SUBJECT: RELIGION!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!

Today is the First Sunday of Advent in the Year of Grace 2012!

Today is also the day when the Revised Translation of the Roman Missal is finally implemented.

While realizing that the Revised Translation is controversial in some circles, and while also realizing that no translation is -- or can ever be perfect -- this represents a dramatic improvement in the English text.

Being the brilliant theologian that I am (grin!) I greatly appreciate the revised texts, especially in the Penitential Act, the Nicene Creed, and the Invitation to Communion.

Mass today was, for me, a very moving event. Not only did I have to pay closer attention to the responses of the people, I also paid closer attention to the prayers of the priest. Here is an example:

Here is the OLD text for the Collect for the 1st Sunday of Advent:

All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven.

Here is the NEW, REVISED text we used today:

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.

WOW!

What a powerful difference!

I look forward with eager anticipation hearing the revised collects, prefaces, and texts as the year progresses.

All Advent Blessings to my 7.35 readers,

Papa Z.