August 2014 Morning Offering Prayer Intentions

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

Universal Intention - Refugees. That refugees, forced by violence to abandon their homes, may find a generous welcome and the protection of their rights.

Evangelization Intention - Oceania. That Christians in Oceania may joyfully announce the faith to all the people of that region.

A Deck Of (Birthday) Cards

My goodness, how time seems to fly when you age.

I remember seeing an article about how time appears to go so slowly when one is a child and quickly as an adult. The article mentioned the perception of all the discoveries one has growing up gives the allusion the second hand on a clock progresses at less than its actual pace. When all the newness is gone, when routine becomes routine, when it is the "same old same old", that is when the days, weeks, months, and even years start to blur. (Maybe that is why I enjoy the liturgical calendar so much. It is somewhat "ever changing, ever new".)

I think that is why it is good to celebrate milestones. Stopping to smell the roses, to acknowledge points on the calendar, to give time the time it deserves, this is a way to ground ourselves in the here and now, to recognize our existence and significance, to know "(y)ou are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here."

Of all those dates, the one is your entry into the world has to be, in a sense, "the source and summit" of all those commemorations. Without this moment in time, you have no moments in time. Yes, "no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." It is up to us to demarcate those special spots along the stretch of eternity.

This, for me (and I hope yours is as well, for you who stumble across these words) is one of those stopping points. I will always choose the first part of Hamlet's question. I embrace Robert Browning's encouragement. There may be a time when I must take up Dylan Thomas's cause, but eventually I will submit to God's will to leave this mortal coil.  Right now, despite all the "sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world."

I will be a part of it.

To paraphrase the lyrics, "I just want to celebrate another year of living. I just want to celebrate another year of life."

And so I will.

Indy This Summertime

Yesterday was a day of renewing friendships, making new acquaintances, a splendid opening banquet, and the first of many liturgical opportunities (Compline).

This morning they will begin in earnest what is billed as "seven days of musical heaven"--Colloquium XXIV, sponsored by the Church Music Association of America, being held this year in Indianapolis, IN.

I wish I was with you. You all are so kind to take this shy, somewhat talented tenor under your wing and call me a colleague. Maybe next year, when the Silver Colloquium will shine even brighter.

May God bless this gathering of labors who work in the sweetest of vineyards--the choir lofts of churches around the world. May this be a fruitful time for all.

"Cantare amantis est."

July 2014 Morning Offering Prayer Intentions

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

Universal Intention - Sports. That sports may always be occasions of human fraternity and growth..

Evangelization Intention - Lay Missionaries. That the Holy Spirit may support the work of the laity who proclaim the Gospel in the poorest countries.

June 2014 Morning Offering Prayer Intentions

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

Universal Intention - Unemployed. That the unemployed may receive support and find the work they need to live in dignity.

Evangelization Intention - Faith in Europe. That Europe may rediscover its Christian roots through the witness of believers.

May 2014 Morning Offering Prayer Intentions

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

Universal Intention - Media. That the media may be instruments in the service of truth and peace.

Evangelization Intention - Mary’s Guidance.That Mary, Star of Evangelization, may guide the Church in proclaiming Christ to all nations.

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You will notice the format has changed slightly. This is due to the fact the website of the Apostleship of Prayer has been updated. The links in the intentions take you to a monthly reflection. The General Intention is now known as the Universal Intention.

2014 Easter Card

The Resurrection of Christ by Paolo Veronese

May our Lord, Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, bless you abundantly.  May He Who overcame the grave bestow upon you true peace and love. May this Easter triumph bring you much Easter joy.

Happy Easter, everybody!

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

"...Ablaze With Light..."

Consider the words of the prophet Isaiah (8:23-9:3):

There is no gloom where there had been distress. Where once he degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, now he has glorified the way of the Sea, the land across the Jordan, Galilee of the Nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as they exult when dividing the spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, the rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

You should recognize it as the start of the First Reading from the Christmas Mass:  During the Night. But what does this have to do with Easter? Plenty.

The beginning of the Easter Vigil Mass can start no earlier than sunset. While twilight provides its own kind of "gloom", it is also not symbolic of the state of our souls, both as an individual and humanity, after being plunged into sin by Adam? Then comes the lighting of the Vigil fire, the Easter Candle, and those smaller candles given to the congregation, continuing to dispel the darkness. The triple proclamation of "Christ, our Light" and our grateful response of "Thanks be to God" begins the rejoicing at the harvest, the gathering of souls redeemed.  "This is the night" when the yoke of sin, the pole of guilt, the rod of death is smashed through the act of the Resurrection. Indeed, we do exult as Christ divides the spoils of salvation and allots us our share.

I make no claim of any theological accuracy, much less brilliance; I just think these thoughts are a possible insight. What was started at the Annunciation finds it zenith tonight.  Christmas and Easter unite. God's promise is fulfilled.

Rejoice as you hear the Exsultet.  The Latin and English texts are provided.

A Belated But Merciful Remeinder

For the past few months I have been praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, albeit on a rather infrequent basis. It is an easy devotion to learn and maintain.  God knows how much I need it in my life right now, much less the world.

Good Friday traditionally marks the beginning of a novena using these prayers, each of the nine days focusing on a specific intention as mentioned in the writings of Sr. Maria Faustina. This year's novena takes on more significance as its promoter, Blessed Pope John Paul II will be canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday, along with Blessed Pope John XXIII.

Full details about this devotion may be found here.

Blessed are they who show mercy.  May mercy be shown to those who ask for it as well.

Nine Times "Seven"

And so Palm Sunday arrives. Such an unusual Mass on this day, as we go from joyful acknowledgement in our "Hosanna's" to angry disdain in our "Crucify Him's" in the Liturgy of the Word, coloring the Liturgy of the Eucharist which follows. First we raise our palm branches, saluting Him; then we raise a Cross, sacrificing Him.

Humans are such a fickle creature, no?

With Holy Week upon us, I humbly offer again my brief meditations on the "Seven Last Words" of Christ as He hung upon the Cross.  For the next seven days inclusive, the final thoughts of our Lord and Savior come to the fore. I hope each post will allow you to contemplate on what this act of redemption means in your life, to add to what little I have said.

Jesus leads us outside the walls of Jerusalem.

There He will deliver an even more elegant "sermon" on a mount.

For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear; let us follow the Master to Calvary.