In today’s Gospel, Jesus “gets our attention” by proclaiming: “If
anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and
children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my
disciple.” In another part of the Gospel, Jesus said, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” And in John’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Unless you eat my body and drink my blood, there is no life in you.” John’s Gospel goes on to say, “After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him.” That “walked no more with him” line comes at John 6:66 … 666 … interesting. The point is that Jesus cannot be accused of watering down the
message, of “casting a wide net” of “softened language” for fear of
“triggering” anybody that might leave. No, it is clear Jesus is
recruiting only “cross carrying,” strong and courageous souls to join
ranks with Him. The miscalculation of so many is that a mushy, weak religion will be
more accessible to more souls but, in reality, the opposite is true.
Souls are looking for strength … a real supernatural power that is
capable of freeing them from depression and addiction, and any other
power that has consumed them, up until now. Jesus modeled speaking with strength, so I will try to follow that
model here, as I do my best, as a Shepherd, to warn of the present
dangers, and map out the way to verdant pastures.
When I opened my browser today a news story popped up asking "Whatever happened to Villanova basketball star Shelly Pennefather? Subtitle: "So I made this deal with God." The author of the article, Elizabeth Merrill ponders, "But I cannot grasp what Pennefather -- now Sister Rose Marie -- has chosen to do." Ms. Merrill, Sr. Rose Marie has chosen something bigger - there is really no comparison! She would have been a flash in the pan for a few years, providing she didn't get hurt, and then what? She chose to store up her treasures in Heaven than to have temporal riches here on Earth. For what does it profit for one to gain the whole world and lose their soul? (Mark 8:36).
It wasn't that long ago that when you were going to somewhere special you made sure you dressed in your "Sunday best" so as to not be an embarrassment to yourself or your family. For women, they wore dresses (below the knee) and covered their heads, even in Protestant churches - women typically wore a nice hat. Men would wear a suit and tie. What does "your Sunday best mean today? Often at Mass one will see people in t-shirts, sports jerseys, jeans or shorts and women, if they wear a dress at all (as opposed to pants) it is often a short skirt. In traditional chapels (of the Extraordinary Rite) the dress tends to be more conservative, but even there most men are not wearing suits (though many are).
What's the point here? If you were called to dine at the White House, would you show up in a t-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes? I think not! In fact, you likely would not even be allowed to enter if not in proper attire for the dinner. When we attend Mass we are in the presence - the Real Presence - of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - the King of Kings! Should we not be appropriately dressed to be in His Presence? Some may grumble at this and think me a "fuddy-dutty" but I am reminded of one of Jesus' parables of the Wedding Feast,
and the one who showed up without a wedding garment (Matthew 22:1-14), that man was bound and thrown out into the darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Those same grumblers will then be saying, "you're not to take that passage so literally!" But should we not exemplify the importance of being properly attired when we are at the Eucharistic Feast? Are we being respectful of our Lord when we show up in purely casual dress?
July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. I encourage you to join me in regularly praying the Litany of the Most Precious Blood. Favorite this entry and come back here regularly for a video (from EWTN) guided prayer. It takes less than five minutes, so I hope you will frequent this page this month.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, save us. (after each line) Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, Blood of Christ, victor over demons, Blood of Christ, courage of martyrs, Blood of Christ, strength of confessors, Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins, Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, Blood of Christ, pledge of Eternal Life, Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood. R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.
Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
There is some confusion on "the end of Eastertide" and when is the last time we can fulfill our "Easter Duty" (to receive Eucharist at least once during Eastertide). The Easter Season officially ends with the Vigil of Pentecost on the Saturday before Pentecost Sunday. However, in the United States, and perhaps elsewhere, there is an indult (special permission) which extends the time period to receive Eucharist through Trinity Sunday (the First Sunday after Pentecost). (See Fr. Gantley's answer on EWTN site.)
Precepts of the Catholic Church
Keep in mind, these are the MINIMUM requirements...
You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
We must “sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord” (Sunday), as well as the principal feast days, known as Catholic holy days of obligation. This requires attending Mass, “and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.”
You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
We must prepare for the Eucharist by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). This sacrament “continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.”
You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
This “guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.”
You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
“The fourth precept ensures the times of ascesis (rigorous self discipline) and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.” See below for more about fasting & abstinence.
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
“The fifth precept means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.”
Fasting is reducing the amount of food you eat below normal levels. Specifically, on fast days you may eat one full meal and two smaller meals, but those two smaller together should not exceed the amount of the normal meal. Snacking is also prohibited on fast days.
All Catholics age 18 to 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. You are excused from fasting if you have a legitimate need to eat a normal amount of food on fast days. This includes:
The sick or infirm, including handicapped or mentally ill people who need the nourishment or cannot make a free choice to fast
Pregnant or nursing women
Some manual laborers
Abstinence means not eating meat (fish is not considered meat in this case). All Catholics 14 and older are required to observe abstinence on these days:
Ash Wednesday, Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), and all Fridays in Lent.
Outside the U.S., this is required on all Fridays of the year, in honor of the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday.
In the U.S., it is still strongly recommended to observe Friday abstinence outside of Lent, but Catholics may choose to substitute another penitential practice or act of charity for these days.
