"A REMARKABLE TURN AROUND"

I would like to share with you my reflections and observations in today's Papal Liturgy re: Solemn Mass of the Baptism of Our Lord in the Sistine Chapel. In his homily the Pope underscored the importance of the family. He said that the family is the bedrock of society. The Pope baptized thirteen Children. These children were the children of Vatican Employees.

One thing remarkable about today's celebration was the ad orientem position of the liturgical celebration of the eucharist. Ad Orientem is the liturgical orientation of the celebration where celebrant and faithful are turned towards the east. So today instead of celebrating from the wooden table, Pope Benedict celebrated the Eucharist using the Old Altar in the Sistine Chapel. The reason given for the use of the old altar was that the same altar was suitable for the architechtural style of the chapel. But what is remarkable about today's celebration was that the Pope for the first time since 1970 has celebrated Mass in the Ad Orientem position in contrast with the contemporary practice of Ad Populum.

Sacrosanctum Concilium never spoke of Ad Populum, however it became the norm in succeeding years after the Second Vatican Council.

While a Cardinal, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger has spoken about the Direction of Liturgical Prayer in his book "The Spirit of the Liturgy". In that book Cardinal Ratzinger showed his disagreement about the current position of Liturgical Prayer(Ad populum). In speaking about the Priest facing the people, he said thus "The turning of the priest toward the people has turned the community into a self -enclosed circle. In its outward form, it no longer opens out on what lies ahead and above, but is closed in on itself. The common turning toward the east was not "celebration toward the wall"; it did not mean that the priest "had his back to the people": the priest himself was not regarded as so important. For just as the congregation in the synagogue looked together towards Jerusalem, so in the Christian liturgy the congregation looked together "toward the Lord". As one of the fathers of Vatican II's Constitution on the Liturgy, J.. Jungmann, put it , it was much more a question of priest and people facing in the same direction, knowing that together they were in a procession toward the Lord. They did not close themselves into a circle; they did not gaze at one another; but as the pilgrim people of God they set off for the Oriens, for the Christ who comes to meet us." (Spirit of the Liturgy, Joseph Razinger, Ignatius Press, 2000. p. 80). This indeed is a remarkable comment from a theologian who was once peritus for the Archbishop of Munich during the Second Vatican Council.

I hope that the liturgical reform undertaken by the Pope will trickle down to our parishes so that Liturgical celebrations will become more meaningful, connected to tradition, rich in symbolism and expressive of the faith and conviction of the Church.

After the mass the Fisherman's ring loosened from the ring finger of the Holy Father, thus after several steps the Pope turned around to look for the ring. The Papal Master of Ceremonies Guido Marini had to turned back to fetch the ring.

Watching the celebration and receiving the Holy father's Blessing "via the tube" was well worth it. Thanks to the Vatican Television and EWTN for bringing these events right into our living room.

Thanks be to God.

TAKE UP THE CROSS AND FOLLOW ME

It sometimes amazes me and put me to tears when i see year by year a display of the Filipino's devotion to the Black Nazarene. This phenomenon of devotion reminds me of the episode in the gospel that narrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The people lay down their clothes on the streets for Jesus to pass on, the disciples took palms while the children sang the chorus "Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord, Hossana in the highest!" Jesus thank the Father for revealing these marvelous things to the children and has hid them from the wise. The rich and the proud may mock and belittle the faith of the common people, but the common people has in their simple ways displayed their love and devotion to Christ as represented by the icon of the Black Nazarene.

This form of devotion is not strange. In the Old testament we saw King David dancing before the Ark of the covenant despite of his stature as King of Israel. In the New testament we saw how the people used handkerchiefs in order to be touched by the apostles, and today this practice remains as a form of devotion.

Indeed we Filipinos are fortunate for having this icon with us. Because it points us to our destiny of journeying with the Lord, bearing our cross and hoping for the promised glory and rest. Our sufferings and pains. This form of victimhood cn be join in the passion and death of Christ. Amen

A FAITH THAT NEVER FAILS

"Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee: All things are passing; God never changeth; patient endurance attaineth to all things; who God possesseth, In nothing in wanting; Alone God sufficeth." - St. Teresa of Avila Translator; Arthur Simons (Qouted from Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours, St. Paul Edition 1976.

