Sts. Cyril and Methodius

"Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." Mk 8:15

The use of the vernacular, or the language of the people, has long been controversial in the Church. Even today there are those who think we should return to the use of Latin in the liturgy primarily because it is not a "living" language and, therefore, less subject to misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

When Sts Cyril and Methodius, whose feast we celebrate today, wanted to make Slavonic the language of the liturgy the Bavarian bishops reacted, fearful they would be stripped of their influence in the Slavic world. Clearly, the preaching of Cyril and Methodius was having  a powerful effect on the people. That the liturgy might also be celebrated in a language the bishops could neither speak nor understand made them very anxious.

Power is almost always an issue in our lives. When we lose the power to speak, to see clearly, to drive a car, own a home or influence a vote, we can react violently against authority and God.  We want our voice and our freedom. The Bavarian bishops were so afraid of losing their ability to guide the church that they forced Methodius into exile for three years, to no avail. Cyril and Methodius were trying to spread the gospel with every tool at their command. That they were impeded, even stopped for a while by those who should have celebrating their efforts, only made them stronger and more effective.

This dark bit of history ought to serve as a lesson for us as we learn to pray the new translation of the Sacramentary. No matter how awkward and rigid it might feel, we should not let it divide us more than we already are. The Roman Catholic Church in the United States is quickly losing its ability to influence our society for good, and we cannot afford to be battling the among ourselves about a translation when our mission to speak Good News all over the world is so demanding. For both bishops and laity, if we listen to the lesson of Cryil and Methodius, there should be only one question: How can we love one another, despite our differences, so the Word of God is announced with power and compassion?

Today, ask God to remind you of the gospel injunction to love your enemies.