Tag: Mass

Why Bishops Don’t Say, “The Lord be With You”

When we switched to the new translation of the Mass this past Advent, much was said about the fact that now, when the priest says, “The Lord be with you,” we respond, “and with your spirit,” instead of “and also with you.”  In a 2005 newsletter announcing this change, the USCCB explained: Eugeniusz Kazimirowski,Divine Mercy (1934) Where… Continue reading Why Bishops Don’t Say, “The Lord be With You”

The Sacrificial New Testament Priesthood in Malachi 3

Yesterday was Candlemas, also called the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.  The First Reading, fittingly, is a prophesy about how the Christ will visit the Second Temple (Malachi 3:1-4): Michael Pacher, Presentation of Christ (1481) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the… Continue reading The Sacrificial New Testament Priesthood in Malachi 3

The New Translation: What’s Changed and Why

So, we’re most of the way through Advent* (I know, it’s gone by incredibly fast — if you want to slow it down, try fasting). It seems like a good time to pause and reflect on the new translation of the Mass that was rolled out on the first Sunday of Advent. What’s changed, and why?… Continue reading The New Translation: What’s Changed and Why

A New Mass Translation Every Generation?

A brother priest pointed out a comment on the editorial over at National Catholic Reporter. My buddy’s reply to the comment was: Everybody stop talking! This guy has said everything that needs to be said. Total win sir. Total win. I agree. Sometimes caring about clarity and beauty helps. Alternatives are risky even if they… Continue reading A New Mass Translation Every Generation?

What Shawshank Redemption Can Teach Us About the Liturgy

There’s a great scene in the film Shawshank Redemption, one of the best prison movies of all time, in which a prisoner, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), plays “Duettino – Sull’aria” from the opera “The Marriage of Figaro” over the prison P.A. system.  You can watch the clip from the movie here, or just listen to the song below: What I… Continue reading What Shawshank Redemption Can Teach Us About the Liturgy

Can Christ’s Glorified Body be in Locked Rooms and in the Eucharist?

In Luke 24, we hear how, on Easter Day, Jesus made Himself visible to two travelers on the road to Emmaus and then, after breaking Bread and giving it to them, He disappeared.  And in John 20:19, in one of the Resurrection appearances of Jesus, we hear: On the evening of that first day of the week,… Continue reading Can Christ’s Glorified Body be in Locked Rooms and in the Eucharist?

Learning the Bible Through Sunday Mass

One major difference in liturgical style between Catholics and Evangelicals is the Lectionary.  Both of us rely on “expository preaching,” which means that we base our sermons/homilies off of Scripture.  Evangelical pastors typically choose the passage they want to preach on — this is called “the Individual Choice Method.”  Catholics, and many Protestant denominations, follow… Continue reading Learning the Bible Through Sunday Mass

Are Catholic Rituals, Teaching Authority, and Church Structure Biblical?

This post is in response to a comment I received from a man named Austin here.  His criticisms are ones frequently heard by Evangelicals, so Catholics and Evangelicals might both do well to read on.  Austin, First off, thanks for following up, and proving me too much a cynic.  I think your second comment crystallizes… Continue reading Are Catholic Rituals, Teaching Authority, and Church Structure Biblical?

Eucharistic Prayer IV: The Unknown Eucharistic Prayer

Yesterday, my girlfriend went to daily Mass at Blessed Sacrament in Arlington, and came away a bit confused by the Liturgy — she explained to me that it sounded like the Mass, was clearly not being improvised by the priest, and yet was different at almost every point from what she was used to. Turns… Continue reading Eucharistic Prayer IV: The Unknown Eucharistic Prayer