When the new translation of the Roman Missal went into effect this past November, just in time for Advent, with it came a more masterful and even more beautiful translation I could have imagined from the original Latin into English. The English used in this new and more "faithful" translation is more beautiful, more reverent, more elevated verbiage that matches more closely the original Latin text and is more true to the origins of the Latin Liturgy. In this translation, we say in English, what the actual texts say in Latin. It is the way it should have been.
Someone we know who experienced this new Mass Translation, seemed as though he had walked into the wrong church somewhere. Probably because it was more than a year since the last time he had been to Mass. It was rather amusing to witness, but also a sad reality. But then again, when you take the Mass just as an occasional thing you do, or something that is not essential to your way of life, or if you see it as a mere tradition in your family, then to such a person, the Mass perhaps has become meaningless in their life. Unfortunately, if the Mass has become meaningless in one's life, it also means that God has become meaningless in one's life. This is what can happen when a Catholic lapses into the Theology of relativism. It was later said by this person who commented about his experience at Mass on a social media outlet something to the effect of "I went to Mass and everything was different, as if George Lucas somehow got hold of the Mass and changed it." It was different but sort of the same!" I'm paraphrasing of course, but you get the gist of it.
When I think about the reality of that comment, that somehow George Lucas has gotten hold of the Liturgy and changed it, I see that almost as an off handed compliment coming from him, as to the newer translation of the language for the Liturgy.
Here is why I see it as a sort of compliment. I do know that the person in question is an admirer of George Lucas and his films. At least that is my belief. He knows and has memorised much of the movie dialogues, various scenes, and various iconic sayings. George Lucas and the Mythology created in the Star Wars anthology has become a part of his life. And since the New Translation of the Mass seems as though to him, George Lucas has someone got a hold of and changed the Liturgy, this also has made me wonder, now that since the Star Wars movies are being re released again, this time in 3D, should George Lucas consider a new translation to the Star Wars language? Is an update to the original English translation of the movie dialogue called for now that Rome has set the standard? Think about it.
For example, whenever anyone in the Star Wars Universe says "May the Force be with You", faithful Catholics everywhere, ever since those words were first spoken on the big screen, were thinking in their Catholic Jedi minds, the response, of ....."And also with You!" Now of course, the New dialogue of the Jedi should be when his Jedi Master says, "May the Force be with You", the appropriate response shall be, "And with Your Spirit". It only makes sense.
Also, There are so many Catholic similarities in the Star Wars films. There are the Jedi, very Franciscan in their robes, holding true to the ancient religion of the "Force", their steadfast opposition to Evil, portrayed as the seemingly stronger Dark Side of the Force. There is the prominence of the triumph of Good over Evil, Light over Darkness, of the Will over created things, the strength of the eternal spirit of the soul over the mortal physical body, the desire to be free from the slavery of oppression and the ultimate Catholic truth of Love, Sacrifice and Redemption.
In closing may I say, that since November when this New translation of the Latin Missal went into effect, it took me until this past Sunday, February 19th for me to be able to say each and every time in the Liturgy the correct and proper response...."And with Your Spirit!" Up until now, it has been a trial and error, as much as I tried, it sometimes came out as "And also with you..." or occasionally an amalgam of both, winding up as "And also... with Your Spirit!" But that was only because I messed up, in my thoughts and in my words, it what I have done and what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault..... But I am trying.
Hey it only took me about three months to get it right each and every time in one Mass. I'll see if I can make it two in a row.
Go forth, This Post has ended.
