Four Full Weeks, Again

Well, what do you know?

For the first time in six years, Christmas falls on a Sunday. And because of three Leap Days, it will not happen again until 2033.

We have a full twenty-eight days of Advent this time around.

How will you "prepare the way of the Lord" so when that last Sunday of December comes you are ready to "see the salvation of our God"?

There is never anything wrong with the tried and true. Daily Mass (if you don't already), extra prayers, more Bible reading, adding spiritual reading, the Sacrament of Penance, some Corporal Work of Mercy--all these still can help you prepare spiritually as you prepare materially. And unlike the innkeeper mentioned in the Gospel of St. Luke, you can reserve a space in your schedule for some of this.

It is all about focus. It is about going to a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the season. It is about being still and coming to know more about God. It is about looking east instead of north.

The whole world waited since the fall of Adam for the Savior to arrive. The Blessed Virgin Mary waited for nine months. Compared to those, this is a short vigil.

Prepare your Advent wreath to once again mark the time.

This year, you will get more use out of the last purple candle.

"Maranatha."

2022 Thanksgiving Day Card

May you truly be thankful for all the blessings you have received. May today be fill with gladness and fellowship. May you praise and thank God for all His graces and favors.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!

This Musical Maiden

Today's Collect/Opening Prayer:

O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of your handmaid Saint Cecilia, grant, we pray, that what has been devoutly handed down concerning her may offer us examples to imitate and proclaim the wonders worked in his servants by Christ your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

A 'blog post from the Catholic Truth Society gives more detail about her.

St. Cecilia, patroness of musicians. pray for us.

Flowery Symbol

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

In Flanders Fields (1915)

John McCrea (1872-1918)

PM: Special Edition--Feast Of The Dedication Of The Lateran Basilica

Here is another one of those feasts which would supercede the Sunday of Ordinary Time if today's date would fall on the first day of the week. It is officially the cathedral for the Bishop of Rome. This church honors two St. Johns--the Baptist and the Evangelist. 

God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people. 

V. Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; and let those who hate him flee before his face.

Ps. 67:6, 7, 36; V. 2

This is also the Introit for the Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. While God is everywhere, He is especially present in His sacred buildings, where He provides for His people.

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

This is also the Gradual for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Our hearts should be glad when we go to meet Him where He is, as He is. 

The house of the Lord is solidly built upon a firm rock.

A rare non-biblical Proper, this Alleluia displays the unity of the People of God with the Supreme Pontiff. "Where Peter is, there is the Church."

O Lord God, in the simplicity of my heart I have joyfully offered all things: and I have beheld with immense joy your people gathered here. God of Israel, preserve this good intention, O Lord God.

1 Chron. 29:17, 18

What a sincere request during the Offertory. Reminds one of the request Solomon had before he became king, when he asked for wisdom. 

Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord.

Psalm 121:3-4

This is used at Communion on the Fourth Sunday of Lent when the Gospel is not either the Man Born Blind or the Prodigal Son. Again the unity of those who make up the visible Church and their primary duty is presented.

Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput.

Of all the churches in the city and the world, the mother and head.

November 2022 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when prayer the Morning Offering:

For children who suffer. We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

October 2022 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when prayer the Morning Offering:

For a Church open to everyone. We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

When I Was Seventeen

This infinitesimal corner of the universe celebrates only two events directly related to it host. The first is, naturally, the host's natal day. The other is the birth of this collection of pixels created by the host.

Yes, this my 'blogiversary.

Has 'blogging gone out of fashion? I would say, given the development of other social media, that answer leans toward the affirmative. Yet there are still very predominate and influential people who include this as part of their virtual footprint. I still think it has a purpose.

Perhaps that is why this is still around. I have never claimed to be proficient or that profound, despite a promising beginning. I always work toward being thoughtful and relevant, although being part of the news cycle has never been a fabric in this outfit. (And there have been plenty of things upon which to comment.) I don't mind being a "small, quiet voice". It is my hope that my words give you a point of departure for contemplation.

So once again, I renew my commitment to keep this going. It has never been on life support; rather, I would think it is more in hibernation. Yes, there will be the usual re-posts and monthly reminders. I just need to move the spirit and post on what interests me and upon which I can expound from my limited background, knowledge, and experience. For now, that it how I am defining how successful this is.

Do continue to come and visit; I enjoy your company.

The welcome mat is still out.

"Remember, Remember..."

 

 "...the eleventh of September."

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. 

George Santayana (1862-1952)

And those who will not remember the past are condemned to make a worse mistake.

The Augustinian privilege is invoked again today. For on this day 21 years ago, the worst terrorist act in the history of the United States was perpetrated. Two passenger planes were deliberately flown into the "Twin Towers" in New York, NY. A third found its way to the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A fourth, seemingly headed for the Capitol building, was forced to crash land in a field near Shanksville, PA due to the heroic efforts of the passengers.

2,996 lives were lost. It was a brilliant act of evil. Satan had to be more proud of himself than ever.

And so we made vows. One was to "Never Forget". There will be tributes and memorials all over the country and the interwebs today. As always, I encourage you to go to one in person and find more eloquent and elegant words than what are here.

The other was to take the fight to the enemy. In this "War on Terrorism" the battles have seemingly been few and far between. While we have somewhat succeeded in eliminating some cells and some major leaders, one has to wonder if this task is not a version of Hydra.

I am still tinged with sadness recollecting the events of that day. It still makes no sense. But spiritual battles never will, given our limited reasoning abilities. We are fighting powers we will never comprehend. But, as God has assured us the victory over evil by the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we still must combat it.

And so we pause to recall and reflect.

And so we will carry on.

Never Forget.

September 2022 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when prayer the Morning Offering:

For the abolition of the death penalty. We pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.

A reflection for this intention is found here.