It seems to me that Job's friends are among the commentators and critics of Traditiones custodes, as well as those who support Pope Francis' initiative. There is so much one could say for and against - for many, the big focus has been upon the Traditionalists who voiced the initial outcry, condemning the 'mean ol' pope' as hating the Latin Mass and being a modernist, heretical, anti-pope. Pretty much everything they thought of him since his election. Likewise, so-called liberals cite the trad hostile reactions as proof against them, that they brought it upon themselves. I tend to agree with that - but after several posts on FB, my opinion doesn't matter on any of it, despite the fact I've witnessed traditionalist hostilities since the early '70's and did my best to navigate through that narrow channel which divided the 'Spirit of VII' crowd and the 'Trad-Remnant-CUFF' zealots.
As I always say, I love Pope Francis and have no problem with what he says or does - even if I don't quite understand how it is reported some of the time. I trust God. Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.
Son, when thou comest to the service of God... prepare thy soul for temptation.That said, I can't help ponder how all of this is permitted by God. I trust in Divine Providence, I trust in the Divine Mercy. These intense reactions, from all sides, certainly remind me of the Prophet Job and the testing he went through, the sufferings he endured, the shame before his friends, who afflicted him even more. St. Therese understood it well, when she applied the Prophet's words to her own suffering, proclaiming, 'even if he should kill me I will trust him.' Therese at the time, was going through her trial of faith sharing the lot of unbelievers who have no faith, no life, as it were - and certainly no light. Pious platitudes did nothing to help - the only thing she could do is make acts of faith - unfelt. Her senses and faculties darkened, accusing her, mocking her, blaming her - like Job's friends.
So the commentary flying around online regarding the Pope's provisions for the TLM is only natural, the criticisms - more accurately, condemnations and calumnies against the Holy Father - are another matter. God cannot be pleased by them. Just as God was not pleased with Job's friends. So that is what I'm thinking about now, along with the scandal of Msgr. Burrill of the USCCB and all the debate that has aroused, along with attacks against Fr. James Martin and those who object to the buying of datamined information used to out him. I commented on that as well - but it doesn't matter what I think, and I'm better off imitating Job's silence.
That said, I'd like to share a short excerpt on Job from Garrigou-Lagrange, Providence:
The trials of the just serve a higher purposechap. 42) Job makes his humble confession: "I know that Thou canst do all things.... I have spoken unwisely, and things that above measure exceed my knowledge." He thus acknowledges that his complaining was excessive and his words sometimes unconsidered. Nevertheless the Lord tells Eliphaz: "My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends, because you have not spoken the thing that is right before Me, as My servant Job hath.... Offer for yourselves a holocaust. And My servant Job shall pray for you. His face I will accept, that folly may not be imputed to you." And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job with even greater blessings than before, and he died in peace very advanced in years.
The clue to the whole book is to be found in the first chapter, where we are told how the Lord permitted the devil to try His servant Job. The conclusion, then, is obvious: If men are visited by God with tribulation, He does so not exclusively as a chastisement for their sins, but to prove them as gold is proved in the furnace and make them advance in virtue. It is the purification of love, as the great Christian mystics call it. In the prologue Satan asked (1:9) : "Doth Job fear God in vain?... His possessions have increased on the earth." Now we see how even in the greatest adversity Job still remained faithful to God. That this is the meaning of the trials sent upon the just is shown in many other passages of the Old Testament. - Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.
As I have written here before, I know and have affection for the Latin Rite. I see no problem offering it to those who want to worship in that rite. I prefer the Novus Ordo for many reasons. Pope Francis’ edict is really quite clear. There is an active group advocating for this who are abusing the permission to use parochial property for this purpose. The Latin Mass is not banned, as the trades & media report. It is restricted but allowable under a Bishops supervision and under specific conditions like acknowledging the legitimacy of the NO. I cannot see a problem with this except for the radical trads who are pushing their anti Francis agenda. It seems very clear to me. Yet, the media personalities are pushing a false & dangerous message. I follow Mother Miriam on her Live Radio show. I go back to her Rosiland Moss days on EWTN. I always thought she was intelligent & persuasive. Wel, she is all angry now. Saying “this is not from God.” Implying of course that Francis is doing the devils work. She had 3 shows this week devoted to this. Interesting that not one caller or e mail question had anything to do with her chosen topic. It made me wonder how many people out there really care about this aside from the loud crowd. I trust Pope Francis and will leave it at that.
ReplyDeleteYeah, M. Miriam has gone over to the anti-Francis crowd. I see no problem with what the pope has done, but today Burke has come out with detailed objections. It's a shame.
DeletePoor Burke ... not at all helping to promote unity by his questioning the Holy Father's authority on the matter of Traditionis Custodes. I have no respect let alone interest in anything he has to say since he does not speak to me.
DeleteThey misread Traditionis Custodes to the same degree that they originally misread Summorum Pontificum back in 2007. They read pontifical documents secondhand through culture war obsessed commentators with their ideologies fighting for power within spaces. But time is greater than space, for time is always clarifying. With both Motu Proprios their response was and is, "It's all about MEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" Circus time is over. Haha! Couldn't help saying that. I don't know how many times I've been to what was formerly called the Extraordinary Form when at some point I said to myself, "Man, this just like the Ordinary Form!" And I realized that's what Benedict XVI was going for - the Ordinary Form was always the Norm. Summorum Pontificum was never about setting a precedence for "preference". In the liturgical life of the Church there is no such thing. The other night when I was falling asleep I thought that Jesus was like, "Hey Servant, uproot this barren fig tree for it's just hogging nutrients from the soil and producing nothing." And John Paul II and Benedict XVI were like, "Wait, I'll dig around its roots and manure it, and we'll see next year if produces." It's all in the safe embrace of the Church. I love this Pope so much because God shows how clearly He guides His Church.
ReplyDeleteExactly. There is one Mass. I like your analogy to the Gospel story of the barren fig tree. As you know, I too love this Pope and trust the Holy Spirit guiding him to rebuild the Church. The incredible opposition to everything he says or does is a sure sign of his union with God. I can't get over how Cardinal Burke opposes him at every step.
DeleteCardinal Burke has his followers and he tries to please them. In Russia Orthodox reforms during the 18th century resulted in the small but vocal “Old Believers.” They preached against everything new & clung to the old like a life jacket. I think of them being like all our anti-Francis crowd. A small minority with a loud voice advocating a return to former days or face an Apocalypse.
DeleteAmen to you both!
DeleteI am glad the Holy Father has taken the reins on this situation. I have long felt that once it left its original intent of bringing the schismatics back into the fold, it began a kind of "liturgical schizophrenia" within the Roman Rite. Mainly I felt this way due to two different liturgical calendars co-existing. If both Forms followed one calendar it would have been much better. And then there is the matter of the sacraments not only celebrated differently within the same Rite, but even seeming to be at odds in some ways (subdeacons in TLM but not in Novus Ordo????). Again, I found this disruptive because its in the same Rite. If they had been instituted a separate Rite or Usage might not have been so bad. Just my two cents.
ReplyDelete"liturgical schizophrenia" - Good phrase.
DeleteI do not want to belabor this issue, but it remains troublesome to me and one I cannot get out of my mind. I read Cardinal Burke’s response and find it well written and thoughtful. He proclaims his loyalty to the Church, but questions the Popes authority to legislate in this matter. I wonder why there cannot be room for the Latin liturgy as there is for other rites? I understand it is not banned, but severely restricted. From time to time I think about attending a local service more from nostalgia then spiritual need. Two nearby parishes have offered it but I am unaware what actions my Bishop has taken. When the dust settles I will see where we are at locally. Anyway, I see merit on both sides of the argument. My 12 years serving the “ancient use,” as Burke, terms it, is nothing but positive. A referent NO Mass however is my spiritual home now.
ReplyDelete