May 2017 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

Christians In Africa.  That Christians in Africa, in imitation of the Merciful Jesus, may give prophetic witness to reconciliation, justice, and peace.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

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!

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.

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!"

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.

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.

Pomp With Circumstance

The Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CA, will be installed today as the 10th. Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, UT.

The Mass of Installation will take place at 2:00 PM MST at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

A local television station will live stream this event on it's website starting at 1:25 PM.

Come celebrate with us as we will finally have an occupant for the cathedra.

Being Continued

As I am typing this, it is now tomorrow, although not for very long.

The ashes placed on our foreheads have been removed. The hunger pangs associated with yesterday's fast have subsided. The second day of Lent is almost done.

The season, however, has just started.

Again, we are faced with the dilemma of yesterday's Gospel reading and how to apply it this year.What kind of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are we to add? How it this going to benefit us not only for the next six week but beyond? How are we going to heed the call to repentance and conversion? How will we ready ourselves to truly take part in celebrating Christ's resurrection?

Suggestions abound, some familiar and some new. Tried and true, while comfortable, maybe might be spiritual milk now. Novelties may not have passed muster. As your body was craving food, your soul might be craving a different kind of nurturing.

Seek, and you shall find. Perhaps by the end of week you will have something in place. And it doesn't have to be grandiose.

For me, it is more consistent prayer. I want to learn how "to pray at all times", to let my thoughts, words, and deeds rise like incense. As I am drawn to formal prayers, it will most likely be a commitment to recite the Rosary, the Angelus, the Morning Offering, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day. This will force me to make the time to be in the presence of God and become even more aware of Him.

But if prayer is a conversation with God, I also need to find the time to listen. That may have to evolve as Lent progresses. Again, it is about making time for it.

That's my plan and I am sticking to it, with the help of God's grace.

Go find one for you that will produce much fruit.

March 2017 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

Support For Persecuted Christians.  That persecuted Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

To Be Continued

The clock on my computers says it's 11:45 PM as I start this post.

I am in the final few minutes of my first day of Lent.

Ash Wednesday is about to come and go.

I'll have more to say about this tomorrow.