Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert
It appears that the Holy Father has been clearing his desk in preparation for his few weeks of relative vacation at Castel Gondolfo. I say “relative” as he intends to work on the second part of his book on the life of Jesus Christ while away from the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI wrote in the foreword to “Jesus of Nazareth,” that he had used every free moment since his election as pope to work on his life of Christ. He published the first part as he seemed unsure of his ability to finish the entire work due to the demands of his office and his age. He is a true scholar and a man of immense intelligence and dedication.
One of the papers that no longer remains on the pope’s desk dealt with a clarification of a truth of dogmatic theology. As carefully of the documents of Vatican II had been prepared, it is always possible to misinterpret them. That is true, as you know, even of sacred Scripture (perhaps I should have written “particularly true”). As we attempted to stress the unity that we possess with all who are baptized into Jesus Christ, some failed to recognize that the fullness of Christ’s truth exists only within the Catholic Church. This, of course, does not deny the goodness, holiness and truth found within other Christian denominations and their members, who are united with us in baptism into Jesus Christ.
The terminology used in the documents needed clarification; the truth remains the same: Jesus Christ instituted the Catholic Church and within it can be found the fullness of Christ’s life. As the primary teacher within the Church, the pope has the responsibility of teaching and when necessary making clarifications where the truth is in danger of being compromised.
Another stack of papers no longer remaining on his desk are those dealing with a matter of liturgy, the manner in which we worship. The essence of the holy Mass is the same now as it has been since the infancy of the Church. From the time of the Reformation, the manner in which we celebrate the Mass admitted very few deviations. Following Vatican II, changes were made in both the manner and often the language in which the Mass is celebrated. This pleased many and alienated some. Our Holy Father is mindful of all the flock entrusted to him and hears the words of Our Lord: “It is not my Father’s will that I lose even one of those he has entrusted to me.” Attempting to reconcile the Church with the alienated and disheartened, our Holy Father is now making the liturgy in effect prior to Vatican II more available. While the Mass now celebrated in most of our churches will continue to be the ordinary form of the Mass, the 1962 Missale Romanum published under the authority of Pope John XXIII will be more readily available as the extraordinary form. It is noteworthy that is only ONE RITE, but a twofold use of the same rite.
I’ve been a priest long enough to know that change within our Church is never universally acknowledged as a good thing. There will be endless criticisms, concerns and misgivings about the liturgical options, the problems they may cause, the manner or timing in which the options were made available, etc. “’The sky is falling,’ said Henny Penny to Ducky Wucky.” You know, it really isn’t. The liturgy came to us through the Church. I love it. We celebrate God’s love for us and our love for him within this Mass given to us and fashioned by the Church. I know that the Church will continue to be a responsible guardian and steward of this unfathomable treasure, the Mass. And, we have a great, holy and highly intelligent rock in His Holiness Benedict XVI, who will guide the process for us.
Gosh, maybe there’s still another paper on the pope’s desk that could be acted upon, something about a place called “Little Rock.” I hope it’s not hidden under some towering pile of papers. Yes, I know, patience is a virtue.
