Pastor's Desk Archive (July 2007)

One Nation Under God (7/1/2007)
The Latin Mass Document (7/15/2007)
One True Church (7/22/2007)
Odds 'n' Ends (7/29/2007)

One Nation Under God (7/1/2007)

Wednesday (July 4th) will make the 231st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I wonder how many of us have any real idea of what life was like that many years ago? It was certainly much more difficult than it is today. But it was especially challenging for the men who signed that document and their families. The British government certainly regarded these people as traitors and public enemies. In declaring that certain truths were self-evident from the very nature of things and from “nature’s God”, they were shaping a new nation in which “all men were created equal” and were “free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.”

These were godly men and women who were willing to endure hostility, even war, to form what would become a union of federated states in which people would be free to worship God according to the dictates of each one’s conscience. This had not been possible in England or in other places in the old world from which they had fled tyrannies of various kinds. The birth of this free nation followed only after a difficult labor which cost the lives of many. Thirteen years later in 1789, those great sacrifices were expressed in a constitution and a bill of rights creating the United States of America. Those first ten amendments were issued to limit and proscribe the powers and duties of the Federal government so as to guarantee the prerogatives of the individual states and its free citizens.

The first of those amendments begins with these critically important words: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". The meaning of these words has been argued about endlessly. Unfortunately, many of those arguing don’t know what they are talking about when they suggest that the intent of the framers was to protect us from religion. Reading the writings of the framers makes it clear that they were not intending to establish a secular nation, but one in which religion could flourish according to the beliefs and dictates of each citizen’s conscience. For the first 60 years of the Capitol’s existence, church services were held in the House of Representatives. The desk of the Speaker served as the pulpit from which freedom rang through the voices of clergymen of every church and denomination—including a two hour homily delivered by a Catholic priest. On this July 4th, let us thank God for our freedom of worship.

back to top...

The Latin Mass Document (7/15/2007)

Last week, Pope Benedict XVI issued a document in which he gave all priests permission to celebrate private Masses (without a congregation) following the Latin Missal which was in use from the end of the 16th century until 1969. If some Catholics express a sincere interest in this form of the Mass, they are permitted to attend as well. You may wonder why the Pope would even think of such a thing. He was concerned in particular about a group of Catholics who have separated themselves from full communion with the church by refusing to worship using the new order of Mass. These are Catholics who have gone so far as to claim that this “new Mass” is not a true Mass. They have also called into question many of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council which had, among other things, authorized the renewal of the church’s liturgical rites so that people could participate in a more conscious and active way.

The Pope also wanted to clear up confusion about the status of the old Mass. He states that this Mass was never abolished because it was a vital part of the church’s heritage. He further clarifies that both the old Mass and the new Mass are clear expressions of the dictum that as the church prays, so the church believes (lex orandi, lex credenda). He expressed the hope that this clarification would facilitate the reconciliation of those who had become so attached to the old Mass, while offering to all who may be interested a greater opportunity to participate in such Masses.

While some critics who had foreseen the publication of this document had feared that it would divide the church, the Pope makes it crystal clear that there is only one Roman Rite which has an “ordinary” (the one presently in use) and an “extraordinary” form. He states matter-of-factly that since there are so few priests with the necessary knowledge of Latin and the older rite, it was highly likely that the ordinary rite would continue to be the one celebrated everywhere today.

I have zero interest in the older rite with which I grew up. Why would I want to turn my back to the people and quietly read the prayers of the Mass in a language which I barely understand and which the laity have no knowledge at all? The “Mystery” of the Mass has nothing to do with it appearing to be unintelligible. It has everything to do with our participating in it fully, consciously, and actively---on the inside and outside.

back to top...

One True Church (7/22/2007)

The first week in July was a busy one for the Pope and the Vatican. Not only did he issue a document about the place of the old “Latin Mass” in the church, but he issued another one which reminded the faithful that all the elements which Christ willed for his body, the church, are to be found fully in the Catholic Church. The mass media made it sound like this was a statement original to Pope Benedict, when, in fact, it states exactly what all the bishops of the church stated at the Second Vatican Council.

The Pope is merely affirming our belief that Jesus Christ did not establish many churches with different beliefs and practices, but one church that is also holy, catholic, and apostolic. Over the last 40 years or more, the Catholic Church has opened its arms to embrace and respect the faith of other Christians and other Christian bodies. But many have interpreted this new respect as an indication that it doesn’t really make any difference what you believe as long as you_______________. Here you can fill in the blank with such expressions as read and follow the scriptures or love God and your neighbor or whatever. Many people today are heard to say things like “we’re all headed down different roads but to the same place.” While those who say such things certainly many mean well, they fly in the face of the truth revealed to us by God through Scripture and Tradition.

In the US we have thousands of distinct Christian bodies who have many beliefs and practices in common, but also hold widely differing stances on very important matters. We use the word denomination in speaking of these groups. Some people—including Catholics—have come to think of the Catholic Church as just one denomination among many others. And this is the most important part: They also think of the One, True Church as made up of all these denominations. They may think this all year round, but the truth is that the Catholic Church is not a denomination, holding just some of the truths revealed to us by God, but we ARE the Church established by Christ for the salvation of the world. This doesn’t mean we are perfect from a human perspective, but that from God’s perspective we are the bride of Christ, the herald of the good news, and the evolving kingdom of God in our midst. This doesn’t mean that Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans and others can’t be saved, but that they are not churches in the way that we are. For us what constitutes The Church is that it is led by a successor of the apostles (bishops) and is in union with the successor of St. Peter (the Pope). We believe this structure is divinely inspired and that Christ wills that all believers become so united that the whole world begins to believe that He is the one sent to be our savior. That day isn’t here yet.

back to top...

Odds 'n' Ends (7/29/2007)

I’m very happy to announce that Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University will be held once again at St. Andrew’s. For an investment of less than a hundred dollars for program materials, this 13 week program has a proven record of turning people’s lives around. This time around, the course will be moderated by Kent Sneed who has so benefited from it that he has been dedicating a good portion of his time in sharing it with others. He is a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi parish in OKC and the manager of the Barnes and Noble bookstore on May Avenue. If you’ve been a past participant, you’re welcome to refresh your knowledge with no additional cost. There’s a flyer attached to this week's bulletin with additional information.

Have you spent any time in our beautiful garden and grotto located between the church and the rectory? Come out and see the refurbished Stations of the Cross (thanks to Ed Tucker), and the magnificent new Shrine of our Blessed Mother with its beautiful water falls (thanks to Rick Atkins, Charles Blackburn, and a host of others). The centerpiece of the gardens is the striking fountain which employs our old baptismal font. Thanks again to Tom Strotman for his work in designing the garden.

Hats off to Kathleen & Brooke, our Youth Ministers, for their labor of love in coordinating our first parish-based work camp. We had a dozen youth who discovered that it is in giving that we receive. There were many others involved in making this such a huge success. I hope we can do it again next Summer and have at least twice as many participants!

Thanks as well to Linda Hartley and a host of volunteers who helped make this year’s VBS the best ever. The kids had a great time. Soon we are going to establish a date for next year’s VBS so that you can mark your calendars long in advance.

back to top...