Category Archives: Pastoral Care of the Sick

I’ve known of this Scripture passage from Wisdom Literature of the Bible for many years. Not sure why I never made a connection to the Pastoral Care rites and the Lectionary that accompanies them. A social media friend is facing … Continue reading →

The vehemence of Psalm 109 sparked my prayer recently. It is one of the major imprecatory psalms we discussed here two months ago. After the curses and ill-wishes, there is a tenderness in the appeal to God. I was wondering … Continue reading →

The agony in the garden, what an interesting choice for the sick and the dying. Jesus, having completed his farewell discourse, makes a move to do what he frequently does–pray: Then going out he went, as was his custom, to … Continue reading →

An interesting Lectionary choice for Masses for the Sick: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes … Continue reading →

In the larger context of the letter to the Romans, the passage below is part of a teaching session by the apostle. Paul is concerned about a community that needs to identify itself with Jesus Christ. Christians have duties to … Continue reading →

In the votive Mass for the sick, we might opt for the story behind the canticle of Isaiah 38. Maybe it’s an easy choice to pair this reading with that lyric in the responsorial psalm slot. I don’t know why … Continue reading →

In special Masses for the sick, Saint Paul’s witness as a healer is a choice for the liturgy. Strangely, this brief story doesn’t make it into the Pastoral Care rites. As a passage in Acts, it would be assigned “properly” … Continue reading →

Way back at the beginning of this month (14th Ordinary Sunday cycle B) we heard this passage, one of the last Saint Paul wrote to his beloved people of Corinth. One of many confessions of the apostle recorded in his … Continue reading →

In assembling Scripture readings for the Pastoral Care of the Sick, consultants in Rome chose one of the parables from Jesus’ fifth and final discourse in Matthew’s Gospel. Overall, the teaching in chapters 24 and 25 address final things, especially … Continue reading →

It’s not uncommon for a prophet to speak in the name of God. Hardcore critics of Catholic songs and hymns rather object to the assemblies at Mass doing this. That fussbudget attitude has rather faded in the past years, the  … Continue reading →

Part two of the 91st psalm offers two verses not seen in much in the Roman Eucharistic liturgy: 8 You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see. 9 Because you have the LORD for your refuge … Continue reading →

Psalm 91: it’s a psalm for Lent. Two of the most-loved post-conciliar songs are paraphrases of it. Just about every church composer has given it a go–and why not? It is a deep expression of trust in the Living God. … Continue reading →

In considering care for people who are dying, the twenty-third Psalm may offer one of the best options. This would surely be true for private prayer–it might be one of the most memorized* passages in all of the Bible. Neil’s … Continue reading →

One of the psalms suggested for prayer at the time of death is the 121st. I find it an underappreciated text. It only appears once in the Lectionary for Sundays and Feasts–the 29th in year C. I found it interesting … Continue reading →