New post on the TLM.

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+filename = 2021-06-17-the-extraordinary-form-revisted.html
+title = The Extraordinary Form Revisted
+description = After much contemplation and reflection, I wanted to revisit my reasons for the love and devotion I have for the Traditional Latin Mass.
+created = 2021-06-17
+updated = 2021-06-17

blog/posts/0135-the-extraordinary-form-revisited.html

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+<p>In my previous post on the Traditional Latin
+Mass<sup><a href="#r1" >[1]</a></sup> much of my intention was
+apologetic, and fueled by an indignation at seeing how this form of
+celebrating the Divine Liturgy was (and still is) treated almost like a
+second-class celebration. It is true that many of those who assist can
+be very off-putting in their views, but this is no reason to dismiss
+such a beautiful and reverent celebration, much less treat it as
+inferior. However, unfortunately I got defensive and responded in kind,
+disparaging the Ordinary Form, resentful of the differences of how it is
+celebrated, and always tried finding (seemingly) objective reasons as to
+why the Ordinary Form was inferior, not realizing that what's important
+about the Mass, regardless of how it is celebrated, is that it brings
+people closer to Jesus Christ, and different people find this easier
+through different forms. And although I would like for the Extraordinary
+Form to be respected in this manner, I must be the first to respect the
+Ordinary Form in this manner.</p>
+
+<p>This is not to say that I have changed my mind that the Extraordinary
+Form, when done well, is still objectively more reverent than the
+Ordinary Form. I also believe it is an objective fact that you are more
+likely to find liturgical abuse and even grave heresy in parishes that
+celebrate the Ordinary Form. But we shouldn't judge by its worst
+elements, we should simply correct them. After all, are there not all
+kinds of people who attend the Extraordinary Form who seem to slide
+closer every day to schism? It's important that we learn not to throw
+out the baby with the bath water. If there are heretical, schismatic, or
+abusive elements within any community of Christ's Church, the Christian
+thing to do isn't to push them away, but to fraternally correct them and
+bring them closer to Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, I would like to revisit my true reasons for appreciating
+the Traditional Latin Mass. They are subjective, they may not apply to
+everyone, but it is what brings me peace, and what feeds my faith and
+love for our Lord. My reasons are twofold: that it is different from the
+world, and that it does not change. These two reasons, are ultimately
+intertwined.</p>
+
+<p>If you assist a Tridentine Mass, the main thing you'll notice is that
+it has nothing to do with the world outside. It breaks completely with
+the culture of the world. Mass is said in a dead language (Latin), there
+are many parts (most notably the Consecration) which are said in a low
+voice, so the congregation hears nothing but silence (and the ringing of
+bells), it's filled with all these gestures, symbols, and movements,
+etc. All this adds an element of mysticism to the Mass, which greatly
+helps me in contemplating the supernatural aspect of the Mass, which
+just isn't the same for me if the Mass looks and sounds the same as
+everything else out in the world, in my daily life. The Traditional
+Latin Mass truly gives me the feeling that I am partaking in something
+that is not of this world, that Heaven is truly touching down upon the
+Earth in that very moment.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the reason why the Extraordinary Form is so mystical and
+distinct from the world is because it has remained mostly the same for
+400 years, having been established first by Pope Saint Pius V in 1570.
+It doesn't change, it doesn't adapt to modern trends, it doesn't try to
+be hip and cool. It simply is what it is, and remains constant. The
+peace I get from this is that, while the entire world around me is
+changing, revolutionizing, or even at times falling apart, I always have
+this one place where I know nothing will ever change. I can find Christ
+there, who is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever." (Heb. 13:8)
+While in the Ordinary Form the celebration of the Mass changes, not only
+from country to country, not only from city to city, not only from
+parish to parish, but even simply from priest to priest; the
+Extraordinary Form of the Mass I can be assured that it will be
+celebrated exactly the same, no matter where in the world I may attend
+it. The only thing that will change is the language of the readings and
+the homily.</p>
+
+<p>As I've mentioned before, these are completely subjective criteria.
+You don't have to be convinced of it, as I'm not trying to convince you.
+But what I am trying to communicate is that the Extraordinary Form can
+truly bring people to Christ Jesus, and has. It can truly help some
+people to grow in love and charity. I regret having fostered such a
+disdain for the Ordinary Form in the past, and I pray that one day those
+of us with strong devotions to either form can learn to respect each
+other, and not disparage that which brings each of us closer to God, but
+instead be united as the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church with Christ
+Jesus as our Head. I pray that those of us with devotion to the
+Extraordinary Form can learn to respect and see the fruits of the
+developments of the Ordinary Form; and I pray that those of the Ordinary
+Form can learn to respect and see the peace which the Extraordinary
+Form can give. May God help us to be united as brothers, and celebrate
+these differences, instead of quarrelling and forming disunity in
+Christ's Church.</p>
+
+<ol class="refs" >
+	<li id="r1" >
+		<a href="2020-07-18-why-the-traditional-latin-mass.html" >
+			"Why the Traditional Latin Mass" Blog Post
+		</a>
+	</li>
+</ol>