The faith of God never fails, hence nothing should disturb us because all the things we see are fleeting and changing. Disappointments, joys, sorrows, elation all of these are associated with our humanity and finiteness. But they that trust in the Lord shall be planted in the house of God and they shall be like the cedars of Lebanon.

I WILL ASCEND UNTO THE ALTAR OF GOD

How beautiful are the feet that brings the good news says St. Paul. This year was dedicated by the Pope as the year of St. Paul. How thankful we should be to St. Paul, the zealous, persevering and humble apostle of the Lord. It is als fitting that we should take this opportunity to show our appreciation for our priests. Are we not move to pray for them and collaborate with them in their effort to spread the good news?

This thought brings my imagination to the typologies in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament about the priestly role of Christ. There is a very interesting portion in the Mass that I would like to meditate on.

After the priests and the ministers recitation of the Confiteor the priests slowly ascend the high altar, and while ascending the altar the priests recites the following:

"Aufer a nobis, quaesumus, Domine, iniquitates nostras: ut ad Sancta sanctorum puris mereamur mentibus introire. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
(Take away from us our inequities, we beseech Thee, Oh Lord, that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of holies. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.)

A very beautful prayer. Together with the priest we enter into the Holy of holies which the only privilege group can see. The beautiful ceremonies in the Temple of Solomon is worthily portrayed in the new sacrifice of the Mass. In the mass and through the ministry of the priest we partake of that eternal sacrifice that symbolizes and stands for God's pledge of salvation. And who is this pledge? It is Christ Himself the Lord in the appearance of Bread and Wine, Real and truly present in the Eucharist.

Reiting this verse while ascending the altar expresses deep humility and reverence and deep appreciation and quiet joy in being able to see God in the Holy of Holies. How deep should our experience of the mass is. If I were to live a hundred years, I will never get tired of assisting in this one true and eternal sacrifice. For from the East and the West the gentiles shall offer the Lord a clean oblation, propitious and appeases the justice of God and brings salvation to us faithful.

REFLECTION ON PP BENEDICT XVI HOMILY ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MANIFESTATION OF THE LORD

Today's modern technology has provided us with benefits beyond compare. Today's Liturgical celebration on the feast of the Epiphany at the Vatican is significant. The telecast has provided us with opportunity to watch and be part of the celebration. Although TV viewing of the mass will not fulfill our Sunday obligation, it however provides us with the chance to witness this beautiful celebration. This is because papal liturgical celebrations are considered important because it becomes the prototype for all liturgical celebrations in different parts of the world. The new Papal Master of Ceremonies has brought some changes although few, but it is now noticeable that Gregorian chants and traditional vestments are beginning to be common in papal celebrations. The main altar is furnished and arranged along traditional lines. The seven candles and the altar crucifix is now situated again in the middle of the high altar.

I would like to share with you my simple reflection on the homily of Pope benedict XVI. I am not sure if my recollection of some points are accurate but I believe that these were some of the important points that i have gleaned from the homily. Let me narrate my reflections point by point:

1. The Pope explained that the ephipany is the feast that celebrates the manifestation of the Lord as light of the world.

2. The homily also made mention of Balaam, hired by the enemies of Israel to curse Israel. But the Lord sent His angel and told Balaam not to curse Israel because He is blest by God and this blessing has been manifest in Christ which the Church now enjoys. That the blessing of Abraham has been given to us through Christ.

3. The Magi represent the gentiles, they searched and understood the coming of Christ. The Pope lamented the fact that though Christ is now manifested in us until now only a few recognized him.

4. The homily also made mention of how the story of Babel in the Old Testament represented confusion. But Christ came in order to remove this confusion. This is the main reason why the pope said that Epiphany is closely connected with the feast of Pentecost where the Holy Ghost descended on the Church and signifies that the Church is a multilingual body but are united as oppose to the confusion of Babel. Christ came to promote unity.

5. Salvation history demonstrates to us that God always maintains faithfully His alliance with His people. Thus when the Church reflects the light of Christ She fulfills her mission.

6. Globalization far from promoting world order has provided problems. The inequitable distribution of resources is the root of this problem. Thus moderation is important. The values of sharing is important.

During the mass some important dates were announced for this litugical year, and I have noted them down:

February 6, 2008 - Ash Wednesday / First Day of Lent
March 23, 2008 - Easter (The greatest Feast in the Litugical Calendar)
May 11, 2008 - Pentecost
May 22, 2008 - Corpus Domini
November 30, 2008 - First Sunday of Advent

To our friends. Happy feast day.
Dont foget to pray the Rosary.
Cheers!

