Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 04-15-06 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

He Has Truly Risen!

by Fr. James Farfaglia

Other Articles by Fr. James Farfaglia
Contact this Author

He Has Truly Risen!

04/15/06

Jesus has risen from the dead with a glorified body. The barriers of time and space no longer apply to Him. The Lord appears and disappears with shocking suddenness. He continually demonstrates His physical reality. The Apostles and the disciples see Him, hear Him, and eat with Him. Thomas is told to touch His wounds.

The stone rolled away from the entrance of the empty tomb directs our attention to the physical. The carefully folded burial cloths direct us to comprehend that Jesus is physically alive. He has truly risen — bodily risen.

The disbelief and uncertainty evidenced by those who saw Him testify to an apparent strangeness in the appearance of the newly risen Christ. Slowly they came to recognize Him, but they still struggled with doubt.

We are accustomed to an annual celebration of Easter. However, for the first disciples of Jesus, resurrection was totally new. The concept of someone coming back to life, they knew. There were such accounts in the Old Testament. Jesus Himself had brought back to life the son of the widow of Nain, Jairus' daughter, and His friend Lazarus. But none of them continued their lives with a glorified body. Although the risen Jesus is the same Jesus Who died on Calvary, His physical reality is now different from before. The body of the risen Lord is indeed His physical body, but it now moves about according to the manner of a glorified body. This is a new reality and it is a new hope: each of us will have a glorified body also at the resurrection of the dead if we persevere and are faithful. But the newness of it made it difficult for the disciples to grasp what had happened to Jesus.

Over and over again the Gospels stress that something extraordinary has occurred. The Lord is tangible, but He has been transformed. His life is different from what it once was. Because His glorified body transcends the limitations of time and space, He can pass through the closed door of the Upper Room, and appear and disappear as He desires. At times His disciples cannot recognize Him precisely because their physical reality moves within time and space, and the Lord's physical reality is no longer subject to time and space, although He is present with them in time and space.

His crucified body has been transformed, glorified. But why, then we may wonder, would Jesus rise from the dead with wounds? What lesson is He teaching us by keeping His wounds intact?

We can answer this question by turning to our own wounds. What are our wounds? First, we all experience the large wound caused by original sin. Although we are baptized and original sin has been cleansed from our soul, our human nature has been wounded. Our sinful condition manifests itself in different ways and we struggle with sensuality and pride.

And then there are the other smaller wounds. We have wounds caused by sickness and the wounds that are caused by problems, adversities, challenges and the disappointments of life.

All of us are wounded. Even Jesus is wounded. By retaining the wounds of His Passion, the glorified Jesus is showing us that we can find hope and strength by taking our wounds and uniting them to His wounds. His five wounds are an eternal reminder that when our wounds are united to His wounds we will find true peace.

Many times we are surprised and even discouraged that our commitment to follow the Risen Lord consists in a continual personal struggle with our predominant faults. We become dismayed when manifestations of our predominant faults constantly show themselves in our daily activities.

Most of us have been profoundly affected by dysfunctional families, a dysfunctional society, and even a dysfunctional Church. Perhaps some of our predominant faults have been caused by these dysfunctions or at least they provide the ammunition that pushes our buttons, especially when we experience anger and discouragement. However, when we honestly acknowledge our weaknesses and sinful tendencies, and take responsibility for all of our actions, our struggles can be the very agents that cause us to receive the graces that we need to overcome our weaknesses and sins. Our wounds become the source by which personal transformation takes place.

Did you ever stop to think what your glorified body will look like? The only glorified body that we know is the glorified body of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His glorified body still carries the five wounds of Calvary.

Perhaps our glorified bodies will bear our own personal wounds. Maybe the wounds caused by the death of a loved one, a family tragedy, a life-long struggle with sin, or a long battle with a chronic illness will be seen as personal trophies because they have been the very agents that caused us to gain eternal salvation, In Wounds that Heal, Keith A. Fournier supposed:

Maybe when the last trumpet sounds, millions upon millions of glorified bodies will come forth from their tombs adorned with glorified wounds — wounds that, when joined with the five wounds of the Son of God, are seen as the very agents that made possible their owner’s earthly transformation. Whatever our predominant faults or “buttons” may be, some of them may be then worn with gratitude because they broke us of the greatest impediment to contentment, false pride.” (p. 102)

So my dear friends, leave aside your sadness and discouragement. The Lord has truly risen, wounds and all.

