TOT: “Words without thoughts never to Heaven go”

Theology On Tap continues…

This week’s Theology On Tap talk was given by a Theology On Tap veteran, Dr. Michael Barber. Dr. Barber is a San Diego local and Professor of Theology, Scripture and Catholic Thought at John Paul The Great University.

In a previous Theology On Tap series, Dr. Barber gave a talk called “Spiritual lessons about politics” in which he looked at the wisdom which can be learned from the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation.

This time his talk focused on understanding our Sunday liturgy, with a lecture entitled “Understanding the Mass: Why do we do what we do?”. This audio is available for download below:

Main Talk (Download)

Q&A (Download)

In the main talk Dr. Barber walked through the Mass, explaining meaning and Scriptural basis for the things that we do. If you would like to read more on this subject then I’d invite you to read Scott Hahn’s book, The Lamb’s Supper, as well as Dr. Barber’s book, Coming Soon.

The Q&A section was particularly lively this session. Here are the questions which were asked:

1. “What is the significance of King Melchizedek [mentioned in the Mass]?”
2. “Can you talk about the Eastern and Western liturgies for a bit?”
3. “The Eastern Rites make the sign of the cross one way, we do it another. Is there a ‘right’ way?”
4. “Why is it called ‘The Mass’?”
5. “Why do we have Mass every day?”
6. “In Acts, the Early Church has held ‘all things in common’. How does that apply today?”
7. “I went to Mass in LA and they stand instead of kneeling [after the Lamb of God. Is that allowed?]”
8. “Is there any difference between attending Mass and attending the Divine Liturgy?”
9. “Why is there a shift in the Apostles Creed between ‘We’ and ‘I’?”
10. “Why is there an additional part to the Our Father in most Protestant parishes?”
11. “Does someone remain a Catholic just because he/she was baptized in the Catholic Church?”
12. “The liturgy was recently re-translated from the Latin. Why wasn’t it done right the first time?”
13. “Who is your favourite student?”
14. “What was the part of the Mass you first fell in love with?”
15. “If you arrive late to Mass can you still take Communion?”
16. “How is the Mass a sacrifice?”
17. “What does it mean to be ‘a living sacrifice’?”
18. “‘I would be a Christian if I saw a Christian’. What does this mean?”
19. “Can you please explain the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:5? What is Paul trying to say?”

If you would like to hear a talk given by his better half, Kimberly Barber previously gave a talk on Mary, the Saints and the Angels.

The article “Words without thoughts never to Heaven go” first appeared on RestlessPilgrim.net