Friday, April 10, 2020
Good Friday 2020 - The Cross
Jesus's death on the cross is proof of His love for us and the answer to the evil in this world. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/3e3Lbro Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
via View From the Ambo Podcast
A beautiful Hymn from the Roman Missal for Good Friday
Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,
Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:Sing, my tongue, in exultationOf our banner and device!Make a solemn proclamationOf a triumph and its price:How the Savior of creationConquered by his sacrifice!
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
Cantors:For, when Adam first offended,Eating that forbidden fruit,Not all hopes of glory endedWith the serpent at the root:Broken nature would be mendedBy a second tree and shoot.
All:Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:Thus the tempter was outwittedBy a wisdom deeper still:Remedy and ailment fitted,Means to cure and means to kill;That the world might be acquitted,Christ would do his Father’s will.
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
Cantors:So the Father, out of pityFor our self-inflicted doom,Sent him from the heavenly cityWhen the holy time had come:He, the Son and the Almighty,Took our flesh in Mary’s womb.
All:Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:Hear a tiny baby crying,Founder of the seas and strands;See his virgin Mother tyingCloth around his feet and hands;Find him in a manger lyingTightly wrapped in swaddling-bands!
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
Cantors:So he came, the long-expected,Not in glory, not to reign;Only born to be rejected,Choosing hunger, toil and pain,Till the scaffold was erectedAnd the Paschal Lamb was slain.
All:Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:No disgrace was too abhorrent:Nailed and mocked and parched he died;Blood and water, double warrant,Issue from his wounded side,Washing in a mighty torrentEarth and stars and oceantide.
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
Cantors:Lofty timber, smooth your roughness,Flex your boughs for blossoming;Let your fibers lose their toughness,Gently let your tendrils cling;Lay aside your native gruffness,Clasp the body of your King!
All:Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:Noblest tree of all created,Richly jeweled and embossed:Post by Lamb’s blood consecrated;Spar that saves the tempest-tossed;Scaffold-beam which, elevated,Carries what the world has cost!
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
All:Wisdom, power, and adorationTo the blessed TrinityFor redemption and salvationThrough the Paschal Mystery,Now, in every generation,And for all eternity. Amen.
Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:Sing, my tongue, in exultationOf our banner and device!Make a solemn proclamationOf a triumph and its price:How the Savior of creationConquered by his sacrifice!
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
Cantors:For, when Adam first offended,Eating that forbidden fruit,Not all hopes of glory endedWith the serpent at the root:Broken nature would be mendedBy a second tree and shoot.
All:Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:Thus the tempter was outwittedBy a wisdom deeper still:Remedy and ailment fitted,Means to cure and means to kill;That the world might be acquitted,Christ would do his Father’s will.
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
Cantors:So the Father, out of pityFor our self-inflicted doom,Sent him from the heavenly cityWhen the holy time had come:He, the Son and the Almighty,Took our flesh in Mary’s womb.
All:Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:Hear a tiny baby crying,Founder of the seas and strands;See his virgin Mother tyingCloth around his feet and hands;Find him in a manger lyingTightly wrapped in swaddling-bands!
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
Cantors:So he came, the long-expected,Not in glory, not to reign;Only born to be rejected,Choosing hunger, toil and pain,Till the scaffold was erectedAnd the Paschal Lamb was slain.
All:Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:No disgrace was too abhorrent:Nailed and mocked and parched he died;Blood and water, double warrant,Issue from his wounded side,Washing in a mighty torrentEarth and stars and oceantide.
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
Cantors:Lofty timber, smooth your roughness,Flex your boughs for blossoming;Let your fibers lose their toughness,Gently let your tendrils cling;Lay aside your native gruffness,Clasp the body of your King!
All:Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,Sweet the burden that they bear!
Cantors:Noblest tree of all created,Richly jeweled and embossed:Post by Lamb’s blood consecrated;Spar that saves the tempest-tossed;Scaffold-beam which, elevated,Carries what the world has cost!
All:Faithful Cross the Saints rely on,Noble tree beyond compare!Never was there such a scion,Never leaf or flower so rare.
