Hyundai invites you to upload your holiday video to their You Tube page.
Seen on the web: Theosis and grace
Posted by Nishant on Monday, Nov 28, 2011
…In Christian theology, man does not partake of the divine essence, for that is infinite and incommunicable (although not in Mormonism, where he dwells on some planet).
Man rather shares in the life of God through grace, by being joined to him as a body to a head, and as branches to the vine.
Man partakes of the divine nature, both by being born again, and receiving in place of the old nature of the flesh, the new nature from the Spirit of Christ, and in the Holy Eucharist, where he receives, the body, blood, soul and divinity.
Thus, when “we see Him, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
Editor’s note: Our primary channels of God’s grace are the seven sacraments, which were personally instituted by Jesus Christ, for that express purpose.
Kreeft: “Catholic” theologians showed politicians how they could get away with murder.
Kreeft said these Catholic advisers “told the Kennedys how they could get away with murder.” Kreeft then made one of his boldest comments of the evening, suggesting the theologians who first convinced Democratic politicians they could support abortion rights and remain Catholic did more damage to the Catholic Church than pedophile priests.
“These were wicked people. These were dishonest people. These were people who, frankly, loved power more than they loved God,” Kreeft said.
“Sorry, that’s just the way it is. In fact, I’d say these were even worse than the child molesters — though the immediate damage they did was not as obvious — because they did it deliberately, it wasn’t a sin of weakness. Sins of power are worse than sins of weakness. Cold, calculating sins — that’s straight from the devil.”
Editor’s note: And the vast majority of bishops remained silent. Some things never change!
A host of Catholic Advent resources
The Internet is loaded with Advent activities, prayers, and traditions. Here are some which will help make this season a holier one for you and your family:
10-minute Bible study on the new Mass translation … for all … or for many?
by Doug Lawrence
Note: Those who do not believe that the Bible is the totally inerrant, Holy Spirit inspired, written Word of God, can skip this post.
Today we deal with complaints about the words “for many” being used in the words of consecration, in the new Mass translation.
According to scripture, at the Last Supper, Jesus used these words when he personally instituted the Holy Eucharist:
And he said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many. (Mark 14:24)
The heady days in the aftermath of Vatican II resulted in a new, somewhat more generous and ecumenical Mass translation, in the vernacular, which substituted the word “all” for “many” … and we’ve been “stuck” with it, for lo these many years.
Evidently, when you stage a revolution inside the Catholic Church, even the plain words of Jesus Christ carry little or no authority. The editor’s of the allegedly “Catholic” New American Bible obviously agreed, since in various places, their radical, modernist footnotes literally denied the explicitly cited words of Jesus Christ, claiming instead that certain unknown writers had simply “put” those “words” into Christ’s mouth, presumably for their own nefarious purposes.
So, after about half a century of Mass apostasy, the Church finally gets around to correcting a serious liturgical error, and what do we hear from the loyal opposition at The National Catholic Reporter?
Yet this Sunday, Nov. 27, the first Sunday in Advent, when we are gathered around the eucharistic table — what should be the greatest sign of our unity — many of us will feel depressed. We will feel like losers when we hear not the words that Jesus’ blood “will be shed for you and for all” but that Jesus’ blood “will be shed for you and for many.”
For the record, the Gospels contain the phrase “for many” a total of 13 times:
(Matthew 20:16) So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen.
(Matthew 20:28) Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a redemption for many.
(Matthew 22:14) For many are called, but few are chosen.
(Matthew 24:5) For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ. And they will seduce many.
(Matthew 26:28) For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.
(Mark 10:45) For the Son of man also is not come to be ministered unto: but to minister and to give his life a redemption for many.
(Mark 13:6) For many shall come in my name saying, I am he: and they shall deceive many.
(Mark 14:24) And he said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many.
(Mark 14:56) For many bore false witness against him: and their evidences were not agreeing.
