Saturday, August 25, 2018

"Do as they say..." I'm scared, I'm sorry, and I beg you.

From today's Gospel (Saturday, March 25)

"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice."
Matthew 23:1-12

For they preach, but not practice. And isn't that precisely what we're facing in the Catholic Church?

Our leaders -- many of them, too many -- coach a good game, but don't follow the rules. And I'm scared.

I'm scared that many -- like the disciples in tomorrow's Gospel -- will leave Jesus. I'm scared of what has happened since the moment Christ founded His Church..that wolves in sheep's clothing will again come up with "solutions" to mend Her. And will end up wrecking even more souls in their efforts.

I'm sorry. I'll never be a priest, never mind a "lay leader." I'm just an ordinary lady in the pew. But I must tell you: I apologize. I apologize for every Church leader who has let you and so many others down. I apologize for their actions and inactions. Whether you forgive us is your choice. I can only ask, and pray, and hope.

I beg you: don't leave the Body of Christ. Don't let evil bully you away. Don't -- again, I beg you -- give up the inheritance Christ won for you because some people -- some "leaders" -- didn't practice what they preached.

In your charity, pray for me. I pray for you all the time. Because that's what we're supposed to do, yes, but also because it's a joy to do so. To pray for each other...without ceasing.

Thank you for reading this. May God continue to bless you,

Kelly




Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Bible Study Recap: The Right to Choose

+JMJ+
Queenship of Our Lady


Howdy, Howdy, Howdy!

What a JOY, JOY, JOY tonight's session was!

It started out by praying this Sunday's Entrance Antiphon and Collect…

…and I thank Frank for so beautifully praying it for us. You know, the Collect — or "Opening Prayer" -- is well worth contemplating. We start our sessions every week with it.

And then…the poignant words of Jesus in the Gospel, beautifully read by Catherine…

As has become our custom, we started our readings with the Gospel, without comment…just listen, reflect, and pray. I admit I was close to tears when Jesus asked His apostles — His friends! -- "Do you also want to leave?" We meditated on that, and then turned to the First Reading.

"As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD!"

It always amuses me to think that the "right to choose" is some modern meme. Good grief, God gave us the "right to choose" -- AKA "free will" -- at the dawn of creation. This Sunday's First Reading has Joshua, in the Name of God, giving the Israelites the right to choose — and they chose the BEST! Yes, I know that this is just a brief moment in salvation history, and that not all choices made by mankind were the best, but I think we had the right to wallow in this beautiful passage…and wallow in it we did! We were filled with joy, and many thanks to the Liturgy Guys, Whoever You May Be, for choosing these exact verses!

'Course, then there was the Second Reading (or its sadly edited alternative…which we ignored, seeing it makes no sense)

I say "sadly edited" because the Liturgy Guys — alas — gave us the "benefit" of a butchered reading. I pray you won't have to endure it. Thanks to Liz, and ably abetted by Nick and Karen, for expounding on the joys of being the Bride of Christ…the members of the Family of the King…God's children! Add the mutual submission of family members here on earth and no wonder so many brides and grooms choose this passage for their Nuptial Masses. (Father Michael's homily on today's Feast helped me a lot with the help of Liz, Nick, and Karen.)

Once again? Psalm 34!

Russell led us in the Responsorial Psalm — beautiful — and quick as a whip, Liz opened her phone Bible to John 19:33-36 and read the verses out loud. How cool is it that the HUGE Old Testament testifies to Jesus! "He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken."

Back to the Gospel…

Again, Catherine's beautifully read passage had us all on the edge of our seats. This time, we rollicked in joy and amazement…especially at Jesus' question: "What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?"

We gave ourselves the luxury of eating up — literally! -- this Gospel. And musing on the fact that John's 4-week Bread of Life discourse is so important that not only the Catholic Church, but the Episcopal and Lutheran churches as well, consider it well worth while to devote themselves to these four weeks every three years. "Father, that we may be one, as You, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one! In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Tons of other great stuff — what a wonderful hour!

We prayed for you…please pray for us!