All:Wisdom, power, and adorationTo the blessed TrinityFor redemption and salvationThrough the Paschal Mystery,Now, in every generation,And for all eternity. Amen.
The Reproaches
As we are commemorating our Lord's Passion while under 'stay at home' orders, one thing we might do as a family is pray the Reproaches. These are the liturgical text the Church asks to be prayed during the veneration of the Cross, and perhaps even more powerful this year as we experience a pandemic that the Lord might be using to bring deeper conversion.
The Reproaches (Improperia)
Antiphon 1 and 2:
We worship you, Lord,
we venerate your cross,
we praise your resurrection.
1: Through the cross
you brought joy to the world.
We worship you, Lord,
we venerate your cross,
we praise your resurrection.
1: Through the cross
you brought joy to the world.
1: (Psalm 66:2)
May God be gracious and bless us;
and let his face shed its light upon us.
May God be gracious and bless us;
and let his face shed its light upon us.
Repeat Antiphon by 1 and 2:
The Reproaches:
I.
1 and 2: My people, what have I done to you
How have I offended you? Answer me!
How have I offended you? Answer me!
1: I led you out of Egypt,
from slavery to freedom,
but you led your Savior to the cross.
from slavery to freedom,
but you led your Savior to the cross.
2: My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
How have I offended you? Answer me!
1: Holy is God!
2: Holy and strong!
1: Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
2: Holy and strong!
1: Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
1 and 2: For forty years I led you
safely through the desert.
I fed you with manna from heaven,
and brought you to a land of plenty; but you led your Savior to the cross.
safely through the desert.
I fed you with manna from heaven,
and brought you to a land of plenty; but you led your Savior to the cross.
Repeat "Holy is God..."
1 and 2: What more could I have done for you.
I planted you as my fairest vine,
but you yielded only bitterness:
when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink,
and you pierced your Savior with a lance.
I planted you as my fairest vine,
but you yielded only bitterness:
when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink,
and you pierced your Savior with a lance.
Repeat "Holy is God..."
II.
1: For your sake I scourged your captors
and their firstborn sons,
but you brought your scourges down on me.
and their firstborn sons,
but you brought your scourges down on me.
(Repeated throughout by Choir 2)
2: My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
2: My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
1: I led you from slavery to freedom
and drowned your captors in the sea,
but you handed me over to your high priests.
2: "My people...."
and drowned your captors in the sea,
but you handed me over to your high priests.
2: "My people...."
1: I opened the sea before you,
but you opened my side with a spear.
2: "My people...."
but you opened my side with a spear.
2: "My people...."
1: I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud,
but you led me to Pilate's court.
2: "My people...."
but you led me to Pilate's court.
2: "My people...."
1: I bore you up with manna in the desert,
but you struck me down and scourged me.
2: "My people...."
but you struck me down and scourged me.
2: "My people...."
1: I gave you saving water from the rock,
but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
2: "My people...."
but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
2: "My people...."
1: For you I struck down the kings of Canaan.
but you struck my head with a reed.
2: "My people...."
but you struck my head with a reed.
2: "My people...."
1: I gave you a royal scepter,
but you gave me a crown of thorns.
2: "My people...."
but you gave me a crown of thorns.
2: "My people...."
1: I raised you to the height of majesty,
but you have raised me high on a cross.
2: "My people...."
but you have raised me high on a cross.
2: "My people...."
First Day of Divine Mercy Novena (Good Friday)
Prayer for First Day of Divine Mercy Novena
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Communion by Desire
Minnesota, and many of the states, have extended ‘stay at home’ orders. Gathering with various others of all sizes, especially those over 10, are discouraged.
This puts a spin on life as normal for me as a priest, of course. We are not allowed to have public Masses, and especially as we are about to start the Sacred Triduum and Easter, this is hard. Harder still is the fasting from the Eucharist that the Faithful will need to extend.
