SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
June 24th, 2012 Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Epistle: Is. 49: 1-3,5,6,7; Gospel: Lk. 1: 57-68
Mass Schedule June 25th through June 29th
Monday –Saint William, Abbot-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-SS. John & Paul, Martyrs
Wednesday-Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Thursday-Vigil of SS. Peter & Paul, Apostles
Friday-SS. Peter & Paul, Apostles
Thank you to Jim Gillett who planned and organized the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Springfield! Thanks to all of you who participated and were involved in making this event with the Bishop a great success!
Saint John the Baptist grew up to lead an austere life. The scriptures tell us that he lived in the desert in solitude to prepare for his ministry. When he began preaching repentance and the coming of the Christ, people flocked to him in order to listen to his words. John the Baptist was never concerned with the passing things of the world. His focus was on Christ alone and the coming of God’s kingdom. He knew his role as a pilgrim on earth. John the Baptist’s followers instinctively knew that he was a man of God.
Vatican II teaches us that Christians, on pilgrimage toward the heavenly city, should seek and savor the things which are above. This duty increases our obligation to work with all men in bringing others to Christ. A pilgrim, like John the Baptist, maintains a certain detachment with regard to the goods he meets along the way. While enjoying and making good use of whatever will help him in his journey, he does not loiter along the way to the eternal kingdom. John the Baptist always kept his focus. So it is with the Christian on the way to the eternal kingdom. As Christians, we have died with Christ in Baptism. We seek no longer the goods of this world but our hearts should be set on things that are above, where Christ reigns. Saint Paul writes to the Colossians:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3.1f).
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Jeff Fasching