© Copyright 2006 Catholic Exchange

Father James Farfaglia is Pastor of St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Originally from Ridgefield, Connecticut, Father has founded and developed apostolates for the Catholic Church in Spain, Italy, Mexico, Canada and throughout the United States.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

A Christian Only Rents a Tomb
April 15, 2006

It was hard to believe that it was really all over, but that seemed to be the truth they had to face

Holy Saturday
Father James Swanson, LC

Mark 16:1-7
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, "Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ´He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.´"

Introductory Prayer: Help me Jesus, faithful friend in life and in death. May I discover in your rising my guarantee and hope of everlasting life.

Petition: Lord, Jesus, I believe. Help my little faith so I can follow you as someone who really hopes that some day he will climb out of the tomb to live in joy with you forever.

1. In the Middle of Darkness.  Mary and the other women were without hope. Jesus was dead. The only thing left was to give him a proper burial. They had been in a rush on Friday evening because of the impending Sabbath. Now they could do things properly. It would be hard to see him again, to look at that expressionless face they had known so well, to anoint the cold stiff flesh of the one who had meant everything to them. Once the anointing was done what would they do? What would be the future of this group Jesus had gathered around him? They had even heard that some members of the group were leaving today, to return to their homes because now that Jesus was dead, everything was over. It was now meaningless to be his follower. It was hard to believe that it was really all over, but that seemed to be the truth they had to face.

2. An Unexpected Light Dawns.  In the middle of their doubt, in the middle of their sorrow, in the middle of their hopelessness, a ray of light enters that grows to blinding proportions. They expected an obstacle – the stone; but the stone is gone, rolled back. How could that have happened? They hurry into the tomb, fearing the worst, but the tomb is filled with light instead of darkness. How? A man...? No, an angel! He is smiling at them. He gives a message of unbelievable good news. Jesus is risen! He will see you in Galilee! “This is really unbelievable,” they think to themselves. “People don’t rise from the dead.” But somehow the angel’s impossible words bring them comfort, peace and even belief. In their hearts they know that the impossible has really come true.

3. A New Perspective on Everything.  The angel has given them a mission. They are to announce the Resurrection to the others. They have a message and they know it is of the deepest importance. Jesus, their hope, is alive. As they head toward the Upper Room, their minds start to work on the startling news they have received and they begin to understand many other things about Jesus. They remember how he spoke about having to suffer and die, but that he would rise. How strange they didn’t listen before. It seems so obvious now. The truth of the Resurrection makes everything new. They know they will have to live their lives differently from now on.

Dialogue with Christ: Lord Jesus, if I really believed in your Resurrection I would not act like I do – full of selfishness, vanity and sensuality. If I really believed that you could raise me from the dead, I wouldn’t doubt that you could make a saint out of me. If I really believed that this life was a preparation for the next, I would put a lot more effort into pleasing you more every day. But in a lot of ways, I don’t really believe all that. Help me to realize that real faith comes from the heart, not the head. It isn’t merely accepting that something is true. It is accepting it in such a way that it changes my life, that I live like someone who believes that the consequences of your faith matter in your own life. Help me to believe that a Christian only rents his tomb and that his treasures are not stored up in this life, but the next.

Resolution: Today, as I prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection, I will take stock of my life. I will ask myself, “Does the Resurrection really make a difference to me?” Do I really live differently from those who don’t accept Christ because I believe in the Resurrection? Or is my belief merely a veneer that allows me to think of myself as a Christian when really nothing in the way I live distinguishes me from those who are not Christians? Having made this evaluation, I will correct something that needs changing so as to show I believe in the Resurrection with all my heart.

[Nihil Obstat]

25 catechumens is great! well done.

[MILESJESU]

Dear Freeper Salvation,

How odd you should post an article written by Father James Farfaglia.

I have been posting his Homilies for the past 3-4 Sundays in Lent.

