A Stumbling Block

Refrain:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.

(Refrain)

Each newborn servant of the Crucified
Bears on the brow the seal of Him Who died.

(Refrain)

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As Thou hast promised, draw the world to Thee.

(Refrain)

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory.

(Refrain)

But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

I include my post from 2006 as well.

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Originally posted 9/14/2007.
Re-posted 9/14/2011.
Re-posted 9/14/2012.
Re-posted 9/14/2014.
Re-posted 9/14/2015.
Re-posted 9/14/2016.
Re-posted 9/14/2017.
Re-posted 9/14/2018.

Re-posted 9/14/2020.

Re-posted 9/14/2021.

Re-posted 9/14/2022.

Re-posted 9/14/2023.

Re-posted 9/14/2024.

Re-posted 9/14/2025.

In Hoc Signo Crucis Vinces

Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in everything; over the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are in the way and when we are still. Great is that preservative; it is without price, for the poor's sake; without toil, for the sick, since also its grace is from God. It is the Sign of the faithful, and the dread of evils; for He has triumphed over them in it, having made a shew of them openly; for when they see the Cross, they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him, Who hath bruised the heads of the dragon. Despise not the Seal, because of the freeness of the Gift; but for this rather honor thy Benefactor.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, A.D. 315 - 386

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee;
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

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En ego, O bone et dulcissime Iesu, ante conspectum tuum genibus me provolvo, ac maximo animi ardore te oro atque obtestor, ut meum in cor vividos fidei, spei et caritatis sensus, atque veram peccatorum meorum poenitentiam, eaque emendandi firmissimam voluntatem velis imprimere; dum magno animi affectu et dolore tua quinque vulnera mecum ipse considero ac mente contemplor, illud prae oculis habens, quod iam in ore ponebat tuo David propheta de te, o bone Iesu: Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos: dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea. Amen.

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Behold, O good and most sweet Jesus, I fall upon my knees before Thee, and with most fervent desire beg and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart a lively sense of faith, hope and charity, true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends. And with deep affection and grief, I reflect upon Thy five wounds, having before my eyes that which Thy prophet David spoke about Thee, o good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and feet, they have counted all my bones." Amen.

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Originally posted 9/14/2006.
Re-posted 9/14/2017.
Re-posted 9/14/2018.

Re-posted 9/14/2020.

Re-posted 9/14/2021 with current image.

Re-posted 9/14/2022.

Re-posted 9/14/2023.

Re-posted 9/14/2024.

Re-posted 9/14/2025.

DR Squared: Feast Of The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross

First Reading:  Numbers 21:4b-9

And the people began to be weary of their journey and labour:  And speaking against God and Moses, they said: Why didst thou bring us out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, nor have we any waters: our soul now loatheth this very light food. Wherefore the Lord sent among the people fiery serpents, which bit them and killed many of them.  Upon which they came to Moses, and said: We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and thee: pray that he may take away these serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to him: Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: whosoever being struck shall look on it, shall live. Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 78 (77):7b; V. 1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

R.  That they may...not forget the works of God:

V.  Attend, O my people, to my law:

     incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

     I will open my mouth in parables:

     I will utter propositions from the beginning.

V.  When he slew them, then they sought him:

     and they returned, and came to him early in the morning.

     And they remembered that God was their helper:

     and the most high God their redeemer.

V.  And they loved him with their mouth:

     and with their tongue they lied unto him:

     But their heart was not right with him:

     nor were they counted faithful in his covenant.

V.  But he is merciful, and will forgive their sins:

     and will not destroy them.

     And many a time did he turn away his anger:

     and did not kindle all his wrath.

Second Reading:  Philippians 2:6-11

Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names:  That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:  And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Gospel Reading:  John 3:13-17

And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him, may not perish; but may have life everlasting. For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 9/14/2025.

DR Squared: Twenty-Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading:  Sirach 27:30—28:7 (DR--27:33-28:7)

Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man shall be subject to them. He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance. Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest. Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God? He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his own sins? He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins? Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:  For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 103 (102):8; V. 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

R.  The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.

V.  Bless the Lord, O my soul:

     and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

     Bless the Lord, O my soul,

     and never forget all he hath done for thee.

V.  Who forgiveth all thy iniquities:

     who healeth all thy diseases.

     Who redeemeth thy life from destruction:

     who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.

V.  He hath not dealt with us according to our sins:

     nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

     For according to the height of the heaven above the earth:

     he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.

V.  As far as the east is from the west,

     so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.

     As a father hath compassion on his children,

     so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him: 

Second Reading:  Romans 14:7-9

For none of us liveth to himself; and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Therefore, whether we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose again; that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:21-35

Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest. And his fellow servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him; and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me:  Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Blackjack!

Another milestone in this infinitesimal corner of the universe.

I have added another year of existence in the 'blogosphere.

Perhaps you are thinking I should stay down for the count.

God's grace is not allowing me to do that, either personally or pixelly.

The "DR Squared" Project is drawing more eyeballs. While new content is few and far between, I do get a few hits. Besides, I have my reputation as the World's Greatest Re-poster to uphold.

Yes, I have had my struggles both at and away from the computer screen. Perhaps it is more proof God can write straight with crooked lines. It would help if I would keep giving him fewer crooked lines. As I have said many times, this 'blog and its author are a work in progress.

But now is a time to be grateful. Grateful that I still live, move, and have being. Grateful for the gifts God has bestowed on me. Grateful for the opportunities to bless Him in my own quiet way. And grateful that you peruse whenever I put my thoughts and words into the internet.

