Lateran Dedication

November 9, 2013:   Dedication of Lateran Basilica in Rome

Readings

• Ezk 47:1-2, 8-9, 12  Water flowed from the temple.  Where the river flows, creatures and fish shall live, the sea will be fresh, and trees shall bear fruit.

• Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9  "The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!"  God is with us, our refuge, stronghold, help.  A stream gladdens the city of God.   Behold God's astounding deeds. 

• 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17  You are God’s building; Christ is the foundation.  Be careful how you build.  You're God's holy temple; Spirit dwells in you.

• Jn 2:13-22  Jesus found money changers and people selling animals in temple area, drove them out.  “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”  “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”  When he was raised from the dead, disciples remembered this and came to believe.

Pope Francis

• Homily:
• River:  grace.
• Rock:  Jesus Christ, foundation of Church.
• Purification of Temple:  reform of Church; we're sinners needing conversion.

• To pilgrims:  Focus on, encounter Lord to grow in faith.  Knock on his heart; he always listens, never tires in waiting for us.
 
• To the sick and disabled:  You're a treasure; your presence, prayer, suffering, acceptance are richness for Church.  Commitment to sick and disabled proclaims gospel of charity.  Recognize Christ in those who suffer; imitate Mary's maternal care to reflect God. 

Reflections

• Creighton:  This cathedral is a sign of the unity of the Christian Church.  Feast challenges us to enrich the world with faith in the good news, to bring God’s kingdom.  We are the stones held together by the Spirit, the living Temple where God is present in and through us.  Where have I dried up? 

• RC.net:  Jesus saw his Father’s house made into a robbers' den.  Jesus reconciles us with God, makes us Spirit-filled temples of the living God.  Do I burn with zeal for God's house?

• Universalis:  Constantine built the basilica, “mother and head of all the churches of the World,” on Lateran Hill.  

• Marian retreat, day 5:  St. Louis de Montfort:  Mary knows who's in need, is generous, sends graces.  How am I generous with time, money, compassion...?

• Sacred Space

Music

• There is a river/ Manion (sample sheet music) (1st reading, psalm)

• I saw water flowing/ Ward (sample audio, sample sheet music) [see Aug. 22 post for more about composer] (1st reading, psalm)

• The Church's one foundation/ Stone (2nd reading)

• Know ye not [ye are the temple]? (search for title) (2nd reading)

• All are welcome/ Haugen (feast)

• Concierto de Aranjuez/ Rodrigo, in concert with Pope Francis's remarks to and about the disabled, since the composer was blind.  Thanks, Dr. Tom Keens, for sending this today! 

Apparel

• Blue shirt [really, despite picture]:  flowing water (1st reading, psalm)

• "Buildings" tie:  church dedication, "You are God's building" (feast, 2nd reading)

• "Rock" tie pin:  Christ, cornerstone/foundation of Church (2nd reading)

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November 8

November 8, 2013:   Friday, 31st week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Rom 15:14-21  You're full of goodness and knowledge.  Minister to the Gentiles.  I can boast but will only speak of what Christ has accomplished through me.  I want to proclaim the Gospel where it hasn't yet been heard.

• Ps 98:1-4  "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power."  The Lord is kind and faithful.  Break into song!

• Lk 16:1-8  Rich man to suspect steward:  "Prepare an account; you're fired."  Steward made deals with master’s debtors to be welcomed after dismissal; master commended him for prudence.  Children of world are more prudent than children of light.

Reflections

• Pope Francis homily:  Dishonest work, “attitude of the shortcut,” bringing home unclean bread rob us of our dignity.  Seek “Christian cunning.”  Dignity comes from daily honest work, not shortcuts.  Pray for all who are fed unclean bread.  

• Creighton:  Stewardship links readings:  Paul focuses on what God has done through him.  We use treasures God gives us.  Steward in gospel, “not strong enough to dig, ashamed to beg,” ingratiates himself to master's debtors; everyone wins.

• RC.net:   Do I make good use of my possessions?  Steward commended for being shrewd.  Wealth is what we give away, not keep.  Love of money displaces love of neighbor.  What do I treasure most?

