Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Dance, like David

Dance, like the household of the Merciful Father did when his son returned

Dance, because our Savior is Lord of the Dance!

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

God's creation smiled at me this morning: White Face high in the south all night, nearing its last quarter, Venus bright and beautiful in the pre-dawn eastern sky, and then Yellow Face - first red-orange peeking through the trees, then orange-yellow causing the old man who didn't clean the frost off his windshield to stop middle of the road and grimace, then (and still now) bright yellow, warming all in its glow.


The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD!

Monday in the Octave of Easter

Easter Monday! And we celebrate the Easter Feast for eight days - the season for 50 until Pentecost!

O death, where is your sting?

O grave, where is your victory?

But thanks be God, Who gives us the victory

through our LORD Jesus Christ!

Easter Dear Diary Insides

As I wait for the water to boil for the chicken and broccoli Alfredo pasta, and listen to Dan and Jim announcing play after play about the rising of the Astro home run balls off of Tiger pitching one short week before opening day, I type.

I type remembering my encounter with the Risen Christ last night at the Easter Vigil - how we began inside in darkness and quiet, then gathered outside around the fire, from which the Easter candle is lit. We proceeded back inside with no light but that candle, and then each lit their candles from that one. We then sang the Easter Proclamation hymn Exsultet ,which reminds us of many of the events of salvation history. We listened to nine readings from God's Word, including responsorial renderings of Exodus 14 and Isaiah 55.

We then prayed over three folks being baptized, singing the Litany of the Saints (one of my favorites), and baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit for the remission of sins, like Jesus directed us to. Those three and three others entering into the Church were then marked for Christ with the blessed chrism oil. We then celebrated the Eucharist by eating Christ's body and drinking His blood, again as He instructed us to.
We ended the night with the triumphant hymn Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today.

And, almost as if our dear heavenly Father thought I needed to cry once again on that night, the choir did the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's Messiah... I sang with them :-)

Loving Father, please let our family and loved ones come to experience You and Your glory through the beauty and richness of the Catholic Faith; open their hearts, so that they might know this fullness of joy. In Your mercy, LORD hear our prayer.

I type with a joyful heart because we have passed through another winter here in southeast Lower Michigan, and we have lost no fingers or toes. Neither our pipes nor our vehicles froze up solid, and the spring birds have several local suet options and are happy. Our returning hummers have been sighted as far north as North Carolina; the robins, I think, never left.

I type with thanksgiving for the healing that has taken place in our marriage.

I type in agreement with the local sports broadcaster Dennis Fithian on 97.1: 'April is a great month to be alive and to be a sports fan in The D'

I type well fed and thankful for Chungah and her chicken alfredo recipe: http://damndelicious.net/2015/01/03/chicken-broccoli-alfredo/


I type with a smile as I watch my neighbor's son run, run, run and laugh with his kite high in the air.

I type with a touch of sadness for not knowing who the most recent Easter greeting text came from...

HE IS RISEN; HE IS RISEN, INDEED!

"O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown.

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen.

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice.

Christ is risen, and life reigns.

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.

For Christ, being risen from the dead,

is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages."  

 

~ St. John Chrysostom, Easter Homily

Lent 2016 Day 40

Waiting, in prayer for final fulfillment,
the raising from the dead, the Messiah in the grave.

The tomb sealed by the authorities;
Guards stood watch.

The disciples confused, waited, despairing, hoping.

Would the prophesy be made real?

Would He rise?

They waited.

~Raymond Foss

Lent 2016 Day 39 Good Friday

Lent 2016 Day 38 Holy Thursday

Luke 4:16-21

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Lent 2016 Day 37

"Jesus, I Will Ponder Now"
by Sigismund v. Birken
Translated by August Crull, 1845-1923

1. Jesus, I will ponder now
On Thy holy Passion;
With Thy Spirit me endow
For such meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith
May the image cherish
Of Thy suffering, pain, and death,
That I may not perish.

2. Make me see Thy great distress,
Anguish, and affliction,
Bonds and stripes and wretchedness
And Thy crucifixion;
Make me see how scourge and rod,
Spear and nails, did wound Thee,
How for man Thou diedst, O God,
Who with thorns had crowned Thee.

3. Yet, O Lord, not thus alone
Make me see Thy Passion,
But its cause to me make known
And its termination.
Ah! I also and my sin
Wrought Thy deep affliction;
This indeed the cause hath been
Of Thy crucifixion.

