PM: Communion Fridays--27th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

My souls aspires after your salvation; I hope in your word; when will you judge those who persecute me? The wicked are persecuting me; come to my assistance, O Lord my God.

Ps. 118:81, 84, 86

Those who trust in God will be able to endure the trials of their life. It is through grace they are able to carry their crosses.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--27th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There was a man in the land of Hus whose name was Job, a blameless, upright, and God-fearing man; Satan asked to be allowed to tempt him, and the Lord gave him power over his possessions and his body; and so, he destroyed his possessions and his children, and he ravaged his flesh with horrible sores.

Job 1:1, 12; 2:7

The book of Job answers the question of why God allows evil and suffering in the world. He allows these things to display His power and glory, which is manifested in Jesus Christ.

PM: Alleluia Wednesdays--27th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

When Israel went out from Egypt; the house of Jacob from a barbarous nation...

Ps. 113:1

"Judea was made his sanctuary, Israel his dominion." (Ps.113:2) The power of God is on display as He delivered the Chosen People during the Exodus.

PM: Gradual Tuesdays--27th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

O Lord, you have been for us a refuge from age to age.

V. Before the mountains were created, and before the land and the world was formed, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

Ps. 89:1; V. 2

The transcendency of God is on display here. Our praise and gratitude to Him for His sustenance, like Him, should be never ending. 

PM: Introit Mondays--27th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

All things are submitted to your will, O Lord, and no one can resist your decisions; you have made all things, heaven and earth, and all that is contained under the vault of the sky; you are the master of the universe.

V. Blessed are those who way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Esther 13:9, 10, 11; V. Ps. 118:1

All things are created by God are drawn to their ultimate end--unison with Him. Because of our free will, we must, with the help of His grace, continually choose to follow Him to get to Him.

PM: Communion Fridays--26th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

Be mindful of your word to your servant, O Lord, in which you caused me to hope; this has been  my comfort in my affliction.

Ps.118:49, 50

We trust in the promises God has made to us. This is the "how" when we have to endure a "why".

PM: Offertory Thursdays--26th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and we wept, as we remembered you, O Zion.

Ps. 136:1

Sin makes us exiles. It is only a Prodigal Son moment which will allow us to return to God.

PM: Alleluia Wednesdays--26th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing to you and praise you, my glory.

Ps. 107:2

We have Augustinian hearts.When we are ready to find rest, we find it only in God, to Whom we sing our songs of praise.

PM: Gradual Tuesdays--26th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are two options; the second is for Cycles B and C.

My God, my God, look upon me, why have you forsaken me? 

V. My words of sin have drawn me far from salvation. 

V. O my God, I call by day and you give no reply; I call by night and not without reason. 

V. Yet, you dwell in the sanctuary; you are the praise of Israel. 

V. Our fathers placed their hope in you; they trusted and you delivered them. 

V. They cried out to you and they were saved; they put their hope in you and they were not confounded. 

V. But I am a worm and no man; scorned by men and despised by the people. 

V. All who see me mock at me, they make mouths at me, they wag their heads. 

V. "He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, for he delights in him." 

V. And so they looked and gazed upon me; they divided my garments among themselves, and for my raiment they have cast lots. 

V. Save me from the mouth of the lion; my afflicted soul from the horns of the unicorn. 

V. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you sons of Jacob, glorify him.

V. A future generation shall be announce on behalf of the Lord, and the heavens will declare his
justice; 

V. Unto a nation yet to be born, and whom the Lord has prepared. 

Ps. 21:2-9, 18, 19, 22, 24, 32

The Gradual from Palm (Passion) Sunday returns. Meditate upon a crucifix when you read these words.

The eyes of all look towards you in hope, O Lord; and you give them their food in due season.

V. You open your hand and fill every living thing with your blessings.

Ps. 144:15; V. 16

The Gradual from the Solemnity of Corpus Christi returns. We depend on God for everything; He will give us all that is good.

PM: Introit Mondays--26th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are two options; the second is for Cycles B and C.

At the name of the Lord,  let every knee bend, in heaven, on earth and under the earth; for the Lord became obedient to death, even death on the Cross; that is why Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto you.

Phil. 2:10, 8, 11; V. Ps. 101:2

Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. Do we truly give Him the glory and praise which is rightly His?