I hear of the frustration. I hear, too, of the grasping at straws, the desire for parking lot Masses (which present a number of challenges to the sanctity of the Mass) or the desire for multiplication of Masses beyond the priests’ ability to meet and yet keep everyone safe and compliant. I hear of the request that we distribute the Eucharist in a hygienic way through using disposable items that could still pass on this virus or collect fragments of the Blessed Sacrament (and would need respectful treatment).
We have to remember that this novel corona virus is unique. While many who are exposed to it may have little to mild symptoms, some will have severe symptoms. While underlying health concerns are an aggravating matter, this is not always the case. It seems that this virus is a little fickle. On top of that, as we have heard, someone might be contagious before, if ever, being symptomatic. This means that they might pass on this virus without ever getting sick or even knowing they are contagious. Perhaps even the celebrant might be contagious, and we are touching the Eucharist at distribution, and then passing on the virus to others. We do not know (yet) who is contagious or who already has had it and now immune, or who is vulnerable to the severe symptoms. As a result, the best course of action seems to be the stay at home orders for the general population to give time for our hospitals to prepare. Hopefully, by the end of April, there will be antibody tests that will allow an easing of the restrictions except for perhaps those most vulnerable.
So we are required, at this time, to maintain this stay at home order. We may look back and say that what we did was difficult. At this point, without these restrictions, from what we understand, we are putting vulnerable lives at risk. We may never know how many lives we have saved by doing nothing… by staying home… by maintaining social distances. May we never find out that we were the cause of unnecessary exposure and perhaps even death by not taking the doctors and epidemiologists at their word.
As Catholics, we are required to attend Mass (yes, that is the requirement, not reception of the Blessed Sacrament). But there are conditions in which that obligation is lifted, mainly when we are putting ourselves or others at risk either because of difficult travel conditions or illness. While those that are contagious may not be ill, they could pass this virus on to the more vulnerable, therefore, Bishop LeVoir and many other bishops have dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass.
At the same time, we live in a wonderful time — we have resources that our ancestors would never have imagined. How many priests and bishops have their Masses live-streamed or recorded for playback! Certainly, it is not the same. As one who is in a parish with the capability to live-stream, it is difficult for me as a priest-celebrant to offer Mass with only the minimal people needed to live-stream it. But it is better than nothing. Here, Mass is still being offered in the place best.
Reception of the Eucharist is important. This Holy Thursday evening, we will mark the giving of the Eucharist as the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection. As we receive His Body and Blood, we receive communion with Him. But this communion is not automatic, nor is it the only means of communion. We have to remember that Judas was at the Last Supper. He received from Christ Himself the first Eucharist. Yet he did not have communion. St. Peter, and nine other apostles for that matter, also received, but St. Peter would deny even knowing Jesus within hours and the others would run and hide. Only St. John remained at the foot of the cross. Only he experienced an immediate communion with the Lord. Certainly, after the Resurrection, when the sign of the Eucharist was fulfilled, though not fully understood, did the apostles experience a deeper communion, one that lead to their bold preaching and eventual martyrdom. Ironically, only St. John was spared death from martyrdom, though they tried. But he had a spiritual martyrdom — he desired union with the Lord in all things, even the Lord’s death.
And that concept of martyrdom by desire might help us understand the other point — the Eucharist is not the only means to communion. St. John experienced a spiritual martyrdom — he deeply desired to give witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through his own death — but that was not God’s will. The Church teaches of the importance of Baptism. Baptism is the means in which we enter the Sacramental life of the Church. But it is possible to be saved, in ways known to God alone, without receiving this sacrament. Someone who is not yet baptized but dies in witness to Jesus Christ, therefore a martyr, is said to have experienced a baptism by blood. Their faith in Christ lead them to die for Him, and the Lord will save them. But there is another means: Someone who is preparing for Baptism, say in an RCIA program, who dies before the sacrament, might be saved in what the Church calls baptism by desire. Their desire for the sacrament is so great that, despite circumstances beyond their control, receive the graces that that sacrament imparts. See, God binds Himself to the Sacraments, but is not bound by them. He guarantees that they impart grace on those capable of receiving that grace, but that is not the only way He can give it.
