Posted on 03/01/2006 9:34:46 AM PST by Salvation
Ash Wednesday
Reading I
Jl 2:12-18
Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17
R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reading II
2 Cor 5:20 -- 6:2
Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
Gospel
Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Sadly,
today I have to do something rotten to someone I love...
I made plans with my kid brother for Saturday but I forgot thats the all day Boston Catholic Mens Conference '. I realized this late last night so need to call him today.
I will make up for it though!
I hope he understands. Have a great conference!
May this Ash Wednesday bring blessings to all.
Faith-sharing bump.
That is indeed a lovely passage, and most instructional.
Wow you got this post just in time for me.Sister said to tell you you are doing a wonderful job:)
Guess I was a little late this morning, huh?
O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 138 (139) |
|---|
| The Lord knows all things |
| Lord, you have examined me, you know me: you know when I sit down and when I rise. From far away you know my thoughts: you know every step I take, when I walk, when I lie down: you have seen all that I do. Before a word even reaches my lips, you know, Lord, all that I will say. You are close in front of me and close behind me: you have laid your hand upon me. Your knowledge is beyond my understanding: it is too high, I cannot reach it. Where shall I go, to escape your spirit? Where shall I go, to flee your face? If I rise to the heavens, you are there. If I sink to the depths, you are there. If I put on the wings of the dawn itself – if I make my abode beyond the farthest sea – it is still your hand that will lead me there, it is still your right hand that will hold me. If I say “May the shadows cover me: let there be no light around me” – the shadows will not hide me from you, and the night will shine like the day: for shadows and light are the same to you. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Psalm 138 (139) |
|---|
| For you created my innermost being as you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you, for you made me so wonderfully: so wonderful are your works, so perfect your knowledge. Even my bones were not hidden from you as I was being created in secret, put together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me before ever I was completed. All my days were written in your book before any of them came into being. Your thoughts, O God, are precious to me: precious above all things and too many to count. If I try to count them, they are more than the sand: if I come to an end, still I am with you. Look into me, God, and know my heart: examine me and know my paths. See if I am wandering on ways that lead nowhere, and set my feet on the path to eternity. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Canticle | Colossians 1 |
|---|---|
| Christ, firstborn of all creatures and firstborn from the dead | |
| Let us give thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to share in the light that is the saints’ inheritance. He has rescued us from the power of the shadows and brought us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones and dominations, principalities and powers. All things were created through him and for him: he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the Church. He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, and so he is pre-eminent above all. For it was the Father’s will that the fullness of God should dwell in him, and that through him all things should be reconciled to himself. Through the blood of the Cross he brought peace to all things, both on Earth and in the heavens. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
|
| A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here. |
| Canticle | Magnificat |
|---|---|
| My soul rejoices in the Lord | |
| My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| A concluding prayer may follow here. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
Farewell to Alleluia and Gloria
During the penitential seasons of the Church, the Gloria and the Alleluia are not said or sung. The Gloria is sung only at the Mass on Holy Thursday, usually with great ceremony, organ and sometimes trumpets, and often with the ringing of bells. After the singing of the Gloria, musical instruments are to be silent until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil. (Catholic families might imitate this solemn silence by not playing instrumental music in their homes at this time.)
In the Middle Ages and throughout the 16th century, the "burying" of the Alleluia was a solemn ritual on Septuagesima Sunday. A procession of children carrying a wooden plaque bearing the word "Alleluia" laid it at the feet of the statue of the Blessed Virgin, covering it with a purple cloth. It remained there until Easter at the Gospel procession, when the plaque was carried as the priest intoned the three Alleluias before the Easter Gospel. In Paris, a straw figure inscribed with the word was carried out of the choir at the end of the service and burned in the church yard.
Although the practice of literally removing the Alleluia from the Church may have disappeared, even today in some parish celebrations of the Easter Vigil an Alleluia card is carried in procession and placed in front of the altar during the singing of the first Alleluias before the Gospel for Easter.
The hymn Alleluia, Song of Gladness and the one that follows date from the early 9th and 10th centuries; both refer to the farewell to the Alleluia in the liturgy.
