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Category Archives: Rite of Penance
Reconciliation Lectionary: Exodus 19:1-6a
During the season of Lent, the Office of Readings gives us long narratives from the book of Exodus. We think Ten Commandments, plus the hundreds that follow. But much of the first half of the book continues the Genesis narrative. … Continue reading
Reconciliation Lectionary: Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7
Parish reconciliation this past weekend, and an eye-opener for me. The pastor chose two readings from the First Sunday of Advent this year. I’m familiar with the citations here, “rend the heavens and come down,” the no-ear, no-eye passage, and … Continue reading
Reconciliation Lectionary: Job 14:13-17
In preparing my parish’s summer Bible study, I’ve gone deeper into the book of Job than ever. In the midst of the whining, lament, sarcasm, accusations, and preaching, I’ve found the occasional gem. What do you make of this passage? … Continue reading
Holy Saturday Confessions
Some parishes offer a confessor’s time. Others do not. Sometimes the reasons for either are good. Or well-intentioned. For the record, a celebration of the Sacrament of Penance is not forbidden on Holy Saturday. I can’t honestly recall a parish … Continue reading
Posted in Holy Week, Rite of Penance
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Reconciliation Lectionary: Matthew 22:34-40
A similar passage may be found in Mark, at 12:28-34. We covered that one on this post. The Lucan parallel is in verses 25-28 of that Gospel’s tenth chapter. That brief passage is not given as an option in the … Continue reading
Open Thread on Accounts and Guarantees
From our occasional commenter, Dick Martin cited Hebrews 10:9-14(NKJV): (T)hen He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through … Continue reading
Posted in Rite of Penance
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The Armchair Liturgist: Slowing Prayers
The Benedictine monks at St Martin’s Abbey have a careful pace to the psalms and certain texts, like the Lord’s Prayer. I was caught a few times, but even in a smallish community of twenty-something, it’s easy to get back … Continue reading
Posted in Rite of Penance, The Armchair Liturgist
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Reconciliation Lectionary: Micah 6:7-15
Continuing from the first part of Micah, chapter six, we come to the conclusion offered by the prophet on the question of what should we do to be just, in the right, or “good” in God’s eyes. Earlier the prophet … Continue reading
Reconciliation Lectionary: Luke 15:11-32, The Older Son
The final scene of Luke 15 gets a lot of mileage these days. I’m not sure it can be overstated. Jesus is clearly poking at Pharisees and scribes for whom this story was created in the first place. Like he … Continue reading
Reconciliation Lectionary: Luke 15:11-32, Full of Compassion
My wife remarked on the promos for the upcoming tv production, The Story of God. If we want insight about God off the tube, the parables of Luke 15 tell us quite a lot. While he was still a long … Continue reading
Reconciliation Lectionary: Luke 15:11-32, Coming To One’s Senses
We continue with our brief reflection on the parable of the two sons. In the last post, we left off with a stranger in an alien land. Suddenly, his experience inspires a sense of loss. It seems sudden, and can … Continue reading
Reconciliation Lectionary: Luke 15:11-32, Journey to an Alien Land
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
Reconciliation Lectionary: Isaiah 53:1-12
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
Reconciliation Lectionary: Psalm 22:2-3, 7-9, 18-28
The Palm Sunday Psalm is one of the choices in the Rite of Penance. In the ritual book, it is joined by Isaiah 53, the canticle of 1 Peter (used as a reading) and Mark’s account of the final prediction of the … Continue reading
Is Penance Working?
An interesting thread disappeared at PrayTell in which the blog author asked a direct and challenging question: Is the Sacrament of Penance working for Catholics? I would say yes–for a small minority of us. I would say that there’s no … Continue reading →