As we stand in heaven during the Mass, Christ is in our midst. He is in our midst mentally, as we think about, contemplate, and meditate on His saving work and His sacred gifts. He is in our midst emotionally, as our hearts are uplifted due to His loving-kindness and many mercies which we certainly do not deserve. He is in our midst spiritually, as the Holy Spirit draws us slowly, gently, kindly, into His soothing and invigorating embrace. But most of all, Christ is in our midst physically. He is really present, standing before us not figuratively but literally, not symbolically but actually, not metaphorically but truly. Continue reading “The Mass Presents Christ”
Re-Ordering Life
The ordination of men as priests or deacons can occur at any time. In the Western tradition, the Ember Days of Advent, Lent, September—and most especially the week of Pentecost—are designated for conferring the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
The Mass is from God
The Mass is not a human construct, fashioned according to our notions of pleasing worship. Rather, the Mass is divinely designed, fashioned by God to the smallest detail, including the style and shape of the vestments. This means that the Divine Liturgy is not divine because it is about God or in God’s presence; rather, the Mass is divine because it comes from God.
The Forgotten Feast
It’s no coincidence that the recent decline in the reverence and respect for the human body has coincided with the equally recent decline in the celebration of Our Lord’s Ascension.
Duty & Delight
We hear the word “obligation,” and too often we think of duties that must be performed, of requirements that must be done. And so “burden” and “compulsory” and “requirement” is what we hear. Especially to our American ear, “obligation” sounds tyrannical. It rings more of slavery than of freedom, more of servitude than of liberty. Perhaps that is due not only to our American spirit of fierce independence, but also to our fallen human nature which does not wish to be obliged to anyone or considered in anyone’s debt.
Honoring Our Mother
In popular devotion, each month is dedicated to a particular mystery or event. These dedications are intended to aid the devout in their consideration of Our Lord’s grace. Usually these dedications coincide with a dominant feast celebrated during the month. For example, January is dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus (2 January), March to St Joseph (19 March) and November to the Faithful Departed (2 Nov).
The Mass is Heaven
The most important work we do as a community is to gather in the kingdom of heaven in order to receive our Lord’s gifts with thanksgiving. In fact, it is the most important work we do of any kind. To be sure, caring for our family, putting in a good day on the job, helping and serving others (especially those in need), praying for and supporting one another—these are all important tasks. But the assembly of the faithful in Church is the most important, by far, because the Mass places us in heaven itself.
Holy Week in the Western Tradition: A Brief Synopsis
Holy Week consists of two parts: the first four days, beginning with Palm Sunday; and the Triduum Sacrum (“holy three days”), which celebrate with particular solemnity Our Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
Continue reading “Holy Week in the Western Tradition: A Brief Synopsis”
Take Heart!
In less than two weeks, we will be celebrating the Queen of Feasts, the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Even now, we should be eagerly anticipating this feast. For it is the highlight not of spring, but the highlight of our life in God.
Why We Veil the Crosses & Icons
Beginning with First Vespers for the Sunday of the Passion (this year, the evening of March 24), it is customary to veil crosses and icons within the church and home. Part of the reason for this custom is given in the Passion Sunday Gospel, which ends with these words: “Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” (Jn 8.59)