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In the northern hemisphere, the solar rhythm of which dominates the development of the Roman Church’s calendar, we are moving inexorably toward autumn. With that autumnal mindset it is not a surprise that we begin, as the 20th century commentator Pius Parsch reflects, to receive more hints at the Church’s harvest time, the Second Coming.
Therefore, in the Introit antiphon for this 17th Sunday after Pentecost, we are bidden by the Church’s choice of Ps 119 (118, older numeration) to be blameless and to “walk in the Law of the Lord” (v.1).
When we prepare for Sunday Mass we read a little extra, since the choice of a Psalm is often intended to direct us to the whole psalm and its overarching message.
Thus,
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
Thou hast commanded thy precepts
to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping thy statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all thy commandments.
I will praise thee with an upright heart,
when I learn thy righteous ordinances.
I will observe thy statutes;
O forsake me not utterly!
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to thy word.
Kyrie eleison!
Quickly we turn to the Collect of the Mass in which we pray through the intermediary of the alter Christus, that we may “shun diabolical contamination: and to follow You, the only God, with a pure soul.”
Quickly again, to Paul writing to the Ephesians, saying, “lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called (4:1).
Quickly now, hear Our Lord in the Gospel quote the Shema, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt 22:37 cf. Deut 6).
Quickly quickly, the Offertory from Daniel is an implicit plea for reconciliation after forgiveness of sins.
In the Secret you cannot hear, but the angels can, we beg that our past and, in a spirit of hope-filled realism, future sins be forgiven, Latin exuo, having active image of “stripping away”. There could be some worthwhile pain in that.
Swiftly move through the Mass and find in the Offertory Communion antiphon that God “checks the pride of princes” and is “terrible to the kings of the earth”.
Domine, non sum dignus.
Domine, non sum dignus.
Domine, non sum dignus.
St. Augustine of Hippo remarks that the sound of his flock pounding their chests was like thunder.
The final prayer is suddenly upon us:
By the workings of Your sanctifying power, Almighty God, both may our vices be cured and also eternal remedies provided for us.
The world is whirling about the Sun and the Sun is hurtling through the voids that hint at the vast divine garden of galaxies and wonders which suggest to us what eternity and omnipotence might be in their magnitude. We, privileged, are along for the ride in one sense. In another, we can choose to be united with the One who devised it and us and who holds us in being because He loves us and guides us, not only collectively, but also as individuals whom He knew and desired before the first slight thing was brought out of nothingness.
Who – what- are we to live lives unworthy of His love?
Knowing that we would at times go wrong, perhaps very wrong, He devised ways of unfathomable beauty to return to Him and to right paths. Fallen, we rise relieved from the confessional with a sorrowful sword through our buoyant hearts. Risen we fall with to our knees for the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus our Savior, our hearts now pierced with adoring joy.
℣. Adorémus in ætérnum Sanctíssimum Sacraméntum.
℟. Adorémus in ætérnum Sanctíssimum Sacraméntum.