In Our Lady, Queen of the Universe, your humble scribe,

Kelly
~~~~~
Extras!

"In the Eucharist we also receive the pledge of our bodily resurrection at the end of the world: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn 6:54). This pledge of the resurrection comes from the fact that the flesh of the Son of Man, given as food, is his body in its glorious state after the resurrection. With the Eucharist we digest, as it were, the “secret” of the resurrection." (John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia no. 18)
Points to Ponder, by Doctor Scott Hahn

"A Choice to Make"

This Sunday’s Mass readings conclude a four-week meditation on the Eucharist.

The 12 apostles in today’s Gospel are asked to make a choice—either to believe and accept the new covenant He offers in His body and blood, or return to their former ways of life.

Their choice is prefigured by the decision Joshua asks the 12 tribes to make in today’s First Reading.

Joshua gathers them at Shechem—where God first appeared to their father Abraham, promising to make his descendants a great nation in a new land (see Genesis 12:1-9). And he issues a blunt challenge—either renew their covenant with God or serve the alien gods of the surrounding nations.

We too are being asked today to decide whom we will serve. For four weeks we have been presented in the liturgy with the mystery of the Eucharist—a daily miracle far greater than those performed by God in bringing the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.

He has promised us a new homeland, eternal life, and offered us bread from heaven to strengthen us on our journey. He has told us that unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood we will have no life in us.

It is a hard saying, as many murmur in today’s Gospel. Yet He has given us the words of eternal life.

We must believe, as Peter says today, that He is the Holy One of God, who handed himself over for us, gave His flesh for the life of the world.

As we hear in today’s Epistle, Jesus did this that we might be sanctified, made holy, through the water and word of baptism by which we enter into His new covenant. Through the Eucharist, He nourishes and cherishes us, making us His own flesh and blood, as husband and wife become one flesh.

Let us renew our covenant today, approaching the altar with confidence that, as we sing in today’s Psalm, the Lord will redeem the lives of His servant.

Monday, August 20, 2018

On the feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvoux...

"Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

"Inspired by this confidence I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother!

"To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful! Despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen."


Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Saint Bernard of Clairvoux, pray for us.

Wednesday, August 01, 2018

Bible Study Recap: "Put on the New Self..."

+JMJ+
Saint Alphonsus Liguouri

Howdy,

When I realized today's Mass readings for the day were to be read, rather than the memorial readings, I thought to myself: "Oh bleep…we're going to hear old Jeremiah with his complaints. Again. Goody."

Only during the homily did I realize two things:

That the prophet shared an intimacy with God, allowing him to gripe (and that his gripes would be heard), and…

That we — by virtue of our Baptism into Christ — share an even greater intimacy with God than even Jeremiah!!!

We focused a lot on Paul's Letter to Ephesians (Ephesians 4:17, 20-24)…

…especially verses 23 and 24:

"…and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth."

The "new self" is Christ — Whom we "put on" symbolically in dress, in reality in brotherhood, at our Baptism. Which made us God's children. Which gives us the right — not to complain like spoiled brats, exactly, but to complain nevertheless, knowing Abba will fix it, in one way or another. In His way. Trust in Him.

I think I'll skip the constipated "scientific" explanations of the miracles of the manna and quail…

And instead, give you a nice Hebrew word to drop at your next party. :-) "Man hu" is Hebrew for "what is it?" This is where we get the word "manna." You're welcome!

"Signs, signs, signs, give us signs!"

In both this Sunday's First and Gospel readings, God — after doing amazing things — is asked for signs. Miracles are awesome, yes, but we don't need them. We've been given plenty of miracles. The manna, which is the precursor of the true Bread of life, is miracle enough. No wait…Christ's Resurrection is miracle enough. No wait, God becoming man for us is not just miracle enough — it's an undeniable proof of His love for us, His creatures.

(So, you know? Knock it off with stuff like "copy-this-novena-to-saint-whoever-nine-times-and-make-a-wish-and-it'll-come-true" junk. GOD is our Father for Heaven's sake…what more do we want???

Anyway, it was a blessed session…and we prayed for you!

Please remember us in your prayers. Thanks!

Your humble scribe,

Kelly
~~~~~~
Points to Ponder, by Doctor Scott Hahn

Endurance Test

The journey of discipleship is a life-long exodus from the slavery of sin and death to the holiness of truth in Mount Zion, the promised land of eternal life.

The road can get rough. And when it does, we can be tempted to complain like the Israelites in this week’s First Reading.

