Return to our ROOTS

I am SO very happy to have read this morning that next year the Mass will basically return to the pre-Vatican II form! I wasn't sure I'd live to see this. I was so happy, I cried tears of joy! I remember when it changed in the 60's ... my dear Father said, as did many others, that it took away the mystery of the Mass. Not only did it go from Latin to English, but many of the words were changed as well. Many Parishes have now returned to the Latin Vulgate versions, but now even the words are back. For example .. a point of contention was in the Consecration. The way it always was, which it has now returned to, states: "TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT: FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT; WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME." This as we know was changed to: "TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT: THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT. IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME."
Certainly ALL people are offered salvation, but NOT ALL will accept.
This IS a wonderful day indeed and I for one, just can't wait to actually see and hear these wonderful changes that have been long overdue.
I noticed too that mention of SIN and MERCY are more pronounced which is very good too ... we were well on the way to forgetting about those things. Hopefully now, Confession will make a comeback as well :)
My other joy would be to bring the Tabernacle back to the main focus of the Altar as It should be and to have the priest face the altar again instead of the people ... but for now, I'm happy with this ... Praise God!
:)

Forgiveness

It has been heavy on my heart for some time now we need to focus more on giving and receiving FORGIVENESS. In fact, it woke me up with an urgency to pray for someone that had some past hurts that were hard to ignore or forgive. We all need to encourage each other to FORGIVE. They say "Forgive and forget" ... well I can forgive, but I have a hard time forgetting! :) HOWEVER, I think the important part here is our reactions and motivations. For example... say someone hurts me deeply ... perhaps it takes a while to talk comfortably with them again after forgiveness is given and received. But say, during that time, a situation arises where they need help or advice or something along those lines. We need to give that help or advice or whatever our brother/sister/whoever needs if we have truly forgiven. This holds true even if we haven't yet forgiven and often will help us forgive more quickly. NEVER let another child of God -OUR FAMILY MEMBER, being in the Body of Christ, go without. Even those that don't believe are still children of God! :)
I often have joked that even if I'm angry at someone and they needed my help for something, I'd help them and then perhaps still not talk to them a while lol ... BUT, they would not be denied the assistance they required at the time due to any resentments from past hurts ... all that needs to be put aside when we're needed.

How many times should we forgive??? Seventy times seven ... or in other words ... ALWAYS :)
PRAY! TRUST! FORGIVE!