PM: Communion Fridays--6th. Sunday Of Easter

There are three antiphons, one for each of the Cycles.

I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you again, alleluia; and your heart will rejoice, alleluia, alleluia.

John 14:18

Repeating the 2nd. Alleluia, we hear again the promise of Christ not to abandon us. As God, He will keep that word; we shall find consolation in it.

I have chosen you from the world, in order that you might go, and bear fruit, and that your fruit should last, alleluia.

John 15:16

Again, repeating the 2nd. Alleluia, we are reminded we are set apart. The branches have been grafted to the Vine; through Him we product the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit will teach you, alleluia; all the things I have said unto you, alleluia, alleluia.

John 14:26

Once more, the 2nd Alleluia is repeated. The Paraclete will come to instruct and guide us in all of His ways.

PM: Offetory Thursdays--6th. Sunday Of Easter

O nations, bless the Lord our God, let the voice of his praises resound; he has restored my soul to life and he has not suffered my feet to stumble; blessed be the Lord who has neither rejected my prayer nor turned his mercy away from me, alleluia.

Ps. 65: 8, 9, 20

As we bring our gifts to the altar, we also bring our praise and adoration for all God has done for us. Our loving Father, instead of giving us stones, will give us Bread.

PM: 2nd. Alleluia Wednesdays--6th. Sunday Of Easter

There are three choices, one for each cycle of Gospel Proclamations.

I will not leave you orphans; I am going, but I will come back to you, and your hearts will be full of joy.

John 14:18

This is also one of the options as the 2nd. Alleluia for the 7th. Sunday of Easter. Again, here is another verse which not only anticipates His Death and Resurrection but also His Ascension. His promise of always being with us will be fulfilled.

I have chosen you from the world, in order that you might go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should last.

John 15:16

The call from Christ is to live in but not of this world. Our witness should bear much fruit and be eternal.

The Holy Spirit will teach you all the things which I have said unto you.

John 14:26

The promise of an Advocate is emphasized. The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity is made known, but will become visible at Pentecost.

(My apologies for the lateness of this post. Poor planning on my part.)

PM: 1st. Alleluia Tuesdays--6th. Sunday Of Easter

There are two verses provided: the first for Cycle A, the second for Cycle B. Either can be used for Cycle C.

Christ has risen and he has shone upon us whom he has ransomed with his own blood.

The rare non-Scripture based Proper make an appearance. The Light of the World illuminates our lives by His Death and Resurrection.

I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.

John 16:28

This has a dual meaning. It hints at His Passion and also His Ascension. He returns to the Father, having completed His earthly mission.

PM: Introit Mondays--6th. Sunday Of Easter

Spread the news and with a voice of joy; let it be heard, alleluia; speak it out to the very ends of the earth; the Lord has liberated his people, alleluia, alleluia.

V. Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to his name; praise him with magnificence.

Cf. Isaiah 48:20; V. Ps. 65

The joy of the Good News must be proclaimed "from the rising of the sun to its setting". That we have been freed from sin and death is the most wonderful thing we can say or hear.

PM: Communion Fridays--5th. Sunday Of Easter

There are two communion antiphons; the second is used for Cycles B and C.

Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me? Phillip, he who sees me sees the Father. Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? Alleluia, alleluia.

John 14:9

Perhaps this is the greatest spiritual blindness of all. If we cannot be caught up in Love made visible (the Son), how can we be caught up in the Love we cannot see (the Father)?

I am the true vine, and you are the branches. alleluia; he who abides in me and I in him, he it is who bears much fruit, alleluia, alleluia.

John 15:5

"Apart from Me, you can do nothing." The Examination of Conscious allows us to see how we have been severed from the True Vine, and so not have Life within us.

Heart Of The Matter

After further review, there was not a Eucharistic Miracle here in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

In Poland, however, it's a different matter.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--5th. Sunday Of Easter

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; shout with joy to God, all the earth; sing a psalm in honor of his name; come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what great things the Lord has done for my soul, alleluia.