The Lord has bound Himself to the Eucharist. He imparts the grace of communion with Himself (and all the saints, for that matter) in the reception of the Eucharist. But He can, and does give that grace through other means too. Again, that grace is not automatic — we must desire Him, union with Him, communion with Him and all in union with Him. We cannot continue to see the Eucharist as a commodity — a ‘something' I need. Rather, we need to see the Eucharist as He is - Christ who humbles Himself for us and our salvation. A Gift from Christ of Himself that we may have the grace of union with Him. Instead of seeing it as the only means of communion, we perhaps can see it as the primary means, the privileged means of communion. Perhaps, during this Great Fast, now extended into May, we can continue to grow in our desire the Eucharist for who He is — our Lord and Savior, and remember that while the majority of Catholics cannot receive Him Sacramentally, we can receive Him spiritually by deeply desiring Him. He will not allow His people to starve in their desire for communion. He will nourish them in ways mysterious.
I know that this is a difficult time. I know people are afraid, frustrated, and angry. But I also know that it does not have to be so. We can choose to let Christ reign in our hearts. The stone of His tomb could not stop His resurrection, nor can this virus. In fact, there is only one thing that can stop Jesus Christ from having power in our lives — us. Only when we desire He have no authority over us, that we have no communion with Him, is He thwarted from working in our lives and having communion with Him. Yes, - I desire Him in the Eucharist. But more importantly, I NEED Him.
When we are returned to the practice of public Mass (and we will), we may have a renewed joy to not only be in the presence of Christ and the congregation, but to be able to receive Him sacramentally, the most full sign that we have prepared our hearts by our communion by desire.
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
This puts a spin on life as normal for me as a priest, of course. We are not allowed to have public Masses, and especially as we are about to start the Sacred Triduum and Easter, this is hard. Harder still is the fasting from the Eucharist that the Faithful will need to extend.
I hear of the frustration. I hear, too, of the grasping at straws, the desire for parking lot Masses (which present a number of challenges to the sanctity of the Mass) or the desire for multiplication of Masses beyond the priests’ ability to meet and yet keep everyone safe and compliant. I hear of the request that we distribute the Eucharist in a hygienic way through using disposable items that could still pass on this virus or collect fragments of the Blessed Sacrament (and would need respectful treatment).
We have to remember that this novel corona virus is unique. While many who are exposed to it may have little to mild symptoms, some will have severe symptoms. While underlying health concerns are an aggravating matter, this is not always the case. It seems that this virus is a little fickle. On top of that, as we have heard, someone might be contagious before, if ever, being symptomatic. This means that they might pass on this virus without ever getting sick or even knowing they are contagious. Perhaps even the celebrant might be contagious, and we are touching the Eucharist at distribution, and then passing on the virus to others. We do not know (yet) who is contagious or who already has had it and now immune, or who is vulnerable to the severe symptoms. As a result, the best course of action seems to be the stay at home orders for the general population to give time for our hospitals to prepare. Hopefully, by the end of April, there will be antibody tests that will allow an easing of the restrictions except for perhaps those most vulnerable.
So we are required, at this time, to maintain this stay at home order. We may look back and say that what we did was difficult. At this point, without these restrictions, from what we understand, we are putting vulnerable lives at risk. We may never know how many lives we have saved by doing nothing… by staying home… by maintaining social distances. May we never find out that we were the cause of unnecessary exposure and perhaps even death by not taking the doctors and epidemiologists at their word.
As Catholics, we are required to attend Mass (yes, that is the requirement, not reception of the Blessed Sacrament). But there are conditions in which that obligation is lifted, mainly when we are putting ourselves or others at risk either because of difficult travel conditions or illness. While those that are contagious may not be ill, they could pass this virus on to the more vulnerable, therefore, Bishop LeVoir and many other bishops have dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass.
At the same time, we live in a wonderful time — we have resources that our ancestors would never have imagined. How many priests and bishops have their Masses live-streamed or recorded for playback! Certainly, it is not the same. As one who is in a parish with the capability to live-stream, it is difficult for me as a priest-celebrant to offer Mass with only the minimal people needed to live-stream it. But it is better than nothing. Here, Mass is still being offered in the place best.