All you have inflicted upon us, O Lord, has been dealt out in true justice, for we have have sinned against you and we have failed to obey your commandments; but give glory to your name and deal with us according to the abundance your mercy.

V. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Daniel 3:31, 29, 30, 43, 42; Ps. 118:1

Justice without mercy is vengeance; mercy without justice is enabling. God is both just and merciful; His discipline is merited.

PM: Communion Fridays--25th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

You have ordered that your commandments be kept diligently; O that my ways may be guided towards the keeping of your statutes.

Ps. 118: 4, 5

To obey God is to be ever joyful. We pray that we may always walk in His path of justice and righteousness.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--25th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

If I walk in the midst of tribulation you shall preserve my life, O Lord; you shall stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand has delivered me.

Ps. 137:7

Does this not hearken to Psalm 23? With God as our protector and provider, we shall be delivered from every evil.

PM: Alleluia Wednesdays--25th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name; declare his deeds among the nations.

Ps. 104:1

We seek God always and all ways. We share the Gospel as we have been commanded.

PM: Gradual Tuesdays--25th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are three choices; one for each of the Cycles.

The Lord is close to all who call to him, who call on him in the sincerity of their hearts.

V. My mouth shall speak the praises of the Lord, let all flesh bless his holy name.

Ps.144:18; V. 21

We revisit the Gradual from the Fourth Sunday of Advent. While it reminds us of the approaching Nativity of the Lord, this reminds us He is no farther away from us when we call to Him from the depths of our being.

Let my prayer ascend like incense in your presence, O Lord.

V. May the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

Ps.140:2

This is also the Gradual for the 32nd. Sunday of Ordinary Time. May our supplications rise as a pleasing fragrance to God; our actions be acceptable gifts to Him.

Who is like the Lord our God who dwells on high and looks down on that which is humble in heaven and on earth?

V. He raises the need from the earth and lifts up the poor out of the mire.

Ps. 112:5, 6, 7

Another look at the Gradual from the 4th. Sunday of Ordinary Time. There is no other than God Who looks upon His creation in love, and with His infinite riches satisfies our every need.

Another Model Year

It all started with this.

Now, eleven years later, this infinitesimal corner of the universe humbly still is part of "the cacophony of chatter known as the 'blogosphere."

There have been times when I have wondered if it worth the effort to continue. Sure, there have been a few noteworthy posts (in my very humble opinion). I take pride in my two seasonal meditation (on the "O" Antiphons and the Seven Last Words), my Christmas Eve Reflections, my Independence Day posts, my tributes to music on St. Cecilia Day, and my tributes to 9/11. My ongoing "lectio divina" on the Propers I hope are helpful. And I thank you for letting me share some of my personal struggles.

My readers will notice this is not a news feed. The national and international stories, both of a secular and sacred nature, are covered well enough elsewhere. Unlike a certain 'blogger (who is a professional writer), not every thought I have will be broadcast over the internet. I keep the admonition of Mark Twain in mind when I choose to 'blog. And, like investing, there is no guarantee on what kind of return I get.

I just have to remember that I don't live to 'blog nor 'blog to live, that this has been a hobby. And, for now and the foreseeable future, that will be my aim. If I have of service to you in some manner with something that I have written, it will be enough. I can only take this one post at a time.

May what is to come be useful and fruitful.

PM: Introit Mondays--25th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord; from whatever tribulations they cry out to me, I will give heed to them; and I will be their Lord forever.

V. Attend, O people, to my law; incline your ear to the words of my mouth.

Cf. Ps.36:39, 40, 28; V. Ps. 77

God will hear us, the poor in spirit, those who have no recourse but Him. However, it is a two-way street; we must obey (hear) his words--the Law, the Prophets, and, especially, Jesus.

Fifteen Years On

New York, NY. Washington, DC. Shanksville, PA.

Three communities forever bound together one day in a tragic event.

It has been fifteen years since the terrorist attack, hideously ingenious in its own way, was perpetrated over the skies and then on the ground of United States. (Who says evil doesn't have an imagination.)

The human toll of 2,996 does not even begin to measure the cost. The images of the lost and damaged buildings pale in comparison to what was lost to both the living and the dead. The toll on spirit and psyche, both individually and collectively, may be somewhat diminished but has never disappeared.

