Scripture of the Week

 

From my professor:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Personal Reflection:

After a one week break from coursework, we're back! I am hopeful of the process we are going through and that I might be filled to overflowing joy and peace of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Reflections I summarize from my priest last Sunday:

So, by the extraordinary lectionary, last week was the 24th Sunday after Pentecost - and I learned something new that I had not realized in the past. During the "extra weeks" after the 24th Sunday, which happens when Easter comes earlier, we use the readings from the last weeks after Epiphany. I never really thought about it, I just figured we were filling in by repeating Epiphany season readings. However, the reason we use those readings at the end of the Epiphany season is due to the fact that an early Easter, means the seasons of Lent and Septuagesima start earlier too. Well, the number of weeks in the liturgical year does not change, therefore we never read those readings this year, once Septuagesima season began! Those readings we "miss" after Epiphany are tacked on at the end of the weeks after Pentecost! We haven't really "missed" anything when all is said and done for the liturgical year!

With the modern lectionary, one does not notice this fact because they refer to this "ordinal" or "counting" time after Epiphany and Pentecost as one group of readings, which makes it actually a bit of a simpler seasonal remembering. I, however, have come to a deeper and better understanding of the seasons of Epiphany and Pentecost and truly appreciate that we count from those feast days. The modern view calls this single, but split, season as "Ordinary Time." Those who have followed me for a while know that I object to that title. Technically, it is accurate as "ordinary" is related to "ordinal" which means "counting." The problem I have with calling it "Ordinary Time" is that it is ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY! There are so many extraordinary feasts and solemnities during these "counting weeks!" A casual observer may leave feeling that this "ordinary time" is just a filler between Christmas/Epiphany and Lent/Easter for the first part of Ordinal Time, and between Pentecost and Advent for the second part. We have so much more we can share and emphasize during these counting seasons! See my other posts on Ordinal Time.

AMDG, Scott<<<

 

Scripture of the Week - 24th Sunday After Pentecost

 

Matthew 13:24-30

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat

24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Personal Reflection:

As we go through our daily walk, trying to do our best, we often run into trials or troubles. Why could God not take away these hard times? Because we grow and learn from these trials. Because others seeing how we deal with these troubles can be inspired by how we handle the situations. By the same token, if we handle the troubles poorly, others, who know we follow Christ, can be pushed away from following the Truth. We need to walk in the path of our Lord - always - and turn to Him when we feel the pressures of the world and sin. We can rejoice in our sufferings because when we unite our sufferings to those of Jesus Christ on the Cross not only will we be blessed for this - but others who witness our faith may also be blessed.

AMDG,

Scott<<<

Advent 2021 Nov 28th

Can you believe it? Advent is almost here! 2021 seems like a blur of 2020 with all the COVID issues across the globe - and sadly - it is still with us. I work in a hospital in north-central Arizona and while we are not seeing numbers of COVID hospitalizations over 200 (like we did in January-February of 2020) and it has been as low as getting into the 20s - this week we are back over 50 hospitalizations - and that doesn't count the cases being treated at home. But here we are again, approaching the Advent Season and the end of the liturgical year - the First Sunday in Advent marking the Liturgical New Year.

I like to remind everyone that Advent Season is NOT the Christmas Season too. Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation - even a time of penance - as we get ready for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Rather than waiting for Advent to begin this year, I thought I would start the discussion of various Advent traditions - and ask what YOU do with your family for Advent - so please comment below! 

Do you use an Advent wreath? Does yours have 4 or 5 candles? Do you go with the traditional 3 purple and 1 pink - and if 5, the 1 white candles?

How about Advent Calendars?

Or do you do the O Antiphons?

Please share your Advent traditions!

And remember, from the First Sunday of Advent (November 28th, this year) through Christmas Eve - the season is Advent - NOT - Christmas! Consider wishing friends and relatives a "Blessed Advent" in response to "Merry Christmas" this year! It can be an ice-breaker to get into a discussion of what the REAL meaning of Christmas and the Christ Mass. More to follow!

