“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…
“COVER US, LORD, WITH YOUR MERCY. BE OUR PROTECTOR AND KEEP US FROM THE DANGERS WITH WHICH OUR SINS SURROUNDS US. BE OUR LIBERATOR AND SET US FREE.” (A Lent Sourcebook: The Forty Days, Book Two, p. 59). As more of us get vaccinated, we may see some restrictions lifted, but the wearing of masks, social…
WHEN HUMAN RIGHTS ARE PERVERTED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE MOST HIGH, WHEN ONE’S CASE IS SUBVERTED – DOES THE LORD NOT SEE IT? MY EYES WILL FLOW WITHOUT RESPITE, UNTIL THE LORD FROM HEAVEN LOOKS DOWN AND SEES.” (A Lent Sourcebook: The Forty Days, Book One, p. 217). It is incredible that over 500,000 Americans…
“TRULY THE EYE OF THE LORD IS ON THOSE WHO FEAR GODTO DELIVER THEIR SOULS FROM DEATH,AND TO KEEP THEM ALIVE IN FAMINE.” (A Lent Sourcebook: The Forty Days, Book One, p. 135) The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent is always the experience of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The Transfiguration gives the apostles a…