Ps. 65:1, 2, 16

All creation should give glory and praise to God. We do because of the marvel He has wrought in our lives.

PM: 2nd. Alleluia Wednesdays--5th. Sunday Of Easter

Christ has been raised from the dead and will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

Rom. 6:9

Because He has taken on our humanity, we can, as adopted children, take on His divinity. Sin and death no longer reign over us if we are abiding with Him.

PM: 1st. Alleluia Tuesdays--5th. Sunday Of Easter

The right hand of the Lord has done valantly; the right hand of the Lord has lifted me up.

Ps. 117:16

Knowing Who is seated at the right hand of the Father, this Psalm extols our Lord and Savior. WE give thanks and praise to Him Who has saved us.

PM: Introit Mondays--5th. Sunday Of Easter

Sing to the Lord a new song, alleluia; for the Lord has accomplished wondrous deeds, alleluia; he has revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles, alleluia, alleluia.

V. His right hand and his holy arm have given him victory.

Ps. 97:1, V. 2

We sing of God's actions, especially those which are salvific. And remember Who is seated at the right hand of the Father--Jesus Christ, His Son, Who accomplished the greatest victory.

PM: Communion Fridays--4th. Sunday Of Easter

I am the good shepherd, alleluia; I know my sheep and my own know me, alleluia, alleluia. 

John 10:14

The 2nd. Alleluia is heard again. In this context, however, we ask ourselves if we recognize Him in the Breaking of the Bread, His Real Presence.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--4th. Sunday Of Easter

O God, my God, from daybreak do I watch for you; and in invocation of your name will I lift up my hands. 

Ps. 62:2, 5

The watchful soul waits for the Lord. In prayer, we respond to the sound of His name.

PM: 2nd. Alleluia Wednesdays--4th. Sunday Of Easter

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my own know me. 

John 10:14

The heart of the message today. Do we know, love, and serve Him Who guides us?

PM: 1st. Alleluia Tuesdays--4th. Sunday Of Easter

The Lord has sent deliverance to his people. 

Ps. 110:9

Through the death and resurrection of Christ, we have been ransomed from our sins. The Good Shepherd protects His flock from all harm.

PM: Introit Mondays--4th. Sunday Of Easter

The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia; by the word of the Lord, the heavens were established, alleluia, alleluia. 

V. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! Praising befits those who are upright. 

Ps. 32: 5, 6; V. 1

There is an echo of the 2nd. Sunday of Easter, with the acknowledgement of God's mercy throughout the world. As this is known as "Good Shepherd Sunday", is it not true that mercy is part f being a Good Shepherd?

PM: Communion Fridays--3rd. Sunday Of Easter

There are three antiphons, one for each cycle.

The Lord has risen and has appeared to Peter, alleluia.

Luke 24:34

He is risen, indeed! Are we like St. Thomas, who needed visible proof?

Sing unto the Lord, alleluia; sing to the Lord, bless his name; proclaim his salvation day after day, alleluia, alleluia.

Ps. 95:2

The praise of God in thought, word, and deed should be our first priority. It is here where we can pray always.

"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Lord, you know these things; you know, O Lord, that I love you, alleluia."

John 21:15, 17

It is an echo of the Great Commandment. Do we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and being?

PM: Offertory Thursdays--3rd. Sunday Of Easter

Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord throughout all my life; I will sing to my God for as long as I live, alleluia.

Ps. 145:2

Our gratitude for all God has done should be a lifetime of praise. The gifts we present at this time is a small return of thanksgiving, but necessary.

PM: 2nd. Alleluia Wednesdays--3rd. Sunday Of Easter

It was necessary that Christ should suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.

Luke 24:46

Even to this day, we as disciples do not understand this. No cross, no crown; no death, no resurrection; no grave, no glory.

