41 Easter Sunday

Regina Caeli

DVR Fatima2024-05-02T10:37:34-04:00

An ancient Easter Prayer and Hymn - heard at the start of the sermon The Crucified One is Risen. O Queen of Heaven. Rejoice, alleluia.For He whom thou wast worthy to bear, alleluia, has risen.As He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God. Alleluia.Rejoice and be glad, o Virgin Mary. Alleluia.For the Lord is truly risen. Alleluia. Let us pray, O God, who by the resurrection of Thy Son,our Lord Jesus Christ, hast been pleased to give joy tothe whole world, grant, we beseech thee, that throughthe intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, His mother,we may attain the joys of eternal [...]

Regina CaeliDVR Fatima2024-05-02T10:37:34-04:00

In the Cross is Our Salvation

DVRodriguez2024-04-22T09:51:24-04:00

Every element of the Easter liturgy proclaims the connectedness of Christ's death and resurrection. By this the Church impresses upon our minds and hearts two important spiritual truths: [1] Jesus can never be separated from His Cross. [2] The Cross is the road to life everlasting.

In the Cross is Our SalvationDVRodriguez2024-04-22T09:51:24-04:00

The Exsutlet

DVRodriguez2023-04-17T07:03:11-04:00

At the Easter Vigil we sing the Exsultet. It is a great Christian hymn praising the sacrificial Lamb and victory of our King. It proclaims the Cross. By the Cross He conquered; from the Cross He reigns; His wounds heal. The Cross puts the devil to flight, brings conversion, and bestows innumerable graces. The principal reason we have not received more graces and blessings is because, rather than embrace and love the Cross, we complain and reject the Cross. Yet the Cross is the source of all blessings and the cause of all graces. We must truly believe this.

The ExsutletDVRodriguez2023-04-17T07:03:11-04:00

Early in the Morning

DVRodriguez2023-04-17T05:44:21-04:00

Throughout history, God likes to work early in the morning. This is typological. It reflects the Resurrection. The psalms teach that at this time He hears prayers, grants mercy, and destroys His enemies. Consider Sennacherib's Assyrian siege of Jerusalem under good King Hezekiah (~701 BC). Consider the prophecy of Isaias 28:14-19 and let us avoid entering a league with falsehood, hell and death. Hold fast to the Faith and the Mass, which remain immovable – even in this dark time. Let us rise early and be about the duties of our state, for the glory of God and salvation of our [...]

Early in the MorningDVRodriguez2023-04-17T05:44:21-04:00

Lock Me Up Tight I Will Still Escape

DVRodriguez2021-04-13T08:17:30-04:00

Christ is Risen. He descended into the realm of the dead, freed the imprisoned, and broke the bonds of death. Yet the devil and his followers are always trying to lockup and imprison Christ. Do we not feel the noose closing about the Church now? Yet they always fail. They dig a pit and fall into it themselves. One such terrible pit is gnosticism. It ebbs and flows with the occult. It has been around since the first centuries of Christianity, but today spreads rapidly under the guise of 'new age.' Even worse, its primary tenants have become mainstream in modern [...]

Lock Me Up Tight I Will Still EscapeDVRodriguez2021-04-13T08:17:30-04:00

Cause of Joy or Fear

DVRodriguez2021-04-13T08:32:07-04:00

Our Resurrected Lord appeared to His Mother first. The other women at the foot of the Cross approached the tomb despite guards, a sealed tomb, and a heavy stone. Love overcomes all fear and obstacles. They found an angel who proclaimed 'He is Risen.' No greater words have ever been announced in human history. This is a cause for joy which fills all true believers with hope and confidence. How can we be fearful or too anxious about worldly matters knowing Christ is risen? In fact, it is the enemies of Christ and of His Church who should fear such news. [...]

Cause of Joy or FearDVRodriguez2021-04-13T08:32:07-04:00

The Crucified One Is Risen

DVRodriguez2021-04-12T08:17:49-04:00

The Apostles give witness to the Resurrection, but they speak of Christ as our Pasch who is sacrificed. If one is looking for easy living and good times with Jesus - one will not find Him. We must seek Jesus of Nazareth who was Crucified. This is the Easter Message proclaimed by the angel. We make steps in faith by drawing near to the [glorious] wounds of the Risen Lord. Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer your thankful praises!

The Crucified One Is RisenDVRodriguez2021-04-12T08:17:49-04:00

Prophecy is Difficult to Discern

DVRodriguez2020-04-15T10:15:49-04:00

We have yet to suffer as the saints, despite what we are enduring. Considering the grave tribulations others have survived, helps us appreciate our tiresome duties and present difficulties. Men have a natural tendency to want to survive life's trials on their own terms and be in the know. Many look to prophecy, but easily misinterpret it thinking now is the time of fulfillment. Proceed with caution for prophecy is mysterious and very hard to understand. It helps when approved prophecies harmonize as that provides a clearer picture. For example, consider what we know of the Three Days of Darkness. Those [...]

Prophecy is Difficult to DiscernDVRodriguez2020-04-15T10:15:49-04:00

Ye Seek Jesus of Nazareth

DVRodriguez2020-04-14T07:42:37-04:00

"Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified." On Easter morning, despite their fears, the holy women went to the tomb to seek Christ - because they loved Him! This is the vocation of every Christian: to constantly seek and love Him more. 'Going to the tomb' is a beautiful description of the Catholic Mass, for the altar mystically represents the tomb. So ask yourself, which is greater: fear you have or your love for Christ? St. Thomas' faith was enlivened by touching the Sacred Wounds, signs of Christ's passion. We must be willing to sacrifice and suffer in order to seek Christ and [...]

Ye Seek Jesus of NazarethDVRodriguez2020-04-14T07:42:37-04:00

Five Reasons for the Five Wounds

svfonline2019-04-30T15:18:45-04:00

On Good Friday, Our Lord suffered in every part of His Body and Soul in order to undo all the sins committed by man for all times and all places. The Scriptures (prophet Isaias) tell us that “His appearance was … marred, beyond human semblance.” Yet, on Easter Sunday, all the wounds were healed save the five wounds of the nails and the spear. These He glorified and chose to keep (they are the only man-made things we know of in Heaven at present). Why did He keep them? We can learn many lessons from five reasons provided by St. Thomas [...]

Five Reasons for the Five Woundssvfonline2019-04-30T15:18:45-04:00