“HOLY SPIRIT, LORD DIVINE, COME, FROM HEIGHTS OF HEAV’N AND SHINE, COME WITH BLESSED RADIANCE BRIGHT!COME, O FATHER OF THE POOR, COME WHOSE TREASURED GIFTS ENDURE, COME, OUR HEARTS UNFAILING LIGHT!” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 155). Today is the FEAST OF PENTECOST! It is the birthday of the church because this is when the missionary life…
“WHEN EVERYONE HAS ANSWERED “AMEN,” THE DEACON SAYS: “ATTEND!” THE BISHOP THEN ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE WITH THESE WORDS: “HOLY THINGS TO THE HOLY!” THE PEOPLE ANSWER: ONE ONLY HOLY ONE, ONE ONLY LORD, JESUS CHRIST, WHO IS BLESSED FOREVER, TO THE GLORY OF THE FATHER. AMEN.” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 135). Today is THE FEAST…
“YOU SHALL BE CALLED BY A NEW NAMEPRONOUNCED BY THE MOUTH OF THE LORD.YOU SHALL BE A GLORIOUS CROWN IN THE HAND OF THE LORD,A ROYAL DIADEM HELD BY YOUR GOD.” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 124). Today is MOTHER’S DAY! It is the one day we recognize the gift of our mother. But we should do…
“THOSE WHO GAIN THE VICTORY,I WILL FEED FROM THE TREE OF LIFEWHICH GROWS IN THE GARDEN OF GOD.” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 98). If you have a grapevine in your yard, or you know someone who does, then you know that it has to be trimmed every year before the grapes appear. If this is not…
“…EVER BE THOU OUR GUIDE,OUR SHEPHERD AND OUR PRIDE, OUR STAFF AND SONG;JESUS, THOU CHRIST OF GOD,BY THINE ENDURING WORDLEAD US WHERE THOU HAST TROD, MAKE OUR FAITH STRONG.” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 75). The image of the shepherd is not just a pastoral and bucolic one but also one of care and concern. Sheep will…
“ALMIGHTY GOD, YOU GIVE US THE JOY OF CELEBRATING OUR LORD’S RESURRECTION. GIVE US ALSO THE JOYS OF LIFE IN YOUR SERVICE, AND BRING US AT LAST TO THE FULL JOY OF LIFE ETERNAL.” (A Triduum Sourcebook, III, p. 482). While the resurrection of Jesus has certainly changed our lives, the church, and the world, it…
“COME, O FAITHFUL, AND TAKE LIGHT FROM THE LIGHT THAT NEVERFADES; COME AND GLORIFY CHRIST WHO IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD.” (A TriduumSourcebook, II, p. 228). While Holy Week, the Triduum, and Easter were differentthis year because of COVID-19, at least we were able to have people in church.Last year we were on lockdown, and…
“CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD,TRAMPLING DOWN DEATH BY DEATH,AND UPON THOSE IN THE TOMBSBESTOWING LIFE.” (An Easter Sourcebook: The Fifty Days, Book Two, p. 1). Today is EASTER! It is the most important day in the life of the church. Today celebrates the rising of Jesus from death. But it also celebrates the new life…
“GLORIA, LAUS, ET HONOR TIBIT SIT. REX CHRISTI REDEMPTOR:CUI PUERILE DECUS PROMPSIT HOSANNA PIUM.ALL GLORY, LAUD, AND HONORTO THEE REDEEMER KING:TO WHOM THE LIPS OF CHILDRENMADE SWEET HOSANNAS RING.” (A Lent Sourcebook: The Forty Days, Book Two, p. 175). Today is PALM SUNDAY! It marks the triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Jesus. The crowd hailed him, singing…
“FOR A BRIEF MOMENT I ABANDONED YOU, BUT WITH GREAT COMPASSION I WILL GATHER YOU. IN OVERFLOWING WRATH FOR A MOMENT I HID MY FACE FROM YOU, BUT WITH EVERLASTING LOVE I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON YOU, SAYS THE LORD, YOUR REDEEMER.” (A Lent Sourcebook: The Forty Days, Book Two, p. 114). As we get deeper…