October 15, 2008> 1:53 PM
verbum today Today I went to Mass at Noon. I do that sometimes - not every week, but here and there. I'm starting to think it would be good if I made it a regular practice, at least one daily Mass per week. Anyway, I went to St. Peter's, as usual, and as I was praying/sitting quietly before the Mass started, I was looking at the old Latin inscription that goes around the half-spherical cover that is over the high altar in the back of the Sanctuary there. I've cropped it out in the photo to the left. It's not very clear. I need to get a closer, more focused photo of that sometimes. It's a beautiful piece in itself - gold reflective under with the symbol of the Holy Spirit coming down as a dove, on the outside the Chi Rho at the top with vines and branches with grapes coming down, that inscription - it's a feast for meditative eyes. So, here is the inscription...
ET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST ET HABITAVIT IN NOBIS
Today as I sat there, I was determined to figure out what that meant. So, eventually, with what knowledge of Latin I have, I did. It was very cool to be able to do that, first. And the translation was wonderful. I read it to myself several times again. And today - today, when thoughts of a conversation I've been involved in recently about the Word, how it's used, and to a degree how it's seen in Catholic circles, was rolling around in my head.
AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US
And so HE did. Jesus, the Word of God. And I saw multiple meanings there - that inscription just above the tabernacle, and the Word read and spoken into our ears and hearts in the community of faith constantly, and Christ in us who now share in His Divine Nature.
And at the Table of the Word today - the readings: Romans 8:22-27 and John 15:1-8 - even the Response - "Your Words, O Lord, are light and life." One more thing to tip things over - the old priest, at the end of the Gospel reading says, "please remain standing" - no homily. So, the Word was doing it's own work in our hearts. The Word, the Word, the Word everywhere - making His dwelling among us, in us. He is the Vine and we are the branches. As He lives in His Father, so we live in Him, and share their Life - that's the Gospel folks - the center and core.
October 15, 2008
> 1:53 PM
Today I went to Mass at Noon. I do that sometimes - not every week, but here and there. I'm starting to think it would be good if I made it a regular practice, at least one daily Mass per week. Anyway, I went to St. Peter's, as usual, and as I was praying/sitting quietly before the Mass started, I was looking at the old Latin inscription that goes around the half-spherical cover that is over the high altar in the back of the Sanctuary there. I've cropped it out in the photo to the left. It's not very clear. I need to get a closer, more focused photo of that sometimes. It's a beautiful piece in itself - gold reflective under with the symbol of the Holy Spirit coming down as a dove, on the outside the Chi Rho at the top with vines and branches with grapes coming down, that inscription - it's a feast for meditative eyes. So, here is the inscription...
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