Posted on 12/31/2015 8:17:23 AM PST by Salvation
In the ancient Church and up until rather recently, one genuflected at the two references to the Incarnation during the Mass: during the Creed and in the Last Gospel (John 1). Why was this done? It was explained to me that the mystery of the Incarnation is so deep, one can only fall in silent reverence.
There are many paradoxes and seeming impossibilities in the Incarnation. They cannot be fully solved, so they claim our reverence. We genuflected in the past, and today we bow today at the mention of the Incarnation in the creed for it is a deep mystery.
As we continue to celebrate Christmas I would like to list some of the paradoxes of Christmas. I want to say as little about them as possible--just enough to make the paradox clear. This paucity of words (not common with me) is in reverence to the mystery and also to invite your reflection.
Each of these is meant to be a meditation on the great mystery of the Incarnation. Please chime in with your additions to this list!
A paradox is something that defies intuition or challenges the common way of thinking. It unsettles us or startles us into thinking more deeply. The word paradox comes from the Greek para (beside, off to the side, or above) and dokein (to think or to seem). Hence a paradox is something "off to the side" of the usual way of seeing or thinking about things. If you're going to relate to God you're going to deal with a lot of paradox, because God's ways and His thinking often defy those of humans. God is not irrational but He often acts in ways that do not conform to worldly expectations.
This Christmas, consider these paradoxes and learn from them. Remember, though, that mysteries are to be lived more so than solved. Reverence is a more proper response to mystery than is excessive curiosity. Here, more is learned in silence than by many words.
Monsignor Pope Ping!
Our God laughes in delight as He is cuddled.
We adore you, Oh Christ.
Tagline.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the virgin is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Thank you Salvation.
He poured out His glory to humble himself as one of us. Praise God! I’m so not worthy. Amazing grace.
one genuflected at the two references to the Incarnation during the Mass: during the Creed and in the Last Gospel
Ask a modern Catholic what the Last Gospel is, and the look you get in return is priceless...
No group of people are more ignorant than today’s Catholics about their own traditions; the Church has succeeded beyond its wildest 1960’s desacralizing dreams...
I heard the strangest thing at Mass in NYC this year. As you say, the Last Gospel disappeared from the Mass in1965 and you’ll hear it (in Latin) only when you go to a Tridentine Rite Mass. This is true every day except at the Mass on Christmas Day, when it is the actual Gospel reading and therefore is not read again.
But to my amazement, the priest at this’ Sunday’s Novus Ordo mass suddenly read it after Communion. It was probably his own contribution to the rubrics and not quite legitimate, but even so, it was so nice to hear it. I wish it would be restored, because it sums up everything and puts the focus where it needs to be.
“...Ask a modern Catholic what the Last Gospel is, and the look you get in return is priceless...”
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The “first” Gospel was read and recited on the right hand side of the altar and the “second” or “final” Gospel was read at the left hand of the altar just before the “Ite Missa est” and final blessing.
Deo Gratias.
Global Warming changed all this until Obama/Gore recalls the the new rubrics.
Obama Akbar./s
and praise you, because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the World.
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