Reception of the Eucharist is important. This Holy Thursday evening, we will mark the giving of the Eucharist as the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection. As we receive His Body and Blood, we receive communion with Him. But this communion is not automatic, nor is it the only means of communion. We have to remember that Judas was at the Last Supper. He received from Christ Himself the first Eucharist. Yet he did not have communion. St. Peter, and nine other apostles for that matter, also received, but St. Peter would deny even knowing Jesus within hours and the others would run and hide. Only St. John remained at the foot of the cross. Only he experienced an immediate communion with the Lord. Certainly, after the Resurrection, when the sign of the Eucharist was fulfilled, though not fully understood, did the apostles experience a deeper communion, one that lead to their bold preaching and eventual martyrdom. Ironically, only St. John was spared death from martyrdom, though they tried. But he had a spiritual martyrdom — he desired union with the Lord in all things, even the Lord’s death.
And that concept of martyrdom by desire might help us understand the other point — the Eucharist is not the only means to communion. St. John experienced a spiritual martyrdom — he deeply desired to give witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through his own death — but that was not God’s will. The Church teaches of the importance of Baptism. Baptism is the means in which we enter the Sacramental life of the Church. But it is possible to be saved, in ways known to God alone, without receiving this sacrament. Someone who is not yet baptized but dies in witness to Jesus Christ, therefore a martyr, is said to have experienced a baptism by blood. Their faith in Christ lead them to die for Him, and the Lord will save them. But there is another means: Someone who is preparing for Baptism, say in an RCIA program, who dies before the sacrament, might be saved in what the Church calls baptism by desire. Their desire for the sacrament is so great that, despite circumstances beyond their control, receive the graces that that sacrament imparts. See, God binds Himself to the Sacraments, but is not bound by them. He guarantees that they impart grace on those capable of receiving that grace, but that is not the only way He can give it.
The Lord has bound Himself to the Eucharist. He imparts the grace of communion with Himself (and all the saints, for that matter) in the reception of the Eucharist. But He can, and does give that grace through other means too. Again, that grace is not automatic — we must desire Him, union with Him, communion with Him and all in union with Him. We cannot continue to see the Eucharist as a commodity — a ‘something' I need. Rather, we need to see the Eucharist as He is - Christ who humbles Himself for us and our salvation. A Gift from Christ of Himself that we may have the grace of union with Him. Instead of seeing it as the only means of communion, we perhaps can see it as the primary means, the privileged means of communion. Perhaps, during this Great Fast, now extended into May, we can continue to grow in our desire the Eucharist for who He is — our Lord and Savior, and remember that while the majority of Catholics cannot receive Him Sacramentally, we can receive Him spiritually by deeply desiring Him. He will not allow His people to starve in their desire for communion. He will nourish them in ways mysterious.
I know that this is a difficult time. I know people are afraid, frustrated, and angry. But I also know that it does not have to be so. We can choose to let Christ reign in our hearts. The stone of His tomb could not stop His resurrection, nor can this virus. In fact, there is only one thing that can stop Jesus Christ from having power in our lives — us. Only when we desire He have no authority over us, that we have no communion with Him, is He thwarted from working in our lives and having communion with Him. Yes, - I desire Him in the Eucharist. But more importantly, I NEED Him.
When we are returned to the practice of public Mass (and we will), we may have a renewed joy to not only be in the presence of Christ and the congregation, but to be able to receive Him sacramentally, the most full sign that we have prepared our hearts by our communion by desire.
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Spy Wednesday 2020 - Who Is He?
Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, not knowing who Jesus truly was. How do we fail to recognized Jesus? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/3e3NxGS Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
via View From the Ambo Podcast
Holy Tuesday 2020 - Night
Judas receives a morsel from our Lord, and Satan enters, and St. John records it was night- why? Because Judas didn’t understand what he received. https://ift.tt/3e2r5Or Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
via View From the Ambo Podcast
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