[Greek] ὑπερβάλλω (hyperballō), [Latin] superare, [Latin] excellens, [Latin] eminens, [French] superieur, [French] distingue: to surpass, to go too far, to go beyond, to exceed, to overshoot, to throw beyond; 2Cor.3:10, 2Cor.9:14, Eph.1:19, Eph.2:7, Eph.3:19
Because of Pope Francis’s spiteful animosity towards Tradition and many Catholics, the Vatican is now restricting the Latin Mass. Many of the youth will lose out on experiencing the glory, reverence, and silence of this liturgy. For many believe that Pope Francis has gone too far in disenfranchising Catholics.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to go beyond, to excel, to stand out, to surpass, to exceed, to outdo, to overcome, and to overcome.
Homer’s Iliad 23.843: “Sent the cast past the mark of all.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 5.3.21: “Agesilaus had already gone beyond the time.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 7.3.6: “So far surpassed in boldness and villany.”
Demosthenes’ On the Crown 18.275: “So far surpassed all mankind in savagery and malignity.
Aeschylus’ Persians 291: “This calamity is so great that it is not possible to say.
Aristophanes’ Plutus 109: “Their wickedness knows no bounds.”
Demosthenes’ On the Chersones: “Stupid beyond measure.”
Old Testament: This term means to go beyond, to surpass, to exceed, to be excessive, and to delay.
Philo’s The Special Laws: “For how can the man who does not know himself ever comprehend the supreme and all-excelling power of God?”
New Testament: This term means to surpass and being immeasurable. The Mosaic Covenant (ministry of death) is compared to the New Covenant (ministry of the Spirit). The glory of the New Covenant surpasses the fading glory of the Mosaic Covenant. The surpassing grace, mercy, and kindness of God generates generosity (and service) to others and obedience to the gospel. This in turn glorifies God, creating a further circular flowing of grace. God’s grace is abundant and immeasurable.
Scripture:
2Cor.3:10: The Old Testament has come to have no glory because of the New Testament glory that surpasses it.
Generosity of God’s plan:
Eph.2:1: You were dead in your transgressions and sin
Eph.2:2: The age of this world led by power of the devil at work in the disobedient
Eph.2:5: Even though dead in our transgressions, God brought us to life in Christ
Eph.2:7: God shows us immeasurable riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ
Battle against evil:
Eph.6:11: Paul calls upon us to put on the armor of God so that we may be able to stand firm against the devil’s tactics.
Eph.6:12: Our struggle is against the principalities, world rulers (of present darkness), and evil spirits
Why do young adults and others like the Latin Mass? They are drawn to the beauty of the liturgy which is a physical reflection of God’s creation. Young adults are also drawn to the ancient timeliness which repudiates societal norms. Young adults sense the reverence, silence, and devotion of this liturgy. To many, the New Mass offers only a pale comparison to the Latin Mass. The Latin Mass provides the means for the young adult to be engaged in their faith. Yet, Pope Francis will not allow this to occur.
Etymology: The Greek verb hyperballo literally means to throw (-ballo) beyond (hyper-). The Latin verb superare means to surpass, to surmount, and to overcome. The Latin adjective excellens means superior and distinguished. The Latin adjective eminens means eminent and notable.
Jumping the shark: This is a popular idiom used to describe a moment when someone makes a misguided attempt at generating publicity or doing something new. However, this effort only serves to highlight its irrelevance. The phrase originates from an episode of Happy Days when Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water skis. This phrase finds its way in situations when someone or something “has gone too far.”
Conclusion:
Hyperbole, excellent, excel, super, pre-eminent, pre-eminence, superiority, superior, distinguished, distinguish, eminent
It is interesting to note that the notion of “throwing someone under the bus” can happen in any time of history. This is an apt example of human nature. Homer points out that one can overshoot the mark. One can surpass oneself in various ways (both good and bad).
The Old Testament develops the notion of the all-surpassing grace, power, and glory of God. This theme continues in the New Testament.
2Cor.3:10: At Mount Sinai, the Israelites could see God’s glory radiating on Moses’ face. But this glory will eventually fade.
Eph.2:1: The devil and the principalities can often rule the world.
Eph.6:11: Christians must arm and protect themselves from the devil’s influences and tactics.
Eph.6:12: World leaders and false teachers can often be influenced by evil spirits (and the culture)
Update: In our culture, perhaps the most serious example of “jumping the shark” is defunding the police. As a result, we have lax criminal prosecution, emboldened criminals, rampant crime, and desolate cities.
There is a greater reverence and interest in the Traditional Latin Mass. In contrast, lukewarm interest (with declining attendance) occur at the New Mass.
In the secular post-Christian world, there exists abortion, gender ideology, gay marriage, and the breakdown of God’s creation and moral laws. These issues are directly and indirectly influenced by the devil.
Pope Francis and his inner circle, in their outreach to the LGBTQ community, are making concerted efforts to de-stigmatize and normalize the sinful nature of homosexuality. (This is in part influenced by the devil, denial of sin, and the culture).
The German cardinals, bishops, priests are overshooting the doctrinal mark: removing celibacy, women priests, blessing same sex unions. As a result, Catholics are leaving the Church in Germany.
The results and “fruits” Vatican II have become a spiritual disaster for the Church. Yet, Pope Francis is doubling down on the “spirit” of Vatican II. In his attempt to make the Church more relevant in the world, Pope Francis is creating a synodal Church. Yet still more and more people are leaving the Church.
Pope Francis and his inner circle have “jumped the shark” in claiming that Church theology has changed.
Pope Francis and his inner circle also have “jumped the shark” in restricting the Traditional Mass (TLM). As a result, he is marginalizing many faithful Catholics.
More glory, reverence, beauty, and silence are immediately and readily found in the Traditional Latin Mass. In contrast, although the New Mass is still valid, far more effort is needed to surpass one’s lukewarmness, disinterest, and disengagement in experiencing this glory at the new Mass. Unfortunately, many still wonder if they really “get anything out of the New Mass“.
“The Latin Mass is the most beautiful thing this side of heaven.” Archbishop Sheen