Bulletin 132

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

December 23rd, 2012; Fourth Sunday of Advent (Rorate Sunday)

Epistle: 1 Cor. 4: 1-5; Gospel: Lk. 3: 1-6

Mass schedule December 24th through December 28th

Monday: Vigil of Christmas—Midnight Mass

Tuesday: The Nativity of Our Lord—Mass at 2:30pm

Wednesday: Saint Stephen * Protomartyr

Thursday: Saint John * Apostle & Evangelist

Friday: Holy Innocents * Martyrs

Mass on New Year’s Day will be at 2:30pm.

*Mass on Sunday, December 30th will be at 7:00pm*

Satan used ambition, pride and arrogance to tempt Adam and Eve. Ambition is what drove Lucifer out of heaven and into Hell. He arrogantly tempted Adam and Eve by telling them not that they would be God’s equal, but that they would be “like God.” After eating the fruit they would know the difference between good and evil. This ambition puffed up their pride. They presumed to share in the divine wisdom and knowledge and allowed themselves to be seduced by Satan.

Some theologians speculate that is was envy that caused the fall of Lucifer and him minions. They knew that the Lord would create humanity. God would communicate Himself to his nature. He would go so far as to become incarnate and unite His Divinity with our humanity! These two natures would form one person! Knowing this, the fallen angels were moved with envy. They didn’t like the fact that the Creator planned to elevate human nature above theirs. They became jealous, ambitious and prideful. Finally, they stumbled miserably.

Now consider the humility of Saint John the Baptist. Remember Saint John the Baptist was sanctified in the womb of Saint Anne when he leaped at the presence of Jesus Christ at the Visitation. His humility was second only to The Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ Himself. Saint John was tempted with one of the most violent temptations to pride and ambition imaginable. Furthermore, the temptation came at the hands of his friends, rather than his enemies. They were sent to him from Jerusalem by the doctors of the Law.

It is very interesting to note that the religious leaders were expecting the Messiah. They saw that all the prophecies had been fulfilled. Jesus Christ came, taught His doctrine, performed miracles and backed up all He said by His works. Despite all this the religious leaders refused to acknowledge Him. Instead, they go looking for somebody else!

Saint John is asked: “Who are you?” Saint John clearly responded: “I am not the Christ.” “Are you Elias?” “No.” “Are you the Prophet?” “No.” Saint John rejected all the honors and titles which did not apply to him. But he even went so far as to reject even those that he had a right to accept! He attained such a degree of humility that he conquered every pride and ambition presented to him!

Let us continue to pray for humility and contrition as we approach the Nativity of Our Lord.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeffery Fasching

Bulletin 131

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

December 16th, 2012; Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

Epistle: Phil. 4:4-7; Gospel: Jn. 1:19-28

Mass schedule December 17th through December 21st

Monday: Greater Feria of Advent--No Latin Mass

Tuesday: Greater Feria of Advent

Wednesday: Ember Wednesday of Advent

Thursday: Greater Feria of Advent

Friday: Saint Thomas * Apostle

The most powerful temptations we can possibly experience are those to ambition, pride and arrogance. Ambition is the worst of them because it caused Lucifer to be cast out of heaven into hell. Some theologians say it was because of a spiritual self-complacency combined with an awareness of their angelic nature’s grandeur and excellence, which caused such self-pride that he and the fallen angels arrogantly desired to be equal to God.

Contrast this attitude with that of Saint John the Baptist in today’s Gospel. Saint John played a significant role in the mystery of the Visitation. His humility thus appears to be the most excellent and the most perfect that has ever been, after only Our Lord Himself and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was sanctified in the womb of his mother, Saint Anne, when Mary paid her a visit while pregnant with Our Savior. He went on to perform an outstanding, single-minded, public ministry in pointing the way to Christ. Saint John was so effective and well-liked that his followers were ready to name him the Messiah. Saint John was tempted with one of the most violent temptations imaginable to pride and ambition. It was even presented by his own friends, sent to him from Jerusalem by the hypocritical doctors of the Law. They wanted to find out if John was actually the Christ. If so, they wanted to give John his due honor.

The religious leaders were waiting for the Messiah. They knew that all the prophecies had been fulfilled. Jesus Christ came performing miracles and teaching His doctrine. However, instead of acknowledging Him, the religious leaders go looking for someone else. When asked, Saint John said I am not the Christ. He could have easily accepted the praise that his followers wished to bestow upon him, but he did not. John was so humble and truthful that he refused even to accept credit that he actually deserved!

We can learn humility from Saint John the Baptist. We can learn humility from the Blessed Virgin Mary. We should acknowledge the teaching of Christ who said “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.”

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

The Blessed Trinity

When the Holy Ghost dwells within us, the Word who gives us the Holy Ghost dwells within us as well. Furthermore, the Father is also present in the Word. This is why Saint Paul says: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!" Grace and the gift of the Trinity are given by the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit.

Saint Paul came to know Christ better than anybody else. Saint Paul became the very image of Christ and so he was able to say: "It is no longer I who live, it is Christ who lives in me." This is what we strive for as Christians. It is a lofty goal, but one that Christ Himself wishes us to attain!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Palm Sunday

How is it that the King of kings enters into the holy city? Is it in the midst of His conquered enemies? Is it in the presence of all His captives and countless treasures? Does He ride on a magnificent chariot pulled by a glorious, well-bred horse? No. The King celebrated His triumphant day riding on a donkey. Pride and ambition play no part in this triumphal entry. Rather it is humility, meekness, mortification and self-denial that our Lord demonstrates. He is completely unselfish. Christ was born in poverty and remained in poverty all His life. Christ had no friends in high places or among the rich. All His friends were among those who were poor. His favorites were the rejects of the world. It was such as these that followed Him on this day. They did so not following any order as from a general, but out of curiosity, love and veneration. As soon as Christ is seen coming into the city they break off palm branches and throw them in His path. Hosanna! Hail to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! This is the way that Christ chose to take possession of His kingdom.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Christian and the World

Saint John says: "Never give your love to the world, or to anything in it. A man cannot love the Father and love the world at the same time. All that the world offers is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and earthly ambition. The world and its allurements will pass away, but the man who has done the will of God shall live for ever."

We have a responsibility to discern and carry out the will of God at all times. It is not for us to do our own will. I reluctantly accepted the office of priesthood because it was not my own will for my life, but the will of the Father. Once we have accepted God's will in our lives, we must, according to the words of Saint Cyprian, "be single-minded, firm in faith, and steadfast in courage, ready for God's will, whatever it may be."

We must constantly remind ourselves as baptized Christians how we have renounced the world. As Christians we live in it, but are not of it. We are aliens in this world. We should never fear death because death in this life means an end to our exile. We will then become free from this world and be able to welcome the paradise that awaits us. If we want to show the world that we sincerely live our faith, we must always focus on the eternal life that awaits us after this our exile!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching