SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
November 20th, 2011 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: Phil. 3: 17-21; 4: 1-3
Gospel: Mt. 19: 18-26
Mass Schedule November 21st through November 25th
Monday-Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Requiem Mass + Catherine Diaz
Wednesday-Requiem Mass + Charlie Diaz
Thursday-Saint John of the Cross, Confessor & Doctor-MASS AT 11:00AM
Friday-Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr-NO LATIN MASS
MASS ON THANKSGIVING DAY WILL BE AT 11:00AM AT SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH.
Because of the physical and mental suffering that it brings, and the threat that it poses to human existence, sickness is one of the greatest trials that human beings must experience. We often ask the question in times of great suffering why human life is subject to such a painful ordeal. Why does God place this burden upon us?
Although Scripture gives us no clear answer to these questions, Christian tradition has generally regarded sickness not as belonging to humanity’s original condition but as resulting from humanity’s rebellion against God. Before that event, described in the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve had access to the Tree of Life, the fruit of which would ward off death, and presumably sickness that leads to death. After the fall, the Lord God pronounced a sentence upon the couple. Woman would suffer pain in giving birth and Man would have to toil by the sweat of his brow to make a living from the earth that has been cursed by God. Both Man and Woman were denied access to the Tree of Life and now must return to the earth from which they came. In interpreting the Genesis story, Christian tradition has generally seen sickness, suffering and death as consequences of Adam’s sin. These painful realities belong to humanity’s present fallen condition, but will have no place in the world to come, where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away” (Rev 21.4).
Sickness is part of that distressful condition from which Christ has come to deliver mankind. He certainly did so in the Gospel today when the woman with the flow of blood touched His clothing. In fact, it is Christ’s own sufferings that have not only freed us from sin, but have given strength and courage to those afflicted with sickness. Christ gives them hope that by patiently accepting their ordeal in union with Him they may share in His redemptive work. This is the mystery of the Cross! In order to share in Christ’s resurrection, we must be willing to share in His Cross.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
