12th Sunday After Pentecost

The Group of Faithful who assisted at Today's Traditional Latin Mass, August 3, 2008, the 12th Sunday After Pentecost in the 1962 Roman Liturgical Calendar

The Traditional Latin Mass Community at the Aemilianum College assisted at a low Mass celebrated by the Chaplain, Fr. Abraham Arganiosa, CRS. Some of the Ladies were not around because it is the first Sunday of the Month and most of them are in their home parishes. However, as usual there were children and mothers who were first timers. There was also a young lady with her friends who happened to see the televised presentation of the TLM. She was challenged and was encouraged to join because of what she saw on TV. The TLM indeed offers us a window to the rich liturgical tradition of the Roman Church. As faithful Roman Catholics we love the Mass, it is the highest form of Prayer. Higher and better than our private prayer. This is because the Mass is the public prayer of the Church as a body. This is the main reason why the same words, the same readings are said in all Roman Catholic Churches because it is the Church of God praying together as one body wherever they are scattered or located. Whether in Africa, Asia, Rome or Oceania, the Church raises up its voice in unison in praise of God. Looking up to Christ our hope for the resurrection. This concept of the Mass is less understood by some. Some people will say why should I go to Mass when I can pray individually at home? The answer is simple, your prayer at home is your private prayer, but when you assist at Mass you pray together with the whole Church, and the corporate prayer of the Church is more pleasing in the eyes of God because it is the prayer of His Body redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son and Our Lord and Savior.

Reflection and Readings

The 12th Sunday After Pentecost reminds us of the power of Baptism and confirmation which was given to us. This power should be seen in how we practice charity towards our neighbors. For the Charity of Christ is patient and unites the Faithful into one bond with the Lord who saved them from condemnation.

The Epistle for this Sunday is derived from 2 Corinthians 3:4-9. In this lesson the St. Paul contrasts the Law of Moses with the Law of Christ, the efficacy of the Old Testament Ministry and the New Testament. In the new law St. Paul tells us that we cannot claim sufficiency for ourselves because the ministry of the new Testament is more efficacious. Because instead of condemnation it saves.
The gospel reading for this Sunday is taken from St. Luke 10:23-37. Here Christ Our Lord illustrate the meaning of true Charity as demonstrated by the Good Samaritan. He that truly serves God must serve the wounded and the poor.