• Universalis:  Bl. George Napier, priest, martyr

• Marian retreat, day 4:  Consecrate self to Mary; belong to Jesus.  Give body, soul, and goods exterior and interior, for God's greater glory.  —St. Louis de Montfort

• Sacred Space

Music for psalm

• All the ends of the earth/ Dufford (sample sheet music)

• All the ends of the earth/ Haas:  sample audio, sample sheet music, fresh instrumentation from glory to god, variant from I will bless the Lord at all times

Apparel

"Calculator" tie and "abacus" tie pin:
shrewd steward reducing promissory note amounts (gospel)

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November 7

November 7, 2013:   Thursday, 31st week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Rom 14:7-12  We live/die for the Lord, not ourselves.  Christ is Lord of the dead and the living.  Don't judge or look down on your brother or sister.  Each of us shall give an account to God.

• Ps 27:1bcde, 4, 13-14  "I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living."  The Lord is my light, salvation, refuge; whom should I fear?  I ask only to dwell in God's house forever.

• Lk 15:1-10  Who wouldn't look for a lost sheep or coin and rejoice upon finding it?  Angels will rejoice over sinner who repents.

Reflections

• Pope Francis homily:  God has a “loving weakness” for the lost.  Not a good loser, he searches carefully to the end--then rejoices at the new life.  "I love you anyway."

• Creighton:  "Finding God in all things." All are God’s children.  All things should be treated with equal respect.  Don't butt into others' affairs.

• RC.net:   Do I pray and seek after the lost?

• Universalis:  St. Willibrord, bishop, evangelist, missionary

• Marian retreat, day 3:  Mary gave her life to doing God's will, continues from heaven.  To what have I given myself fully?  Renew baptismal promises...

• Sacred Space

Music for today's psalm

• The Lord is my Light, from Without Seeing You and Celebration Series/ Haas

• The Lord is my Light, from I will bless the Lord at all times/ Haas (newer than above, related but different)

• The Lord is my Light, from Dwelling Place/ Foley (esp. v. 3)

Apparel

Penny [pincher] button:  lost coin (gospel)

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November 6

November 6, 2013:   Wednesday, 31st week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Rom 13:8-10  "Love your neighbor as yourself" sums up the commandments.  Love does no evil, fulfills the law.

• Ps 112:1b-2, 4-5, 9  "Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need."  He is merciful and just, a light for the upright.

• Lk 14:25-33  If you don't renounce your possessions, carry your cross, and come after me, you can't be my disciple.  One building a tower first calculates the cost.  If a king marching into battle thinks his troops can't oppose his opponent's, he'll ask for peace terms.

Reflections

• Pope Francis audience:  “Communion of saints” is both of persons and spiritual goods (like sacraments, charisms, charity); in it we grow in communion with Christ and with his body, the Church community.  In sacraments, we encounter Christ and are confirmed in faith and sent to share the joy of salvation.  Through charisms—Holy Spirit-given spiritual gifts—we build up the Church.  Through charity spiritual gifts are fulfilled and we grow in God’s love.

• RC.net:   What's the way of the cross for me?  Do I always lay down my life for Jesus' sake?  Count cost of discipleship—as tower builder and king at risk if they don't plan ahead.

• Creighton:  Total commitment isn't part of our culture, but the Lord asks for it.  What is God asking of me?  My response?

• Universalis:  All Saints of Africa, St. Illtud

• Marian retreat, day 2:  Entrust ourselves to Mary so she can bring us to Jesus.  Let go of trying to do everything ourselves, thinking everything depends on us.  What do I need to detach from first?

• Sacred Space

Music for gospel (but not gospel music)

• Only this I want/ Schutte

• I have decided to follow Jesus (sheet music)

• I found the treasure, from The Steadfast Love/ Schutte

Apparel

• "Hearts" suspenders:  "Love your neighbor as yourself" (1st reading); heart of the just is tranquil (psalm)

• "Scales of justice" pin:  one acting with justice shall never be shaken (psalm)

• Crucifix pin:  "carry your cross" (gospel)

• "Skyscrapers" tie:  tower builder calculates the cost first (gospel)

• "Peace sign" tie bar:  king considers asking for peace terms (gospel)

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November 5

November 5, 2013:   Tuesday, 31st week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Rom 12:5-16ab  We, though many, are one Body in Christ, parts of one another.  We have gifts that differ; let us exercise them.  Love, honor, respect one another.  Hope; endure; persevere...  Associate with the lowly.

