A DELICATE BALANCING ACT

I know it’s early, but I thought we’d start out the day with a pop quiz.  Don’t worry it’s a multiple-choice quiz.  

First question: Celebrating Mass in the “vernacular” means:

     a) in poetic language
     b) in the ordinary language of the people
     c) in theologically accurate words.

If you chose "b", congratulations.

Just one more: When did celebrating Mass in the vernacular first happen?

     a) 1964

     b) 1530

     c) way back in the ninth century.

Wasn’t 1964 a tempting choice?  If the question had said “in English,” 1964 would have been correct.  But back in the ninth century, for a relatively short time and in a specific region, the Mass was celebrated in the Slavonic language rather than Latin—with the full approval of Pope Adrian II.

Today’s saints, Cyril and Methodius, were responsible.  They were brothers, scholars, and missionaries.  This innovation didn’t last long, however, even though the Slavic people loved it.  Why not?  Well, you have probably heard the expression, usually uttered in disgust, “Aaagh, it’s all politics.”  Both civil politics and Church politics came into play and during this historical period, the two were often difficult to tell apart.  

A curmudgeon once noted: “The problem with the Church is essentially the same as with the human race: God lets people in it.”  God’s people are called to a delicate balancing act: being sympathetic to the human frailty of their leaders—and at the same time, demanding accountability from them.[1]

The same delicate balancing act holds true for the man and woman in love and the love between a husband and wife.  One more question this morning, for the guys: 

Did remember it’s Valentine’s Day today?  

     a) What!!!!  That's today?

     b) I'll take care of it once I get off work.

  c) Of course I remembered, ain't making that mistake ever again.

   

If we pattern our love, for our Valentine, on how God loves us we are able to see their beauty that goes way beyond physical looks.   Knowing how sin separates us from God’s love, I can share with you, when I am away from my beloved, the emptiness I feel is a glimpse of what God must feel when I sin.  Yet, in His loving plan, when mistakes or hurts happen, there is always the opportunity for mercy, reconciliation and forgiveness.  

Above all, in God’s love, there is a desire to lift us up, to draw us closer, to safeguard our human dignity, qualities we must bring into our relationships.  When we love like God, we are constantly striving to achieve holiness, our own and that of the one we love so that we work to get each other into heaven.

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[1] Weekday HomilyHelps.  Homily Suggestion by Jim Auer.