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Wednesday, March 01, 2006 Meditation Joel 2:12-18 Blow the trumpet in Zion! (Joel 2:15) So sounds the ancient call to repentance. Get ready! The day of the resurrection is approaching, so fast! Pray! Give alms! When the people in Joel’s time heard the Lord’s call, they responded by “rending” their hearts and not just their garments. They called a fast, gathered at the Temple to pray, and begged the Lord to have mercy on them. And, as Joel tells us, he did. Not only did God lift the locust plague that was besieging them; he promised even greater blessings to come. He promised to pour out his Spirit upon them (Joel 2:28). The time has come for us to heed the trumpet call as well. It is time to learn how to love Jesus more deeply and to pray that more people will come to believe in him. But this is also a time when God promises to pour out his Spirit upon us. It is a time when grace flows from his throne, drawing us close to his heart and delivering us from the sin that can so easily cling to us. This combination of our dedication and God’s grace and power can make this Lent a time of real transformation for us. Every day this season, God will give us countless opportunities to come and receive from him. Every day, he will give us countless invitations to turn from sin and to turn to Christ. And every time we respond to his invitation, God will shower us with love. He will take the “little death” in every act of self-denial and turn it into a shining testimony to his resurrection. What do you intend to do this Lent? How can you best respond to the trumpet call of the Lord? Take some time today to write down your commitment. Then come up with a plan for how you will carry it out. Remember: Our actions combined with God’s grace can produce miracles! “Lord, the trumpet has sounded, and I want to respond. Help me to rend my heart this Lent, so that it can be filled anew with your love and your Spirit.” Psalm 51:3-6,12-14,17; 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2; Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 |
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O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
| This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited. |
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 30 (31) |
|---|
| Trustful prayer in time of adversity |
| O God, protect me; be my refuge. |
| In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, Turn your ear to me, make haste to rescue me. Be my rampart, my fortification; keep me safe. For you are my strength and my refuge: you will lead me out to the pastures, for your own name’s sake. You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me – for you are my strength. Into your hands I commend my spirit: you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| O God, protect me; be my refuge. |
| Psalm 129 (130) |
|---|
| Out of the depths |
| Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord. |
| Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears listen out for the voice of my pleading. If you took notice of our transgressions, Lord – Lord, who would be left? But with you is forgiveness, and for this we revere you. I rely on you, Lord, my spirit relies on your promise; my soul hopes in the Lord, more than the watchman for daybreak. More than the watchman for daybreak, let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is kindness and abundant redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all its transgressions. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord. |
| Reading | Ephesians 4:26-27 |
|---|---|
| Be angry if you must, but do not sin: do not let your anger outlast the sunset: do not give the Devil his chance. | |
| Short Responsory | ? |
|---|---|
| Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. |
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| Canticle | Nunc Dimittis |
|---|---|
| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. | |
| Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. | |
| Prayer | |
|---|---|
| Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you lay a gentle yoke upon those who follow you. Meek and humble, you give them a light burden to carry. Receive the work and the prayers we have offered to you today; and give us rest, to make us more eager to serve you, who live and reign for ever and ever, Amen. |
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| May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. |
| A M E N |
| Mt 6:1-18 | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | Douay-Rheims | Vulgate |
| 1 | Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven. | adtendite ne iustitiam vestram faciatis coram hominibus ut videamini ab eis alioquin mercedem non habebitis apud Patrem vestrum qui in caelis est |
| 2 | Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. | cum ergo facies elemosynam noli tuba canere ante te sicut hypocritae faciunt in synagogis et in vicis ut honorificentur ab hominibus amen dico vobis receperunt mercedem suam |
| 3 | But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. | te autem faciente elemosynam nesciat sinistra tua quid faciat dextera tua |
| 4 | That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. | ut sit elemosyna tua in abscondito et Pater tuus qui videt in abscondito reddet tibi |
| 5 | And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. | et cum oratis non eritis sicut hypocritae qui amant in synagogis et in angulis platearum stantes orare ut videantur ab hominibus amen dico vobis receperunt mercedem suam |
| 6 | But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret, and thy father who seeth in secret will repay thee. | tu autem cum orabis intra in cubiculum tuum et cluso ostio tuo ora Patrem tuum in abscondito et Pater tuus qui videt in abscondito reddet tibi |
| 7 | And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. | orantes autem nolite multum loqui sicut ethnici putant enim quia in multiloquio suo exaudiantur |
| 8 | Be not you therefore like to them for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him. | nolite ergo adsimilari eis scit enim Pater vester quibus opus sit vobis antequam petatis eum |
| 9 | Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. | sic ergo vos orabitis Pater noster qui in caelis es sanctificetur nomen tuum |
| 10 | Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. | veniat regnum tuum fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra |
| 11 | Give us this day our supersubstantial bread. | panem nostrum supersubstantialem da nobis hodie |
| 12 | And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. | et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimisimus debitoribus nostris |
| 13 | And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. | et ne inducas nos in temptationem sed libera nos a malo |
| 14 | For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences. | si enim dimiseritis hominibus peccata eorum dimittet et vobis Pater vester caelestis delicta vestra |
| 15 | But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences. | si autem non dimiseritis hominibus nec Pater vester dimittet peccata vestra |
| 16 | And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. | cum autem ieiunatis nolite fieri sicut hypocritae tristes demoliuntur enim facies suas ut pareant hominibus ieiunantes amen dico vobis quia receperunt mercedem suam |
| 17 | But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; | tu autem cum ieiunas ungue caput tuum et faciem tuam lava |
| 18 | That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee. | ne videaris hominibus ieiunans sed Patri tuo qui est in abscondito et Pater tuus qui videt in abscondito reddet tibi |
Dear Friends in Jesus and Mary,
The Persecution of Father Robert Altier by the Archbishop of Minneapolis. The Site may be pulled down in the near future.
Father has been banned from speaking period. Please pray for him.
My Detailed Message follows below:
This is an Emergency Request for prayers and to storm heaven for Father Robert Altier.
For All of us who love his solid "Orthodox" Homilies which are posted by Salvation on this thread; this will come not only as a nasty shock but this is sheer persecution by Archbishop Flynn of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis.
Please check out http://www.desertvoice.org/Censored.html and you will know what I am talking about. Father Robert Altier has been banned by the Archbishop of Minneapolis from publishing his homilies on "A Voice in the Desert".
He has also been banned from speaking on Relevant Radio. Most parts of the web site have been shut down as a result of this catastrophic and oppressive decision by the Archbsihop of Minneapolis.
Now, one cannot access the Homilies that are posted on a daily basis on the web page that says Audio or listen to them. Nor can one access Homilies that are posted in the Microsoft Word Format or the Highlights Section or just anything at all.
I greatly fear that this awesome web site will be pulled down as soon as possible and made functional, as Father Robert Altier and his Parishioners who post these Homilies are being persecuted by the raving liberal Archbishop of Minneapolis.
Please forward this to all Orthodox Catholic Freepers on this thread or all Freepers who are Catholic and love Father Altier's Homilies. We need to storm heaven for him like nobody's business.
Imagine an Archbishop persecuting him. For some time now, i have been in touch with Parishioners from his Parish who have been constantly asking me to pray for Father Altier's Ministry.
Looks like they suspected something like this would happen to him. Poor Father Altier is being persecuted.
I enjoy reading "A Voice in the Desert" and certainly hope that it continues to appear.
Homily of the Day bump.
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