We have to see these times of hardship as a test of what is in our hearts, a call to trust God more and to purify the motives for our faith (Deuteronomy 8:2–3).

As Paul reminds us in this week’s Epistle, we must leave behind our old self-deceptions and desires and live according to the likeness of God in which we are made.

Jesus tells the crowd in this week’s Gospel that they are following him for the wrong reasons. They seek him because he filled their bellies. The Israelites, too, were content to follow God so long as there was plenty of food.

Food is the most obvious of signs—because it is the most basic of our human needs.  We need our daily bread to live. But we cannot live by this bread alone. We need the bread of eternal life that preserves those who believe in him (Wisdom 16:20, 26).

The manna in the wilderness, like the bread Jesus multiplied for the crowd, was a sign of God’s Providence—that we should trust that he will provide.

These signs pointed to their fulfillment in the Eucharist, the abundant bread of angels we sing about in this week’s Psalm.

This is the food that God longs to give us. This is the bread we should be seeking. But too often we don’t ask for this bread. Instead we seek the perishable stuff of our every day wants and anxieties. In our weakness we think these things are what we really need.

We have to trust God more. If we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be ours as well (Matthew 6:33).

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Bible Study Recap: Food, Glorious Food...and Humilty and Unity

+JMJ+
Saint James the Greater

50th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae
 
Howdy,

And a happy Name Day to all the Jameses!

FOOD is, ostensibly, the theme of this Sunday's Readings. Elisha feeds a hundred guys with the first fruits of barley. And there were leftovers.

Jesus multiplies the loaves and feeds thousands…and there were leftovers.

See a theme here? We did.

We talked about the Eucharist.

"Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them…"

And fed thousands. Pretty much the words in the synoptics to describe Christ's institution of the Sacrament of His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

"Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted…"

This led us to reflect on the fragments left over after the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament. Now, most of us — and this is a good thing — are too deeply in union with Christ after receiving His Body and Blood to pay much attention to what the priest is doing. But what he's doing is "purifying the sacred vessels." (Lay people are NOT allowed to do this, by the way. That indult was rescinded by Pope Benedict back in 2006. Please tell your pastor and friends.) The Ordinary Ministers carefully make sure that not one scrap of the species remains in the ciboria and chalice(s).

Also…the remainder of the Sacred Hosts?

Unlike some of our separated brethren, Catholics know that once consecrated, the bread and wine remain, always and forever, Jesus Christ. That's why the Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle! The remaining Precious Blood is consumed before the chalices are cleansed.

Speaking of "our separated brethren"…pray for Christian Unity!

After Frank beautifully read this Sunday's Epistle, I asked him how many times Paul used the word "one" in this passage alone. At least eight times! Clearly, the Apostle to the Gentiles is urging what we should all strive for…ONE in Christ Jesus!

Paul also speaks of humility (Ephesians 4:2)

Now, as in Paul's time on earth, "humility isn't and wasn't exactly a prized virtue…or a virtue at all! We speak of "humble beginnings," our "humble abodes," and so on. The Greeks eschewed humbleness. Grandeur, then as now, is the goal. Yet, as Nick pointed out, Jesus — by His own example! -- raised this self-effacing service to others to the dignity of a virtue.

Which brings me to this prayer: The Litany of Humility

About five years ago, we prayed this litany, composed by Cardinal Raphael Merry Del Val. At first? It's not an easy prayer. But I promise you…if you stick to it, it can — and will — change your life for the better. Here it is. If you have a smart phone, do what I did (she said, humbly) ;-) and use the Reader's Version for handy reference.

Thanks be to God for a wonderful session tonight. And may God continue to bless you!

