Beddian Platinum Nativity

A person celebrates their "Golden Birthday" when their age matches their day of birth. They celebrate their "Platinum Birthday" when their age matches the last two digits of their birth year. There is also something known as a "Beddian Birthday" Similar to a "Platinum Birthday", it also is when your age corresponds to your birth year, a phenomena noticed by a New York City firefighter named Bobby Beddia on his 53rd. birthday.

I had my "Golden Birthday" a long time ago. I get to celebrate the other two today. And after what happened to me last year, I really do have a reason to celebrate.

I have become more grateful with each passing natal day; especially this one. I thank God once again for granting me the gift of life:  to live, move, and have being. With stable housing and employment, I am in a far better place than I was. There is still much more damage to my psyche to repair; to that end, I have been seeing a mental health professional about once a month since March. In those few sessions an excellent foundation is being prepared to address a lot of personal issues.

I have also seemed to have grown just a bit more spiritually over the past twelve months. A return to the Sacrament of the Eucharist has been the cornerstone of that improvement. My prayer life has a little more routine, focus, and commitment. The work now is to notice the graces I am being given and use them.

Aging is not optional; maturing, however, shouldn't be. All the quotes along the lines of "you're not getting older; your getting better" are applicable. Especially the one about being patient with me, as God is not finished with me yet. That day will come; I pray I will be truly ready for it.

In the meantime, "... I have promises to keep,/And miles to go before I sleep."

Once again, "Come, grow old with me. The best is yet to be."

God willing, I hope to tell you all about it on my next birthday.

PM: Special Edition--Solemnity Of Ss. Peter And Paul, Apostles

The two greatest Apostles. The rock upon which the Church was built and the greatest preacher of the Gospel. Pillars of the Faith; martyrs for it. Today we celebrate the two men inseparable in ecclesiastical history, yet each with their own mission.

Now I know that the Lord really has sent his Angel, and has delivered me out of the hands of Herod, and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me; you know when I sit down and when I rise up.

Acts 12:11; v. Ps. 138:1-2 

Once again the Introit leads us into the First Reading. But it is the verse which grabs my attention. God knew the hearts of these two men and chose them to spearhead Christianity's beginnings. The Father chose these sons who saw His Son and empowered them with the Holy Spirit in their respective charisms. 

You will make them princes over all the earth; they shall conserve the memorial of your name, O Lord.

V. In place of your fathers, sons have been born unto you; therefore, all people will give you thanks.

Ps. 44:17; V. 18 

These two original Princes of the Church (a phrase associated with a bishop, the apostolic successors of Peter and Paul) tirelessly worked to spread the word about the Word. While the King has ascended into Heaven, the Gradual verse shows the authority given to them and their successors.

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.

Matt. 16:18

Used for both the Alleluia and Communion, it is the reward given to the first Pope upon his confession that Jesus is Lord. What is our reward for answering the most burning question Christ posed? Hopefully, nothing less than the Heavenly Kingdom.

You will make them princes over all the earth; they shall keep the memorial of your name, in every age and generation.

Ps. 44:17-18

The Offertory is the same as the Gradual (I don't know why there is a different translation). But their place in the Roman Canon assures their leadership roles, being the first two listed after the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. Here we acknowledge one of the four marks of the Church (apostolic) and her mission in the world.

Two men of Judaism, each taking their own way to the Way. Two leading figures of Christianity showing the way to the Way. May their lives inspire us to answer the question without question:  "Who do you say that I AM?"

PM: Special Edition--Solemnity Of The Nativity Of St. John The Baptist

This is one of the three actual birthdays the Church celebrates in her liturgical calendar (the other two being the Blessed Virgin Mary's and Jesus Christ's). The bridge between the Old and New Testaments, the herald of the Messiah, the one unfit to loosen his Savior's sandals, we honor the voice of he who cried out in the wilderness.

From my mother's womb the Lord called me by my name; and he made my mouth like unto a sharp sword; he protected me in the shadow of his hand, and he made me as his chosen arrow.

V. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to praise your name, O Most High.

Is. 49:1, 2; V. Psalm 91:1

The Introit prepares us for the First Reading. It is such an accurate description of what his life on earth would be like. And is not the first phrase a hint of the Visitation?

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you came out of the womb, I consecrated you.

V. The Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth, and he said unto me:  (Repeat antiphon.)

Jer. 1:5; V. 9

The Gradual also hints at the Visitation. When he leapt for joy in Elizabeth's womb when Mary came, could it be Christ ordaining him for his work? These are also the words we can recall for our vocation as the People of God.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; you will go before the Lord to make ready his ways.

Lk. 1:76

Used for both the Alleluia and Communion (the Latin in the Communion uses a different form of Lord), this answers the question posed in the Gospel. It is the first of the three Lukan canticles, used in Lauds/Morning Prayer. Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel--Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel.

The righteous man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow up like a cedar of Lebanon.

