Mt 26:14-75
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
14	Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests.	tunc abiit unus de duodecim qui dicitur Iudas Scarioth ad principes sacerdotum
15	And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver.	et ait illis quid vultis mihi dare et ego vobis eum tradam at illi constituerunt ei triginta argenteos
16	And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him.	et exinde quaerebat oportunitatem ut eum traderet
17	And on the first day of the Azymes, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch?	prima autem azymorum accesserunt discipuli ad Iesum dicentes ubi vis paremus tibi comedere pascha
18	But Jesus said: Go ye into the city to a certain man and say to him: The master saith, My time is near at hand. With thee I make the pasch with my disciples.	at Iesus dixit ite in civitatem ad quendam et dicite ei magister dicit tempus meum prope est apud te facio pascha cum discipulis meis
19	And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them: and they prepared the pasch.	et fecerunt discipuli sicut constituit illis Iesus et paraverunt pascha
20	But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples.	vespere autem facto discumbebat cum duodecim discipulis
21	And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you that one of you is about to betray me.	et edentibus illis dixit amen dico vobis quia unus vestrum me traditurus est
22	And they being very much troubled began every one to say: Is it I, Lord?	et contristati valde coeperunt singuli dicere numquid ego sum Domine
23	But he answering said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me.	at ipse respondens ait qui intinguit mecum manum in parapside hic me tradet
24	The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born.	Filius quidem hominis vadit sicut scriptum est de illo vae autem homini illi per quem Filius hominis traditur bonum erat ei si natus non fuisset homo ille
25	And Judas that betrayed him answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.	respondens autem Iudas qui tradidit eum dixit numquid ego sum rabbi ait illi tu dixisti

The Last Supper

Simon Ushakov

1685
Russia

The colors here are absolutely stunning! Wow!

Pray for

A Voice in the Desert

Fidelity Green Light Award for Excellence in Catholic Fidelity given by CatholicCulture.org in February 2006

The Archbishop's Response - with a commentary

Response of Fr. Altier and Fr. Welzbacher, pastor

Is this the reason Father Altier was silenced?

Father Altier innocent of any impropriety

About Father Altier and the Desert Voice Website

A Statement from the Webmaster at Desert Voice

Letters from the Desert - your response


Christ was obedient unto death, even death on a cross. ~ Philippians 2:8

email@desertvoice.org

In obedient compliance with the expressed written request of
Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn
Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Father Altier’s homilies and spiritual presentations
can no longer be published on www.desertvoice.org
or broadcast on Relevant Radio.
This action of the Archbishop is not related to any scandal
or sexual misconduct on the part of Father Robert Altier.
We regret any inconvenience and humbly ask for your prayers.

All concerns should be directed in a spirit of charity to:
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn
226 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, MN, USA 55102
(651) 291-4400

communications@archspm.org

The Word Among Us

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Meditation
Matthew 26:14-25

The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. (Matthew 26:23)

What a cryptic saying! Was Jesus really trying to reveal the identity of his betrayer? Or was he simply suggesting that all the apostles would betray him in some way or another? After all, each of them had dipped his hand into the bowl with Jesus at some point during the meal. It was only as Judas spoke up that he was singled out.

Like the twelve, each of us “dips into the bowl” with Jesus whenever we eat his body and drink his blood. Again, like the twelve, each of us has betrayed the Lord in some way at one time or another in our lives. And the chances are that we’ll do it again. Why? Because it’s part of our fallen nature.

This can sound so depressing, but there is good news: We are also forgiven. Whether we have committed great sins or small ones, it doesn’t matter. The Pharisees—who were trying hard but had become inflexible—needed forgiveness just as much as the prostitutes and tax collectors—who were notorious sinners. And so do we. Whether we have committed murder or are simply harboring a grudge against someone, we all need Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to set us free.

What hope we can have—not just for ourselves but also for one another! Every one of us who comes to the table is a forgiven sinner. The next time you are at Mass, take a look around at your brothers and sisters in Christ and recognize them as your family. You are all “dipping into the bowl” with Jesus. Thank the Lord that you are also all covered by his mercy and love.

May this realization bring us to unity with each other. Jesus’ greatest desire is that we would all be one as he and the Father are one. Let’s ask him today to teach us to be merciful as he is merciful, so that this deep longing of his might be fulfilled!

“Thank you, Lord, for your sacrifice on the cross. Please make us one in you, as you and the Father are one. Give us true humility and compassion for one another as we strive together to live for you.”

Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, April 12, 2006 >>

Holy Week

Isaiah 50:4-9

Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34

Matthew 26:14-25

View Readings

GORY GLORY DETAILS

"For Your sake I bear insult, and shame covers My face." —Psalm 69:8

Since the apostles ran away at the time of Jesus' crucifixion and those few who stayed would probably not want to talk about the gory details of Jesus' passion and death, the Gospel writers may not have known or did not want to express many of the details of Jesus' sufferings. However, some details of His sufferings have been revealed in prophecy and psalms, especially by Isaiah. When we see a crucifix, we always see the front of Jesus. However, Isaiah reveals the condition of His back in addition to His beard and face. The Messiah says: "I gave My back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who plucked My beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting" (Is 50:6).

Jesus' back must have been bruised, almost shredded. Handfuls of hair were pulled out of His bloody beard. His face was beaten almost past recognition as a human being, with spit, blood, and dirt pasted on it, "so marred was His look beyond that of man, and His appearance beyond that of mortals" (Is 52:14). His heart was broken. He "looked for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters" (Ps 69:21) but found none. Rather, they put gall in His food and in His thirst they gave Him vinegar to drink (Ps 69:22). He suffered mercilessly to give us mercy. He suffered because He loves us. These details of His sufferings even more clearly manifest His love for us.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You...

Promise: "My appointed time draws near. I am to celebrate the Passover with My disciples in your house." —Mt 26:18

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who suffered untold miseries and pain for our sake.

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

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.

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.
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.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.