Your humble scribe,

Kelly <---scott br="" hahn="" speaks="">
~~~~
Points to Ponder, by Doctor Scott Hahn

Bread Left Over

Today’s liturgy brings together several strands of Old Testament expectation to reveal Jesus as Israel’s promised Messiah and king, the Lord who comes to feed His people.

Notice the parallels between today’s Gospel and First Reading. Both Elisha and Jesus face a crowd of hungry people with only a few “barley” loaves. We hear similar words about how impossible it will be to feed the crowd with so little. And in both the miraculous multiplication of bread satisfies the hungry and leaves food left over.

The Elisha story looks back to Moses, the prophet who fed God’s people in the wilderness (see Exodus 16). Moses prophesied that God would send a prophet like him (see Deuteronomy 18:15-19). The crowd in today’s Gospel, witnessing His miracle, identifies Jesus as that prophet.

The Gospel today again shows Jesus to be the Lord, the good shepherd, who makes His people lie down on green grass and spreads a table before them (see Psalm 23:1,5).

The miraculous feeding is a sign that God has begun to fulfill His promise, which we sing of in today’s Psalm - to give His people food in due season and satisfy their desire (see Psalm 81:17).

But Jesus points to the final fulfillment of that promise in the Eucharist. He does the same things He does at the Last Supper - He takes the loaves, pronounces a blessing of thanksgiving (literally, “eucharist”), and gives the bread to the people (see Matthew 26:26). Notice, too, that 12 baskets of bread are left over, one for each of the apostles.

These are signs that should point us to the Eucharist - in which the Church founded on the apostles continues to feed us with the living bread of His body.

In this Eucharist, we are made one body with the Lord, as we hear in today’s Epistle. Let us resolve again, then, to live lives worthy of such a great calling.





Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Bible Study Recap: How CATHOLIC is Psalm 23!!!

+JMJ+
Saint Camillus de Lellis

Howdy!

How CATHOLIC is Psalm 23??? Or, rather, how does Psalm 23 refer to the Sacraments?

Normally we just prayerfully — and silently --- reflect on the Responsorial Psalm in our session...but tonight was special!

Aside from the usual grumblings about the translation of the Psalm in this Sunday's Mass…

We really got into it, from a Catholic point of view, and it was wonderful! What, for example, is the "banquet" and the "cup overflowing" and the "table?" And the "restful waters?" And the OIL???

They're the Sacraments!

Our Shepherd gives us an amazing banquet of His Body and Blood! The TABLE IS THE ALTAR! And let's not forget the "oil," which is used to anoint us in Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, The Sacrament of the Sick — amazingly wonderful!

"Thy Rod and Thy Staff"…what's the difference?

Pat and Frank got it immediately when I asked the question, but they spoke so low I didn't here them. Did you ever wonder about that? No? Well, you should! :-)

Here's the thing about a good shepherd:

A good shepherd carries a rod to ward off enemies of his sheep — like wolves.

His staff is not just for walking, but — you know how the bishop's crook has that little curved thing on the top — you know, the stick that looks like that thing in old time movies that roughly remove the flops on the vaudeville stage? That's to gently but firmly bring back the sheep that go astray…the shepherd simply cuffs the little lamb — think Little Bo Peep here to get an image — and brings the little guy back to the fold! So, in Psalm 23 — just from the parts read this Sunday alone! -- we've got the Eucharist, pretty much all the other Sacraments, and a bishop to boot!

Of course, Jeremiah led us to good things…and some arguments…

…or rather, we let the passage do so. My fault. I compared the tragic division of the Chosen People with the tragic division among Christians. Probably because some of us were at Mass today at Saint Francis Chapel and heard Father Michael Warren's homily, which centered on the schism between Roman and Orthodox Christians, which he based on today's Gospel. (Matthew 11:25-27). Again, my fault. If I told myself once, I've told myself a zillion times: do not try to "figure out" the Trinity! (Fortunately, no bones were broken, and we continue to pray that, as Saint John Paul II prayed, "that the Church will breath with both lungs." Enough to say: the Holy Spirit DOES proceed from the Father and the Son.)

Take it easy…if you can.

It's pretty easy to understand, on reading this Sunday's Gospel, why priests especially are pretty much required to make a retreat periodically. As a wise confessor once told me (I'd rather self-righteously I must admit), to being annoyed at the "interruptions" I'd had to "put up with" from people while I was striving for quiet prayer in a church. "Interruptions," he told me, "are a part of prayer. Jesus Himself was constantly `interrupted' while at prayer. Read the Gospels!"

