Inside ML

I'm told there is an ancient curse that goes, “May you live in interesting times.” Indeed we do. While the world around us seems to be changing at a pace that can only be measured in “gigahertz,” some wish the church would move at a more leisurely pace. Those who resist reform always forget: Change happens. It is intrinsic to what it means to be Christian. Jesus was sent to effect change, and we are sent to do likewise.

Current church structures are still rooted in a bygone era. Those who have a lot at stake in maintaining current structures are struggling mightily to do so (see Worship Times, pages 22–23). Seminaries are being filled (or, more accurately, less-than-filled) with candidates who may not have the right stuff for leadership. Lay people are being asked to continue our docile acceptance of the decrees of our ecclesiastical shepherds even in the face of growing scandals and controversies. These retrenchment strategies will work for a while, but with ever-decreasing effectiveness. Change is happening. Whether the changes will be good or bad for us as a church may be too soon to say. The last time somebody overturned tables in the temple, things didn*t turn out so well. Eventually, however, the fullness of God's plan was revealed. We can pray to live to see that fullness. Which is a little like praying to live in interesting times.

Call for photos

How was the Triduum this year? If you have photos you would like to share with other ML readers, send them to ML, Triduum Photos, 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112. Or e-mail digital photos to MLeditor@rpinet.com.

Thanks for shaping us

Samuel Torvend has written the “Shaping the Ritual” section of the Planning Guide for several years. His teaching duties have taken more and more of his time, so he is unable to continue authoring the column. I'm grateful for his elegant and grace-filled contributions to these pages. Susan Walker, a fine liturgist and musician from the Diocese of Kansas City, will step into the vacancy. Her first offering starts on page 26, and I'm sure you'll agree she's a fitting successor.

ML

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