Check out his Past Homilies at the following Link. Father Farfaglia is the Pastor at Saint Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Christ, Catholic Church in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas.

His Homily Index goes back to 2002. Check his Past Homilies out at the following Link.

http://www.goccn.org/diocese/spcl/refindex.asp

In the Risen Lord,

[MILESJESU]

Dear Freepers in Christ,

Check out this Easter Sunday Homily/Refelction written by Father James Farfaglia.

In The Risen Lord,

http://www.goccn.org/diocese/spcl/reflect.asp

April 16, 2006

Easter Sunday 2006

A Homily Reflection with
Fr. James Farfaglia
St. Helena of the True Cross Parish
Corpus Christi, Texas

Never Be Discouraged. He Has Truly Risen!

Jesus has risen from the dead with a glorified body.The barriers of time and space no longer apply to him.The Lord appears and disappears with shocking suddenness.

He continually demonstrates his physical reality.The Apostles and the disciples see him, hear him, and eat with him. Thomas is told to touch his wounds.The stone rolled away from the entrance, and the carefully folded burial cloths direct our gaze to the physical.He has truly risen.

The disbelief and uncertainty evidenced by those who saw him testify to an apparent strangeness in the appearance of the newly risen Christ. Slowly they came to recognize him, but they still struggled with doubt.

We are accustomed to an annual celebration of Easter. However, for the first disciples of Jesus, resurrection was totally new.Let us remember, that the son of the widow of Nain, Jairus' daughter, and Lazarus were all brought back to life by Jesus, but not one of them continued their lives with a glorified body. Although the risen Jesus is the same Jesus that died on Calvary, his physical reality is now different than before.The body of the risen Lord is indeed his physical body, but he now moves about with a glorified body. Each of us will have a glorified body also at the resurrection of the dead if we persevere and are faithful.

Over and over again the gospels stress that something extraordinary has occurred.The Lord is tangible, but he has been transformed.His life is different from what it once was. His glorified body transcends the limitations of time and space.

For this reason he can pass through the closed door of the Upper Room, and appear and disappear as he desires. At times his disciples cannot recognize him precisely because their physical reality moves within time and space, and the Lord's physical reality is no longer subject to time and space, although he exists within time and space.

The empty tomb and the neatly folded burial cloths point to us that Jesus is physically alive. His crucified body has been transformed, glorified. However, did you ever stop to think why Jesus rose from the dead with wounds? What lesson is he teaching us by keeping his wounds intact?

We can answer this question by turning to our own wounds. What are our wounds? First, we all experience the large wound caused by original sin.Although we are baptized and original sin has been cleansed from our soul, our human nature has been wounded.Our sinful condition manifests itself in different ways and we struggle with sensuality and pride.

And then there are the other wounds, the wounds that are smaller.We have wounds that are caused by sickness and the wounds that are caused by problems, adversities, challenges and the disappointments of life.

All of us are wounded.Even Jesus is wounded.By retaining the wounds of his passion, the glorified Jesus is showing us that we can find hope and strength by taking our wounds and uniting them to his wounds.His five wounds are an eternal reminder that when our wounds are united to his wounds we will find true peace.

Many times we are surprised and even discouraged that our commitment to follow the Risen Lord consists in a continual personal struggle with our predominant faults. We become dismayed when manifestations of our predominant faults constantly show themselves in our daily activities.

The perfection that Jesus calls us to in his Sermon on the Mount, does not mean that we will be without struggles and without personal sin.A better translation of the Greek “telios” is complete rather than the word perfection.Thus, the text would read, “Be complete as your heavenly Father is complete”.

“Complete Christians persevere in trials and count them as pure joy because they believe that God desires for them only what is best.Complete Christians are not controlled by the past.They view the future with hope.Complete Christians realize that God is engaged with a total reorganization of their behavior patterns, responses, values, lifestyles, and self-perceptions-all because God is faithful in granting their desire to become like Christ and all in his good time.Even though these Christians experience continual change, they view their progress without a sense of failure or arrival.They are concerned more with fidelity than some self-imposed goal.After all, our sense of timing and the Lord’s are often, literally, light years away” (Wounds that Heal, Keith A. Fournier, pp. 101-102).