Good advice. And a good session tonight, thanks be to God.

We prayed for you…please remember us in your prayers.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Bible Study Recap: Apostolic Pardon and "Professional Catholics"

+JMJ+
Saint Benedict

Howdy!

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus commissions His Apostles to go off and spread the Gospel. One of the Sacraments mentioned is the Anointing of the Sick, also called Extrreme Unction, especially when administered to the dying.

Father Michael Warren explained a part of this in a homily awhile back, and it seems to me extremely important to share it with you:

Apostolic Pardon

I can't quote Father Michael exactly, but I will tell you it made such an impression on me that I've been telling everybody I know about it — whether they want to hear it or not.  From EWTN:
~~~~~~~~
The Apostolic Pardon (or blessing) is an indulgence given in situations of danger of death, usually after the absolution of the sacrament of penance. The focus is on the remission of temporal punishment due to sin. The words of the prayer explain the meaning of the act: "Through the holy mysteries of our redemption may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy." Or "By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The Handbook of Indulgences #28 states: "Priests who minister the sacraments to the Christian faithful who are in a life-and-death situation should not neglect to impart to them the apostolic blessing, with its attached indulgence. But if a priest cannot be present, holy mother Church lovingly grants such persons who are rightly disposed a plenary indulgence to be obtained in articulo mortis, at the approach of death, provided they regularly prayed in some way during their lifetime. The use of a crucifix or a cross is recommended in obtaining this plenary indulgence. In such a situation the three usual conditions required in order to gain a plenary indulgence are substituted for by the condition 'provided they regularly prayed in some way.'" ~~ Reverend Mark J. Gantley, JCL.


~~~~~~~~~

Here's what Father Gantley didn't mention. Some priests are unaware of this indulgence. If you're ever in a situation where you or another is near death — ask for the Apostolic Pardon. I mean, don't do it if you're suffering from a cold or a hangnail or something like that, but in the case of imminent death? Don't hesitate. If the priest looks at you with those deer-in the-headlights look, call another priest. Any Roman Catholic priest can administer this pardon, but --- incredibly enough — some priests don't know it. Remember it!

Do you have to be a "pro" to be "called?"

There's no such thing as a "professional Catholic evangelist." Now, yes, while there are evangelists who are paid for what they do — diocesan priests come to mind — it's not necessary to be an expert to be called by God. This sorta seems to be the theme of this Sunday's Readings. Amos wasn't a "prophet," nor even a son of one. But God called this guy who was probably really good at tending sheep and trees…and he said "yes." And look at the Apostles! Let's see, we have our fishermen, we have our tax guy, we have our kid — yet all of them said "yes." The word "yes" is key!

Lori asked an interesting question:

I'm paraphrasing her, but I think the gist is this: "Did those called in the Bible (and therefore, I'm adding parenthetically, do we) actually hear the voice of God when called?" She was referring to, I believe, the folks in the Old Testament…like Amos and Abraham and Noah and all our good friends. And the answer is:

:::::::::drumroll:::::::::::::

I don't know. I thought of Elijah, who heard the voice of God in a whisper.  Moses and the burning bush. Catherine remembered an Oblate Brother who actually heard God calling him to the priesthood. Me? Sometimes — well, for example, I got the urge yesterday to tell a lady who looked like she was about to give birth at any moment, struggling with a couple of kids, that she was beautiful and that her beautiful family had made my day. And she was! And she did!

Nobody was much impressed by my "Dick and Jane" primer books approach to reading the Bible, but hey, that's my theory and I'm sticking with it (until somebody tells me I'm nuts AND DON'T YOU DARE!!!) :-)

Anyway, it was a blessed session, and I thank God for sending His Spirit to be with us tonight.

And I thank you for your prayers…please keep them up! We pray for you all the time.

Your humble scribe,

Kelly <---stand br="" by="" extras="" for="" some="">
~~~~~~

