Novus Ordo or TLM

On July 16, 2021, Pope Francis issued Traditionis Custodes, a motu proprio on the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to the reform of 1970. Motu proprio is Latin for “on his own impulse”. Traditionis Custodes reversed the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum issued by Pope Benedict XVI on July 7, 2007.

In short, Summorum Pontificum gave priests the permission to say the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) privately and pastors the permission to say it publicly if the need were present and for pastoral reasons. Traditionis Custodes gave the local ordinary (bishop) the sole ability to grant permission for the TLM to be offered, by whom, where, and when.

What Traditionis Custodes did not do is say that the TLM can no longer be offered. It can still be offered as a valid Mass as long as the local ordinary approves it. This has caused quite a stir among all Catholic circles. Some agree with the Pope, some do not. Some think it was the right move at the wrong time and others feel it wasn’t necessary at all.

Supporters of the TLM think that it is a more reverent Mass. It is mysterious, largely due to it being in a dead language few understand and even fewer speak correctly. The Novus Ordo feels common place, said in a common language. There is no doubt that it has caused many to lose the wonder of Mass. It is just my opinion, but I think if people actually understood and believed who they are standing before at Mass we would see some vastly different choices in things like clothing options and demeaner.

Both Masses are beautiful when done correctly amid reverent people whose hearts are full of love for God. Both Masses do the exact same thing; make present the supernatural reality of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. Because of this one is not better nor more valid than the other. They are different methods of transporting us to the exact same moment and location in time. In the end, that is the only thing that truly matters; that we are standing at the foot of the cross worshiping God with all creation.

So, what are we to do amid all the hubbub? Allow me to string some scriptural thoughts together and see where it leads us.

First let us look at the story of Naaman, commander of the army of King Aram from 2 Kings 5. Naaman had leprosy. He went to the prophet Elisha to be cured. Elisha instructed Naaman to go wash himself in the Jordan seven times and he would be cured. Naaman was furious because he expected that he would have to go off and do some great thing. Instead, he was told to go bath in a specific place.

God does not want us to always do great things. Sometimes it is the little things he wants us to do. We want to do great things so that we may think ourselves great. God prefers those who are humble over those who think themselves great.

On to 1 Samuel 15. Here we find the disobedience of King Saul. Samuel tells Saul that God prefers obedience over sacrifice. In fact, if we could be truly obedient to God there would be no need for sacrifice. Sacrifice is only needed due to our disobedience.

Lastly, let us look at Matthew 16: 18 and 19. You are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my Church. It is the passage where Jesus makes Peter the first Pope and gives him the authority to lead his Church. Pope Francis, as the successor to Peter, has the authority of Christ to lead the Church.

The ordinary form of worship of the Latin rite Catholic Church (Roman Catholic) is the Novus Ordo Mass. The TLM is retained as the extraordinary form of worship. Those who defiantly choose to participate in a TLM without the permission of their bishop put their desires above the instruction of the Church. To take that which God does not freely offer is the definition of sin. People who put their desires before that of the Church stand with people like Luther, Knox, and Calvin, who thought their opinion out-weighed that of the Church and her leadership to whom Christ has given all authority. The devil loves to use holy things to separate people from God by making them think their disobedience is actually a holy thing.

We live in rebellious times where everyone makes themselves their own President, Congress, judge, jury, and yes, even their own pope. Rightful authority is dismissed the instant it does not align with one’s opinion on a matter. God desires obedience over sacrifice. Jesus tells his disciples that if they love him they will follow his commands. He gave his authority to lead the Church to them and promised to be with us until the end of time. Those who oppose the rightful authority of the Church do not just oppose the Pope but oppose Christ himself. There is no reverence in disobeying Jesus no matter how reverently one does it.