(Revelation 12:7-12ab; John 1:47-51)
One aspect of the cultural wars plaguing society is the
liturgical war in the Catholic Church.
Groups are forming around different issues such as the “Prayer to St.
Michael” whose feast we celebrate today. The prayer petitions the archangel
Michael, known for his defeat of Satan in the Book of Revelation, to assist the
faithful in spiritual battle against evil.
The prayer was said immediately after every Mass before the Second
Vatican Council and is increasingly repeated on the same occasion today.
Proponents of the prayer find it opportune given the climate
of irreligion in today’s world. Large
numbers of people are not only forsaking belief in established belief but are
being trapped in vices such as pornography. Critics of the prayer find it
unduly pessimistic, especially after celebrating Christ’s victory over sin in
the Eucharist.
As in many instances of the cultural war the issue of the “Prayer
to St. Michael” calls for tolerance. Those
who feel the need to say it, even after Mass as of old, should be allowed to do
so. We might pray with them or for them
as the evil they experience is real and pernicious. Those who think it excessively negative need
not join in, but they nevertheless should recognize that the devil has not
entirely been contained and still seeks the ruination of souls.
No comments:
Post a Comment