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Question
Dear Father,as you know there is kind of optimism in the post conucilar church in which we are told not to be afraid of our sins and littleness of our justice but rather approach our Lord (who is said to be in love with our misery and nothingness)with a daring confidence and let our sins disappear in his love like a drop of water in a great fire.the best example is a NO website in which it is written that we are holy in Christ we are his tabernacle,salt of the earth,saints,brethren and friends of Jesus etc.etc.(it had references to the bible).
but it seems that the great saints of the church didn't think so.they were afraid of God's judgement and bewailed their sins and misery.we know that they confessed their nothingness and called themselves worms,guilty sinners,worst criminals etc.
Now my question:keeping in the mind that in the opinion of church Fathers the book of Canticle of canticles in addition to being Christ's words to his mother and his church is also addressed by him to every consecrated virgin,is it not somehow modernist if a consecrated woman (who is not a saint) attributes these verses to herself "O most beautiful among women" or"how beautiful is your love" or any part of this book in which God praises his beloved?the reason I ask this is that I have a private vow of chastity but am afraid lest I am guilty of presumption,pride and modernism if I consider myself to be the bride in Canticles of Solomon.
the other question:if any person in the state of mortal or original sin is an ENEMY of God,what happens when a spouse of Jesus sins mortally?does our Lord divorce her?does he not rather follow his own rules about indosubility of marriage and the necessity of loving one's spouse and being faithful to him/her no matter how wicked he or she may be?what about the vows made in the catechumenal state?are they acceptable to God?
thank you.
I beg you to bless me
Hi, Farnaz:
Thanks for the question(s).
Applying the verses of the Bride to each and every Baptized member of the Church is not presumptuous, as it is a call and inspiration to live as the Bride of Christ as a member of the Church. The Nuns and Consecrated Virgins have undertaken a special life of public witness in a very intense manner within the Body of Christ, and are reflecting in a special way the heavenly state (caelibatus - celibacy), that is, neither to be married now, nor to be given in marriage to an earthly spouse.
Mortal sin cuts us off from God's Grace, and is a turning away from fidelity to the Covenant Life with God. Just as in an earthly marriage one spouse can indeed be unfaithful, and yet that in itself does not dissolve a marriage bond lawfully contracted. It behooves such a person to come to repentance, and to seek Christ's healing power to restore the right relationship within the Covenant. When we are reconciled to God by repentance we are no longer enemies, but are justified, though unworthy servants. God's Grace and Truth are GIFTS that cannot be earned, but only lived in by entering the Mystery of the loving relationship with God Who created each and every soul in His own Divine image.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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