(Luke 8:29) For he commanded the unclean spirit to go out of the man. For many times it seized him: and he was bound with chains and kept in fetters: and breaking the bonds, he was driven by the devil into the deserts.
(Luke 12:19) And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years. Take thy rest: eat, drink, make good cheer.
(Luke 13:24) Strive to enter by the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter and shall not be able.
(Luke 21:8) Who said: Take heed you be not seduced: for many will come in my name, saying: I am he and the time is at hand. Go ye not therefore after them.
The phrase “for all” appears 16 times:
(Matthew 11:13) For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John:
(Matthew 21:26) If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from men, we are afraid of the multitude: for all held John as a prophet.
(Matthew 26:52) Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
(Mark 10:27) And Jesus looking on them, saith with men it is impossible; but not with God. For all things are possible with God.
(Mark 11:32) If we say, From men, we fear the people. For all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.
(Mark 12:44) For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.
(Luke 2:20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
(Luke 3:19) But Herod the tetrarch, when he was reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done:
(Luke 9:13) But he said to them: Give you them to eat. And they said: We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; unless perhaps, we should go and buy food for all this multitude.
(Luke 12:30) For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.
(Luke 13:17) And when he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the things that were gloriously done by him.
(Luke 19:37) And when he was now coming near the descent of Mount Olivet, the whole multitude of his disciples began with joy to praise God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works they had seen,
(Luke 19:48) And they found not what to do to him: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
(Luke 20:33) In the resurrection therefore, whose wife of them shall she be? For all the seven had her to wife.
(Luke 20:38) For he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.
(Luke 21:4) For all these have of their abundance cast into the offerings of God: but she of her want hath cast in all the living that she had.
The plain sense of scripture poses no barrier to a proper understanding of all of the above passages, and since it’s also abundantly clear that not everyone is going to end up in Heaven, on what do the self confessed “losers” base their complaints?
As the song says, “Feelings. Nothing more than feelings.”
She was seeking a meaningful life, when she met Mother Teresa…
Conroy said she ministered to babies in an orphanage and to dying adults alongside Mother Teresa 24 hours a day. With Mother Teresa, she prayed and ate, participated in Mass and Holy Hour, and even held her hand. It wasn’t always easy, but it was one of the happiest experiences of Conroy’s life. She tried to absorb all the lessons as she witnessed Mother Teresa’s ideal holiness.
Deceived … or just another failure and dereliction of duty?
It is a puzzling question, but in a mostly overlooked interview with EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo in August, Archbishop Dolan gave some insight into what happened behind the scenes, suggesting that the bishops had, in fact, deliberately avoided “pulling out the stops.”
Why? Because, Dolan says, he and his fellow bishops had been assured by “political allies” that the bill didn’t have any legs, and that there was no need to expend resources fighting it.
Editor’s note: The bishops are, by nature, political creatures. Archbishop Dolan’s lame excuses simply don’t pass muster. There was much more to this abject failure in leadership than meets the eye … but it’s likely we won’t hear anything more about it than this. Shame!
Libs just “hate” the word “consubstantial” in the new Mass translation
“There are a lot of people upset by the changes, and the process by which the changes were made,” said Tom Kyle, 72, a Catholic from Farmington who says the church should be more open. “There is a lot of resistance from the clergy. A lot of the priests don’t like it.”
The word “consubstantial” is one example of what Kyle says represents a backward step for the church.
“Technically, it’s correct, but people don’t know what ‘consubstantial’ means,” Kyle said. “It doesn’t make any sense for many. And it doesn’t have the same flow.”
Editor’s note-
Dear Mr. Kyle:
Consubstantial means that Jesus Christ, like all the members of the Holy Trinity, is of one and the same eternal, uncreated, divine essence … i.e. substance. (You remember … God from God. Light from Light. True God from True God?)
Since God made us to know him, love him, and serve him … in this world … and in the next … there’s absolutely nothing “backward” about developing a deeper understanding of the divine nature … especially at Mass.
