It’s Mass essentials that matter

The recent letters and articles submitted by various laity, religious, priests and also bishops that comment on the recent changes in the wording of the prayers of the Holy Mass prompt one to look to the substance of what the Mass is.

All the quibbling about words and their terminology and what they could mean and might mean and should mean really detracts from the meaning of what the Mass really is.

Has it changed perhaps from what we learnt as children or grew to understand over the years as adults? Day in and day out, as with Sunday Masses, I am sure that people don’t attend Holy Mass merely to take note of the correct terminology and decide whether the pope and hierarchy are again leading the masses astray with their constant changing of outward things.

If one attends Mass, is it not to beg for the grace to be aware, in the presence of God our Father and in his Spirit of what his Son Jesus has done for us who are in need of his mercy?

Some of these critics should write and preach about the true meaning of the Mass in such a way that people would flock to be present at the re-enactment of Our Lord’s suffering, death and resurrection. They would then perhaps not be so intent on figuring out whether he came to save “us men” only or “us women” or whether he comes “under our roof” or into our souls to offer us a share in his divinity.

Antoinette Padua, Cape Town