4. Grant that I Thy Passion view
With repentant grieving
Nor Thee crucify anew
By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun
Every sinful pleasure
Since for me God's only Son
Suffered without measure?

5. If my sins give me alarm
And my conscience grieve me,
Let Thy cross my fear disarm,
Peace of conscience give me.
Grant that I may trust in Thee
And Thy holy Passion.
If His Son so loveth me,
God must have compassion.

6. Grant that I may willingly
Bear with Thee my crosses,
Learning humbleness of Thee,
Peace mid pain and losses.
May I give Thee love for love!
Hear me, O my Savior,
That I may in heaven above
Sing Thy praise forever.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #140
Text: Luke 18: 31-34
Author: Sigismund v. Birken, 1653
Translated by: August Crull, 1923, alt.
Titled: "Jesu, deine Passion"
Composer: Melchior Vulpius, 1609
Tune: "Jesu Kreuz, Leiden und Pein"

Thank you to http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/

Lent 2016 Day 35

Hail to YOU, our King;
You alone are compassionate with our faults

XIV

JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

The Man Whom His followers expected to be their savior has been buried. For the times when I have forgotten, just like the disciples of Emmaus, that the sufferings of this life are necessary in order for us to enter into His kingdom of heaven: Have mercy, O Lord.  

(XV)

JESUS RISES IN GLORY, VICTORIOUS OVER DEATH

If Christ did not rise from the dead, our faith would be in vain. For forgetting so often that in order to rise with Christ, we must first die with him: Have mercy, O Lord.

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 who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Oh my Lord Jesus, through Your passion and death You gave new life to the world; deliver us from our sins and from all that is evil, help us to live according to your wishes, and do not let us ever be separated from You, Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

The Old Rugged Cross

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus: So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last i lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear lamb of god left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary. Chorus

3. In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see;
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died To pardon and sanctify me. Chorus

4. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away, Where his glory forever I'll share. Chorus

Lent 2016 Day 34

XIII

JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

His body rests in the arms of His mother. Lord God, for this loving child that You sent us on a beautiful night and Whom, because of our sins, we return to you this day in death: Have mercy, O Lord.

Prayer

Father ~

Into Your hands we commit this day, all our interactions and actions and opportunities for love and forgiveness. Thank you for life - our life on this earth and our life in Christ. 
We pray for many this day: for Francis and all the priests and bishops, and your Church all over the world.
for every child, every mother, and every father
for every person who does not yet know You
for those of us who do know You and are struggling to live out Your will
for the widows and orphans and homeless and naked
for those in prison. the hungry, the thirsty, the grieving, the lost, the bullies and the bullied
for Stan and Rita
for Stan and Charlotte and Kathy and Justin and Dana and Aaron and Joey and his wife
for Stosh, Stacie, Carter, Ryan and Em
for Dean and Mary Ann, Court, Rusty, Drew, Mason, Meggie, Jake, Quinn, Camryn, Kacie E and Brett M,
for Moni and Bob and Jon and Jay and Jen and Joslin and Liam
for Pam and Ken and Kenny and Kendall
for Carolyn and Doug and his family
for TD and Jean and Tye and Sophia and Trent
for KP and Justen, Tori, Kaylie, Kristine, Mike, and his mom
for Mom and Dad and Nancy and Ruben, Bennie, Belle, Ray, Ric, Alex, Carlos, Cheyenne, Gary, Suzie, Joshie, Taylor, Jeremy
for all our aunts and uncles and cousins and their kids and families and our relatives who have passed over
for Ron and Gina and Maria and Nina and Cas and Sophie, for Ron's mom and dad and stepmom and sister and her family
for Troy, and Julie and Cathy and Fishman and Dilday and James, and Gil and Steve and Ryan and Yvonne and their families
for Marilyn and Bryan and Natalie and Jeff
for Tommy, Shelly, Vic, AJ, Peggy, Ninny, John and Betsie, Little John and Sylvia
for Roger, Sheri, Benjamin
for Kevin and his mom and dad and brother and his family, and Hilda
for Marty and Denada and their kids
for Tony and Doreen, Liam and Aiden
for Adam, Peggy and their kids
for Paul and his mom and dad and brother
for wrecker Don and Jim S and Mike B and Kurt and Pastor Bob
for Father Karl and the St Patrick parish, for Tom and the men's group
for our Tigers and Wings and Spartans in every sport
for peace for the restless
for wisdom for those who ask
for direction for the lost
that all would know and lust after Your truth -

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

I praise You almighty God, for You are worthy of praise!