A more complete treatment of the subject can be found here, and here, in the venerable Catholic Encyclopedia.
Now that we’ve put that behind us, why not just relax and worship God in spirit and truth, the way it was always supposed to have been done?
Sincerely,
Doug Lawrence
Just Another Faithful Catholic
285,000 Moscovites que up in the cold to view the Precious Sash of “Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos”
Reliquary of the Precious Sash
Such is the excitement and fuss the Cincture of the Virgin Mary has generated on its first trip out of Greece in 200 years. The faithful believe it clung to the waist of the Virgin Mary and thousands have flocked to Moscow to see it on its grand tour.
According to tradition Mary was buried wearing the belt but disappeared thereafter. She then reappeared to the apostle Thomas, who had missed the funeral, and she gave him her camel hair belt.
It then traveled to Constantinople, years later, where the Empress Zoe, wife of the Emperor Leo VI embroidered it with gold thread and divided it into three sections.
Voices from Russia (with photos)
Editor’s note: It seems as though “Doubting Thomas” was always in need of some additional “proof”. And he always got it! Meanwhile, back in the good old USA, millions jostle for position at various “Black Friday” sales venues.
The First Thanksgivings Were Catholic
The first two Thanksgivings in the present day United States were actually Catholic. The Pilgrims can only claim a third one, a correction I suggest should be made in school history books.
Revised Roman Missal: They should have put in just a bit of Latin.
by Doug Lawrence
By far the greatest difficulty with the newly revised Mass translation is remembering to say “And with your spirit” instead of “And also with you.”
The “old” response is so ingrained as to be virtually automatic, with probably half or more of the congregation routinely “flubbing it”.
Perhaps things will improve over time, but the elegant and traditional solution (and one that will really irritate the libs) is to go back to the Latin! (What’s the problem? The liturgy already retains certain phrases, in Greek.)
Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo.
(“The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.”)
Most of today’s Catholics have never heard it, so there should be absolutely no problem with prior conditioning or habit.
Note to surviving, pre-Vatican II Catholics: Please try to remember that “Et cum spiritu tuo” is NOT the emergency phone number for the Vatican!
Springfield, Illinois diocese holding ‘evening of repentance’ for clergy abuse victims
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will preside at the Monday, Dec. 12, service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sixth Street and Lawrence Avenue. Services will be held simultaneously at six other churches in Edwardsville, Mount Zion, Teutopolis, Jacksonville, Hillsboro and Quincy.
It’s the first time a public event like this has been conducted by the diocese, according to Patricia Kornfeld, the diocese’s victims assistance coordinator.
The impetus was the desire of the diocese “to express repentance and forgiveness for the sins of the past,” Kornfeld said.
This week’s Ask Alice: I’ve been looking into becoming Catholic. Some advice, please!
She’ll answer your Catholic questions
right here, every Thursday.
Email responses will also be provided, as time permits.
G.Y. writes: I’ve been looking into becoming Catholic, as I keep having a dream that Jesus himself is asking me to. I agree with the Bible but I’m scared I will be rejected by the church, due to having a bad past, having sinned, and lived in sin. Could you give me some advice?
Alice answers: How blessed you are that Jesus is calling you to become a Catholic! Treasure each dream of our Precious Lord, and don’t hesitate to answer Jesus’ loving call!
Throughout the Bible, God speaks to people in dreams. Samuel was a young boy when God awakened him at night:
“…Samuel was sleeping in in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was. The Lord called to Samuel, who answered, ‘Here I am.” (1 Samuel 3:4)
There is no perfect time to change our lives. It’s never the ideal time to get married, have a baby, change careers, or move to another country. Similarly, there’s no perfect time to become a Catholic. When Jesus called his disciples, they were at work. They immediately stopped what they were doing, walked off their jobs, and left their careers, families and friends to follow Jesus.
