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| the season of Advent marks a new beginning... |
Today is the First Sunday of Advent in Year B in the Roman Catholic Church calendar. A new cycle takes place today as the whole church awaits for the coming of the redeemer, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Interestingly, today is the first day implementation of the new Roman Missal in the United States. The Latin mass which was translated literally to English language has given more depth and meaning to our usual prayers said in the Holy Mass. For example, the priest would say in Latin 'Dominus vobiscum' and the response of the faithful 'Et cum spirituo tuum' which translated literally now as 'and in your spirit with you.' It is one of the major changes in the Roman Missal but most changes take place in the Eucharistic Prayers.
We will make some adjustments when the implementation takes effect by next year (in the Philippines) but of course, the essentials of the Holy Mass still not change but it has given us depth and reverence to the Holy Mass. The Church is constantly with motion with time and it has been redefine out faith according to the needs of the changing world but it does not take away the true meaning of our faith being expressed through the sacraments. We are in the season of Advent, a new beginning in the Church calendar and a new beginning for the faithful to renew ties with God, the beginning and end of all things.
