Monthly Archives: March 2016

Reconciliation Lectionary: Luke 15:11-32, Journey to an Alien Land

Posted on 31 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

The longest parable of the Lord is cited as much as ever these days by the proponents of mercy. This familiar story is also recommended for use in the Rite of Penance. Does that familiarity damage the power of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Rite of Penance, Scripture | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Not All Are Satisfied

Posted on 30 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

One might say that no one is. I was cruising a few Mother Angelica tributes, and I found two offering interesting contrasts. At PrayTell, they couldn’t get right the spelling of one of her favorite foils in the episcopacy. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, The Blogosphere | 3 Comments

Crankiness

Posted on 29 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

Surfing around while I was waiting for the timing to be right on running an errand for the young miss, I found this discussion thread aptly named. Back at the student center, I was exposed to young people who had … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Liturgy, Music | 1 Comment

Disconnect and Connect

Posted on 29 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

Pewsitter noticed Robert Mickens’ NCR piece and I’m not totally sure if they got it. If the man is reporting what’s happening in the world and in the Church, why shoot the messenger? The pope emeritus is cited: “The obligatory nature … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Liturgy | Leave a comment

Astronomers in Music

Posted on 29 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

I’ve long been aware of Garrett Fisher’s opera Stargazer, which presents the confrontation of Galileo and Church authorities. This piece from the production illustrates the composer’s style with voice and instruments. Others are on YouTube, I noticed. Four years before … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Music | 3 Comments

Take Your Friends

Posted on 28 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

The young miss seems to stay well-connected with her friends via the internet and smart phone. Like her, they have mostly scattered off to the corners of the country for college. The closest three bff’s, literally: Texas, Virginia, and northern … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | 2 Comments

Act of Hope

Posted on 27 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

O my God, relying on your infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen. Liam mentioned this … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, spirituality | 2 Comments

Veneration Outside of Liturgy

Posted on 26 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

Remember our discussion last year on a place to venerate the cross after the Good Friday liturgy? Who remembered to keep the candles lit till the church closed? Is Saturday still a day to ponder the cross, or is it more … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Liturgy | 2 Comments

Another Psalm for Good Friday

Posted on 25 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

The Lectionary gives us the 31st today during the Liturgy of the Word. We sang Psalm 22 this past weekend, as we do every Palm Sunday. A few of you readers may know of my regard for Psalm 69, last … Continue reading →

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Telling The Story

Posted on 24 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

At my new parish, the Liturgy Commission is reading and discussing Sherry Weddell’s book Forming Intentional Disciples. Discussion with intelligent and committed people is interesting. It often leads to suggestions for what other people, other committees “should” be doing. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, Parish Life | 9 Comments

Ballad For A Spy Wednesday

Posted on 23 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

Two cautions, upfront. I’m not really big on the fascination with Judas Iscariot, so two posts in a week is a bit much for me. Also, I’m not the biggest fan of English Victorian literature, but a colleague alerted me … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Jubilee of Mercy | 1 Comment

Judas Days

Posted on 22 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

It’s not just Spy Wednesday, but a whole half-week of Judas dogging the Lord at daily Mass. Yesterday’s complaint on Mary of Bethany netted this commentary from John: He said this not because he cared about the poor but because … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, Scripture | 1 Comment

Reconciliation Lectionary: Isaiah 53:1-12

Posted on 21 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

What a powerful and wrenching option for the Rite of Penance. It certainly keeps our thoughts on the suffering, yet merciful Christ. This reading is proclaimed every Good Friday. I remember a student lector from my days at Michigan State’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Rite of Penance, Scripture | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

A Palm Bird

Posted on 20 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

I believe in the practice, as much as is possible, of looking for that nudge from the divine. Even at liturgy, that word, phrase, or image–much as we might do with Lectio Divina–might beckon us to go deeper in some way. … Continue reading →

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Feast Day!

Posted on 19 March 2016 by catholicsensibility

One of the conversations from my period of instruction* before I became a Catholic went somewhat as follows. Fr McCarthy informed me that my name was not that of a saint and that I needed a patron saint for my … Continue reading →

Posted in Saints | 1 Comment