Xavier University’s Bellarmine Chapel evidently decided that the Sacred Triduum is as good a time as any for an abuse of the liturgy. Last Thursday’s Mass of The Lord’s Supper featured Barbara Fiand, notorious women’s ordination advocate and former/fired theology professor for Mount St. Mary’s of the West seminary, delivering a homily on the “oneness and inclusiveness” of the Eucharist. Or something. Here’s a sample:
There is a bit of a litmus test that I often suggest to the participants of retreats or workshops I give these days. You have probably all heard about what is often referred to as the “CRITICAL MASS” It is used to refer to the theory that when a member of a species changes behavior and others imitate this behavior eventually a critical mass (a certain number) is reached and when that happens all the members of the species change behavior.
And just a few days earlier, on Passion Sunday, Ken Overberg, S.J., offered three timely reminders:
Three final notes: first, remember that we don’t have to believe in a vengeful God who demands atonement. Jesus died by human decree not divine decree. Second, as we hear the passion stories, it is good to be cautioned again about anti-Jewish sections. Given the polemics between church andsynagogue when the gospels were written, such feelings are understandable — but certainly cannot be justified in our lives today. All forms of racism and prejudice contradict the very meaning of the gospel. Third, given the length and somber tone of the passion, if your children become talkative or restless, please take them to the narthex where you can still hear and see—and they can be who they are.
3 April 2013 at 3:59 pm
Third, given the length and somber tone of the passion, if your children become talkative or restless, please take them to the narthex where you can still hear and see—and they can be who they are.
Keep them in the pews during his homily and pinch their arms. The noise can’t be worse than the gibberish coming out Fr. Ken’s mouth.
3 April 2013 at 8:43 pm
What? She said that the Eucharist — ESPECIALLY the Holy Thursday Eucharist — is a covenant meal? She said that Jesus died for the “vision” of people being nice to each other? She said that the big thing we should think about on Holy Thursday is whether the world is a better place because we are Christians? Are you kidding me? On Holy Thursday? And what was she doing offering a “reflection” anyway?
4 April 2013 at 7:21 am
Indeed. It was a XU/Bellermine story that inspired me to start a “Catholic colleges deserve collapse” category on my blog.
4 April 2013 at 10:59 pm
Well, the Eucharist is a covenant meal. Old Testament covenants were made by sacrificing animals, walking between the pieces, and thus promising to be cursed and cut up if you fail to keep the covenant.
Jesus was the sacrificial animal, and Jesus was the One offering us a family covenant, and Jesus was the One Who took on our covenant-breaking curse. (Ditto person hanging on tree/Cross is cursed/enthroned, etc., etc.)
We really need to be emphasizing that whole Victim/Lamb of God thing more. People don’t really seem to remember it clearly, even though it’s clear that Jesus put His Body and Blood into it.
5 April 2013 at 10:00 am
Thanks, ‘banshee. The substance of her homily isn’t what got my attention but rather (1) that she’s giving it at all, which is essentially a slap in the face to +Schnurr and the local “patriarchy” and (2) to the extent she makes any valid points they’re rather obvious — and yet she treats them like thunderbolts of insight with her multicolored text and capitalization.
9 April 2013 at 12:29 am
Well, of course she shouldn’t be.
One can only hope she doesn’t know any better, but people who love attention and disunion love to try to spoil Easter and Holy Week for everyone.