I shall Go Forward with this.

Perhaps I can be bolder.

But here's to reclaiming my spot as a 'blogger.

The welcome mat is ready.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of The Most Holy Name Of Mary

First Reading:  Galatians 4:4-7

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:  That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55

R.  Luke 1:49

     Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his             name. 

OR 

R.  O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father. 

V.  My soul doth magnify the Lord. 

     And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

V.  Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid;

     for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

     Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me;

     and holy is his name.

V.  And his mercy is from generation unto generations,

     to them that fear him.

     He hath shewed might in his arm:

     he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

V.  He hath put down the mighty from their seat,

     and hath exalted the humble.

     He hath filled the hungry with good things;

     and the rich he hath sent empty away.

V.  He hath received Israel his servant,

     being mindful of his mercy:

     As he spoke to our fathers,

     to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 1:39-47

And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 9/12/2025.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Twenty-Third Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 10:14-22  (DR--14-22a)

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from the service of idols. I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I say. The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord? For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread. Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar? What then? Do I say, that what is offered in sacrifice to idols, is any thing? Or, that the idol is any thing? But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils. You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 116 (115):17a; V. 12-13, 17-18

R.  I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise,

V.  What shall I render to the Lord,

     for all the things he hath rendered unto me?

     I will take the chalice of salvation;

     and I will call upon the name of the Lord.

V.  I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise,

     and I will call upon the name of the Lord.

     I will pay my vows to the Lord

     in the sight of all his people:

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:43-49

For there is no good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit; nor an evil tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For every tree is known by its fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns; nor from a bramble bush do they gather the grape. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. And why call you me, Lord, Lord; and do not the things which I say? Every one that cometh to me, and heareth my words, and doth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. He is like to a man building a house, who digged deep, and laid the foundation upon a rock. And when a flood came, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and it could not shake it; for it was founded on a rock. But he that heareth, and doth not, is like to a man building his house upon the earth without a foundation: against which the stream beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Twenty-Third Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27 (DR--16-19, 24-27)

For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me, for a necessity lieth upon me: for woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me:  What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For whereas I was free as to all, I made myself the servant of all, that I might gain the more. Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air:  But I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 84 (83):2; V. 3, 4, 5-6, 12 (DR--3, 4, 5-6, 12-13a)

R.  How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

V.  My soul longeth and fainteth

     for the courts of the Lord.

     My heart and my flesh have rejoiced

     in the living God.

V.  For the sparrow hath found herself a house,

     and the turtle a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones:

     Thy altars, O Lord of hosts,

     my king and my God.

V.  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord:

     they shall praise thee for ever and ever.

     Blessed is the man whose help is from thee:

     in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps,

V.  For God loveth mercy and truth:

     the Lord will give grace and glory.

     He will not deprive of good things

     them that walk in innocence:  

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:39-42

And he spoke also to them a similitude: Can the blind lead the blind? do they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master. And why seest thou the mote in thy brother's eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not? Or how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye, when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother's eye.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

A Tarnished Silver Anniversary

Celebrations of anniversaries divisible by 25 are supposed to be grand occasions. Case in point--this country's semiquincentennial anniversary of its founding. It truly was (and is, as we come upon Constitution Day and perhaps more as we conclude the year) a spectacle to behold.

Sometimes, they are not. Case in point--what we commemorate today. Yes, sometimes tragedies have to be remembered as well, painful as the memory was (and, for some, still is).

Has it only been a quarter of a century since this happened?

New York, NY. Washington, DC. Shanksville, PA. Three cities where evil made its mark in all its ugliness as well as when heroism showed itself in all its glory.

The most unforgettable number:  2,996.

Yet still after two-and-one-half decades, we have kept a promise. We have created an unofficial holiday to mark this moment in our history, borrowing a name from another state holiday. We give it all the solemn services it deserves. We eulogy it in print in ways small (like this post) and large (just search for them). We have added to it opportunities to serve our local communities as a reminder we are not isolated from our fellow human beings. 

Our remembrance goes beyond honoring the dead. It is also a reminder, in a very subdued way, of the cost of freedom. This experiment of civilized societal living, unlike the world has ever experienced, is so fragile yet so strong and resilient. It is realizing the motto of this country. It is continuing to choose, despite and in spite of our differences, to live as one.

We continue to mourn. But we also continue to celebrate the ever ongoing process of uniting. It is a reminder we are stronger together. It is both/and today.

Never Forget.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Twenty-Third Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 8:1b-7, 11-13

Knowledge puffeth up; but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet known as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known by him. But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many, and lords many). Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. But there is not knowledge in every one. For some until this present, with conscience of the idol: eat as a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died? Now when you sin thus against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 139 (138):24b; V. 1b-3, 13-14ab, 23-24

R.  (A)nd lead me in the eternal way.

V.  Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:

     Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up.

     Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off:

     my path and my line

     thou hast searched out.

V.  For thou hast possessed my reins:

     thou hast protected me from my mother's womb.

     I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified:

     wonderful are thy works,

V.  Prove me, O God, and know my heart:

     examine me, and know my paths.

     And see if there be in me the way of iniquity:

     and lead me in the eternal way.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:27-38

But I say to you that hear: Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that calumniate you. And to him that striketh thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away from thee thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every one that asketh thee, and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again. And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner. And if you love them that love you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them who do good to you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also do this. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks are to you? for sinners also lend to sinners, for to receive as much. But love ye your enemies: do good, and lend, hoping for nothing thereby: and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest; for he is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.