Feast of St. Luke

Today is the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, one of the authors of the gospels and the book of Acts. I thought I would share with you some info on Luke, a wonderful reflection on one of the themes of Luke's writings by Pope St. Gregory the Great, and a prayer. All taken from www.divineoffice.org .

Enjoy!

October 18 - Saint Luke the Evangelist: Feast
“And he said to all, ‘If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.”

Today is the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. Tradition assigns the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles to the Luke who was a companion of St. Paul. He wrote in fluent Greek and was well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures. He was a skilled story-teller who gives us the parables of Lazarus and the Rich Man, the Good Samaritan, and the Father and His Two Sons. He highlights God’s plan of Salvation in history, Jesus’ call to conversion and faith, and the evangelizing mission of the Church. As Blessed John Paul II remarked, “As a minister of God’s Word, Luke leads us to knowledge of the discreet yet penetrating light that radiates from it, while illustrating the reality and events of history.”

From a homily on the gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
The Lord follows his preachers

Beloved brothers, our Lord and Savior sometimes gives us instruction by words and sometimes by actions. His very deeds are our commands; and whenever he acts silently he is teaching us what we should do. For example, he sends his disciples out to preach two by two, because the precept of charity is twofold—love of God and of one’s neighbor.

The Lord sends his disciples out to preach in twos in order to teach us silently that whoever fails in charity toward his neighbor should by no means take upon himself the office of preaching.

Rightly is it said that he sent them ahead of him into every city and place where he himself was to go. For the Lord follows after the preachers, because preaching goes ahead to prepare the way, and then when the words of exhortation have gone ahead and established truth in our minds, the Lord comes to live within us. To those who preach Isaiah says: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. And the psalmist tells them: Make a way for him who rises above the sunset. The Lord rises above the sunset because from that very place where he slept in death, he rose again and manifested a greater glory. He rises above the sunset because in his resurrection he trampled underfoot the death which he endured. Therefore, we make a way for him who rises above the sunset when we preach his glory to you, so that when he himself follows after us, he may illumine you with his love.

Let us listen now to his words as he sends his preachers forth: The harvest is great but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest. That the harvest is good but the laborers are few cannot be said without a heavy heart, for although there are many to hear the good news there are only a few to preach it. Indeed, see how full the world is of priests, but yet in God’s harvest a true laborer is rarely to be found; although we have accepted the priestly office we do not fulfill its demands.

Think over, my beloved brothers, think over his words: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest. Pray for us so that we may be able to labor worthily on your behalf, that our tongue may not grow weary of exhortation, that after we have taken up the office of preaching our silence may not bring us condemnation from the just judge.

Prayer:

Lord God,
who chose Saint Luke
to reveal by his preaching
and writings the mystery
of your love for the poor,
grant that those who already glory in your name
may persevere as one heart and one soul
and that all nations may merit to see your salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

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Unity in Prayer and Worship

The New Roman Missal has been out and in use since December of last year. One of the biggest questions and/or comments we hear about it is something along the lines of "what does it matter what words we say or whether everyone sits or stands or kneels? Isn't it enough for God that we show up?" Not sure if St. Cyprian struggled with introducing a newer translation of the Mass...but he sure knew how important unity was - not for God - but for us...

From a Treatise on the Lord’s Prayer by Saint Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr
Our prayer is communal

Above all, he who preaches peace and unity did not want us to pray by ourselves in private or for ourselves alone. We do not say “My Father, who art in heaven,” nor “Give me this day my daily bread.” It is not for himself alone that each person asks to be forgiven, not to be led into temptation or to be delivered from evil. Rather, we pray in public as a community, and not for one individual but for all. For the people of God are all one.


God is then the teacher of harmony, peace and unity, and desires each of us to pray for all men, even as he bore all men in himself alone. The three young men shut up in the furnace of fire observed this rule of prayer. United in the bond of the Spirit they uttered together the same prayer. The witness of holy Scripture describes this incident for us, so that we might imitate them in our prayer. Then all three began to sing in unison, blessing God. Even though Christ had not yet taught them to pray, nevertheless, they spoke as with one voice.