The Council of Trent on the Anointing of the Sick:

“This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark [cf. Mk 6:13], but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord: “Is any among you sick?” he says, “let him call for the elders [presbyteros] of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” [James 5:14-15] (Council of Trent, 1551 A.D.; cf. CCC 1511)

Points to Ponder, by Doctor Scott Hahn

The Church’s Mission


In commissioning the apostles in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives them, and us, a preview of His Church’s mission after the resurrection.

His instructions to the Twelve echo those of God to the twelve tribes of Israel on the eve of their exodus from Egypt. The Israelites likewise were sent out with no bread and only one set of clothes, wearing sandals and carrying a staff (see Exodus 12:11; Deuteronomy 8:2-4). Like the Israelites, the apostles are to rely solely on the providence of God and His grace.

Perhaps, also, Mark wants us to see the apostles’ mission, the mission of the Church, as that of leading a new exodus - delivering peoples from their exile from God and bringing them to the promised land, the kingdom of heaven.

Like Amos in today’s First Reading, the apostles are not “professionals,” who earn their bread by prophesying. Like Amos, they are simply men (see Acts 14:15) summoned from their ordinary jobs and sent by God to be shepherds of their brothers and sisters.

Again this week, we hear the theme of rejection: Amos experiences it, and Jesus warns the apostles that some will not welcome or listen to them. The Church is called, not necessarily to be successful, but only to be faithful to God’s command.

With authority and power given to it by Jesus, the Church proclaims God’s peace and salvation to those who believe in Him, as we sing in today’s Psalm.

This word of truth, this gospel of salvation, is addressed to each of us, personally, as Paul proclaims in today’s Epistle. In the mystery of God’s will, we have been chosen from before the foundation of the world - to be His sons and daughters, to live for the praise of His glory.

Let us, then, give thanks for the Church today, and for the spiritual blessings He has bestowed upon us. Let us resolve to further the Church’s mission - to help others hear the call to repentance and welcome Christ into their lives.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Lauda Sion Salvatorem! (Bible Study Recap)

