The new translation of the Roman Missal began today. I have been looking forward to this for the past year. When I first saw some of the new responses I thought how great it will be to improve on the last translation especially with the response, And with your spirit.  It would be much better and more accurate when you look at the original Latin, et cum spiritu tuo. I even liked the response for the Invitation to Communion, Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. It recalls the words of the centurion in Matthew, Chapter 8. The mass was going to be even more meaningful. I have been reading about the changes for months and felt smug that I was prepared and that some people probably still aren’t even aware changes are taking place. But, not me, I was ready. Pride was firmly rooted in my resolve to do everything right.

While singing the opening hymn, I thought, what’s the big deal? Just follow along with the booklet or use the cheat sheets (Pew Cards). I don’t know how anyone could mess up. As mass began, our pastor made the Sign of the Cross and said, “The Lord be with You” and I immediately replied, “And also with you.” Ugh. I didn’t even get the first one right. I tried to follow along with the book, but it didn’t get much better. The creed began before I got to my page. I knew there were changes, so I didn’t start praying until I found my place and still messed up a couple of times. This was getting frustrating. I really had to pay attention now. Somehow, I made it through the Sanctus without too much stuttering. The rest of the mass went by pretty much the same, congratulating myself one minute and messing up again the next. I assume there was a closing prayer but I didn’t hear it. I kept repeating, “and with your spirit” over and over in my head.

Thanks, Lord, for the humility of not knowing what to say and the blessing of actually listening a little more closely to the mass so my responses were not just something I do on autopilot.