Fear Not, Moments of Grace and Quoting Myself

I had a actor friend whose conversations, or rather monologues, (for he liked to hold court,) were liberally peppered with the phrase, ".... or, as I like to say...."
Thereby both repeating himself, (since the "...or," naturally always followed him having said THE SAME THING IN DIFFERENT WORDS,) and committing what I recall from The Red and the Black was the cardinal social sin of introducing a pre-fab bon mot into witty conversation.

I loved the guy, but I always thought this was yet more evidence of his pomposity, -- quoting himself.

But here I am, doing the same thing, as if my pronouncements were Bartlett's-worthy.

The new Missal translation, which, like Christmas, "is coming," evokes some fear, -- or rather, not the translation itself, but the fact of its coming evokes the fear: that it may be ignored, distorted, abused to further agendae or drive wedges, etc.

And yes, there is the danger.

But on balance, is it not a marvelous opportunity? and should not Catholic people of good will, whether they like it or not, want it or not, even previously fought against it or not -- are they not bound to set about with humility and charity to make the translation transition, * WORK?

If a pastor with the right attitude has a musician with the right skills, the introduction of the new English texts can be a moment of great grace, when the Faithful take back, or rather, are given back the Mass.**

It is an opportunity to re-focus on the Word of God, on the Universality of His Church, and on the inestimable treasure that is Christ, giving Himself and giving of Himself in the Eucharist.

It is a chance to cut away deadwood, and strip away distractions.

I refuse to be fearful.

*hereinafter referred to as Tran-Tran... or would tran2 be better?

** It occurs that some may feel this is a slur on the Mass as it now stand. It is not so intended, but refers to the use of other texts than those in the Missal, and the fact that at a moment when we are focusing on the words both of the Ordinary and of the Orations which are proper to each Mass, we can also highlight the actual words of the other Propers, the processional antiphons, and scraping off the barnacle-like accretions of the various ditties making up the first 3 slices of the Four Hymn Sandwich, give them back the true and authentic words of the Mass.