Most of us have been profoundly affected by dysfunctional families, a dysfunctional society, and even a dysfunctional Church.Perhaps some of our predominant faults have been caused by these dysfunctions or minimally they provide the ammunition that pushes our buttons, especially when we deal with anger issues and discouragement.However, when we honestly acknowledge our weaknesses and sinful tendencies, and take responsibility for all of our actions, our struggles can be the very agents that cause us to receive the graces that we need to overcome our weaknesses and sins. Our wounds become the source by which personal transformation takes place.

Did you ever stop to think what your glorified body will look like? The only glorified body that we know is the glorified body of Our Lord Jesus Christ.His glorified body still carries the five wounds of Calvary.

Perhaps our glorified body will bear our own personal wounds.Maybe the wounds caused by the death of a loved one, a family tragedy, a life-long struggle with sin, or a long battle with a chronic illness will be seen as personal trophies because they have been the very agents that caused us to gain eternal salvation.

“Maybe when the last trumpet sounds, millions upon millions of glorified bodies will come forth from their tombs adorned with glorified wounds – wounds that, when joined with the five wounds of the Son of God, are seen as the very agents that made possible their owner’s earthly transformation.Whatever our predominant faults or buttons may be, some of them may be then worn with gratitude because they broke us of the greatest impediment to contentment, false pride” (Wounds that Heal, p. 102).

So, my dear friends, leave aside your sadness and discouragement. The Lord has truly risen and our Risen Lord still retains the five wounds that gained us salvation.

[Salvation]

I wasn't aware of who the author on those was. Amazing -- but then there are no such things as coincidences, are there? <chuckle, chuckle

[Salvation]

 

Pray for

A Voice in the Desert

Divine Mercy Novena ~ April 14 thru April 22 Let us beg for God's mercy.            Novena Prayers        Divine Mercy Chaplet
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

  Precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of His faithful ones.
                                ~ Psalm 116:15

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

[Salvation]

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening 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.

---

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 115 (116B)

Thanksgiving in the Temple

Still I trusted, even when I said “I am greatly afflicted”,
when I said in my terror, “all men are liars”.

How shall I repay the Lord for all he has done for me?
I will take up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

I will fulfil my vows to the Lord before all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful.

O Lord, I am your servant, your maidservant’s son.
You have torn apart my chains: I will make you a sacrifice of praise, I will call on the name of the Lord.

I will fulfil my vows to the Lord before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord, within your walls, Jerusalem.

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 142 (143)

A prayer in time of trouble

Lord, listen to my prayer:
 in your faithfulness turn your ear to my pleading;
 in your justice, hear me.
Do not judge your servant:
 nothing that lives can justify itself before you.

The enemy has hounded my spirit,
 he has crushed my life to the ground,
 he has shut me in darkness, like the dead of long ago.
So my spirit trembles within me,
 my heart turns to stone.
I remind myself of the days of old,
 I reflect on all your works,
 I meditate once more on the work of your hands.
I stretch out my arms to you,
 I stretch out my soul, like a land without water.

Come quickly and hear me, O Lord,
 for my spirit is weakening.
Do not hide your face from me,
 do not let me be like the dead,
 who go down to the underworld.
Show me your mercy at daybreak,
 because of my trust in you.
Tell me the way I should follow,
 for I lift up my soul towards you.
Rescue me from my enemies:
 Lord, I flee to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will,
 for you are my God.

Your good spirit will lead me to the land of justice;
 for your name’s sake, Lord, you will give me life.
In your righteousness you will lead my soul
 away from all tribulation.

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	Philippians 2
Christ, God's servant
Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became like a man – not in appearance only, for he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross. For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father. 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.

---

Prayers and Intercessions

?

Our Redeemer suffered for us and was buried, to rise again. Let us truly and humbly worship him, and ask him: - Lord, take pity on us. Lord Jesus, from your pierced side came blood and water, the miraculous sign of your Church: bring your bride to life through your death, burial, and resurrection. Lord Jesus, you remembered those who had forgotten your promise to rise from the dead: remember also those who do not yet know of your resurrection and live without hope. Lamb of God, you are the paschal sacrifice offered up for all: draw all men to yourself. God of the whole world, you hold the universe in your grasp, but still you allowed yourself to be held within a tomb. Free the human race from Hell and give it immortal glory. Anointed One, Son of the living God, on the cross you opened the gates of Paradise to the thief. Let the dead, who shared your death and your burial, share also your glorious resurrection.