PM: 1st. Alleluia Tuesdays--3rd. Sunday Of Easter

The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus at the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24:35

Those at Emmaus were slow to recognize the Risen Lord. How quickly are we to see Him?

PM: Special Edition--Solemnity Of The Annunciation

Today's solemnity is usually celebrated on March 25. However, when that date falls within Holy Week or the Easter Octave, its celebration is moved to the second Monday of the Easter Season. (As is did this year; in fact, it was the same day as Good Friday, an occurrence which will not happen again until 2147.)

Skies, let the Just One come forth like the dew, let him descend from the clouds like the rain. The earth will open up and give birth to our Saviour. (Alleluia, alleluia.) 

V. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands. 

Isaiah 45:8; V. Ps. 19

The Introit, as well as the Offertory and Communion, are from the 4th. Sunday of Advent. (When celebrated during the Easter Season, "alleluias" are added.to these propers.)  In the context of this observance, we come to see the potency of God and our need to be receptive to Him, so as to do His will.

O princes, lift up your gates; be lifted high, O eternal gates, and the King of Glory shall make his entry. 

V. Who will go up to the mountain of the Lord, and who shall stand in his holy place? He who has innocent hands and a pure heart. 

Ps. 23: 7; V. 3, 4

The Gradual is a vivid image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She, whom was made pure by her Immaculate Conception, is the gate through which the King of Glory shall enter.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women. 

Luke 1:28

The First Alleluia repeats the words of the angel Gabriel. She who was singled out from the beginning is now acknowledged as she takes her rightful place in salvation history

Hearken, O daughter, and behold, and incline your ear; for the king desires your beauty. 

V. All the rich among the people will implore your countenance; your maids of honor are the daughters of kings. 

V. Virgins will be brought to the king in her retinue; her companions will be taken to you. 

V. They will be brought with gladness and rejoicing; they shall be brought into the temple of the king. 

Ps. 44:11. 12. 13. 10. 15. 16

This Tract (remember, this is normally celebrated during Lent) reminds one of the Song of Songs, which is essentially a love story. The Lover desires His Beloved; the Husband, his Wife; the King, his Queen.

The rod of Jesse has put forth buds, the Virgin has given birth to the God-Man; God has re-established peace; in himself, he has reconciled earth with heaven. 

Cf. Num. 17:8

The Second Alleluia speaks of the reconciliation between the Creator and His creation. A true "New Springtime" will take place.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. (Alleluia.) 

Luke 1:28, 42

In the Offertory we are now re-introduced to St. Elizabeth's greeting as well as Gabriel's. Mary's "fiat" bestows the highest honor given to a creature; our "fiat" bestows "grace upon grace".

Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. (Alleluia). 

Isaiah 7:14

As we come to receive Him in His Real Presence, we are reminded of the other name Jesus would be called:  Emmanuel--God is with us. Salvation history is at the beginning of the end.

PM: Introit Mondays--3rd. Sunday Of Easter

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, alleluia; sing a psalm to his name, alleluia; praise him with magnificence, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

V. Say to God: "How awesome are your deeds, O Lord! In the greatness of your power, your enemies will be convicted of lying to you". 

Ps. 65: 1, 2, 3

Earth joins with Heaven in declaring the glory of God. The Truth will be known and justly separate sheep from goats.

April 2016 Morning Offering Prayer Inentions

Here are the intentions for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Universal Intention - Small Farmers. That small farmers may receive a just reward for their precious labor.

Evangelization Intention - African Christians. That Christians in Africa may give witness to love and faith in Jesus Christ amid political-religious conflicts. 

Reflections for these intentions are found here.

PM: Communion Fridays--2nd. Sunday Of Easter

Stretch forth your hand, and feel the place where the nails were, alleluia; and be not doubtful but believing, alleluia, alleluia. 

John 20:27

I am reminded more about the following verses, when St. Thomas made his profession of faith and Christ bestows a blessing on those who believe without seeing. Yet we do the same: we stretch out to receive Him and believe His Real Presence.