Recent Comments
Todd on Miracles Liam on Miracles Liam on Miracles Liam on Traditionis Custodes 3§3: Cale… Liam on Perspective Todd Flowerday on Traditionis Custodes 3§4: The… Liam on Traditionis Custodes 3§4: The… Liam on Traditionis Custodes 3§3: Cale… Liam on Traditionis Custodes 3§1: An I… Todd on Traditionis Custodes 2: The Re… Blogroll
Category Archives: Scripture
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 91: 14-16
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
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
Leave a comment
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 91:8-13
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
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
Leave a comment
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 91:1-7
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
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
Leave a comment
Fr Martin’s Gray Hat Penalty
I awoke this morning to a weird dream. Father Jim Martin was returning a kick in a professional football game, and got a bad ruling as he was running along his own goal line, evading tacklers. The play was blown … Continue reading
Music In The Heavens
In pop culture, the star Vega is the source of the extra-terrestrial transmission that ultimately sends actor Jodie Foster on her wormhole journey to first contact. Why the aliens or author Carl Sagan would choose that star, who knows? It’s … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, constellations, Scripture
Leave a comment
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 23
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
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
2 Comments
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 121
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
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
Leave a comment
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: John 14:1-6, 23, 27
The pastoral care rites designate this reading for people who are dying. It is also one of those most frequently selected for the funeral rites. One need go no further than the first verse to know why. People search for … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
Leave a comment
Looking At Racism With the Eyes of Acts 9
At daily Mass, I was struck to distraction with the first reading, Acts 9:1-20. What if it were reworded for our times? Someone, still breathing murderous threats against people of color, went to the authorities and asked them if they … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Scripture
Leave a comment
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 63
In the Bible, longing for God is a frequent theme. In the Christian era, many saints and other figures are known for the same feeling. From his Confessions, consider Saint Augustine’s oft-quoted “You have made us for yourself, and our … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
Leave a comment
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 103
I have to admit upfront: Psalm 103 is one of my all-time favorites. I smile when I see one of its appearances in the Lectionary for Mass. So many good musical settings of it exist, and in just about every … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
Leave a comment
On Justice And Peace At Liturgy: Sirach 35
My archbishop called for Masses for Peace and Justice at local parishes today. We looked at readings and propers here a few years ago. I noticed the entrance suggestion: Entrance Antiphon Cf. Sirach 36:18, 19 Give peace, O Lord, to … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Music, Scripture
Leave a comment
Two Views?
It’s not an Emmaus year, at least not on Sundays. A social media friend cited Dale Ahlquist’s piece on Catholic-Protestant views on the story of Luke 24:13-35. I’d like to think I have a non-trivial background in Christian art and … Continue reading
The Fourth Confession
The title reference is vague; I know. When I heard this weekend’s Gospel preached, Thomas’ utterance reminded me of Peter’s from Matthew 16: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. As well as Martha’s from the fourth … Continue reading
Posted in Scripture
Leave a comment
Miracles
Yesterday’s Mass was one many Catholics know to avoid. The AC out at church? Music director on vaca? Nope. One of the four narratives of the multiplication of the loaves. Look out: here comes another edition of the Miracle of … Continue reading →