Holy Thursday

Today is the commemoration of the day on which Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist.  Besides being mentioned in the Gospels, Saint Paul tells the Corinthians,

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread, and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

This was the institution of the Mass and the institution of the priesthood. Pray, desperately, for our priests and for the Holy Father. Offer up your prayers, especially on this day, for the holiness of our priests.

Holy Thursday

Today is the commemoration of the day on which Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist.  Besides being mentioned in the Gospels, Saint Paul tells the Corinthians,

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread, and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

This was the institution of the Mass and the institution of the priesthood. Pray, desperately, for our priests and for the Holy Father. Offer up your prayers, especially on this day, for the holiness of our priests.

Healing in Midlife

Today's Mass readings are about healing. Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24 tells us that God takes no pleasure in the extinction of the living and that death was brought into the world by the devil's envy. The first reading from Wisdom also reminds us that the world’s created things have health in them. God created the world, and it was good. Our world is something to be rejoiced in and enjoyed.

The second reading today reminds us of the importance of balance. Saint Paul tells the Corinthians, (2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15)

(it) does not mean that to give relief to others you ought to make things difficult for yourselves: it is a question of balancing what happens to be your surplus now against their present need, and one day they may have something to spare that will supply your own need.

This is surprising to some who believe that God calls us to give until our giving renders us unable to give at all. But, clearly, the Lord calls us to rejoice in the life He has given us.

God does not want us to be empty and broken, but to be whole and filled with His love. In today's Gospel, (Mark 5:21-43) Jesus heals the woman with the hemorrhage and raises the synagogue official's daughter from the dead.

Jesus calls us to new life in Him. This is especially pertinent to those of us in midlife. It is a time of life when we are being pressed on every side, and like Christ, can sometimes feel the life ebbing out of us. But God reminds us, through Saint Paul, not to give to the point where functioning becomes difficult for ourselves, but instead, to maintain a sense of balance, and turn to Him for healing, through the church, and through the world's created things that have been given to us on this earth.

Like the woman with the hemorrhage (very likely a woman in midlife) we need to reach out to Christ, even in the midst of a crowded mind and a crowded life, and trust that He will know that we, as individuals, are there and have touched Him. And like the official's daughter, He will raise us to new life.

Note: The image above is from the catacombs and is one of the oldest images of Jesus. It depicts the story from today's Gospel of the woman with the hemorrhage being cured by Christ.

Healing in Midlife

Today's Mass readings are about healing. Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24 tells us that God takes no pleasure in the extinction of the living and that death was brought into the world by the devil's envy. The first reading from Wisdom also reminds us that the world’s created things have health in them. God created the world, and it was good. Our world is something to be rejoiced in and enjoyed.

The second reading today reminds us of the importance of balance. Saint Paul tells the Corinthians, (2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15)

(it) does not mean that to give relief to others you ought to make things difficult for yourselves: it is a question of balancing what happens to be your surplus now against their present need, and one day they may have something to spare that will supply your own need.

This is surprising to some who believe that God calls us to give until our giving renders us unable to give at all. But, clearly, the Lord calls us to rejoice in the life He has given us.

God does not want us to be empty and broken, but to be whole and filled with His love. In today's Gospel, (Mark 5:21-43) Jesus heals the woman with the hemorrhage and raises the synagogue official's daughter from the dead.

Jesus calls us to new life in Him. This is especially pertinent to those of us in midlife. It is a time of life when we are being pressed on every side, and like Christ, can sometimes feel the life ebbing out of us. But God reminds us, through Saint Paul, not to give to the point where functioning becomes difficult for ourselves, but instead, to maintain a sense of balance, and turn to Him for healing, through the church, and through the world's created things that have been given to us on this earth.

Like the woman with the hemorrhage (very likely a woman in midlife) we need to reach out to Christ, even in the midst of a crowded mind and a crowded life, and trust that He will know that we, as individuals, are there and have touched Him. And like the official's daughter, He will raise us to new life.

Note: The image above is from the catacombs and is one of the oldest images of Jesus. It depicts the story from today's Gospel of the woman with the hemorrhage being cured by Christ.

