Pro Multis - The Confusion, Debate, and Mental Exercise

The discussion of "Pro Multis" comes up from time to time. I don't wish to add to the confusion or debate, but instead to throw a new way of looking at it, to maybe forward thinking on the issue, rather than creating division.

Father Z has a good post on the issue over at WDTPRS? It answers at the very least how one should look at the translations. He admits that the new translation of the Norvus Ordo will quiet debate, HOPEFULLY.

Pope Benedict, writing as Cardinal Ratzinger, addressed the issue in "God Is Near Us," and there is a good excerpt HERE: "Pro Multis"

My thoughts are this: If there is confusion, maybe it exists so that we look at both concepts and figure out what it means to us? I think investigation into these type of things allows us to take inventory in our own hearts as to what we think about the liturgy, and how we think about it.

For those that are unclear as to what "Pro Multis" means, or where it comes from, check out Wikipedia: Pro Multis.

I think that when we talk about ALL, we really focus our mind towards an "everyone... regardless" mindset. This is contrary to free will, forgiveness, and even the necessity of redemption and salvation.

The MANY concept, seems to exclude the possibility of all, maybe a little too much of a "glass half empty" mindset. This seems to be less problematic though. Especially after reading this explanation by Cardinal Arinze: Liturgy & Ministry

Again though, the best thing is to get it right in our hearts, and wait for the new translation to come out, where the situation will be resolved, and "For Many" will be used.