Come Awake! Come Awake! Come And Rise Up From the Grave!

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Christ is Risen! Alleluiah! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluiah!

"Something strange is happening - there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: "My Lord be with you all." Christ answered him: "And with your spirit." He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: "Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to rise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in a paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven.  I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, and the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity."

-Easter Homily of St. Epiphanius of Cyprus

He is Risen and Shares His Resurrection with us all!

Happy Easter from your Christ the King Parish Family!

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Speech of St. Gregory Nazianzen for Good Friday

Let us sacrifice not young calves, nor lambs that put forth horns and hooves, in which many parts are destitute of life and feeling; but let us sacrifice to God the sacrifice of praise upon the heavenly Altar, with heavenly dances. Let us sacrifice ourselves to God; or rather let us go on sacrificing throughout every day and at every moment with the temptations, struggles and joys of our life.

If you are a Simon of Cyrene, take up the Cross and follow. If you are crucified with Him as a robber, acknowledge God as a penitent robber. If even he was numbered among the transgressors for you and your sin, do you become law-abiding for His sake. Worship him who was hanged for you, even if you yourself are hanging; make some gain even from your wickedness; purchase salvation by your death; enter with Jesus into Paradise, so that you may learn from what you have fallen. Contemplate the glories that are there; let the murdered die outside with his blasphemies; and if you be a Joseph of Arimathaea, beg the Body from him that crucified Him, make your own that which cleanses the world.

If you be a Nicodemus, the worshiper of God by night, bury Him with spices. If you be a Mary, or another May, or a Salome, or a Joanna, weep early in the morning. Be first to see the stone taken away, and perhaps you will see the angels and Jesus Himself. Say something; hear His voice. If He says to you “Touch me not,” stand far off; reverence the Word, but grieve not; for He knows those to whom He appears first.

Keep the feast of the Resurrection; some to the aid of Eve who was first to fall, of her who first embraced Christ and made Him known to the disciples. Be a Peter or a John; hasten to the Sepulchre, running together, running against one another, vying in the noble race. And even if you are beaten in speed, win the victory of zeal; not looking into the tomb, but going in. And if, like Thomas, you were left out when the disciples were assembled to who Christ shows himself, when you do see Him be not faithless; and if you do not believe, then believe those who tell you; and if you cannot believe them either, then have confidence in the print of the nails.

Learn to know the mysteries of Christ, to save all mankind absolutely by His manifestation of Resurrection.

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The Liturgies of Holy Week

For the whole of the Church, The liturgies of Holy Week draw us into the central drama of our faith. They are celebrations of and immersions into the singular action of our Lord's passion, death and resurrection. As our Jewish brothers and sisters, when they celebrate their yearly Passover, no longer say, "my ancestors were freed from slavery" but, rather "Now I have been freed from slavery", so too with us. In our full, conscious and active participation in the liturgies of Holy week we can no longer say, "those people who knew Jesus were freed by his death and resurrection" but "Now I have been freed...because I have been there. I have walked the way of the Cross with my Lord, I have felt his pain, played a role in his betrayal, and been graced with His forgiveness and love."

This year we invite you to walk with us, from Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to the table of the Last Supper. From his desperate plea in the Garden, to his mockery of a trial. From the despair and loss of His crucifixion and death, to the victory and glory that he shares with us all. Let us together make this Holy week, a week we will never forget; 


PASSION SUNDAY [PALM SUNDAY]: (Emphasized quotes taken from Catholic Online unless otherwise indicated)

"On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the first joy of the season, as we celebrate Our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshiping him and laying down palm leaves before him. It also marks the beginning of Holy Week, with the greatest tragedy and sorrow of the year."

The celebrations of Holy Week begin with Passion Sunday.  On this day the church celebrates Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal Mystery, the suffering, the death and resurrection of Christ.
A) The procession and Solemn Entrance.
B) The passion Readings: for the passion readings today and Good Friday no candles will be used. The greeting and the signs of the cross are omitted.
C) The celebration of the Eucharist.

EASTER TRIDUUM:

The celebration of the EASTER TRIDUUM opens with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, and reaches its climax in the EASTER VIGIL on Saturday night.

A)  HOLY THURSDAY:

"The Holy Thursday liturgy, celebrated in the evening because Passover began at sundown, also shows both the worth God ascribes to the humility of service, and the need for cleansing with water (a symbol of baptism) in the Mandatum, or washing in Jesus' washing the feet of His disciples, and in the priest's stripping and washing of the altar. Cleansing, in fact, gave this day of Holy Week the name Maundy Thursday."

This day’s celebration consists of three principal Mysteries:
1. Washing of the feet: Christ’s Love and Service
2.  The Institution of the Priesthood; and
3. The Institution of the Eucharist.
[Your presence for adoring the Blessed Sacrament will be appreciated even after the celebration of the Eucharist].