And With Your Spirit!!!!!!!!

Catholic World News reports that Rome has approved a new translation for a portion of the Roman missal for prayers used at Mass. During the proposed "pastoral preparation" period for introducing these changes to parishioners, it is hoped that some new musical settings for these texts will be written.

A few of the most important changes will be:

* At the Consecration, the priest will refer to Christ's blood which is "poured out for you and for many"-- an accurate translation of pro multis * At the Consecration, the priest will refer to Christ's blood which is "poured out for you and for many"-- an accurate translation of pro multis-- rather than "for all" in the current translation.

* In the Nicene Creed the opening word, Credo, will be correctly translated as "I believe" rather than "we believe."

* When the priest says, "The Lord be with you," the faithful respond, "And with your spirit," rather than simply, "And also with you."

* In the Eucharistic prayer, references to the Church will use the pronouns "she" and "her" rather than "it."

* In the Agnus Dei, the text cites the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world," rather than using the singular word "sin."

* In the preferred form of the penitential rite, the faithful will acknowledge that they have sinned "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.".

Those of us who appreciate tradition, and literature will be dancing for joy over these new changes.

But not in the aisle.

At least not during Mass!

And With Your Spirit!!!!!!!!

Catholic World News reports that Rome has approved a new translation for a portion of the Roman missal for prayers used at Mass. During the proposed "pastoral preparation" period for introducing these changes to parishioners, it is hoped that some new musical settings for these texts will be written.

A few of the most important changes will be:

* At the Consecration, the priest will refer to Christ's blood which is "poured out for you and for many"-- an accurate translation of pro multis * At the Consecration, the priest will refer to Christ's blood which is "poured out for you and for many"-- an accurate translation of pro multis-- rather than "for all" in the current translation.

* In the Nicene Creed the opening word, Credo, will be correctly translated as "I believe" rather than "we believe."

* When the priest says, "The Lord be with you," the faithful respond, "And with your spirit," rather than simply, "And also with you."

* In the Eucharistic prayer, references to the Church will use the pronouns "she" and "her" rather than "it."

* In the Agnus Dei, the text cites the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world," rather than using the singular word "sin."

* In the preferred form of the penitential rite, the faithful will acknowledge that they have sinned "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.".

Those of us who appreciate tradition, and literature will be dancing for joy over these new changes.

But not in the aisle.

At least not during Mass!

Heavenly Reality Check

Today's readings made me think that God was trying to tell us of the importance of facing reality. Moses cries out to God when the Israelites complain to him of their life in the desert. They do not like their current reality. They would like painless change.

Jesus tells the woman at the well "everything (she) has ever done." He makes her face her sins. Not usually a pleasant lesson. What is her reaction? Rather than be insulted or offended, she sees that He is the Christ, and her life radically changes.

God does not want us to hide or to run away from our sins, but to embrace them as the channel of his grace, redemption and forgiveness. Our sins are not something to shrink away from in fear and denial but to face squarely and run to the Father for His forgiveness.

In the Holy Saturday liturgy, we hear,

"Oh, happy fault! Oh, necessary sin of Adam! That won for us so great a salvation!"

Let us lay our sins at the foot of the cross and thank our God for taking them upon Himself, and beg for His grace in our lives so that we might change . It is the only way we human beings have to overcome our self-imposed flawed lives.

Heavenly Reality Check

Today's readings made me think that God was trying to tell us of the importance of facing reality. Moses cries out to God when the Israelites complain to him of their life in the desert. They do not like their current reality. They would like painless change.

Jesus tells the woman at the well "everything (she) has ever done." He makes her face her sins. Not usually a pleasant lesson. What is her reaction? Rather than be insulted or offended, she sees that He is the Christ, and her life radically changes.

God does not want us to hide or to run away from our sins, but to embrace them as the channel of his grace, redemption and forgiveness. Our sins are not something to shrink away from in fear and denial but to face squarely and run to the Father for His forgiveness.

