SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
September 26, 2010; 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: 1 Cor. 1, 4-8
Gospel: Matth. 9, 1-8
Mass schedule September 27th through October 1st
Monday: SS. Cosmas & Damian, Martyrs, No Latin Mass
Tuesday: St. Wenceslaus, Duke & Martyr
Wednesday: Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel
Thursday: St. Jerome, Confessor & Doctor
Friday: Sacred Heart of Jesus
Important
Visit MoLatinMass.com to view the weekly bulletin.
Sunday, October 3rd immediately following Mass will be our next Pot-luck dinner. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Christ always concerns Himself with sin, which is always the underlying cause of any illness. Christ makes it clear that He wants us to always have a genuine concern for others. We must put charity into practice. In the words of Saint Thomas: “This paralytic symbolized the sinner lying in sin”; just as the paralytic cannot move, so the sinner cannot help himself. The people who bring the paralytic along represent those who, by giving him good advice, lead the sinner to God.” This same kind of daring is needed on our part if we want to get close to Christ.
In Old Testament times, it was believed that if one was suffering from an illness it was due to sin. When Christ says to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, He demonstrates His divine power. This is a power that His priests share in. “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20: 22-23). “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt 18:18). Priests act in the name of Christ in the Sacrament of Penance.
We must always approach the Sacrament of Penance with respect, veneration and gratitude. We should see Christ Himself in the person of His priest. We should receive the words of absolution firmly believing that it is Christ who is saying them through the priest. This is why the priest does not say: “Christ absolves you…”, but rather “I absolve you from your sins…” This is how fully identified the priest is with Jesus Christ Himself! Let us show ourselves to the priest.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