On Wednesday evenings, the Catholic Blue Collar Bible Study Evangelists meet in the Prudential Center in Boston to reflect on the upcoming Sunday's Readings. Here's a recap from tonight's session.
~~~~
I H S
+JMJ+
Saint Joan of Arc

Greetings from a BLAST of a session tonight!

'Course this could be just me — Corpus Christi (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) -- is an absolute FAVORITE day of mine — but gee, I had more fun and joy tonight just savoring the Readings for this Sunday and the commentaries — from the "scholars," yes, but perhaps even more so? The amazing insights of the Blue Collar Bible Study Evangelists!

I mean, the connection between the first covenant, the early Passover Feasts — including the Last Supper of Jesus — and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass makes me want to get down on my hands and knees and pray in a loud voice "For Heaven's sake, God, won't You unite us! Or, forgive me, what I mean is make us REALIZE that we ARE united???"

Ahem. I may have been a tad overexcited tonight. :-)

Why Psalm 116?

 "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the LORD!" Yes, yes! But did you know that Jesus sang this Psalm at the Last Supper, following the eating of the Passover lamb? Well, He did…as a Jew, of course, in thanksgiving (Eucharistic meaning!) for the deliverance to the exodus from Egypt. We sing it in gratitude for the exodus from sin, with much thanksgiving, through the sacrifice of Jesus!

But wait…there's more!

I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid; -- get this! Jesus sang about His Mother at the Last Supper!!!

"Kelly, for Heaven's sake, calm DOWN!"

You're right, you're right. And I — we — did reflect silently and seriously on this strophe of the beautifully translated Sequence:

Bad and good the feast are sharing,
Of what divers dooms preparing,
Endless death, or endless life.


It certainly gave us pause, and an impetus to pray for, as Sunday's Collect reminds us:

O God, Who is this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of Your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood, that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of Your redemption.

The Passover Preparation — this is TOO COOL!

You know what the ritual preparations for the Passover Feast were? (They aren't now…there's no temple, but there was:

  • Choose an Unblemished Male Lamb
  • Sacrifice the Lamb
  • Spread the Blood of the Lamb
  • EAT the Flesh of the Lamb!!

And get this:

For one spit is transfixed right through from the lower parts up to the head, and
For the lamb, which is roasted, is roasted and dressed up in the form of a cross.
one across the back, to which are attached the legs of the lamb. (Justin Martyr,
Dialogue with Trypho)


This is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, friends!!! Is there a reason NOT to be excited????

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

By celebrating the Last Supper with his apostles in the course of the Passover meal, Jesus
gave the Jewish Passover its definitive meaning. Jesus’ passing over to his father by his
death and Resurrection, the new Passover, is anticipated in the Supper and celebrated in
the Eucharist… (CCC 1340)


Okay, I'll let you go now. Thanks for bearing with me!

Your humble scribe,

Kelly <---- a="" and="" birthday="" br="" doran="" father="" from="" hahn="" happy="" james="" now="" scott="" word="">~~~~~
Points to Ponder, by Doctor Scott Hahn

Blood of the Covenant

All of today's readings are set in the context of the Passover. The First Reading recalls the old covenant celebrated at Sinai following the first Passover and the exodus.



In sprinkling the blood of the covenant on the Israelites, Moses was symbolizing God's desire in this covenant to make them His family, His "blood" relations.



Quoting Moses' words in today's Gospel, Jesus elevates and transforms this covenant symbol to an extraordinary reality. In the new covenant made in the blood of Christ, we truly become one with His body and blood.

The first covenant made with Moses and Israel at Sinai was but a shadow of this new and greater covenant made by Christ with all humankind in that upper room (see Hebrews 10:1).



The Passover that Jesus celebrates with His 12 apostles "actualizes," makes real, what could only be symbolized by Moses' sacrifice at the altar with 12 pillars. What Jesus does today is establish His Church as the new Israel, and His Eucharist as the new worship of the living God.



In offering himself to God through the Spirit, Jesus delivered Israel from the transgressions of the first covenant. And, as we hear in today's Epistle, by His blood He purified us, and made us capable of true worship.



God does not want dead works or animal sacrifices. He wants our own flesh and blood, our own lives, consecrated to Him, offered as a living sacrifice. This is the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving that we sing of in today's Psalm. This is the Eucharist.

What we do in memory of Him is to pledge our lives to Him, to renew our promise to live by the words of His covenant and to be His servants.



There is no other return we can offer to Him for the eternal inheritance He has won for us. So let us approach the altar, calling upon His name in thanksgiving, taking up the cup of salvation.




Saturday, May 26, 2018

A Dirge for Ireland

Oh now Paddy dear, and did you hear
The news that’s going round?
A babe, a child, may be forbid
To grow on Irish ground!

Remember Napper Tandy’s lass?
Remember how we smiled?
But now? A cruel law law agin’
A poor unwanted child.

Like that sad country ‘cross the pond,
Some children won’t be born.
Oh pray to God for Ireland
Because today we mourn.

Friday, May 11, 2018

Happy Birthday, Father Dennis Brown: Rep of the Saints!

He was ordained a priest in May of 1989...but he wasn't always the guy we know now.

He's a Spiritual Director, Retreat Director, Chaplain...but he wasn't always the guy we know now.

Prior to the early 1970s? He wasn't a Catholic. I don't know that he even knew who God was.

But somehow, the Holy Spirit led him to — of all people! — Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

I highly doubt that Dennis ever saw the show "Life is Worth Living" before meeting the good Bishop. But somehow, thought the intercession of Father John Hardon, S.J., and his book, "The Catholic Catechism," Dennis found himself first at Saint John's University in New York, and then, the Pontifical Institute for Advanced Studies in Rome.

And was ordained by Pope Saint John II in 1989 as a priest of the Congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Among his friends? Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

And, among his many accomplishments? He helped this sinner (that would be me)...well...become less of one.

But he's probably known more than anything — at least, to me and his friends — as The Greatest Fan of Saints the Church Has Ever Known!

No kidding, this priest has never met a saint he didn't love!

Tomorrow is Father Dennis' birthday, and I just wanted to say to him — hey wait, what's going on, here??? Yikes! Wait a minute, guys, ladies, one second...oh sheesh! Go ahead!

So pleased with you, my friend!
Hey, we all love you Dennis!
A privilege to ordain you!
Hey, you still got that book?


Happy Birthday, to you, Happy Birthday, to you!
Happy Birthday, Dear-Great-P.R.-Guy!
Happy Birthday, Dear Dennis, to You!

Much love,

All the Saints and Wanna-Be-Saints



Wednesday, March 07, 2018

Love the Immaculata! Father Greg Staab, O.M.V.

Eternal rest grant onto him, O Lord! And let Your perpetual light shine upon him! May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, though the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.









Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother: to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
"Always love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!"


Father Gregory Allen Staab, O.M.V.
June 11, 1957 — March 1, 2018
Religious Profession — September 12, 1980
Ordination to the Priesthood — May 31, 1984