In the Holy Saturday liturgy, we hear,

"Oh, happy fault! Oh, necessary sin of Adam! That won for us so great a salvation!"

Let us lay our sins at the foot of the cross and thank our God for taking them upon Himself, and beg for His grace in our lives so that we might change . It is the only way we human beings have to overcome our self-imposed flawed lives.

Rethinking the "Blue Ladies"

One of my very first posts on this blog (if not *the* very first) was about "the Blue Ladies"--Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion--at a local parish. I was quick to judge the intended symbolism of the royal blue albs they wore (and still wear) when they serve at Mass.

The other day, I was there for the early Mass on Ash Wednesday. Because of its importance and popularity, the daily Mass that day was more of a Sunday-like Mass--complete with the "Blue Ladies".

Thanks to The Roving Medievalist,(and the Holy Spirit, of course) I've been rethinking my former opinion of them. Perhaps the royal blue they wear was not intended to make them look particularly clerical. Perhaps they wear blue specifically to distinguish them from both the priest (for whom blue is never a proper vestment color) and the ordained deacons who also serve at Mass.

If wearing royal blue albs is not proper for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, it is really between that parish and the bishop. It may not be the "hill to die on".

Is the glass half empty, or half full?

Rethinking the "Blue Ladies"

One of my very first posts on this blog (if not *the* very first) was about "the Blue Ladies"--Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion--at a local parish. I was quick to judge the intended symbolism of the royal blue albs they wore (and still wear) when they serve at Mass.

The other day, I was there for the early Mass on Ash Wednesday. Because of its importance and popularity, the daily Mass that day was more of a Sunday-like Mass--complete with the "Blue Ladies".

Thanks to The Roving Medievalist,(and the Holy Spirit, of course) I've been rethinking my former opinion of them. Perhaps the royal blue they wear was not intended to make them look particularly clerical. Perhaps they wear blue specifically to distinguish them from both the priest (for whom blue is never a proper vestment color) and the ordained deacons who also serve at Mass.

If wearing royal blue albs is not proper for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, it is really between that parish and the bishop. It may not be the "hill to die on".

Is the glass half empty, or half full?

Today's Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!

Are you on


for God?

Today's Gospel challenges us to do whatever it takes to feed the flames of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Listen to Catholic music, especially if it is of a different genre than you are used to. Go to Adoration, go to daily Mass or pray the Rosary.

One of the most effective things to do is to pray a daily offering each morning. Offer yourself, your life, your joys and sorrows to God for the intentions of the salvation of souls, for your specific intentions, and for your own spiritual growth. Get involved in your parish, or a neighboring one. Subscribe to a good Catholic publication.

Get involved in your spiritual life!

Today's Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!

Are you on


for God?

Today's Gospel challenges us to do whatever it takes to feed the flames of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Listen to Catholic music, especially if it is of a different genre than you are used to. Go to Adoration, go to daily Mass or pray the Rosary.

One of the most effective things to do is to pray a daily offering each morning. Offer yourself, your life, your joys and sorrows to God for the intentions of the salvation of souls, for your specific intentions, and for your own spiritual growth. Get involved in your parish, or a neighboring one. Subscribe to a good Catholic publication.

Get involved in your spiritual life!

Why go to Mass?

For people who say that they don't get anything out of going to Mass, I heard a beautiful explanation on EWTN today.

We are not supposed to go to Mass with an empty "basket" waiting for God to "fill" it. (We are especially not supposed to go thinking that the priest, the choir, our friends, or other human beings will "fill" it.)

We are supposed to go to Mass with a "basket" full of the stuff of our lives--good and bad. We are to come with our "basket" and offer it up to the Lord at the altar.

We may wonder why we can't just do this at home. That's a good question.

We need to go to Mass to give the Lord all our joys and pains, because, at Mass, Jesus makes present at the altar, across time and space, His Sacrifice on the cross in an unbloody manner. This is what the Catholic Church teaches. The Mass does NOT sacrifice Christ over again. It happened once and for all (Hebrews 10). God, in His power, has made possible, in every Mass, for us to be present at the foot of the Cross. How is this possible? With men, this is impossible; but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) because God Himself is above and beyond time.