Ps. 91:13

If the words of the Offertory seem familiar, they should be; the verse is the same for the Introit for the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Because he was firmly rooted in Christ, he could be fearless in his proclaiming the coming of the Messiah and humble when they met "again" at Jesus' baptism. This distant relative of the Lord was as close to Him as he could be.

"Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 11:11) John's martyrdom secured his place in Heaven; may our dying to Christ so as to rise with Him be made manifest. Like John, let us "prepare the way of the Lord".

June 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

For Migrants Fleeing Their Homes. We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive them.

(UPDATE). A reflection for this intention can be found here.

Pange Lingua/Tantum Ergo

Pange, lingua, gloriosi
Corporis mysterium,
Sanguinisque pretiosi,
quem in mundi pretium
fructus ventris generosi
Rex effudit Gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus
ex intacta Virgine,
et in mundo conversatus,
sparso verbi semine,
sui moras incolatus
miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte cenae
recumbens cum fratribus
observata lege plene
cibis in legalibus,
cibum turbae duodenae
se dat suis manibus.

Verbum caro, panem verum
verbo carnem efficit:
fitque sanguis Christi merum,
et si sensus deficit,
ad firmandum cor sincerum
sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
veneremur cernui:
et antiquum documentum
novo cedat ritui:
praestet fides supplementum
sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
laus et iubilatio,
salus, honor, virtus quoque
sit et benedictio:
procedenti ab utroque
compar sit laudatio.
Amen. Alleluia.

V. Panem de caelis praestitisti eis. (T.P. Alleluja)
R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem. (T.P. Alleluja)

Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacramysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.

R. Amen.

++++++++++

Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory,
of His flesh the mystery sing;
of the Blood, all price exceeding,
shed by our immortal King,
destined, for the world's redemption,
from a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
then He closed in solemn order
wondrously His life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper,
seated with His chosen band,
He the Pascal victim eating,
first fulfills the Law's command;
then as Food to His Apostles
gives Himself with His own hand.

Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
by His word to Flesh He turns;
wine into His Blood He changes;-
what though sense no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest,
faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,
newer rites of grace prevail;
faith for all defects supplying,
where the feeble sense fail.

To the everlasting Father,
and the Son who reigns on high,
with the Holy Ghost proceeding
forth from Each eternally,
be salvation, honor, blessing,
might and endless majesty.
Amen. Alleluia.

R. Thou hast given them bread from heaven.
V. Having within it all sweetness.

Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever.

R. Amen.

++++++++++

Originally posted 6/18/2006.
Re-posted 6/10/2012.
Re-posted 6/2/2013.
Re-posted 6/22/2014.
Re-posted 5/29/2016.
Re-posted 6/18/2017.
Re-posted 6/3/2018.

Re-posted 6/23/2019.

Re-posted 6/14/2020.

Re-posted 6/6/2021.

Re-posted 6/19/2022.

Re-posted 6/11/2023.

May 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

For The Formation Of Religious And Seminarians. We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.

(UPDATE:  5/23/2024). A reflection for this intention can be found here.

Cryptic Conclusion?

All good things must come to an end.

Perhaps I should have done this a long time ago.

Regardless, it is a decision I do not take lightly.

I have been mulling this for quite a while.

Looking for inspiration for this task, I found plenty.

Finality comes in many forms.

Others have done it; why not me?

Only I will give you this opportunity to remember this day.

Look carefully at this post and see it for what it is.

April 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

For The Role Of Women. We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.

(UPDATE: 4/30/24). A reflection for this intention can be found here. 

2024 Easter Card

May our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless you with unending life and joy.

May He Who conquered death and sin bestow upon you grace and favor.

May He give you mercy and peace in infinite measure.

Happy Easter, Everybody!

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Reclaiming And Proclaiming The Light

"Then God said: 'Let there be light.' And there was light." (cf. Genesis 1:3)

There are parallels between the creation of the world and our salvation (one might even say our re-creation). For example, as creation was enveloped in darkness, so was its re-creation. Remember, darkness covered the earth in the beginning and also at the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The darkness in the beginning would not relent until God spoke. The darkness known as death, brought into the world by Original Sin, would not relent until God again spoke.

And what did God speak? In true Triune language, Himself. The Prologue of the Gospel of St. John captures the essence of this meaning. Word and Light came forth, as we profess in the Nicene Creed. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, was present in both events, invisible at the first but incarnate at the second.

In fact, His triumph over sin and death is what we celebrate tonight. What better reminder of this fact than the juxtaposition of the two icons which entered the Church during Her liturgies--the Cross on Good Friday and the Pascal Candle tonight. Both will stop three times on their way to the altar, each accompanied by their respective proclamation and response. The wood of the Cross reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus for us; the wax and wick of the candle, the ultimate salvation won by Christ for us.

It may have been the ultimate darkness that particular Passover, but it didn't last.

"What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:3b-5)

"On this, your night of grace, O holy Father, accept this candle, a solemn offering,...this gift from your most holy Church."

Both the English and Latin forms of the chant are provided for your meditation.