• Ps 131:1bcde-3  "In you, O Lord, I have found my peace."  I've stilled my soul.

• Lk 14:15-24  Many invited to dinner excused themselves.  Enraged master:  "bring in the poor, blind, lame..."  None of the invited will taste my dinner.

Reflections

• Pope Francis homily:  God invites all us sinners, starting with the most marginalized, to the joyful feast of being saved, sharing life with Christ.  Party with others, not on your own.  Participate fully, be responsible for what God asks of us; don't just be happy to be on the guest list.  The Lord understands and waits for those who say no but doesn't like those who say yes and do otherwise.

• Prep for Synod on family and evangelization:  The married experience love, become witnesses of God's love, participate in God's creative work.  Family is domestic church, community of life and love.   With God, couples fulfills the vocation of love, engage and enhance life, mirror faith.  Synod will address concerns about marriage, cohabitation, difficult situations, same-sex unions, education, openness to life, person/family relationship—in culture of weakened faith, non-commitment, hostility, devaluing of fidelity.  Many will never see their parents receive the sacraments. 

• RC.net:  What do I allow to keep me from God?  Grace:  gift with responsibility.  Cheap vs. costly grace

• Creighton:  We convince ourselves our excuses are OK, but think about what/whom we're refusing.

• Sacred Space

Music

We are many parts/ Haugen (1st reading)

Apparel

• "People" tie pin:  we're one body in Christ, parts of one another (1st reading)
• "Pearl" tie bar:  we have gifts; let's exercise them (1st reading)
• "Kneeling person" tie bar:  "persevere in prayer" (1st reading)

• "Hearts" tie with blue background:  "my heart is not proud" (psalm), Marian retreat (see below)
• "Eyeball" tie pin:  my eyes aren't haughty (psalm)

• "Wish bone" (from chicken) tie bar:  all are invited to the feast (gospel)

• White shirt:  remembrance of all Saints and faithful departed (season)

Blessings to all, especially St. Bede the Venerable parishioners, beginning the "33 days to morning glory" retreat, today considering:  Have I asked Mary to start a divine fire in my heart for Jesus?  How can my obstacles to loving Jesus be overcome?

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St. Charles Borromeo

November 4, 2013:   St. Charles Borromeo, bishop 

Special greetings to and prayers for the community at

St. Charles Borromeo parish and school!

Readings

• Rom 11:29-36  God's gifts and call are irrevocable.  God has mercy on all.  Oh—God's deep riches, wisdom, knowledge, inscrutable judgments, unsearchable ways!

• Ps 69:30-31, 33-34, 36  "Lord, in your great love, answer me."  Protect me; I'm afflicted.  I'll thank you, sing praise.  Lord hears poor, will save, rebuild.

• Lk 14:12-14  To Pharisee:  “Don't invite your friends or family but rather the poor, crippled, lame, blind; you'll be repaid at the resurrection.”

Reflections

• Pope Francis homily  [re Rom 8:38-39] God's love is the deepest motive of Christian hope:  no opposing force can separate us from Christ who gave himself for us; nothing can impede the intimate union of love between Jesus and those who welcome him in faith.  Sin can break the bond, but God chases us to restore us to the union.  God's faithful love helps us to cope daily.  What will become of our loved ones' life and work?  Wisdom tells us they're in God's hands!  The hand is a sign of welcome and protection, the handshake a sign of personal relationship of respect and faithfulness.  Our sins are in God's hands, merciful and wounded by love.

• RC.net:  Whom do I favor, honor at my table?  Do I give without expecting personal gain?  True Generosity enriches the giver.

• Creighton:  We can't make sense of God's constant love but can believe.  

