Sunday, April 16, 2017

2017 Easter Card






May the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bring you eternal joy. May He Who once was dead but now is alive bring you infinite peace. May the Son of God, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, bring you everlasting love.

He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter, Everybody!

Saturday, April 15, 2017

This Candle's Perfect Praises

If one really thinks about it, there are no words that can truly describe the joy the soul feels about being redeemed. How can our limited minds understand what has really happened? What finite expression could adequately describe an event of infinite love and mercy?

It is Grace; Sanctifying Grace to be most specific. It is a free, unmerited gift from God. He Who bring us into and sustains our existence by His will grants us the privilege to be called adopted children of His through the life, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We are heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven if only we cooperate with this unfathomable power.

Our response to this is also a gift. I am sure one could comb Scriptures to find appropriate promptings inspired by the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit has also led many a saint to convey some sense of this ecstasy. May I submit, however, that the closest we come to the most sincere heart- and soul-filled reply we could have is found in the Exsultet.

Having had the humble honor of proclaiming this text, even though I am more unworthy than the clerics whose rightful duty it is, it is still in its intonation the closest we can come to joy unbridled. This hymn of glory, laud, and honor to our Redeemer King makes our sweet "Hosanna" ring. It is the true affirmation in our Profession of Faith. It is faith, hope, and love animated completely.

May those who have this role tonight bring forth that joy and set the stage for the rest of the Easter Vigil.

The text, in both Latin and English, is provided.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Be Reminded Again Of Mercy


 Good Friday also marks the start of the Novena to the Divine Mercy.

This post from 2006 provides all the details.

"Jesus, I Trust In You!"

Sunday, April 09, 2017

A Rehearing Of "Words"

We are finally at Palm/Passion Sunday.

We are on the doorstep of the Triduum.

These forty days of Lent are almost over; our Easter joy is close at hand.

Today's Mass is about a swing of moods. We hear of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, then get shocked with one of Isaiah's "Suffering Servant" prophecies, and then witness the Crucifixion through the same eyes of the Gospel writer from the start. From "Hosanna" to "Crucify", from elation to desolation, from seeming victory to seeming defeat.

Holy Week has begun. As has been my custom since the inception of this 'blog, I once again humbly present a series of meditations on the "Seven Last Words", the statements made by Christ as He hung on the Cross. The format has changed little; all I have ever asked is that what I say might inspire you to find others who can present a deeper insight.

Draw closer to the Cross. Join Mary, John and the rest. "Listen to Him."

See you at the hour of mercy--the hour of His Death.

Saturday, April 01, 2017

April 2017 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:
Young People.  That young people may respond generously to their vocations and seriously consider offering themselves to God in the priesthood or consecrated life.
A reflection for this intention is found here.