We are to go to Mass, not to be entertained, or to watch passively, but to join with Christ in offering our sufferings and joys to the Father, and receiving His Grace in return. Because God is all good and all powerful, these graces are imparted to us whether we feel it at the time, or not. Thank God He does not rely on our fallible and changing emotions in order to care for us!

Mass is important and powerful because each Mass brings our salvation history to us. We begin with the confetitor (the "I confess"). We turn to Christ in all humility and acknowledge our sins and ask Him for forgiveness. We confess with our lips that Christ is our savior and that we, as human beings, cannot live a sin free existence without the help of the Lord. We, as fallible human beings need to confess our sins to God and each other often--every day, even. The Mass helps us to turn our hearts and minds to God because God is present to us in Mass, in a way that He is not outside of it.

Jesus appointed the disciples, who in turn, appointed others in an unbroken line throughout history, to stand in His place (in persona Christi), teach us the faith that was taught to them by Christ, absolve repentant sinners, and make present His saving Body and Blood to us .

Our Lord's words "This is my body, which is given for you" (Luke 22:19) correspond to those of Exodus 12:27: "[This ritual] is the sacrifice of the Passover in honor of Yahweh" when he freed Israel from slavery in Egypt.

The words "For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28) echo those of Exodus 24:8 when Moses says: "This ... is the blood of the covenant that Yahweh has made with you."

(The Mass makes) present Christ's unique sacrifice on Calvary and in doing so ratifie(s) and renew(s) the new and eternal covenant.

Therefore, God has commanded us to worship with a sacrifice, his own unique sacrifice.

~quote from EWTN

If Jesus had not wanted us to come into His Presence at Mass, He would not have told His disciples "Do this in memory of Me." (Luke 22:19)

Why go to Mass?

For people who say that they don't get anything out of going to Mass, I heard a beautiful explanation on EWTN today.

We are not supposed to go to Mass with an empty "basket" waiting for God to "fill" it. (We are especially not supposed to go thinking that the priest, the choir, our friends, or other human beings will "fill" it.)

We are supposed to go to Mass with a "basket" full of the stuff of our lives--good and bad. We are to come with our "basket" and offer it up to the Lord at the altar.

We may wonder why we can't just do this at home. That's a good question.

We need to go to Mass to give the Lord all our joys and pains, because, at Mass, Jesus makes present at the altar, across time and space, His Sacrifice on the cross in an unbloody manner. This is what the Catholic Church teaches. The Mass does NOT sacrifice Christ over again. It happened once and for all (Hebrews 10). God, in His power, has made possible, in every Mass, for us to be present at the foot of the Cross. How is this possible? With men, this is impossible; but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) because God Himself is above and beyond time.

We are to go to Mass, not to be entertained, or to watch passively, but to join with Christ in offering our sufferings and joys to the Father, and receiving His Grace in return. Because God is all good and all powerful, these graces are imparted to us whether we feel it at the time, or not. Thank God He does not rely on our fallible and changing emotions in order to care for us!

Mass is important and powerful because each Mass brings our salvation history to us. We begin with the confetitor (the "I confess"). We turn to Christ in all humility and acknowledge our sins and ask Him for forgiveness. We confess with our lips that Christ is our savior and that we, as human beings, cannot live a sin free existence without the help of the Lord. We, as fallible human beings need to confess our sins to God and each other often--every day, even. The Mass helps us to turn our hearts and minds to God because God is present to us in Mass, in a way that He is not outside of it.

Jesus appointed the disciples, who in turn, appointed others in an unbroken line throughout history, to stand in His place (in persona Christi), teach us the faith that was taught to them by Christ, absolve repentant sinners, and make present His saving Body and Blood to us .

Our Lord's words "This is my body, which is given for you" (Luke 22:19) correspond to those of Exodus 12:27: "[This ritual] is the sacrifice of the Passover in honor of Yahweh" when he freed Israel from slavery in Egypt.