It is for this reason that their prayer was persuasive and efficacious. For their simple and spiritual prayer of peace merited the presence of the Lord. So too, after the ascension we find the apostles and the disciples praying together in this way. Scripture relates: They all joined together in continuous prayer, with the women including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. They all joined together in continuous prayer. The urgency and the unity of their prayer declares that God, who fashions a bond of unity among those who live in his home, will admit into his divine home for all eternity only those who pray in unity.


My dear friends, the Lord’s Prayer contains many great mysteries of our faith. In these few words there is great spiritual strength, for this summary of divine teaching contains all of our prayers and petitions. And so, the Lord commands us: Pray then like this: Our Father, who art in heaven.


We are new men; we have been reborn and restored to God by his grace. We have already begun to be his sons and we can say “Father.” John reminds us of this: He came to his own home, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who received him, who believe in his name, he gave the power to become children of God. Profess your belief that you are sons of God by giving thanks. Call upon God who is your Father in heaven.


Excerpt courtesy of DivineOffice.org

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Christ the King Outdoor Mass & Picnic

Christ the King Outdoor Mass & BBQ Picnic

Mass 10:00 a.m. –Followed by BBQ Picnic

Sunday, June 24, 2012

(Outdoors – weather permitting)

Bring your own chair, umbrella, portable gazebo and other picnic essentials (bug spray, sunscreen, etc).

Games for everyone!

Dino Bouncer, Entertainment, Music, Three legged races, Games for everyone

BBQ after Mass

Menu: Hotdogs, hamburgers, salad and ice cream

HELP IS NEEDED to make this a special celebration for everyone!

~Donations list will be set up at the back of the church in June~

If you can help with any of the following: Setup, Food/kitchen, games and cleanup. Please call Joan at -585-3102 or the office at 586-9020.

Cost: Free Will Offering

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The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Feast

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!” (Zeph 3:14)

Today marks the day the Blessed Mother visited her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s son, John, jumped in her womb and Elizabeth, upon hearing Mary’s greeting, was filled with the Holy Spirit proclaiming, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

Mary’s response has become known as her Magnificant; in which she expresses praise and thanksgiving to God the Father for his closeness of Spirit. The account can be found in the Gospel According to Luke, chapter 1, verses 39-56.


‘My soul magnifies the Lord, 
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name. 
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation. 
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly; 
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty. 
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy, 
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’



From a Homily by Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest
Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord working in her

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior. With these words Mary first acknowledges the special gifts she has been given. Then she recalls God’s universal favors, bestowed unceasingly on the human race.

When a man devotes all his thoughts to the praise and service of the Lord, he proclaims God’s greatness. His observance of God’s commands, moreover, shows that he has God’s power and greatness always at heart. His spirit rejoices in God his savior and delights in the mere recollection of his creator who gives him hope for eternal salvation.

These words are often for all God’s creations, but especially for the Mother of God. She alone was chosen, and she burned with spiritual love for the son she so joyously conceived. Above all other saints, she alone could truly rejoice in Jesus, her savior, for she knew that he who was the source of eternal salvation would be born in time in her body, in one person both her own son and her Lord.

For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Mary attributes nothing to her own merits. She refers all her greatness to the gift of the one whose essence is power and whose nature is greatness, for he fills with greatness and strength the small and the weak who believe in him.

She did well to add: and holy is his name, to warn those who heard, and indeed all who would receive his words, that they must believe and call upon his name. For they too could share in everlasting holiness and true salvation according to the words of the prophet: and it will come to pass, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This is the name she spoke of earlier: and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

Therefore it is an excellent and fruitful custom of holy Church that we should sing Mary’s hymn at the time of evening prayer. By meditating upon the incarnation, our devotion is kindled, and by remembering the example of God’s Mother, we are encouraged to lead a life of virtue. Such virtues are best achieved in the evening. We are weary after the day’s work and worn out by our distractions. The time for rest is near, and our minds are ready for contemplation.


