All People

Dear sisters & brothers in Christ,

It’s not surprising at all that every so often I get asked questions about the changes made to the text of the mass that were made about a decade ago. In fact, I am actually surprised that I don’t receive more questions, especially angry letters from every English teacher in the country. To make a long story short, the previous text was translated using the spirit of the meaning of the words and to make the mass more accessible to the laity. The latest translation was done using the most literal translation and a mindset that the mass should not sound like everyday speech. A process with which Pope Francis does not completely agree. I am sure it will continue to be a debate amongst all interested parties.

A little while ago, a woman approached me with a question I have heard before. She prefaced it by telling me that she has a degree in theology. She then asked, “When did The Church change its teaching from Jesus saving ‘all’ people to only saving ‘many’ people?” Of course, I knew just what she was referencing. In the institution narrative the celebrant now proclaims: “...the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.” To tell you the truth, when I first saw the new Missal, I had to do my own research over this change. Personally speaking, of the tens of thousands of changes made, this one bothers me most of all. Why? Because most people don’t ask questions, and unfortunately, I think a lot of people are misinterpreting this change.

I always lead with my own question, “How do you define the word ‘many’?” In English it means “a lot,” “a great number,” but not “everyone” or “all.” So, I assume that “many” people interpret it to mean that Jesus died to save only “many” people instead of “all” people. In fact, one person who complained to me that I had said “all” instead of “many.” I asked him why he was so upset about it and he responded, (as close as I can recall) “Because He did not die for everyone! There will be a lot of people not saved.” The problem with this way of thinking is that during mass we are speaking about the “intent” of Jesus, not the choice that individuals make. God’s love and mercy is unconditional and Jesus died to save everyone... all people. That is what the Catholic Church professes.

So, why the switch? In Greek “many” means everyone, as in “...the One for the many.” Unfortunately, most Americans do not speak Greek, and so, we have this confusion. Perhaps the worst thing about it is that most people who are listening close enough to notice the change may make the wrong assumption that The Church has changed its teaching, and not ask anyone about it. I have spoken with more than one person who took this change to mean that Jesus only died to save “some” people, but not all. This is tragic, since one of the foundational beliefs of The Church is that Jesus died to save “ALL people” everywhere. And so, I encourage you, if you are ever concerned about a change in the mass or something similar, especially if it causes you to question what you have always believed, then ask someone. Do some research. Just be careful about information you get from the Internet. Be sure to check who is offering the information. A simple litmus test is to ask whether it is in line with the commands to love God & neighbor, and that we are ALL the beloved Children of God.

In the Redeemer, Fr. Rick