THE LAST GOSPEL

Our friends will wonder why in the Extra Ordinary form of the Roman Rite after the dismissal of the priest or by the deacon, the celebrant proceeds to the Gospel side to read the last gospel (John 1-14). This portion of the liturgy is actually not an original part of the celebration but grew as part of tradition. In ancient times it was said that the early Christians have this devotion of reading the first chapter of the Gospel according to John. And in many parts of Europe prior to the Council of Trent, there were several variants of the Roman Liturgy depending on the custom of the locality. It was said that some Bishops would recite this last gospel by heart while processing from the altar and while removing the vestments as a form of devotional prayer after the mass. There are variant practices of this custom from place to place. But during the time of Pope St. Pius V when he reformed the Roman Rite he made the recitation of the last Gospel mandatory and part of the Ordinary of the Mass. Thus we have the custom of reading the last gospel after the dismissal. Prior to the Council of Trent there were variations in the liturgy pretty much the same way we have now. These are what we call enculturated liturgies. But the council of Trent found out that this trend was detrimental for the welfare of the Church. Especially with the spread of Protestantism and various heresies like Jansenism which posed serious threat to the belief of the Church. Various Bishoprics have their own missals and how easy it is for discrepancies and even heresy to creep inside these texts and influence the faith of the people. Believing that the Liturgy is the Church’s Law of Prayer and that the Law of Prayer becomes the Law of Belief, Pius V by authority of the Council of Trent codified the Roman Liturgy and made it mandatory in perpetuity by a papal Bull Quo Primum. An indult was given for Liturgies that has reached the age of 200 years. Those with less than 200 years of existence have to be abandoned in favor of the Tridentine Rite. The Tridentine Rite is actually not a new rite. It was the existing liturgy in Rome that was codified by Pius V. Its ultimate source is the Liturgy of St. Gregory the Great. In much the same way as the ancient Liturgies of the East had their origin from the Liturgy of St. Chrysostom and St. Basil.

THE MANIFESTATION OF LIGHT

On January 6 is indicated ass the feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord in the old Liturgical Calendar. Epiphany means “manifestation”. The glory of the Lord was manifested among the gentiles. The adoration of the magi is symbolically important, first on the grounds that the three magi who came from the east were gentiles. The gifts they bore symbolize the role that the Messiah will have. The introit for today’s Mass expresses this thought more eloquently in this manner:

“Ecce, advenit Dominator, Dominus et regnum in manu ejus , et potestas, et imperium Psalm. Deus Judicium, tuum regi da: et justitam tuum filio regis. Gloria Patri…. Ecce advenit.”
(Behold the Lord the ruler is come: and the kingdom is in His hand, and power and dominion. Ps. 71.2. Give to the King Thy judgment, O God; and to the King’s Son Thy justice, Glory be to the Father… Behold the Lord.)

The First lesson is taken from Isaiah 60:1-6. This passage from scriptures tells us the glory of Jerusalem. How Jerusalem was engulfed in darkness but of a sudden the Lord shall arise unto her and cover her with the brilliance of light. Te gentiles shall find this light from her and will obey. This light shall draw people to her and she shall be the guiding light. Here the adoration of the Magi symbolizes the gentiles’ conversion to the Lord and Christ the Lord is the light coming from Jerusalem, the mystical city of God. From this passage don’t we see the wisdom of history? Anyone familiar with the history of humanity will get a glimpse of how the faith of the Church has been a source of light unto the gentiles.

The gospel for today’s Mass is from Matthew 2:1-12. Here St. Matthew tells us that the magi diligently sought the Christ Child in order that they may render Him worship. Does this not teach us a lesson that likes the magi we should also seek the Lord with all our hearts? There is no need for us to get out of our daily routine in order to find the Lord. Our daily tasks, the people we meet daily, even our enemies, from them we can find the Lord. For s the Lord said, whatever we do to the least of our brothers we did it unto him. How often too in our daily lives we are tempted to do the things the Lord hates? Herod symbolizes Satan, the arch deceiver, full of hatred and envy. In our lies too Satan comes as a roaring Lion. That’s why St. Peter tells us to be on our Guard because the devil like a roaring lion seeks to devour anyone that comes along the way. These can be done successfully if we are diligent in our prayers.

To each and every one, Blessed Epiphany.