service-oriented occupation, or we may just do our everyday jobs with integrity and respect for others.

Although it might seem that the more we give to others the poorer we become, just the opposite is true! Service to others brings meaning and fulfillment to our lives in a way that wealth, power, possessions and self-centered pursuits can never match. This New Year, my resolution will consider the plight of others less fortunate than I, ... and I'll admit ... I've also resolved to loose some weight.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.


In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve

"Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."
"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus."
"Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."


"Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you
who is Messiah and Lord."

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Under my roof

Excerpts from the book, A Guide to the New Translation of The Mass written by Edward Sri, S.T.D. and printed by Ascension Press in 2011.

“Lord, I am not worthy to receive you” is now “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof”. These new words reflect the humility and trust of the Roman centurion in the gospels, who humbly acknowledges, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof”. Yet he expresses a great faith that surpasses that of many others in the gospels. Jesus praises this man for his faith.

Like the centurion, we, at this moment in the Mass, recognize our unworthiness to have Jesus come sacramentally under the “roof” of our souls in Holy Communion. Yet just as the centurion believed Jesus was able to heal his servant, so do we trust that Jesus can heal us as he becomes the most intimate guest of our souls.

Along with these short weekly posts detailing some of the more obvious changes, I've presented an indepth look at the Mass. You can find it below the Written Assignments section in the right hand column.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Poured out for you, and for many

Excerpts from the book, A Guide to the New Translation of The Mass written by Edward Sri, S.T.D. and printed by Ascension Press in 2011.

The previous translation of the Mass referred to Jesus’ blood having redemptive value “for all”, but the new translation uses the words “for many”. This revision remains closer to Jesus’ actual words of institution in the gospels. It is also more harmonious with the Latin text of the Mass, and uses wording that has been used in the liturgy for centuries. The new translation points to the reality that while Jesus died for all, not everyone chooses to accept this gift. Each individual must choose to welcome the gift of salvation in Christ and live according to that grace, so that they may be among “the many” who are described in this text.

Jesus, by speaking at the Last Supper about his own blood being poured out “for many”, was associating himself with the suffering servant figure prophesied by Isaiah (53:11-12). Jesus is the one who offers his life for the “many”. This should not be understood to be in opposition to the fact that Jesus died “for all (1 Timothy 2:6).

Along with these short weekly posts detailing some of the more obvious changes, I'm presenting an indepth look at the Mass. You can find it below the Written Assignments section in the right hand column.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Blessed are Those Called to the Supper

Excerpts from the book, A Guide to the New Translation of The Mass written by Edward Sri, S.T.D. and printed by Ascension Press in 2011.

In the previous translation of this prayer, the priest said the words, “Happy are those who are called to this supper” as he held up the Eucharistic host shortly before Holy Communion. The new translation, using the words “Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb” highlights even more how the Eucharist is no ordinary meal.

In the new translation, the priest at Mass more clearly echoes the angel’s invitation to the heavenly wedding supper of the lamb, found in Revelation 19:9. Here, we see how the Eucharist we are about to receive involves an intimate, loving communion with our Lord Jesus, one that is likened to the union shared between husband and wife.

Along with these short weekly posts detailing some of the more obvious changes, I'm presenting an indepth look at the Mass. You can find it below the Written Assignments section in the right hand column.