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

[Salvation]

The Litany of the Saints will be sung tonight. So beautiful!

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.	Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,  God the Son, Redeemer of the world,  God the Holy Spirit,  Holy Trinity, one God,	have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,  Holy Mother of God,  Holy Virgin of virgins, St. Michael,  St. Gabriel,  St. Raphael,  All you Holy Angels and Archangels,  St. John the Baptist,  St. Joseph,  All you Holy Patriarchs and Prophets,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Peter,  St. Paul,  St. Andrew,  St. James,  St. John,  St. Thomas,  St. James, St. Philip,  St. Bartholomew,  St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Jude, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, St. Mark, All you holy Apostles and Evangelists,  All you holy Disciples of the Lord,  All you holy Innocents,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Stephen,  St. Lawrence, St. Vincent,  Sts. Fabian and Sebastian,  Sts. John and Paul,  Sts. Cosmos and Damian,  All you holy Martyrs,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Sylvester,  St. Gregory,  St. Ambrose,  St. Augustine,  St. Jerome,  St. Martin,  St. Nicholas,  All you holy Bishops and Confessors, All you holy Doctors,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Anthony,  St. Benedict,  St. Bernard,  St. Dominic,   St. Francis,  All you holy Priests and Levites,  All you holy Monks and Hermits,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalene,  St. Agatha,  St. Lucy,  St. Agnes,  St. Cecilia,  St. Anastasia, St. Catherine,  St. Clare, All you holy Virgins and Widows, All you holy Saints of God,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
Lord, be merciful,  From all evil,  From all sin,  From your wrath,  From a sudden and unprovided death,  From the snares of the devil,  From anger, hatred, and all ill-will,  From the spirit of uncleanness,  From lightning and tempest,  From the scourge of earthquake,  From plague, famine, and war,  From everlasting death,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
By the mystery of your holy Incarnation, By your Coming,  By your Birth,  By your Baptism and holy fasting,  By your Cross and Passion,  By your Death and Burial,  By your holy Resurrection,  By your wonderful Ascension,  By the coming of the Holy Spirit, On the day of judgment,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
Be merciful to us sinners,	Lord, hear our prayer.
That you will spare us,  That you will pardon us, That it may please you to bring us to true      penance,  Guide and protect your holy Church,  Preserve in holy religion the Pope, and all      those in holy Orders, Humble the enemies of holy Church,  Give peace and unity to the whole Christian      people,   Bring back to the unity of the Church all      those who are straying, and bring all      unbelievers to the light of the Gospel,  Strengthen and preserve us in your holy      service, Raise our minds to desire the things of      heaven,  Reward all our benefactors with eternal      blessings,  Deliver our souls from eternal damnation,      and the souls of our brethren, relatives,      and benefactors, Give and preserve the fruits of the earth,  Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, That it may please You to hear and heed      us, Jesus, Son of the Living God,	Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of      the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of      the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of      the world,	Spare us, O Lord! Graciously hear us, O Lord! Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us, Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.	Christ, graciously hear us Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

 

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Saturday, April 15, 2006 Meditation Isaiah 54:5-14 Easter Vigil From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday. Something strange is happening. . . . God has died in the flesh, and hell trembles with fear. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve. At the sight of him, Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. “I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. “I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. “Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.” “Lord, we your people want to rise with you this night. Come and rescue us, Jesus! Take us to be with you forever!” Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13; Romans 6:3-11; Mark 16:1-7

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Saturday, April 15, 2006 >>

Holy Saturday

(no eucharistic readings)

View Readings  

DID YOU MISS ME?

"I opened to my Lover — but my Lover had departed, gone. I sought Him but I did not find Him; I called to Him but He did not answer me." —Song of Songs 5:6

On this Holy Saturday, there is no Mass, no eucharistic presence in the tabernacles of our Churches, no eucharistic readings proclaimed for the world to hear. Jesus our Life (Jn 14:6; 11:25) has fallen to the ground and died (Jn 12:24). He has been buried in the tomb, and we who are baptized into Him have also been buried with Him (see Rm 6:4). We are deprived of His special eucharistic presence until tonight's Easter Vigil.