“As they were walking along the Sea of Galilee he watched two brothers, Simon now known as peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea. They were fishermen. He said to them, ‘Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately abandoned their nets and became his followers.” (Matthew 4:18-20)
Don’t worry about getting rejected. Ours is a church of sinners. Adam and Eve, our first parents, committed the original sin. Moses was a murderer, yet God called him. King David was an adulterer. Jesus expelled 7 demons from Mary Magdalene. Peter denied our Lord.
The Church will not reject you, since every priest is a shepherd, divinely commissioned to bring sinners (lost sheep) back to God.
“All men have sinned and are deprived
of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Like you, everyone has fears and doubts about doing God’s will. Fear never comes from God, but from evil spirits who are busy trying to lure us away from the Lord, and His path of righteousness.
1) Pray for God’s guidance. Don’t wait or hesitate to answer God’s call.
2) Start going to Mass every week. Make an appointment to talk with a priest. Tell him you want to become Catholic. Do whatever he tells you. If he invites you to join RCIA, attend the classes. Even if you’re living “in sin” start attending classes, anyway. You don’t have to make an immediate commitment to be baptized. Jesus came to save sinners. That means you, me … and every person on earth.
3) Surrender to God. Don’t worry about how becoming a Catholic will change your life. God has the perfect solution to every problem you face. Simply surrender your heart to God, and let Him caress you with His loving care. God will give you all the grace you need to become Catholic.
Be assured that I am praying for you. Please let me know what happens on your faith journey.
In Christ’s Love,
Alice
*****
Doug Lawrence adds: One of the most practical benefits of being Catholic is to be able to confess one’s sins, in and through the great Sacrament of Reconciliation, no matter how bad they might be … and receive immediate, absolute assurance of God’s forgiveness, grace, and inestimable love.
That shouldn’t be surprising, since one of the very first things Jesus did after rising again from the dead, was to give the apostles (and their duly ordained successors) the power to forgive sins … something which had, until that moment … been reserved to God, alone:
…As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them… (John 20:21-23)
Dreaming about Jesus calling you to become Catholic is totally biblical, since it was one of the things that was prophesied in the Old Testament of the Bible, and later confirmed by Saint Peter and others, in the New Testament scriptures.
I would definitely “go” with that!
Click here to see all of Alice’s other columns
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Emails confirm the great man-made global warming scare is not about science but about political activism.
Breaking news: two years after the Climategate, a further batch of emails has been leaked onto the internet by a person – or persons – unknown. And as before, they show the “scientists” at the heart of the Man-Made Global Warming industry in a most unflattering light. Michael Mann, Phil Jones, Ben Santer, Tom Wigley, Kevin Trenberth, Keith Briffa – all your favourite Climategate characters are here, once again caught red-handed in a series of emails exaggerating the extent of Anthropogenic Global Warming, while privately admitting to one another that the evidence is nowhere near as a strong as they’d like it to be.
In other words, what these emails confirm is that the great man-made global warming scare is not about science but about political activism. This, it seems, is what motivated the whistleblower ‘FOIA 2011’ (or “thief”, as the usual suspects at RealClimate will no doubt prefer to tar him or her) to go public.
Seen on the web: About the new Mass translation…
Posted by dunphyp
As a devout Catholic and a translator, I am all in favor of the new English translation. How dare we have one Mass when every other nation says another (and doesn’t complain about it). The problem is that we are trying to get back to “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” after celebrating a “Happy Meal” for years. It’s about time we recognize our sinfulness and ask God’s grace and forgiveness. As I’ve said elsewhere, everything else in life is “dumbed down”; can we not elevate the Mass a bit?