• Universalis:  St Charles, bishop, reformer, religious educator 

• Sacred Space

Music

• Romans 11:33-36:  Oh, the depths of the riches/ Mui 

Apparel

• "Telephone" tie bar:  God's "call" is irrevocable (1st reading)

• "Tabasco" tie:  invite those from whom you don't expect repayment to the feast (gospel)

• "Hearts" suspenders:  God's great love (psalm)

• "Tree" pin:  Zacchaeus climbed sycamore tree (Sunday gospel)

• "Drop" pin:  Before God the universe is a dewdrop (Sunday 1st reading) [Ann, thank you for your Facebook comment that dewdrops matter so much to our loving God.]

More

My hope is to encourage "dressing" our lives to God's word, as in these snippets:

• Col 3:12-14:  "Put on" [clothe yourself with] compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love...

• Eph 6:11-17:  "Put on" the armor of God:  loins girded in truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod ready for the gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of Spirit)

• Rom 13:14:  "Put on" the Lord Jesus Christ

So today I introduce the alias http://dressyourlife.org to redirect to http://liturgicaldress.com.  (I plan to keep both domains.)

Feel free to comment with other passages about dressing oneself with the word of God...


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November 3

November 3, 2013:   31st Sunday, Ordinary Time 

Readings

• Wis 11:22-12:2  Before You the universe is a grain, dewdrop.  You have mercy on all, overlook sin so we may repent, love all, loathe nothing, spare everything, warn gently.

• Ps 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14  "I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God."  Lord—merciful, kind, compassionate, faithful—raises the falling.

• 2 Thes 1:11-2:2  May God fulfill you.  Don't be alarmed about Lord's coming.

• Lk 19:1-10  Zacchaeus climbed tree to see Jesus.  "Zacchaeus, come down; I must stay at your house."  "I'll give to the poor, make restitution."  "Salvation has come to this house.  Son has come to seek and save what was lost."

Reflections

• Pope Francis Angelus:   Climb of Zacchaeus (="God remembers"), lost, despised thief, expressed interior of one seeking to contact Jesus.  Father waits to see desire to return, is close, forgives, makes return path easier.  Welcome God who can change/liberate us.

• RC.net:  What would I feel/do if Jesus dropped in?  Augustine:  Crowd blocks sight of Jesus, laughs at the lowly:  “You clod, you can't stick up for yourself.”  Let us like Zacchaeus climb away from crowd, not be ashamed of Jesus/Cross.  How do I make room for Jesus in my life?

• My Heart Christ's Home/ Munger, to prepare my own house

• Creighton:  God created, loves every little thing.  Mercy continues the creator/created relationship.  Zacchaeus, below others in height but above by occupation, climbs to glimpse at Jesus, is "re-sized," welcomes Jesus and himself.  Conversion follows encounter.  Forgiveness is relational.  

• Universalis:  St. Martin de Porres, St. Winefride, St. Malachy

• Sacred Space

Music

I will praise your name, from Celebration Series:  Psalms for the Church Year/ Haas (longer) 

Apparel

• "Balance" pin:  "Before God the universe is as a grain from a balance" (1st reading)

• "Clocks" tie:  Don't be "alarmed" about Lord's coming (2nd reading) [plus end of daylight saving time today]

• "Tree" pin:  Zacchaeus climbed sycamore tree (gospel)

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All Souls

November 2, 2013:  Commemoration of all the faithful departed (All Souls)   

Readings

• Wis 3:1-9  The souls of the just are in God's hands.  They seemed dead and their going from us destruction, but they're at peace, have hope, and will be blessed.  God proved them, found them worthy, shall be their King.  They'll abide with Lord.

• Ps 23:1-6  "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."  He's beside me, giving me rest and courage, refreshing, guiding, and anointing me.  I fear no evil.  Kindness follows me; I'll dwell in God's house forever.

• Rom 5:5-11  Hope doesn't disappoint; Spirit poured out God's love into our hearts.  God proved his love by sending Christ to die for us sinners, reconcile us to God, save us.

• Jn 6:37-40  I won't reject anyone who comes to me.  Father wants to raise to life, not lose, what he gave me.