The words "For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28) echo those of Exodus 24:8 when Moses says: "This ... is the blood of the covenant that Yahweh has made with you."

(The Mass makes) present Christ's unique sacrifice on Calvary and in doing so ratifie(s) and renew(s) the new and eternal covenant.

Therefore, God has commanded us to worship with a sacrifice, his own unique sacrifice.

~quote from EWTN

If Jesus had not wanted us to come into His Presence at Mass, He would not have told His disciples "Do this in memory of Me." (Luke 22:19)

The Latin Mass

Here is a very brief news story on the "why" of the Latin Mass, which was made more accessible by Pope Benedict XVI yesterday in the motu proprio. As the priest being interviewed explains,

"...there’s something attractive about this ancient form of the liturgy -- its dignity, and its sort of very just lofty quality, especially in some of its forms. To be part of something ancient, that goes way, way back, into the ancient past, using an ancient language--this is the Mass that most of the saints knew."

Click on the arrow below to watch the interview.

Belief & Practice Latin Mass 06 July 207 Episode no1045
Uploaded by demerzel85

The Latin Mass

Here is a very brief news story on the "why" of the Latin Mass, which was made more accessible by Pope Benedict XVI yesterday in the motu proprio. As the priest being interviewed explains,

"...there’s something attractive about this ancient form of the liturgy -- its dignity, and its sort of very just lofty quality, especially in some of its forms. To be part of something ancient, that goes way, way back, into the ancient past, using an ancient language--this is the Mass that most of the saints knew."

Click on the arrow below to watch the interview.

Belief & Practice Latin Mass 06 July 207 Episode no1045
Uploaded by demerzel85

Easter Mass 1941

This is a film from 1941. It was filmed on Easter Sunday at Our Lady of Sorrow's Church in Chicago. The narrator is Fulton J. Sheen. The music alone makes it worth watching. Bishop Sheen's explanation of the Mass is invaluable.

Easter Mass 1941

This is a film from 1941. It was filmed on Easter Sunday at Our Lady of Sorrow's Church in Chicago. The narrator is Fulton J. Sheen. The music alone makes it worth watching. Bishop Sheen's explanation of the Mass is invaluable.

Wise words from Fr. Stephanos

There has been a collective cry of pain in the Catholic blogosphere lately over the sorry state of the liturgy in most American parishes. Father Stephanos and Amy Welborn have both contributed mightily to the ongoing discussion.

I wanted to highlight Father Stephanos' breathtaking point of view, though. He points out that at the end of His life, Jesus had precious few people who were there trying to comfort and mourn for Him--the Blessed Mother and a few other women, and John the Apostle. They were below the cross, gazing up at Jesus.

What was going on around them? Chaos. Disrespect. Horror. Yet they stayed. They prayed. They persevered.

The next time we are distracted or discouraged at Mass, let's think of those few who kept vigil with Jesus no matter the distractions.

Let us remember what is really going on at Mass.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of time.
~Matthew 28:13

Is it so surprising, really, that the Church--the people in the Church, rather--are so flawed and sinful? Perhaps the surprise is that the Church has survived in spite of us all.

That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
~Matthew 16:18

Wise words from Fr. Stephanos

There has been a collective cry of pain in the Catholic blogosphere lately over the sorry state of the liturgy in most American parishes. Father Stephanos and Amy Welborn have both contributed mightily to the ongoing discussion.

I wanted to highlight Father Stephanos' breathtaking point of view, though. He points out that at the end of His life, Jesus had precious few people who were there trying to comfort and mourn for Him--the Blessed Mother and a few other women, and John the Apostle. They were below the cross, gazing up at Jesus.

What was going on around them? Chaos. Disrespect. Horror. Yet they stayed. They prayed. They persevered.

The next time we are distracted or discouraged at Mass, let's think of those few who kept vigil with Jesus no matter the distractions.

Let us remember what is really going on at Mass.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of time.
~Matthew 28:13

Is it so surprising, really, that the Church--the people in the Church, rather--are so flawed and sinful? Perhaps the surprise is that the Church has survived in spite of us all.

That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
~Matthew 16:18