Preparation for Holy Week. Father explains how all the rites of this sacred day point to, are unified by, the Holy Eucharist. This includes the Reconciliation of Penitents, Consecration of Holy Oils, Institution of the Holy Eucharist, Vespers, Stripping of Altars, Washing of the Feet, and Nocturnal Adoration at the Altar of Repose.
Preparation for Holy Week. Father explains the history, prayers, and theology behind the most important rites of the pre-1955 Palm Sunday liturgy. This includes the Blessing of Palms, the Procession with Palms, and the Mass.
The prayer from the sermon 'Passiontide and the Mass' given on April 7, 2019 Good and merciful Jesus —my blessed Savior!— what marvelous virtue Thou dost display in the flood of sorrows, sufferings, and humiliations, which overwhelmed Thy Sacred Heart in Thy passion from Gethsemane to Calvary! What humility, what meekness, what resignation to the divine will, what patience, what charity! Thou dost pray for those who outrage Thee. Thou offerest Thy sufferings for those who persecute and afflict Thee. How unlike I am to Thee, my divine Model! How great is the change that must be effected in me, if [...]
Moses led the Hebrews –and Gentiles– in the wilderness. They had no water, which means certain death. God's people were ready to revolt and return to Egypt. Moses interceded, taking an impossible situation to God. But why was Moses unable to enter the Promised Land? Because he struck the rock (Christ) twice instead of obeying God. The two strikes from his wooden staff represent the two beams of a cross. This is a type of the Passion. Just as an abundance of water flowed from the Rock, so too an abundance of grace flows from Christ’s pierced side.
Without the grace of God, man can do nothing towards his salvation. Yet grace is not given, in God’s ordinary providence, except to those who pray for it. Thus prayer is necessary for salvation. We ought to pray unceasingly and give thanks to God in all things. Prayer is an elevation of our soul to God to offer him our homage and ask His favors in order to grow in holiness for His glory. Prayer has four ends: adoration, thanksgiving, importation, and propitiation. We should always pray for: love of God, love of prayer, forgiveness of our sins, and a happy [...]
The origins of Rose Sunday lie in antiquity. The Pope would bless golden roses and give them as gifts. The symbolism is deep: gold for Christ the king, flower for beauty, fragrance for the Gospel, and thorns for the passion. This tradition reminds us that Christian joy and suffering are inseparably bound. Those who desire a life of joy only (or pleasure) are always angry, for this can’t be attained. Suffering is inevitable. The soul that accepts suffering, unites it with Christ, and offers it to God, receives many graces and lives at peace.
From a sermon given on the Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent O King of glory, Jesus my Savior! what marvelous virtue Thou dost display in this flood of sorrows, sufferings, and humiliations, which overwhelmed Thy Heart! What meekness, what resignation, what patience, what charity! Thou dost pray for those who outrage Thee. Thou offerest Thy sufferings for those who persecute and afflict Thee. How unlike I am to Thee, my divine Model! How great is the change that must be effected in me, if I wish to be Thy true disciple and to bear a resemblance to Thee! In [...]
With his characteristic brilliance and insight, Father explains one of the most confusing gospels (Lk 11:14-28). The dumb and deaf man can't hear God's word or praise God, representing Adam and all his offspring born in sin. The strong man is satan. Christ overcomes him. The Jewish people represent the cleansed man. Waterless places are the Gentile lands whom Christ has won. The demon returns to the Jews. Their home is clean but no one dwells there, meaning the religion is one of pure externals and hypocrisy. Thus the devil abides there with seven worse demons. This has been the Jews' [...]
God created marriage. At Cana, He elevated it to the level of a sacrament. Just as Christ was present at Cana, so He is present in every sacramental marriage. We should invite Our Lady to our marriage. Mary took note of the couples humiliating situation, interceded, and turned it to great joy. From water used for purification, Christ created a superabundance of the most exquisite wine, representing sacramental grace. Just as His disciples believed, so spouses should trust in Christ and His grace. What is a good reason for people to enter marriage? What should spouses do first thing in the [...]
Year after year goes by and we don’t really live a conversion. This is because it is not easy to change our heart, intellect or will. We need God’s grace and we must never tie of praying for it. We sin because we don’t see supernatural realities. We fail to see the evil of mortal sin, the horrendous fires of hell, the beauty of Heaven, or Christ dying for us at Mass. Like the blind beggar, pray “Have mercy on me,” and beg “Lord, that I may see.” Make a serious effort this Lent to commit yourself to prayer, fasting and [...]