All Saints Day

 Today is All Saints Day!

Another name for today is All Hallows Day - which is where we get the turn "Halloween" for the "Eve of All Hallows Day."

One of the earliest mentionings of this solemnity (feast day) comes to us from St. Ephrim the Syrian from a sermon of his in 373 AD. 

The date of November 1st was made official by Pope Gregory III as a holy day in Rome - and was extended to the whole Church by Pope Gregory IV.

All Hallows Eve - or Halloween - is October 31st. This is a secular celebration.

All Hallows Day - or All Saints Day - is November 1st. This is a holy day of obligation. We celebrate all the saints who are in Heaven.

All Souls Day - is November 2nd. This day is not a holy day of obligation, but is a Catholic day for remembering and praying for those souls who have gone before us and may still be in Purgatory.

Sources: 

Richert, Scott P. (2020, August 27). All Saints Day. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-all-saints-day-542459

https://www.catholic.org/saints/allsaints/

Scripture of the Week

 

My professor posted:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

I respond:

Wow! Did you pick this one for me for this week or was this planned earlier on? After the week I had last week, caring for my mother (who is on hospice) and a change of positions at work - I needed to read this!

I was a bit dismayed, not really frightened, but dismayed is a good word for my thoughts after not accomplishing as much as I had hoped to get done last week. I accept His command! I will be strong and courageous and make up for missed time from last week. I know that my Lord and God is always with me!

I am truly blessed to have such a great chair working with me!

Cordially

Scott<<<

Scripture of the Week

 This Week's Scripture 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28

Working for good only comes through loving God (Psalm 16:2). While we are all called (or drawn, John 12:32), only a few are chosen (Matt. 22:14), for not all will heed that call (Matt. 22:3). Along with last week's Scripture, not only must we heed that call, but persevere in it (2 Tim. 2:12).

AMDG,

Scott<<<

Feel free to add your thoughts! We haven't had comments from the readers lately, but they are always welcome!

Scripture of the Week

 

From my professor:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1-2

My first thought on this verse, especially with the stage I am at in this program, is to cast off things that distract me from the ultimate goal. Ultimately, this degree will be used for the glory of God regardless of where I end up when it is finished. 

The second thing which comes to mind is enduring the trials and the milestones before me. Take these on one at a time and persevere to the end. The same holds true for our salvation - persevering through the challenges in life and keeping focused on the joy which awaits those who endure.

Blessings, Professor, and to those who have been keeping up with me through this process.

In Christ,

Scott<<<

Morning Offering

 This is the Morning Offering our family uses (there are several versions)

Click on the prayer above to see it larger, Right-Click on it to download a copy to your computer, if you like.

14th Century Church in Vienna - Now SSPX

According to an article found in The Tablet this church, which was completed in 1350 AD, has been turned over to the Society of Saint Pius X - dedicated to the preservation of Catholic tradition, especially for the Mass of all time (Pope Pius V, Quo Primum).

Interior:

From SSPX - published September 15, 2021:

It has been official since June 29, 2021: One of the most important churches in Vienna has become the property of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X. Last Sunday, the Pius Brotherhood publicly celebrated Holy Mass in the Minoritenkirche in the heart of Vienna. The procession that followed exceeded all expectations.

For six years the Viennese congregation of the Pius Brotherhood had prayed to acquire a church in a prestigious location. Now the prayers were not only answered, but over-fulfilled. With the decision of the Italian Congregation to let their venerable church pass into the property of the Pius Brotherhood, the community came into the possession of one of the most important churches in Vienna - near Vienna's Ballhausplatz and thus only a few meters from the political center of Austria.

