tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post6428149263874544392..comments2023-07-05T08:17:21.505-04:00Comments on Getting to the Point: Notes From a Second ClarinetFr. Denis Lemieuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01049723287624178155noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-58975393324666685722013-06-08T09:09:56.361-04:002013-06-08T09:09:56.361-04:00Father Denis,
Years ago when my friend Norm died...Father Denis, <br /><br />Years ago when my friend Norm died from AIDS...before the antiviral cocktails...when death from all complications of the virus and the secondary infections was exceedingly more gruesome...I worried that Norm would not go to God.<br /><br />I never worried that God would not have him...because Norm was kind and good and funny and smart. I worried that Norm would not have God. I worried that after everything he would just turn away.<br /><br />Father Pelton wrote me then, and his words are still sort of burned in my soul. "when Norm sees the face of God he will finally know what love is, and he will not be a le to turn away from such love". <br /><br />Over the years, I have thought and prayed about that. In the difficult times and in the light times. Maybe, salvation, intellectually, is not automatic- but we were created for love and to be love and to be loved. That is still the greatest truth of all.<br /><br />Bless youCatherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-54496049698173202402013-06-04T15:00:16.463-04:002013-06-04T15:00:16.463-04:00Well, essentially all the changes to the Eucharist...Well, essentially all the changes to the Eucharistic prayer are about being faithful to the Latin original (and the Greek original which is behind it). Pro multis and pro polloi are not ambiguous words to render into English: for many.<br />Pope Benedict actually wrote quite a bit about this specific change, though, and makes a very nuanced point about it. 'The many' in Biblical terms, both Hebrew and Greek, refers to the mass of humanity, a deliberately unspecific group of people. 'Folks in general' is the basic sense of it.<br />So when we talk about Jesus' death 'for the many' or 'for many', it does not limit it to a specific group in that biblical sense of the phrase. It does make the point, though, that while Jesus certainly did die for everyone, which is a matter of clear Church teaching, some may refuse to profit by that death, may refuse the grace of redemption even though it is offered to each. And in that sense, the Lord did not die for that person - that is, he did intend to die for that person, but he or she refused the gift of salvation.<br />So by changing 'for all' to 'for many', the Church is acknowledging that salvation is offered to all, but not all are necessarily saved. So the slight anxiety and concern the change in wording causes us is, perhaps, salutary for us - it's not all automatic. Fr. Denis Lemieuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01049723287624178155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-58379234458988862422013-05-29T19:03:28.165-04:002013-05-29T19:03:28.165-04:00Father Denis,
It's okay, I know you are reall...Father Denis,<br /><br />It's okay, I know you are really busy....me too. I appreciate that you write here everyday... Really, a big gift for all of us. Thank you.<br /><br />Yes, I knew before you wrote what you would say about deferring to the Pope... I was just pointing out, nothing is clear...<br /><br />Also, i really loved what Pope Francis said about Jesus saving all of us, and being united in doing good. Something to really think and pray about,<br /><br />I really do not understand the change in the Eucharistic prayer- where we used to pray togetherJesus came for all- and now pray he came for the many. How did that change come about, exactly and what does it mean- in light of what you and the Pope have written?<br /><br />It is okay to take your time to answer... Thank you.<br /><br />Catherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-21025537786293775322013-05-29T13:22:05.415-04:002013-05-29T13:22:05.415-04:00God bless you (and sorry for always being so slow ...God bless you (and sorry for always being so slow to respond - life is just so busy...). Well, my reference was fairly oblique, but the 'controversy' that I was alluding to was the Pope suggesting that all people are redeemed by Christ (clear teaching of Scripture, tradition) and that all people are capable of moral action, and indeed are bound to strive for morally upright lives (clear teaching of Scripture and.... common sense, I guess!). So that's what I was referring to, nothing even remotely controversial, actually, but people seemed to think it was, which is weird. We live in a time of great intellectual confusion.<br />Meanwhile... yes, you put your finger on the issue when it is something more genuinely controversial. My take on it is, 'well, why is it so terrible to defer to the Pope?' Especially since in most of the really 'hot button issues' he is not speaking of his own opinions but merely upholding 2000 years of consistent doctrine? I know I'm not a 'liberal Catholic' and fundamentally disagree with that approach, but I have to admit I am flummoxed by the objection, since I just don't understand how else to be Catholic besides a real acceptance of papal authority.<br />Anyhow, in the meantime... yes, Christians let us love one another.Fr. Denis Lemieuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01049723287624178155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-14938186113934124362013-05-25T13:23:20.367-04:002013-05-25T13:23:20.367-04:00Father Denis,
Well, my whole trouble is that I do...Father Denis,<br /><br />Well, my whole trouble is that I do not see as clearly "fairly ocnventional catholic doctrines". I am always asking God: now is that an essential or non essential fact or idea? <br /><br />Deferring to the Holy Father to resolve or somehow legislate an answer- is in fact what is so upsetting to some of the liberal catholics- because that deferrence is in part what they object to. <br /><br />Sometimes, when I read what Pope Francis writes, it is almost like he is turning my head from himself to God. I love that about him.<br /><br />I like your image about an orchestra or choir for God. "our call is to give our whole heart to note the spirit is giving us to play". <br /><br />After I read that I thought of Colossians 3:14, almost immediately "And above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony".<br /><br />How much easier evrything thing would be if we truly loved each other.<br /><br />Bless you<br /><br /><br /><br />Catherinenoreply@blogger.com