[Salvation]

St. Paul Center Blog

Hope in Tribulation: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Dr. Scott Hahn on 11.16.12 |

In this, the second-to-the-last week of the Church year, Jesus has finally made it to Jerusalem.

Near to His passion and death, He gives us a teaching of hope—telling us how it will be when He returns again in glory.

Today’s Gospel is taken from the end of a long discourse in which He describes tribulations the likes of which haven’t been seen “since the beginning of God’s creation” (see Mark 13:9). He describes what amounts to a dissolution of God’s creation, a “devolution” of the world to its original state of formlessness and void.

First, human community—nations and kingdoms—will break down (see Mark 13:7-8). Then the earth will stop yielding food and begin to shake apart (13:8). Next, the family will be torn apart from within and the last faithful individuals will be persecuted (13:9-13). Finally, the Temple will be desecrated, the earth emptied of God’s presence (13:14).

Readings:
Daniel 12:1-3
Psalm 16:5,8-11
Hebrews 10:11-14,18
Mark 13:24-32

In today’s reading, God is described putting out the lights that He established in the sky in the very beginning—the sun, the moon and the stars (see also Isaiah 13:10; 34:4). Into this “uncreated” darkness, the Son of Man, in Whom all things were made, will come.

Jesus has already told us that the Son of Man must be humiliated and killed (see Mark 8:31). Here He describes His ultimate victory, using royal-divine images drawn from the Old Testament—clouds, glory, and angels (see Daniel 7:13). He shows Himself to be the fulfillment of all God’s promises to save “the elect,” the faithful remnant (see Isaiah 43:6; Jeremiah 32:37).

As today’s First Reading tells us, this salvation will include the bodily resurrection of those who sleep in the dust.

We are to watch for this day, when His enemies are finally made His footstool, as today’s Epistle envisions. We can wait in confidence knowing, as we pray in today’s Psalm, that we will one day delight at His right hand forever.

[Salvation]

Indulgences -- the Church at prayer and penance

  "Lord, hear our Prayer"

 

Among the reforms of the Church during and after the Second Vatican Council 50 years ago, was that of an often misunderstood spiritual principle called “Indulgences.” 

-snip

The Council of Trent, held sporadically from 1545 – 1563, initiated severe reforms for the Church in response to this challenge.  Among those reforms was a review of the practice of indulgences.  No longer was money attached to their imposition or benefit for the faithful. To sell blessed articles or to attach any monetary obligation to such things was forbidden.  The sin of simony was named if one did such things or attempted to buy ecclesiastical office or sacraments.  

So, we do not charge for sacraments or blessings and offer no privileged spiritual benefit to the rich over the poor. If a parishioner offers a gift to the priest in exchange for his services say at a wedding then he can accept that gift.  But it is never asked for or expected or required.  In addition, one normally offers a fee when a Mass intention is requested.   The Mass “stipend” may be taken by the priest or not since it is given to him as part of his salary. Either way the Mass is still offered.

In regards to Vatican II and indulgences, Pope Paul VI offered further reforms that create a clearer understanding.

Essentially, the Church is telling us that the graces and merits of the Blessed Mother and the Saints are available to all.  There is a kind of spiritual treasury that lies open to everyone. We can and should pray for those who have died – our prayers, our sacrifices for them do make a difference (Communion of saints).  In the early centuries of Christianity, when people commonly did public penance and stood outside the Church asking passersby to pray for them, if the penitent did some special pious exercise or act of charity him/herself, their time for public penance was shortened.  They were “indulged” with less time for penance.

That principle is behind our belief in the efficacy of our prayers and of those who have gone before us. Many saints did more than they needed to do for their own salvation so the Church looks upon those good works and charitable intentions as part of the spiritual treasure of the Church.

We now can gain either a partial or plenary indulgence.  The partial indulgence offers a portion of forgiveness for the temporal punishment of sin and a plenary takes away all of that punishment. Even though a sin is forgiven, there may still need to be damage control or further penance done as a result of that sin.  (A parent forgives their child but they still have to carry out some punishment: temporal punishment due to sin.)  

In this Year of Faith, our Holy Father Benedict XVI has offered the opportunity to gain a Plenary Indulgence.  How can one do so?

In general the gaining of an indulgence requires certain conditions:

One must be in the state of grace before God, at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed. Therefore the Sacrament of Reconciliation is necessary for anyone who seeks the indulgence no matter what their spiritual state.

-        Have the interior disposition of complete detachment from all sin.

-        Have gone to confession

-        Receive the Holy Eucharist

-        Pray for the intentions of the Pope

-        Have a heart for charity and act accordingly

No money is attached to these requirements and neither is it expected. This purely spiritual practice is in line with the Scriptures and a belief in the overwhelming mercy of God who desires that we live a life that is holy. 

I for one see this as a reassuring benefit that is neither magic nor superstition.  It is an opportunity to take advantage of God’s love.  To receive from our Father in heaven the goodness he wishes to share with us for our benefit. 

So, let yourself be “indulged” by this God who loves you enough to forgive our waywardness and call us back to himself. 

 

Fr. Tim