The readings of today’s Mass invite us to consider the growth of the Church in America as one chapter in the greater story of the Church’s expansion following the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In those readings we see the inseparable link between the risen Lord, the gift of the Spirit for the forgiveness of sins, and the mystery of the Church. Christ established his Church on the foundation of the Apostles (cf. Rev 21:14) as a visible, structured community which is at the same time a spiritual communion, a mystical body enlivened by the Spirit’s manifold gifts, and the sacrament of salvation for all humanity (cf. Lumen Gentium, 8). In every time and place, the Church is called to grow in unity through constant conversion to Christ, whose saving work is proclaimed by the Successors of the Apostles and celebrated in the sacraments. This unity, in turn, gives rise to an unceasing missionary outreach, as the Spirit spurs believers to proclaim “the great works of God” and to invite all people to enter the community of those saved by the blood of Christ and granted new life in his Spirit.
I pray, then, that this significant anniversary in the life of the Church in the United States, and the presence of the Successor of Peter in your midst, will be an occasion for all Catholics to reaffirm their unity in the apostolic faith, to offer their contemporaries a convincing account of the hope which inspires them (cf. 1 Pet 3:15), and to be renewed in missionary zeal for the extension of God’s Kingdom.
The world needs this witness! Who can deny that the present moment is a crossroads, not only for the Church in America but also for society as a whole?
Nary a word about the MDGs or bovine flatulence. He must not have gotten the Easter cues from the PB. Instead we read of God’s powerful work of salvation of whole persons–including their eternal souls. We read of Jesus Christ as the hope of the world.
If they would let up on Mary as co-redemptrix, I would be sorely tempted to finally leave The Episcopal organization and start swimming that river.
#1, Mary as Co-Redemptrix is a popular theological opinion, but not actually part of Catholic teaching. Also, the “co” part means “with” and does not imply any sort of equality in terms of Mary’s role in our redemption. In a way, we are all seen as co-redeemers in Catholic soteriology since we must co-operate with God’s grace for salvation. (I had a lot of reservations regarding the role of Mary prior to entering the Church, so I had to do a lot of reading to try to understand exactly WHAT the Church taught and WHY.) God bless you on your journey, wherever it leads!
No. 1, while even such non-papal Christians as Bishop Kallistos Ware have written that, properly understood along the lines No. 2 describes it, the title Co-Redemptrix is theologically orthodox, please know that the Church of Rome has NOT adopted this title for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is NOT part of church doctrine.
We were fortunate to win the lottery for tickets to the Mass. A very moving experience being together with the Holy Father. Gator, as recent Tiber River swimmer I sympethize with your concerns. But in the end, I found that it not is not a matter of whether all my beliefs lined up with those of the Catholic Church. Rather the question anyone considering converting to the Catholic Church must face is whether they believe that the Catholic Church has been empowered by God to teach the Truth. If so, then all the rest will fall into place. If not, then one cannot, in good conscience, become a Catholic, regardless of the extent to which they agree with the Church’s theology. That said, it is good, as Chris and Ouroboros demonstrate, to make sure you’re clear on what exactly the Church teaches. Peace
[blockquote]Those who have hope must live different lives! (cf. Spe Salvi, 2). By your prayers, by the witness of your faith, by the fruitfulness of your charity, may you point the way towards that vast horizon of hope which God is even now opening up to his Church, and indeed to all humanity: the vision of a world reconciled and renewed in Christ Jesus, our Savior. To him be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. [/blockquote]
Yes. Let this be our hope and goal, no matter whether we are of Rome, of Canterbury, of Nigeria. What a refreshing voice.
More on “Mary as co-redemptrix”. It is a fact that this not an official teaching of the RC. Moreover, in some “official” readings I’ve read in the past, the word “heresy” has been used to describe the teaching. The same goes for the similar term “co-mediatrix”. One must be careful as to say what the RC officially teaches as opposed to what the RC fails to correct.
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Obviously, I’m probably in the minority – but I couldn’t get over the response of the congregation (crowd, if you will) to the Pope. It was like he was a celebrity and people were there to praise him, not the One he serves. Every time they showed people in the “audience” they were talking, snapping pictures, waving at cameras, making cell phone calls, etc. Admittedly, a ballpark isn’t the most conducive space for worship, but that doesn’t mean that it should have been treated like a crowd at a Braves game. I think I’m quite content to stay on this side of the Tiber. That being said, I thought his homily was a good one, and one I am glad to have reproduced here to read more carefully.
That ghastly collection of music used for the mass, almost a parody of the already dreadful worship of most RC parishes, reminds one why so many people stick it out in TEC. The aesthetic assault of American Catholicism is enough to raise doubt that they can really believe the doctrines in the Catechism and address the Almighty with such sloppy lack of respect.
#8, I couldn’t agree more with you (and the Pope!) about the shameful state of liturgical music at the Mass today and in the Latin Rite in general. However, let’s remember that such shenanigans are not confined to the RCC, but are prevalent in TEC, ELCA and others as well. Somehow, I don’t think just changing the musical lineup at Mass is going to be that last straw that’ll get a fence-sitter to swim the Tiber.
I have to say that there is outrage from RCC’s about the travesty of the music used at the Papal Mass. This music is in complete contradiction of everything that The Vatican (and especially Pope Benedict XVI ) regards as appropriate. Comments on the blog at the USCCB had to be deleted, and, and if you would like to see some of the reaction, check out the blog, “The New Liturgical Movement.” It was possibly the ugliest Mass I have ever seen and heard! If you watch the Masses conducted at the Vatican, you will find an entirely different experience. Sadly, the American bishops have not learned much; Fr. Neuhaus was beside himself! It was just painful.
Take heart, Observer, the music for the Mass at Yankee Stadium looks much better. Even Fr. Neuhaus is happy. 🙂
The music for the Mass at the Basilica was the best exposure for 16th century polyphony since the 16th century.