Last Sunday, the Feast of the Name of the Virgin, the Fathers of the Pius Brotherhood celebrated the first public Holy Mass in the Minorite Church with their believers. Father Waldemar Schulz, who was prior in Vienna for more than 20 years, celebrated. In his sermon he mentioned the longstanding efforts of the Priory of St. Klemens Maria Hofbauer and the District of Austria to have their own church. Now the time has come. And after the mass there was a breathtaking procession.

Around 1,000 believers - more than ever before - followed the procession over Vienna's Ballhausplatz, Kohlmarkt and Graben, past the world-famous St. Stephen's Cathedral and back over the Wollzeile to the Minoritenkirche. In beautiful weather and in front of a large audience, the faithful gave a great testimony to their faith, prayed the rosary and sang songs in honor of the Blessed Mother accompanied by the band “Die Kaiserjäger”. That seems to have made a deep impression on those standing by. At the sight of the procession, many fell silent, some even joined the procession. In the end, over 1,000 people renewed Austria's consecration to the Mother of God in the Minorite Church.

By the way, the mass and procession took place on a very special date: On September 12, 1683, the united Christian armies had victoriously ended the second siege of Vienna by the Turks with the Battle of Kahlenberg. The banner of the Madonna's protective cloak was carried in front of the army at that time. Pope Innocent XI. (1676–1689) therefore made the feast of the Virgin Mary binding for the whole Church.

The festivities ended with a great celebration under the arcades of the church and in the Minoritenplatz, where food and drink were served to the faithful. There was a pleasant time until late afternoon before returning home strengthened mentally and physically.

Source: https://www.fsspx.at/de/news-events/news/priesterbruderschaft-st-pius-x-feiert-die-erste-hl-messe-der-minoritenkirche-68652

(Translated  from German using Google Translate)

 

Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

This passage reminds me of a song I learned in catechism classes as  Lutheran back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The song is based in St. Paul’s closing in his letter to the Philippians and is sung in a round - here is a short Youtube video of the song, pretty much as I remember it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODMCFC06C24

  

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:4-8)

So, what does this mean to me, here and now? I expressed to my professor a little frustration after seeing the remaining milestones in this terminal degree. Initially, I thought I would be done by December 2021, but the schedule changed and put my posted “final class” to end in January 2022. Then, I received a call from the counseling office and she shared with me the milestones remaining – and there is no way I will be fully completed with this degree by January – but I am still hopeful for Spring 2022. These passages remind me to continue to rejoice in the Lord, not just when I think things are going well – but ALWAYS. I am not to be anxious about what is laid before me, but trust in the Lord that His peace surpasses all understanding and will keep my mind in Christ Jesus.

In Christ,

Scott<<<

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

 The Seven Sorrows with scriptural reference...

From CatholicLink

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Scripture of the Week

 

• "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV)

St. Paul sends these words of encouragement to the Church at Corinth after informing them that Apollos was not willing to visit them at that time – but that he would go when the opportunity arises. The advice to remain on guard, firm in the faith, courageous, and strong is followed by “Do everything in love” (v. 14). He also reminds them that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus were available for their guidance and leadership – and they should be recognized for their service and authority.

Applying this to my current situation – while we (my professor and I) are separated by three-fourths of a continent, we are only seconds apart by the Internet! Oh, what St. Paul would have done had he been around in this day and age! Though geographically separated, I do not feel apart from you. I respect your guidance and leadership as we walk through this journey.

On a side-note – I was in a discussion with our piano tuner (wife plays, not me!) and he spoke of a conspiracy theory that the entire New Testament was originally in Aramaic. I had not heard that before. I had heard of the likelihood that the Gospel of Matthew was originally in Aramaic since it was primarily directed at the Jews, and we have Irenaeus of Lyons who wrote circa 180 AD “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect” (Against Heresies, 3:1:1). I bring this up because St. Paul, in his conclusion to this letter uses the phrase “Maranatha” – often left untranslated (see KJV, NASB, DRA, NAB, and others) which is Aramaic! Very interesting!

AMDG,

Scott<<<