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It’s the 8th Sunday after Pentecost in the Vetus Ordo and the 16th Sunday of the Novus Ordo.
Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Sunday Mass of obligation?
Tell about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass. I hear that it is growing. Of COURSE.
Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?
I have some thoughts about the Sunday Epistle reading posted at One Peter Five.
A taste:
You will sometimes hear from the pulpit that Abba is a term of intimacy with the Father which is rendered into English as “Daddy.” No. And No. “Abba” isn’t “Daddy.” It is wholly other than that. It is a term of intimacy, but it carries the connotation not of mere affection but rather of obedience, as is demonstrated precisely in Our Lord’s obedience when He says: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt” (v. 36). A child says “Abba” when obeying. Abba is rather like respectful “Sir,” which comes through archaic “sire” from Norman “sieur” (think, French monsieur,” Italian monsignore) and ultimately Latin senior.
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The Novus Ordo readings included the parable of an enemy sowing weeds in the wheat fields. The master forbad the pulling up of the weeds so as not to disturb the crop of wheat. The homily reflected the opinion that humanity too often tries to eliminate the bad which is God’s job. The Priest (who is an elderly man and a new annual transfer) said the Church herself was guilty of that as it tried in the past to eliminate heretics. I won’t comment, I think.
Even in mostly bad sermons, you can almost always glean some good point… if you are listening for one and not focused only on the bad.
A good homily at the Oxford Oratory 8am TLM, opening on stewarding spiritual gifts freely with others. Moving to the gospel, the celebrant focussing on mammon and managing money that is not our own. We are told to be generous with what belongs to God. If we are generous with them, they will await us to welcome us into the tents of eternity.
Sound analysis of the gospel drawing on commentary: especially in what the gospel does not tell us. Is this Steward giving away his own cut that he has deviously added on to the account (usury).
A light reflection from Knox: “we must not read too much into this parable, but we must use our worldly goods while we still have time to do it. We must copy the steward with his urgent thought about the future.” Although there is a theme of dishonesty, the celebrant used Augustine: the steward was insuring himself for life that was about to end. The Christian must insure himself for eternal life.
https://www.youtube.com/live/KA7t6MsSG38?feature=share
So, for the first time in 4 years or so, I fulfilled Sunday mass obligation with a Novus Ordo rather than TLM. Site: Barcelona cathedral, a spectacular, gorgeous 500+ year old Gothic church. Presider: the cardinal archbishop of BCN. My Catalan and Spanish aren’t great but I think he actually delivered the sermon in the latter. Not sure why, but perhaps tourists are the overwhelming share of attendees and Spanish is considered more of a linqua franca for tourists? Sermon was generic. “God is a loving father” stuff. What really surprised me was that following the “per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso…,” His Eminence launched into a 2nd mini-sermon of about 90 seconds. I’ve been out of the Novus Ordo loop for more than a decade, so I’m not sure whether “freelancing” by the presider during that part of the Mass is now considered okay. I’ve never before witnessed that but I suppose His Eminence does as he pleases. Music was classic Novus Ordo (in Spanish and/or Catalan) led by a classic Novus Ordo music guy complete with classic Novus Ordo music guy pony tail.
The priest was preaching the same sermon for both Masses (SSPX chapel), preaching a sermon on the occasion of the first Mass (first public Mass) of a new priest (who gave his blessing after Mass) and was to say the next Mass) on extraordinary challenge a priest faces, whether it is giving up on material gain in this world, the danger of falling away from the effort at holiness, prayerfulness, even despair, that the sacrament makes an imprint on his very soul and that a priest as a sinful man has to make. This new priest gave his blessing afterwards and the server gave out his ordination card. Daunting, and I’ve probably missed the best points. Pray for Fr Budd, this new priest.
I also attended a NO Mass with the reading on the parable of the Sower.
Father made an excellent point that the weeds in with the wheat illustrates that evil has always been everywhere, even at the highest levels of the church. It first appeared in heaven when Lucifer and his minions chose against God and the good angels.
I happened to be in Austin, Texas this weekend, and went to the cathedral for Mass. The attendance at the 3:30pm Extraordinary Form was super full. (They also have an EF at 7:30am; it seems to be a vibrant community!)
You wrote: “In ancient Rome, even natural children of a father required the father’s recognition (Latin recognitio) before they were legally considered to be his legitimate children and heirs with any rights.”
I had to reread the surrounding paragraphs to be sure of your point, because of the euphemism “natural children” which alludes to children born out of wedlock. I think you were referring to biological children as opposed to those who were adopted. Funny how the mind works.
That said, on a different matter, people commonly say, “We’re all children of God.” I wonder if that’s strictly correct given that, while we’re all made to the image and likeness of God, we become His sons and daughters through baptism. Are there different senses of the word children, or is this generic “brotherhood” something Christians should push back against, or at least try to correct with an invitation to embrace the faith?
We had a reminder on the need for confession after we fall. Quickly head back. Being in a state of grace is truly the greatest thing a man can do. Always seek to stay in a state of sanctifying grace. Guard it, cherish it, rejoice in it.
Went to St. Anne FSSP parish in Logan Heights San Diego CA. It was the external Feast of St. Anne their patroness, Mother of Our Blessed Lady as Father pointed out. There were relics of St. Anne on the altar and Father explained the story of how they were discovered, very moving. There was also a blessing following Mass with the relics on all who came forward. Party and procession at the next Mass!! The 9am Mass was packed! Glory be to God, Holy Anne pray for us!
Be cheerful, do your duty, be a good example. St. John Bosco’s advice to St. Dominic Savio on how to become a saint. It worked for them both. Not rocket science, and it should not take all that long.