You can hear the echoes of this day in the acts of terrorism that have followed, especially recently. This day seemingly emboldened those whose ideology is seemingly embedded in these terms:  Submit to me or die. To me, it is strikingly similar to what Satan says to us in very simple terms:  Submit to me and die.

Anniversaries are good things, no matter what they commemorate. They force and urge us to recall what and why something happened. And while this country will have its memorial services in various forms, rightfully remembering those who have died, we also need to ponder the event at an even deeper level, perhaps, briefly, staring evil in the face.

As I hopefully do every year, I encourage you to read other tributes. Honor those who have died this "new" Patriots Day. While the living can do more, this is always a good start.

PM: Communion Fridays--24th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

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

Bring up your sacrifices and come into his courts; adore the Lord in his holy temple.

Ps. 95:8, 9

An echo of  "Adeste Fideles", we arrived at the ultimate place of worship. The Manger and the Cross, altars in their own ways, uphold the Real Presence for our adoration.

If a man wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Matt. 16:24

A repeat of one from the 12th. Sunday of Ordinary Time, we are confronted again with the Cross. The "sign of contradiction" is the true symbol of Christian discipleship.

I say unto you: there is joy among the Angels of God for one single sinner who repents.

Luke 15:10

One of the three options from the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, here we see a part of the depth of love Jesus has for us. The joy of Heaven is eternally profound when we "turn from sin and believe in the Gospel."

PM: Ofertory Thursdays--24th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are two options; the first is for Cycles A and B.

Moses consecrated an altar to the Lord, and presented thereupon burnt offerings and sacrificial victims; he made an evening sacrifice as a fragrant offering to the Lord, in the presence of the sons of Israel.

Cf. Exodus 24:4, 5

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is foreshadowed here. Moses, like Melchizedek before him, takes his place as a priest forever, an archetype of the Great High Priest to come.  

Moses prayed to the Lord his God, and said; Moses addressed this prayer to the Lord his God, and declared: "Why, O Lord, is your anger enkindled against your people? Let the wrath your mind has conceived cease. Remember Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, to whom you swore to give a land flowing with milk and honey." And the Lord was dissuaded from accomplishing the evil he had threatened to inflict upon his people.

Exodus 32:11, 15, 13, 14

Moses asks God to remember the covenant he made with Israel. Do we, as the People of God, keep our end of the New Covenant?

(NB:  These are the same options as found in the 18th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time.)

PM: Alleluia Wednesdays--24th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

The nations will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.

Ps. 101:16

There is nobody or nothing greater than God. It is to Him that all reverence be directed.

PM: Gradual Tuesdays--24th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

I rejoiced when it was said unto me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."

V.  Let peace reign within your walls, and abundance in your towers.

Ps. 121:1; V. 7

The Church is made of "living stones", as an individual and "when two or three gather in My name". it is within these "buildings' where "the peace which surpasses all understanding" and the abundance of grace which is "sufficient for you" abides.

PM: Introit Mondays--24th Sunday Of Ordinary Time

Grant peace to those who are waiting for you, O Lord, so that your prophets may be proved trustworthy; hear the prayers of your servant and of your people, Israel.

V. I rejoiced when it was said unto me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."

Sirach 36:18; V. Ps 121

We come to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as an individual and the People of God. It is here as among many, we are one as we joyfully celebrate the memorial of our redemption.

PM: Communion Fridays--23rd. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

Make vows unto the Lord your God, and accomplish them, all you who gather around him to present offerings; to the awesome God who takes away the life of princes; he is greatly feared by all the kings of the earth.

Ps. 75:12, 13

The fear of the Lord, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, is the beginning of wisdom. It it by that wisdom we "can do all things".

Spetember 2016 Morning Offering Prayer Intentions

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

Universal Intention - Centrality of the Human Person.  That each may contribute to the common good and to the building of a society that places the human person at the center.

Evangelization Intention - Mission to Evangelize. That by participating in the Sacraments and meditating on Scripture, Christians may become more award of their mission to evangelize.

Reflections for these intentions are found here.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--23rd. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

I prayed to my God, I, Daniel, and I said:  "Hearken, O Lord, unto the prayers of your servant, and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary; look with forgiveness upon this nation over whom your name has been invoked, O God."

Daniel 9:4, (2), 17, 19

We are constantly seeking the face of God, as individuals and community. While He is everywhere, it is in His Real Presence and the Sacrament of Reconciliation where we truly encounter Him.