Almighty ever-living God,
who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary
was carrying your Son in her womb,
inspired her to visit Elizabeth,
grant us, we pray, that,
faithful to the promptings of the Spirit,
we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all times.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.



Courtesy of DivineOffice.org and the on-line Oremus Bible Browser

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I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches: From a Commentary on the Gospel of John by Saint Cyril of Alexandria

The Lord calls himself the vine and those united to him branches in order to teach us how much we shall benefit from our union with him, and how important it is for us to remain in his love. By receiving the Holy Spirit, who is the bond of union between us and Christ our Savior, those who are joined to him, as branches are to a vine, share in his own nature.

On the part of those who come to the vine, their union with him depends upon a deliberate act of the will; on his part, the union is effected by grace. Because we had good will, we made the act of faith that brought us to Christ, and received from him the dignity of adoptive sonship that made us his own kinsmen, according to the words of Saint Paul: He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

The prophet Isaiah calls Christ the foundation, because it is upon him that we as living and spiritual stones are built into a holy priesthood to be a dwelling place for God in the Spirit. Upon no other foundation than Christ can this temple be built. Here Christ is teaching the same truth by calling himself the vine, since the vine is the parent of its branches, and provides their nourishment.

From Christ and in Christ, we have been reborn through the Spirit in order to bear the fruit of life; not the fruit of our old, sinful life but the fruit of a new life founded upon our faith in him and our love for him. Like branches growing from a vine, we now draw our life from Christ, and we cling to his holy commandment in order to preserve this life. Eager to safeguard the blessing of our noble birth, we are careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, and who makes us aware of God’s presence in us.

Let the wisdom of John teach us how we live in Christ and Christ lives in us: The proof that we are living in him and he is living in us is that he has given us a share in his Spirit. Just as the trunk of the vine gives its own natural properties to each of its branches, so, by bestowing on them the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the only-begotten Son of the Father, gives Christians a certain kinship with himself and with God the Father because they have been united to him by faith and determination to do his will in all things. He helps them to grow in love and reverence for God, and teaches them to discern right from wrong and to act with integrity.

O God,
who restore us to eternal life
in the Resurrection of Christ,
grant your people constancy in faith and hope,
that we may never doubt the promises
of which we have learned from you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

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Confirmations and the Power of Prayer

Yesterday I had the great honor of sharing the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation with 50 children of our parish and their families and friends. The celebration with His Grace Archbishop Daniel and our own Father Antony was wonderful and very exciting! But this post isn't so much about the celebration. Its about something I noticed this morning, with all of the preparations and celebrating behind me, as I worked at getting the last vestiges of our Saturday morning pre-confirmation retreat out of the Hall, packed up and put away for another year.

The focus of the retreat was on prayer, that single act of God's within our soul that will continue to serve, sustain, comfort and guide those newly Confirmed and their families throughout their lives. One of the prayers I have been using to help families get used to being aware of God and being with God is the Examen as developed by St. Ignatius. It is one of the most simple, sweetest, and profound methods of prayer in our great church and one that has the potential of changing how we perceive the flow and significance of every moment of our lives. At least that was St. Ignatius' belief and perennial hope.

For the last four months we have been using this wonderful little way of praying at the start of every meeting. Just how simple is it for families? As easy as taking a few moments to review the events, activities and conversations of their day, paying attention to the one specific moment that their imaginations have drawn their attention to, and sharing it with each other in their groups.  See, simple!

After this is done they pick one thing they want to share with everyone else, share it out loud, and stick their whole sheet of responses on our wall. We end the prayer by giving thanks to God for touching our lives and drawing our attention to all of these ways He has been with us.

You can never really know just how deeply this kind, or any kind of prayer has touched an individual or a family. I know too that, given the challenges of being the Church of Christ in the world today, it is easy to get discouraged and wonder if God is really at work at all.

So it was with great joy that I found myself nearly moved to tears as I took down their prayer sheets from our weekend retreat and really took the time to read some of the many ways these families have shared with each other and with me, how God has been touching their lives. So much so, that I simply had to share them with you today;

Where Did You Encounter God At Work In Your Days?