The point to remember is this is not optional to either abstain or choose another penitential practice or act of charity.
Be consistent! It doesn't mean much if you change the practice every week.
Do I need to make confession as part of my Easter Duty?
Well, not if you are already in the state of grace. Canon 988 does not state a timeframe for going to confession - only that it must be done if one is in mortal sin. Canon 989 while providing the timeframe of "at least once a year" does not explicitly state during Eastertide. Receiving the Eucharist, however, is mandated by Canon 920.2 at least once per year and during Eastertide (paschal time). Again, if one is already in the state of grace (no unconfessed mortal sins) then reception of the Eucharist during Eastertide (Easter Duty) does not require confession. If one is in mortal sin then they must go to confession before receiving the Eucharist - SO - if one has not kept up with all the other precepts of the Church (which is a mortal sin) or is outside the state of grace, then in order to fulfill the Easter Duty of receiving the Eucharist they would have to go to confession first.
Today, May 19, 2019 is the 7th anniversary of Fr. Walker's ordination. Fr. Walker was gunned down by a robber in their home at the church, Mater Misericordiae (FSSP) in Phoenix, Arizona on June 11, 2014.
Please remember him, his family and the parishners of Mater Misericordiae.
Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
I would also point out, Mr. Prasch's challenge was answered over three years ago, at the time of this posting, and we still have no response from him. He was taken quite ill about the time of the initial responses, which Prasch himself challenged Catholics to engage him as he would like to engage further. We have heard nothing from him yet, and we trust and pray that he has recovered from the infection which hospitalized him and look forward to his responses.
Jesus, speaking to His Apostles, tells them that as the Father sent Him, He also sends them. And the very next line is, "Receive the Holy Ghost... whose sins YOU forgive, they ARE forgiven them..." THIS is why His Apostles, our first bishops, have the authority to forgive sins AND since Jesus sent them to forgive sins - they too must pass on this authority to their successors - our bishops are those successors! THIS is why our priests, IF they have THIS authority from a valid bishop in succession from the Apostles, can forgive sins at the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka, the Sacrament of Penance). Those sins THEY do not forgive (are retained) are NOT forgiven ("they are retained"). One who is not of this valid succession has NO AUTHORITY to forgive sins.
THIS is His Divine Mercy, which is what this Sunday is also referred to in the modern lectionary.
The Sunday After Easter is traditionally Low Sunday (Extraordinary Rite).
Some highlights from the Extraordinary Rite: Introit: 1 Peter 2:2 - "As newborn babies, alleluia, desire the rational mile without guile, alleluia!"
Epistle: 1 John 5:4-10 - "For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth, that Christ is the truth. And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three are one. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth in the Son of God, hath the testimony of God in himself. He that believeth not the Son, maketh him a liar: because he believeth not in the testimony which God hath testified of his Son."
The Greater Alleluia: Alleluia, alleluia. On the day of My resurrection, saith the Lord, I will go before you into Galilee. Alleluia. (John 20:26) After eight days, the doors being shut, Jesus stood in the midst of His disciples, and said: Peace be with you. Alleluia.
Gospel: (which is the same for the Ordinary Rite too on this day) John 20:19-31 - "Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.
He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you. Then he saith to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God.
Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed. Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name."
Offertory: Matthew 28:2, 5-6 - "An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid."
For the Octave of Easter (8 days following Easter) each day is considered a solemnity... therefore, today is a....
Your normal Friday penance is lifted because on a solemnity there is no fasting or abstinence!
GENERAL NORMS FOR THE LITURGICAL YEAR
Chapter 1, Title 1, Section III 12. The celebration of the two greatest Solemnities, Easter and the Nativity, is extended over eight days. Each Octave is governed by its own rules.
1983 Code of Canon Law (currently in force)
Can 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent. Can 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Can 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.
Sorry, I saw this and couldn't resist! No, Palm Sunday is not a new way of serving dessert! Why do we call this Sunday, Palm Sunday? This is THE day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and the people waved palm branches and covered the road into the city with their robes and palms singing "Hosanna in the highest!" When His critics told Him He should have His disciples quiet down and stop with all this, what they considered, disruption - He answered them, "If they remain silent, the very stones would cry out!" (Luke 19:40).
Everyone loves a parade, and while we reflect on this glorious entry into Jerusalem - the Gospel reading for today is the Passion account from Luke (Luke 22:14-23:56) Sometimes this reading is broken up into a script and read by two to four readers (see this link). It's hard to imagine how we go from this grand entry into the city to four days later the arrest of Jesus on Holy Thursday, His death on Good Friday and then His glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
A point of interest... Riding in on a horse is a sign of glory, pride and victory - yet Jesus rides in on an ass (a donkey, or a colt - the foal of a donkey) as a sign of humility - AND - in fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9! Palm Sunday - the LAST WEEK of Lent! Palm Sunday begins Holy Week - the week which changed the world! No other week in history has had as profound affect on history as Holy Week. Just another thought to meditate upon this week.
So get your palm fronds this Palm Sunday - and save them! Put them hanging out from behind a picture or crucifix and save them till next year. Why? A week or two before next Ash Wednesday you bring them back to church and turn them in - and they are burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday!
Some get rather creative with the palm frond folding, take a look at these samples:
