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Contents © 2006
by Jim Holman.
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ROAMIN' CATHOLIC
January 2006

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CARMEL MISSION BASILICA, CARMEL

Be Ready — For What?

On Sunday November 6, 2005, I attended Mass at the historic Carmel Mission basilica, also know as Mission San Carlos Borromeo (not to be confused with the nearby and historic San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey). Within the sanctuary of this well-preserved Church rests the body of the founder of the mission system, Blessed Junipero Serra.

A woman at the microphone welcomed us to the mission, prepared us with a summary of the readings, asked us to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit, then announced our opening song, "City of God." A organist accompanied the songs throughout the liturgy. The choir had a full sound, clear and well disciplined. The music selection was simple, except for an angelic descant part sung by one or more sopranos, with a level of talent seldom heard at Mass.

Seemingly to make sure no one was sleeping, the celebrant, Father John Griffin, welcomed us with an overly enthusiastic "good morning," then gave a brief explanation of the topics to be explored in the day's readings. He then invited us to "open our hearts to a spirit of understanding...."

The unfamiliar "Lord have mercy" was reverent, somber, and reflective. Father encouraged us to sing the Gloria, though it was tempting just to listen to the beautiful soprano counterpoint. The organ played as each of the readers mounted and descended from the pulpit.

The psalm response, "My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God," was chanted by the female soloist from the choir loft. In spite of the piece's contrapuntal nature, it was decipherable to someone not following along in the missalette. The cantoress chanted the alleluia verse, while Father held the bright colored lectionary over his head.

In a loud, clear, and sometimes animated voice, Father Griffin read the parable of the ten virgins from the Gospel of St. Matthew. During the sermon, he would not remain stationary but walked back and forth up the aisle.

Griffin began his sermon by reminding us of an old bumper sticker that read, "Christ is coming. Look busy." He speculated that the author of the quote fell into the trap that so many do when they read about "readiness" or the "narrow gate" in the Gospels and conclude that Christ is a burden rather than a blessing. Father explained that the parable of the ten virgins addresses this issue. And the point of this parable is, simply, "be ready."

For what should we be ready? Father left that to our interpretation.

But he instructed us that the process of being ready should be without fear or any kind of negativity -- otherwise we "short-circuit the Holy Spirit." Father cited, as an example of such negativity, "when we look to have God check off all of the things we are doing so that we may be rewarded." Father pointed out that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are all positive words. They should become the operative words in our lives. They should become realities, blessings, in our lives.

What is also key to understanding the parable of the ten virgins, according to Griffin, is that these women were not doing anything out of the ordinary -- just taking part in a wedding. These ordinary things are what we use to become holy. The mistake of the foolish virgins, Father concluded, was that they didn't plan.

Father warned that people tend to either dismiss parables or to interpret them in a way such that they lose their power. Parables as opposed to allegory are intended in Scripture to make only one point (although Griffin admitted it was sometimes hard in scripture to distinguish between parable and allegory).

Father sat for a few moments for us to reflect on his words. He then led us in the renewal of our baptismal vows. After we rejected Satan and refused the mastery of evil, Father curiously inserted the words, "more importantly" before we affirmed our faith in God the Father.

Then the bereavement ministers, all women wearing dark blazers, formed a semi-circle in the sanctuary. In unison they prayed a "commissioning prayer." Father blessed crosses, which he placed around each of their necks.

We then prayed for our Church leaders, for guidance by the Holy Spirit, for good results in the upcoming election, that we would be good stewards, that old people will have patience and wisdom, and that they will foster the enthusiasm of the young, and finally that pregnant women would all get good prenatal care.

The offertory song was the "Prayer of St. Francis," after which the organist's liturgical improvisation filled the silence.

After incensing the altar, Father Griffin explained that incense reminds us that we too are included as offerings to God in the Mass. Father then implored us to pray that the gifts become an acceptable sacrifice to God.

Many in the congregation sang along with the choir during the "Holy Holy." We knelt for the Eucharistic prayer, the second part prayed by a concelebrating priest. We recited the Our Father, shook hands, and listened to a beautiful "Lamb of God" sung by the choir. Those in the back of the church received communion first.

Following the recessional song, "The Spirit Sends Us Forth," the organist performed J.S. Bach's "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring."

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