When my husband had a good week at work.

When I took my dog for a walk.

Time spent with my wife on our Date Night.

Praying for a friend recovering from emergency surgery.

Watching my daughter make a present for her sister's birthday.

Eating Ice cream with my sister.

Delivering papers in the rain.

I got 100% on my math test!

In the face of my Uncle Mike.

Seeing my family's faces all along the Boston Marathon.

When our dog comes in from outside.

Talking with my son and daughter about Awe and Wonder!

God was at school on the playground with all my friends!

Watching the sunset.

When I got a regular job/permanent position.

Playing soccer with all my friends.

When I helped my friend.

Preparing breakfast for my family.

When my papa got out of the hospital early and is home safe and healthy.

God was with me to give me creativity for cake decorating yesterday.

Comforting a close friend who was very upset about some bad news.

Sharing a birthday with my mom.

I saw God hugging me when I was down and assuring me that everything was going to be fine.


St. Ignatius called this the sweetest form of prayer and I cannot help but agree. After Confirmations are done I always get a little worried because so many of our families drift away as the business and hectic pace of life overwhelms them. As I read through these and the hundreds more that their sharing brought out I found myself reminded of Jesus certain assurance "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’" and I can't help but offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving;

Thank-you so much my Lord and my God, for all of the moments you share with us. You created the sun, the moon, and every star and planet. You set the universe in motion and loved every speck of life within it into being. Yet, in spite of how all-encompassing you are, you take the time to spend these moments with us. You share all of our joys, all of our excitements, all of our struggles, all of our tears. Never let me forget that there exists in this world, so great a love as that which you have shared with me.

Amen.


If you want to know more about the daily Examen check out these two wonderful sites;

Ignatian Spirituality

Other Six


Peace and God Bless

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Happy Easter From Christ The King - Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Resurrection Mural - Ron DiCianni

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches.

Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus. - Mary Fairchild "Christianity Guide"

Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. Leo I (Sermo xlvii in Exodum) calls it the greatest feast ( festum festorum ), and says that Christmas is celebrated only in preparation for Easter. It is the centre of the greater part of the ecclesiastical year. The order of Sundays from Septuagesima to the last Sunday after Pentecost, the feast of the Ascension, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, and all other movable feasts, from that of the Prayer of Jesus in the Garden (Tuesday after Septuagesima ) to the feast of the Sacred Heart (Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi ), depend upon the Easter date.

Commemorating the slaying of the true Lamb of God and the Resurrection of Christ, the corner-stone upon which faith is built, it is also the oldest feast of the Christian Church, as old as Christianity, the connecting link between the Old and New Testaments. - Catholic Online


Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom:

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.
If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.
If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense.
If anyone has labored from the first hour, let them today receive the just reward.
If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them feast.
If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings; for they shall suffer no loss.
If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let them draw near without hesitation.
If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let them not fear on account of tardiness.
For the Master is gracious and receives the last even as the first; He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first.
He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one He gives, and to the other He is gracious.
He both honors the work and praises the intention.
Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward.
O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy!
O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day!
You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today!
The table is rich-laden: feast royally, all of you!
The calf is fatted: let no one go forth hungry!
Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.
Let no one lament their poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn their transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was taken by death has annihilated it!
He descended into Hades and took Hades captive!
He embittered it when it tasted His flesh! And anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed: "Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions".
It was embittered, for it was abolished!
It was embittered, for it was mocked!
It was embittered, for it was purged!
It was embittered, for it was despoiled!
It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!
It took a body and came upon God!
It took earth and encountered Ηeaven!
It took what it saw, but crumbled before what it had not seen!
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!
For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have slept.
To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages.
Amen.

God our Father, creator of all,

today is the day of Easter joy.

This is the morning on which the Lord

appeared to those who had begun to lose hope

and opened their eyes 

to what the scriptures foretold:

that first he must die, and then he would rise

and ascend into his Father's glorious presence.

May the risen Lord

breathe on our minds and open our eyes

that we may know him in the breaking of bread,

and follow him in his risen life.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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