Reflections

• Pope Francis homily:  Christ our Hope, alone, saved those who preceded us, opens heaven's door, won't let us down.  Hope = anchor heart to loved ones, where God is.  Where is my heart anchored?  Look forward to death with hope and joy.  

• RC.net:  I know my Redeemer lives and will stand upon the earth, and in my flesh I shall see God.  See Jesus in word, sacrament, church community; submit to God; receive life.

• Creighton:  We ache for loss, but the souls of the just are in peace.

• Sacred Space

(Thanks, Fr. Chris, for this "All Souls Day" image :-)

Music

• Justorum animæ/ Stanford (=Wis 3:1-3, in 1st reading)

• Shepherd me, O God/ Haugen (psalm)

• I am the Bread of Life/ Toolan (gospel)

Apparel

Claddagh pin:  crown for "Lord shall be their king" (1st reading),
heart for "Love of God has been poured out into our hearts" (2nd reading)

"People" pin:  "I won't reject anyone who comes to me....
Father wants everyone who sees and believes in Son to have eternal life and be raised up" (gospel)

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All Saints

November 1, 2013:   All Saints, solemnity 

Readings

• Rv 7:2-4, 9-14  Angel cried, “Do no damage until we put the seal on God's servants.”  144,000 were marked, representing every tribe of Israel.  Multitude cried, “Salvation comes from our God, seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.”  Angels worshiped:  “Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to God forever.”  Elder:  “They made their robes white in the Blood of the Lamb.”

• Ps 24:1bc-4ab, 5-6  "Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face."  The Lord’s are the world and those who dwell in it.  Who may stand in God's holy place?  One with clean heart, who will receive blessing and reward from God.

• 1 Jn 3:1-3  See Father's love:  We're God's children now and shall be like him, see him as he is.  Hope.

• Mt 5:1-12a  Jesus taught:  “Blessed the poor in spirit, mourners, meek, hungry for justice, merciful, clean of heart, peacemakers, persecuted, insulted; they'll be comforted, satisfied, shown mercy, rewarded, inherit the land, see God, be called God's children, be greatly rewarded.  Rejoice.

Reflections

• Pope Francis Angelus:  Saints, friends of God, were like you and me, not perfect, living normal lives.  Knowledge of God's love changed them; they endured adversity, responded to evil with good, spread joy and peace.  We're all called to be Saintly, walk the path of holiness; the pathway has a name and face: Jesus Christ.

• Pope Francis audience re Communion of Saints:  We share in the Trinity, a communion of life and love; we're united to one another in Christ, draw nearer to God, and are called to support one another.  We experience solidarity between heaven and earth in intercessory prayer.

• Creighton:  Apocalyptic language, language of transformation.  We need to be transformed; it's hard, but God is on our side, and we can support each other.  Saints transformed the world; their example inspires us and they pray for/with us.

• RC.net:  Beatitudes:  holy life, happy life; sign of contradiction, decisive choices

• Sacred Space

Music

• For all the saints (Sine Nomine)/ Vaughan Williams (feast) (a cappella)
• With all the saints/ Hurd   (sheet music sample) (feast)
• Litaniae Sanctorum/Litany of the Saints chant:  Latin, English (feast)
• Litany of the Saints/ Becker, lovely though not approved as Litany of the Saints in Catholic liturgy because it includes people not canonized like Origen and lacks called-for intentions (feast)
• Beatitudes/ Ducote (gospel)
• Blessing and honor and glory and power, from Messiah/ Handel (2nd reading) [plus "Worthy is the Lamb" and "Amen" for free]
• Blest are they/ Haas (gospel)
• All for the best, from Godspell/ Schwartz (spoof of beatitudes) (2011 revival, or original cast with video)

Apparel

•  White shirt:  Saints made their robes white in blood of the Lamb (1st reading)

• Abacus tie pin:  number of the marked (1st reading)

• "Faces" tie:  "Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face" (psalm); Saints (feast)

• "Eyeball" tie pin:  we shall see God (2nd reading)

→"Peace sign" tie bar:  blessed peacemakers (gospel)
→"Hearts" suspenders:  God's love, Saints' love

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