Many might say, "So what's the big deal? Just wait until tonight or tomorrow and you'll get your Jesus back as usual." They would be speaking pragmatic words, but love isn't pragmatic or practical. The toddler cries when its beloved mother leaves the room. The lover in the Song of Songs passage above searches all night long for her missing Lover. We who are living our Baptisms to the full are so joined to Jesus that we miss Him terribly when we are deprived of His presence. When we have centered our lives on the Mass, we miss His presence in the Eucharist so much because we love Him so much.

Do you miss the eucharistic Jesus today? Do you even know He is missing? If not, today is your chance to grow in love. Ask the Holy Spirit to pour out the love of God in your heart (Rm 5:5). If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then may Jesus' absence today make your hearts overflow with love for Him.

Prayer: "As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for You, O God. Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?" (Ps 42:2-3)

Promise: (none)

Praise: (none)

[Salvation]

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 4

Thanksgiving

Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer.

When I called out, he heard me, the God of my righteousness.
When I was in trouble, you gave me freedom:
 now, take pity on me and listen to my prayer.

Sons of men, how long will your hearts be heavy?
 Why do you seek for vain things?
 Why do you run after illusions?
Know that the Lord has done marvellous things
 for those he has chosen.
When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

Be vigorous, but do not sin:
 speak in the silence of your heart,
 in your bed, be at rest.
Offer righteousness as a sacrifice,
 and put your trust in the Lord.

Many are saying, Who will give us good things?
Let your face shine on us, Lord,
 let the light of your face be a sign.
You have given me a greater joy
 than the others receive
 from abundance of wheat and of wine.
In peace shall I sleep, Lord, in peace shall I rest:
 firm in the hope you have given 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.

Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer.

---

Psalm 133 (134)

Evening prayer in the Temple

Bless the Lord through the night.

Come, bless the Lord,
 all you servants of the Lord
 who stand through the night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your arms to the sanctuary
 and bless the Lord!

May the Lord bless you from Sion –
 the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

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.

Bless the Lord through the night.

---

Reading	Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one God. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. These words that I teach you today will remain in your hearts. You will teach them to your children; you will speak them as you sit at home and as you go on your journeys; you will speak them when you lie down and when you rise up.

---

For our sake Christ was made obedient to death, even death on a cross. For this reason God raised him up and gave him the name that is above all other names.

---

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. Come to us, Lord, this night, and give us the strength to rise at dawn rejoicing in the resurrection of your Anointed, who lives and reigns 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.

[annalex]

Mk 16:1-8
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
1	And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus.	et cum transisset sabbatum Maria Magdalene et Maria Iacobi et Salome emerunt aromata ut venientes unguerent eum
2	And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen.	et valde mane una sabbatorum veniunt ad monumentum orto iam sole
3	And they said one to another: Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre?	et dicebant ad invicem quis revolvet nobis lapidem ab ostio monumenti
4	And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great.	et respicientes vident revolutum lapidem erat quippe magnus valde
5	And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished.	et introeuntes in monumento viderunt iuvenem sedentem in dextris coopertum stola candida et obstipuerunt
6	Who saith to them: Be not affrighted; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him.	qui dicit illis nolite expavescere Iesum quaeritis Nazarenum crucifixum surrexit non est hic ecce locus ubi posuerunt eum
7	But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you.	sed ite et dicite discipulis eius et Petro quia praecedit vos in Galilaeam ibi eum videbitis sicut dixit vobis
8	But they going out, fled from the sepulchre. For a trembling and fear had seized them: and they said nothing to any man; for they were afraid.	at illae exeuntes fugerunt de monumento invaserat enim eas tremor et pavor et nemini quicquam dixerunt timebant enim

[annalex]

Women at the Tomb

Benozzo Gozzoli

1440-41
Fresco
Convento di San Marco, Florence

[Ciexyz]

Faith-sharing bump.

[Ciexyz]

O Lord, As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee!

[onyx]

"Surrexit Dominus vere!"