B) GOOD FRIDAY:

"On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross...in the reading of the Passion...we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord."




This day is considered a very important day of observing Christ’s Paschal Mysteries for the World. The faithful are very specially invited to participate in this day’s Paschal Masteries. Also the Church strongly recommends the day of “Paschal Fasting” to honour the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare to share more deeply in the joy of his Resurrection. Good Friday is a universal day of Fasting and Abstinence from meat.
The Liturgy today consists of Two Services:
1) Liturgy of the Word of God which includes Scriptural readings, passion narrative and Prayers of Intercessions.
2) Veneration of the Cross.
Please Note: the special focus of this day is found both in our liturgy and our fasting. The service begins in a silence; no entrance hymn is sung, and there is no welcoming and greeting at the beginning, during or end of the Service. No sign of the cross is made or candles are used for readings. The Faithful leave the church in a silent manner without greeting; continue meditating on the suffering and death of the Lord, keeping vigil for the joy of Resurrection.

C) EASTER VIGIL:

"This is the night
when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

This is the night
when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?
Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave you gave away your Son.

O happy fault,
O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer! " - From the Exsultet sung on Easter Vigil






On Holy Saturday, the people of God remain in recollection at the tomb of the Lord, meditating on his suffering and death, refraining from celebrations until the night. During the Solemn Vigil Service, a night of prayer which looks forward to the celebration of the Lord’s RESURRECTION, mourning gives way to the joys of Eastertide, which we will celebrate for the next fifty days.

The Easter vigil celebration consists of four parts:
1) Service of light and lighting of Easter candles.
2) The Liturgy of the Word, the Faithful meditates on all the wonderful things God has done for his people from the beginning.
3) The Liturgy of Blessing water, Baptism (when there is), and Renewal of Baptism; and
4) The Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The Universal Church invites you to participate in this Salvation Mystery and share the Joy of Resurrection with others. The church and the community join you to celebrate the joy from Easter Sunday to the next Fifty days when we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost.

In the name of Jesus Christ and His church, I invite and welcome each and every one to observe, celebrate and participate in the Paschal Mysteries the Lord has for us. Try to observe the traditions of the church that will help us to be holy to reborn with the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Prayer and mediation will help us to strengthen the spirit of God in us.
PS: Look for the Bulletin to get Holy Week Schedules, and changes if there are any. No announcements will be made or permitted during the liturgies on these days, unless it has some urgent information.

Wishing You A Very Spirit filled Holy Week 2011

Fr. S. Antony, Pastor. Christ the King Parish, Regina
April 09, 2011

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For The Forth Sunday of Lent - Continued Treatise on John by Saint Augustine, bishop

Christ Healing the Blind Man, El Greco 1560

John 9:1-41 - Christ is the way to the light, the truth, and the life

The Lord tells us: I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. In these few words he gives a command and makes a promise. Let us do what he commands so that we may not blush to covet what he promises and to hear him say on the day of judgment: “I laid down certain conditions for obtaining my promises. Have you fulfilled them?” If you say: “What did you command, Lord our God?” he will tell you: “I commanded you to follow me.


You asked for advice on how to enter into life. What life, if not the life about which it is written: With you is the fountain of life?”

Let us do now what he commands. Let us follow in the footsteps of the Lord. Let us throw off the chains that prevent us from following him. Who can throw off these shackles without the aid of the one addressed in these words: You have broken my chains? Another psalm says of him: The Lord frees those in chains, the Lord raises up the downcast.

Those who have been freed and raised up follow the light. The light they follow speaks to them: I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness. The Lord gives light to the blind. Brethren, that light shines on us now, for we have had our eyes anointed with the eye-salve of faith. His saliva was mixed with earth to anoint the man born blind. We are of Adam’s stock, blind from our birth; we need him to give us light. He mixed saliva with earth, and so it was prophesied: Truth has sprung up from the earth. He himself has said: I am the way, the truth, and the life.

We shall be in possession of the truth when we see face to face. This is his promise to us. Who would dare to hope for something that God in his goodness did not choose to promise or bestow?
We shall see face to face. The Apostle says: Now I know in part, now obscurely through a mirror, but then face to face. John the apostle says in one of his letters: Dearly beloved, we are now children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. We know that when he is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. This is a great promise.

If you love me, follow me. “I do love you,” you protest, “but how do I follow you?” If the Lord your God said to you: “I am the truth and the life,” in your desire for truth, in your love for life, you would certainly ask him to show you the way to reach them. You would say to yourself: “Truth is a great reality, life is a great reality; if only it were possible for my soul to find them!”

Father of peace,
we are joyful in your Word,
your Son Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to you.
Let us hasten to our Easter with the eagerness of faith and love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

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