Four Full Weeks

It is here.

The beginning of a new liturgical year. The beginning of a new liturgical time. The beginning of our remembrance of the beginning of our salvation.

The advent of Advent.

While you are materially preparing for Christmas, you also need to spiritually prepare as well. This year we have all 28 days of the season, as the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord falls on a Sunday. While not as severe as Lent (despite the color reminders in both priestly vestments and Advent wreath candles), the penitential admonition of St. John the Baptist still hangs in the air.

So, how will you "prepare the way of the Lord" this time? Meditate on the daily Mass readings? Maybe assist at a weekday Mass more often than you do? Find time for the Rosary, perhaps focusing on the Joyful Mysteries? Take advantage of one of the myriad books that offer reflections about this season? The promptings of the Holy Spirit are limitless.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, we need to be a little more like Mary while we work like Martha. The material side of Christmas eventually gets done. While the spiritual side can be never ending, at least we can work on it, whatever our widow's mite is in this regard.

And it will go by all too quickly, even thought we have all of it.

Make the most of it so you can make the most of Christmas.

"Veni, veni, Emmanuel."

2016 Thanksgiving Day Card

May you "Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow". May you rejoice at all the benefits you have received. May the gathering of family and friends this day be one of festivity and warmth.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Producing Melody; Creating Harmony

For this year's tribute to the patron saint of music, St. Cecelia, I present to you a poem which shows how man, cooperating with the world over which he has dominion, creates beauty in the form of music.

      Before man came to blow it right
        The wind once blew itself untaught,
      And did its loudest day and night
        In any rough place where it caught.

      Man came to tell it what was wrong:
        It hadn't found the place to blow;
      It blew too hard - the aim was song.
        And listen - how it ought to go!

      He took a little in his mouth,
        And held it long enough for north
      To be converted into south,
        And then by measure blew it forth.

      By measure. It was word and note,
        The wind the wind had meant to be -
      A little through the lips and throat.
        The aim was song - the wind could see.

"The Aim Was Song" (from the collection New Hampshire, 1923)

Robert Frost (1874-1963)

PM: Communion Fridays--Solemnity Of Christ The King

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

Amen I say to you:  in as much as you have done it to one of the least these, my brethren, you have done it to me. Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.

Matthew 25:40, 34

This is the measure of how we are to love our neighbor so as to love God. The reward for this is the greatest--a place at the table of the Eternal Wedding Banquet.

The Lord will sit on his royal throne forever; the Lord will bless his people in peace.

Ps. 28: 10b, 11b

Christ is the victory, ruler, and commander of the world. He shall be peace.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--Solemnity Of Christ The King

Ask of me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth as your possession.

Ps. 2:8

As we are adopted children of God, we also share the gifts He has bestowed. Through Jesus our Brother we must reign as He would.

PM: Alleluia Wednesdays--Solemnity Of Christ The King

His power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away; and his kingdom shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:14

The Kingdom of God has been established in both heaven and earth.By Christ's own word,"the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

PM: Gradual Tuesdays--Solemnity Of Christ The King

He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

V. All the kings of the earth shall adore him; all nations shall serve him.

Ps. 71:8; V. 11

The Magi in Matthew's accounting symbolize all the earth and those who dwell in it. They recognize the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; so should we.

PM: Introit Mondays--Solemnity Of Christ The King

The Lamb who has been slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor; let glory and dominion be his for ever and ever.

V. Endow the King with your judgement. O God, and the King's son with your righteousness.

Rev. 5:12 and 1:6; V. Ps. 71

From manger to cross to empty tomb, Our Lord Jesus Christ reigns.Taking His seat at the right hand of the Father, the Son rules with all the gifts of diving majesty.

PM: Communion Fridays--33rd. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

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

"Lord, you delivered five talents unto me; behold, I have gained five more."
"Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your Lord."

Matt. 25:20, 21

I may not have five talents, but I also pray I don't have only one. We must always cooperated with God's grace to increase what we do have of our selves and our lives.

Amen I say to you, whatever you ask in you prayers, believe that you shall receive it, and it shall be granted unto you.

Mark 11:24

A reminder that we always need to ask for "our daily bread" so it may be given to us. We are also reminded that our wills need to be aligned with God's for our prayers to be effective.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--33rd. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord, Lord, hear my prayer; out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord.

Ps. 129:1, 2

It is not just only our own individual prayer we offer here. It is the prayer which is ever before God--the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.