10-Minute Bible Study: Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, is unlike any other king.
by Doug Lawrence
(Citations from the Douay-Rheims Bible)
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:1-17)
And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:26-33)
And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David. To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of God shone round about them: and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people: For, this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will. (Luke 2:1-14)
And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem and were come to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, then Jesus sent two disciples, Saying to them: Go ye into the village that is over against you: and immediately you shall find an ass tied and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to me. And if any man shall say anything to you, say ye that the Lord hath need of them. And forthwith he will let them go. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy king cometh to thee, meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt, the foal of her that is used to the yoke. (Matthew 21:1-5)
And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary. And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he had tasted, he would not drink. And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots. And they sat and watched him. And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand and one on the left. And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. (Matthew 27:33-40)
And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and coming rolled back the stone and sat upon it. And his countenance was as lightning and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror and became as dead men. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you: for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen. And behold he will go before you into Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you. And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet and adored him. Then Jesus said to them: Fear not. Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee. There they shall see me. (Matthew 28:1-10)
And I saw heaven opened: and behold a white horse. And he that sat upon him was called faithful and true: and with justice doth he judge and fight. And his eyes were as a flame of fire: and on his head were many diadems. And he had a name written, which no man knoweth but himself. And he was clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood. And his name is called: THE WORD OF GOD. And the armies that are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp two-edged sword, that with it he may strike the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God the Almighty. And he hath on his garment and on his thigh written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun: and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that did fly through the midst of heaven: Come, gather yourselves together to the great supper of God: That you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of tribunes and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them: and the flesh of all freemen and bondmen and of little and of great. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, gathered together to make war with him that sat upon the horse and with his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who wrought signs before him, wherewith he seduced them who received the character of the beast and who adored his image. These two were cast alive into the pool of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were slain by the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse, which proceedeth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:11-21)
And the seventh angel sounded the trumpet: and there were great voices in heaven, saying: The kingdom of this world is become our Lord’s and his Christ’s, and he shall reign for ever and ever. Amen. And the four and twenty ancients who sit on their seats in the sight of God, fell on their faces and adored God, saying: We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who art and who wast and who art to come: because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and thou hast reigned. (Revelation 11:15-17)
And I saw a great white throne and one sitting upon it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away: and there was no place found for them And I saw the dead, great and small, standing in the presence of the throne. And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which was the book of life. And the dead were judged by those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it: and death and hell gave up their dead that were in them. And they were judged, every one according to their works. And hell and death were cast into the pool of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the pool of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street thereof, and on both sides of the river, was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruits every month: the leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no curse any more: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. And his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face: and his name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more. And they shall not need the light of the lamp, nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall enlighten then. And they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said to me: These words are most faithful and true. And the Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to shew his servant the things which must be done shortly. (Revelation 22:1-6)
Anthony Esolen: The readings we hear at Mass may vary substantially from the inerrant, Holy Spirit inspired, written Word of God.
Here is an example. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a landowner who left tenants in charge of his farm. Then he sent servants to collect – what? The Greek reads tous karpous, literally, the fruits, what you pluck from the tree. By that simple word “fruit,” a vast field of Scriptural imagery is brought before our eyes. Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. Abel sacrificed to God the first fruits of his labor. Jesus tells us that a good tree is known by its good fruit. Saint Paul says that Christ is the first fruit of the resurrection.
So what do the lectionary translators do? They build the Bauhaus. They forget the echoes. They muffle the poetry. They disdain the body. Therefore they disdain also the soul. The landowner sends his servants to gather “the produce.”
Editor’s note: You would probably be surprised to see how often and by how much the various readings at Mass differ from the Bible itself. Worse than this are the often inane “prayers of the faithful”. Next time, listen carefully to what you are hearing, at Mass. Then later, do a bit of personal Bible research, to check it out. Also, think long and hard about some of the “strange” intentions for which we Catholics are being asked to pray.
Doug Lawrence's Catholic Site 
How’d it go? A host of comments on the new Mass translation.
Click here and scroll down to see the comments.
November 27, 2011
Categories: Books & Publications, Events, Inspirational, Politics . Tags: mass, new translation, reader comments, Revised Roman Missal . Author: Hosted by Doug Lawrence . Comments: Leave a comment