 

Lent 2016, Day 33

XI

JESUS IS CRUCIFIED

On the cross Jesus prayed to his Father to forgive. for all the many times when I have not forgiven, or have even "gotten back" at my wrongdoer out of vengeance: Have mercy, O Lord.

XII

JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

There is no greater love than to give one's life for a friend. Jesus, for so easily forgetting how much you loved me that you suffered and died for me, and that you still love me despite my sins: Have mercy, O Lord.

Lent 2016 Day 32

IX

JESUS FALLS A THIRD TIME

For the third time Jesus makes the effort to get up again. for those times when, in difficult situations, I have lost my commitment and not persevered in helping others: Have mercy, O Lord.

X

JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

Before nailing Him to the cross, they stripped Him of all his clothes. for the times when I have stripped others of their reputation, possessions, rights, innocence, or their dreams: Have mercy, O Lord.

 

Lent 2016 Day 31

VI

VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

Veronica was able to find the face of Christ under the sweat, dust, and spit that covered it. for the times that I have not been able to see You in the faces of my fellow workers and did not offer to "wipe theirs": Have mercy, O Lord.

VII

JESUS FALLS AGAIN UNDER THE CROSS

Was it a stone that made him trip? Of did someone push him? We cannot know. for the times when, through our bad example, we have caused others to "trip" or perhaps have even "pushed them": Have mercy, O Lord.

VIII

JESUS SPEAKS TO THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

Jesus was suffering and in great pain, yet He was concerned about others. For the times when my problems have made me forget about the sufferings of those near me: Have mercy, O Lord.

 

Lent 2016, Day 30

IV

JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER MARY

Often the only thing that can be done to comfort others is to accompany them in their sufferings. For the times when I have ignored the pains of the sick or the elderly in their journey through life: Have mercy, O Lord.

V

SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS

Simon was ordered to help - not of his free will. he was like man of us who refuse to help others. For the times when I looked away from those who were hungry, naked, or abandoned them when i could have easily helped:Have mercy, O Lord.

Lent 2016, Day 29

II

JESUS ACCEPTS THE CROSS

They thoughtlessly threw the cross on him, yet, he did not refuse to carry it. for the many times when I have abandoned my cross of daily obligations and have complained of pain and suffering: Have mercy, O Lord.

III

JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

It is not easy to carry a cross. Often its heavy load causes the bearer to stumble and fall. For the times when I have been slow to get up, and for my brothers and sisters who have yet to rise up from having fallen: Have mercy, O Lord.

Lent 2016 Day 28

Save us, Savior of the world,
for by Your cross and resurrection, You have set us free.

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

I

JESUS IS SENTENCED TO DEATH

Because of the pharisees' envy and Pilate's weakness, Jesus was condemned to death. Because i, too, have judged and condemned You in my own brothers and sister, or, in my silence, have allowed others to do so: Have mercy, O Lord.

This and following days' posts are from a prayer based on the work of Wifredo Guinea Ramos, S.J., and Rafael Moya Garcia.

Lent 2016 Day 27

Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

 

Lent 2016 Day 25 - Choose Life

"...I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." 

 ~ Deuteronomy 30:19

Lent 2016, Day 24

Change my heart, Lord

Lent 2016, Day 22

I spent the whole day looking for Christian Baldner's parents; could not find them.

Lent 2016, Day 19

Four monks took a vow of silence. When night came, one of them said, “Fix the lamps.” The second replied, “We are not supposed to speak.” The third said, “Stupid fools! Why did you talk?” The fourth said to himself in silence, “I am now the only one who has not spoken.”

At each level of escalation, there is a greater break with the spirit of the vow; the fourth monk, who alone keeps the outward appearance of silence, is actually the worst offender because he breaks his silence in the interior recesses of himself — and breaks it in order to entertain self-congratulating pride.

Therein lies the danger of legalism. There is a tendency to think that, because we keep the commandments and obey the laws of the Church, we are superior somehow to all of those sinners out there. We stand and look at the outwardly visible sins of others in the smug conviction that we are the good, the righteous, the upright. Of course, the very moment that we think this we fall into the worst of sins: spiritual pride.

– Melinda Selmys

Lent 2016, Day 18

'Forgiveness is medicine for our hearts.'