Peace, good will to men; peace to people of good will

Sunday Homily, 7:30 p.m. mass, September 23, 2012
Sunday 25 per annum

I compared the new and old translation of "pax hominibus bonae voluntatis" in the Gloria in excelsis Deo. I didn't get into what the Greek of the Gospel actually says, even less so, did I delve into what it would have been in the Aramaic (or Hebrew) original. The original Latin of the liturgical text is from the Vulgate bible, which the Council of Trent declared dogmatically and infallibly to be free from errors in faith and morals.

The King James version's "peace, good will to men" and the older ICEL translation's "peace to his people on earth" bring out the merciful, saving love of God by which were are offered and given the grace without which we cannot believe, repent, be pardoned or be saved.

The Vulgate and this new accurate translation bring out the necessity of our consent to and cooperation with the grace of God, by our good will. It wasn't included in the homily, but this same truth is expressed in the Collect, or opening prayer of the mass: eternal life must be merited. Here is a recording.