Archive - 2008

The Gift of the Law
Fr Martin R. Ganeri OP

1 June 2008 Ninth Sunday of the Year (A)
Fr Martin Ganeri suggests that the New Law of Christ is our only refuge from the storms of life.

There are times in our lives when we can feel utterly overwhelmed by the difficulties that beset us. There are times when we can feel that we have lost control and that life has become chaotic. There are times when we can feel bewildered about how our lives have turned out and uncertain about how we might make any sense or progress in them.

Full text at http://torch.op.org/preaching/sermon/1227

Let me share you one of my favorite poems written by Helen Steiner Rice. Since we are living in a world of crisis, both economic and personal, may we still all find encouragement and meaning to keep us going hour after hour...

Our Father knows what's best for us,
So why should we complain ...
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain.

We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer;
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear.

Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow;
He tests us, not to punish us,

The Two Bodies of Christ

Gospel Commentary for Corpus Christi

By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap
ROME, MAY 23, 2008 (Zenit.org).- In the second reading St. Paul presents the Eucharist as a mystery of communion: “Brothers and sisters: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”

I’m often somewhat shocked when I hear people referring to the ‘wine’ that the priest drinks from the chalice at Holy Communion, or gives to communicants when there is Holy Communion under both species, for example, for the bride and groom at a wedding. I’ve even heard priests refer to the ‘wine’.

Dr Marcellino D’Ambrosio’s reflection for the Feast of Corpus Christi, which is celebrated in most places this Sunday, though the proper date was yesterday, Thursday, has this to say:

Trinity Is a School of Relations

Gospel Commentary for Feast of the Most Holy Trinity

By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap

http://www.zenit.org/article-22604?l=english

ROME, MAY 16, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Why do Christians believe in the Trinity? Is it not hard enough to believe that God exists without having to add the puzzle about God being “one and three?”

There are some today who would not be upset if we dropped the Trinity. For one thing, they would say, it would help dialogue with the Jews and Muslims, who profess faith in a God who is strictly one.

There are two articles by Dr Marcellino D'Ambrosio this week.

Mystery of the Trinity
Dr Marcellino D'Ambrosio

The Trinity has always been a difficult doctrine to swallow. First of all, there is this statement from Sunday’s first reading: “The Lord is God in the heavens above and on the earth below, and there is no other.” This was tough for anyone to accept in the days of the Old Testament when people generally honored sky gods, sun gods, water gods, and specialized gods for about every aspect of human life and every region of human habitation. C’mon, there’s only one God?

Pentecost brings the fifty-day Easter seaon to an end. It is also one of those feasts that has a vigil. That means that the Mass celebrated on Saturday evening is different from that of Sunday morning, though it fulfils the Sunday obligation.

General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar
issue date: 14 February 1969

Readings for Sunday's Mass: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/readings/040608.shtml

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A Bad Case of Heartburn
by Fr Euan Marley OP
http://torch.op.org/preaching/sermon/1218

Fr Euan Marley shows us how Christ has always been with his people, since the beginning of time.

I often wonder if some Catholics really believe that Jesus the Risen Lord is truly present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Blessed Sacrament. There is evidence that many think that they are receiving a symbol of Jesus, a piece of bread and or a drop of wine. I have highlighted some parts of the reading below from St Cyril of Jerusalem.

Reflection on Second Sunday of Easter

By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap

www.zenit.org

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The first of the two appearances of Christ described in today's Gospel occurs Easter evening, "the first day after the Sabbath," and the second appearance, the one in which the episode with Thomas takes place, occurs "eight days later," that is, again on the first day after the Sabbath.