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At the beautiful TLM at St. Kevin’s in Dublin,( The Lassus Scholars included) and my last for a long while, the priest talked about St. Michael, as his was the Mass celebrated. One phrase rang out-When Michael said “Who is like God?” V. Rev. Gerard Deighan said that Michael was addressing Satan and the answer was “Not you!”
Nice…
I went to the parish I will be at when I’m received into Holy Church. The Mass wasn’t that of Saint Michael, but the Ordinary Sunday. The Gospel was that of Lazarus and Abraham’s Bosom.
The priest who said Mass cited The Big Interview and Francis’ image of the Church as a field-hospital after battle. He said we should be just that, and heal the wounds of our neighbour, who is Lazarus.
This morning I attended my local Maronite Church. the Maronite Liturgical year is now in the season of the Glorious Cross. I also had a fantastic confession; both confessionals were going and the line ran the full length of the church as it does for every Sunday Mass. Our readings for today were Matt 24: (from around v20 on covering the events leading up to and including the Lord’s Second Advent), and Phil 3: 19. The priest challenged us re are we focused and giving our attention to the pleasures of this life – food, drink and sex, or are we attending to our Spiritual needs; prayer, confession, Holy Scripture, embarking upon the path of sanctification because when the Lord comes, wwhere we’re at will be all there is; no more confession and second chances at the Lord’s return, if we’ve surfetted our lives away, frittering away our time on the pleasures of table, bed and belly but without the tending of our ‘faith garden’ (my words here), things will be a little grim, and the Lord will come unexpectedly – like the lightening flashing from East to West, or like a thief; be ready, be waiting, be watchful and wake up Christians!!! This is one of only two sermons I have ever heard on preparedness for the Second Advent in a Catholic Church (not since my SDA days have I heard such ferver about the need to be right with God and healthy of relationship with Christ when He comes again). Please pray for the amazing priests at St. Charbels’ Maronite Church, Sydney!!
Blessings,
Soon to be South Coast Catholic (Aussie Maronite).
50th anniversary of the second opening of Vatican II by Pope Paul VI. Pope John XXIII had opened previously but had passed away so it has to be reopened by his successor.
Father again mentioned that the flames of hell are real. Not the first time he has brought the subject up. He spoke about the fire insurance we are offered by the Catholic church in the form of The Brown Scapular, The Rosary and making 9 First Fridays. Also attending Mass as often as possible and not just on Sundays and Holy Days.
Our Priest is not afraid to call evil, evil. He also talks occasionally on the subject of abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality and other topics that are brought to us by the devil. However, he does not dwell on them, only brings them to our attention on occasion, with the instructions on how to avoid them, and how to fire proof ourselves with the help of Sacraments, Prayer and Penance.
Dedication of St Michael the Archangel: The small voice who asked, “Who is like God?” is exalted beyond all other angels, even Lucifer, for his humility.
Yes, Father quoted Pope Francis to beware of “the gentrification of the heart.” Amen.
It was a beautiful the Mass. Normally in the OF form but today the EF form.
The homily touched on angels. Noting some Catholics mistakenly believe that evil has a chance to win in the battle of good vs. evil. But they don’t. Good is more powerful and wins. And there’s more than meets the eye in the battle.
A good point was also made how when we may only see a few people at Mass – the Church is FULL of Saints and Angels. It was noted how the ancient Mass emphasis this with it spirituality.
The St Michael prayer at end of Mass was chanted by choir members (from Thomas More College). Spine tingling.
OF form here, so Lazarus and the rich man.
To avoid Hell, we shouldn’t just not do bad things, though of course we must avoid sin. We should also be actively charitable, because as we do to the least of those around us, so we also do to Christ. Charity should also be to the point of “hurting” us. Sure, the rich man let Lazarus eat crumbs from his table, but in order to be a good neighbor he should have given him a good meal and perhaps arranged for his sores to be dressed, even if it made the rich man “uncomfortable.”
Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite, so the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
1. Every time we ignore God and our neighbor, we dig a chasm between God and ourselves.
2. We all need to think about who is sitting outside our gate.
The man lavishly dressed in purple was blind and deaf to this Lazarus when he lay destitue at the rich man’s doorstep, even as Lazarus melted, invisible and powerless, into the mud. It was only when Lazarus had something the rich man desperately craved–dignity/honor/comfort/hope in the bosom of Abraham–did he value Lazarus, but then merely as someone useful to him and his kin.
Way too little, way too late.
Lazurus deprivation at the hands of the rich was not limited to a lack of table scraps, his deprivation was grounded in the man in purple’s utter failure ever to see him as ultimately, infinitely, worthy of a decent life with dignity and respect. It was not the rich man’s failure to be sufficiently charitable that condemned him but his failure to do Lazarus justice.
Father spoke about Pope Francis and the approach and reach of mercy. And he spoke about the 40 DAYS FOR LIFE local campaign as our parish is covering a day next weekend so there is sign up.
OF Mass in English. The sermon was on the Four Last Things.
The rich man was not outwardly wicked or evil. He was respectable and generous within his own circle of friends. His mortal failing was his lack of concern to notice the human need right under his nose. There was no expectation that he would right all the wrongs in the world, but that he would pay attention to those around him. Our days are numbered, our opportunities are limited, but each day is another opportunity to recognize the Lazarus on our doorstep.
My homily examined the two forms of neglect illustrated in the readings: physical and spiritual, and thus, both material and spiritual poverty. I made the point that like the rich man, if we ignore the poor, we will go to hell. I also made the point that while everyone applauds when we alleviate material poverty (as we should), we will get push-back when we seek to address the spiritual poverty of our times.
Fr. talked about hell and the sin of omission (versus how we usually think of sins of commission). This was our Indian priest who has a booming voice, and I gave him a ‘great sermon’ on the way out.
I posted two homilies today. . .
The first I preached at Blackfriars, Oxford in 2010, explaining why I resent beggars.
http://hancaquam.blogspot.com/2013/09/i-resent-beggars.html
The second I composed for this evening’s Mass, describing the dangers of spiritual complacency.
http://hancaquam.blogspot.com/2013/09/woe-to-spiritually-complacent.html
Fr. Philip Neri, OP
Father pointed out that one really can choose Hell by sinning against God, one’s neighbor and oneself. (Among other things, but I couldn’t recreate the entire discussion of Hell, free will and charity in the context of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.)
Lazarus was the only person named in Jesus parables. The rich man did not do anything wrong. It is what he didn’t do right.
He told a story of a business man and a gardener. The business man looked out from his office and asked why the gardener was so lazy. Going out for a meeting he realized it was over 100 degrees with high humidity. He judged the gardener wrong but realized his mistake when he went from his air conditioned office outside.
The Son of God came from heaven to meet us in the poverty of our place. He did not save us from the comfort of heaven. We need to move out from our world and reach out to others in whatever place they need us.
We were away in the New Forest this weekend so attended Mass with the Sisters at the Dominican Priory in the Forest. They now have a resident priest again and are very grateful for that. Fr Richard spoke about how Dives was not being punished for having material wealth but because he couldn’t care less about his brother in need. He reminded us that in the present times it is a privilege to have a job and asked us to think of practical ways we could help our neighbour in need.
Gospel about Lazaruz in the bosom of Abraham.
Our pastor spoke on the 4 last things and particular judgement and being ready. He stopped short of saying “Go to Confession”
Reg – you wrote: “Dedication of St Michael the Archangel: The small voice who asked, “Who is like God?” is exalted beyond all other angels, even Lucifer, for his humility.”
I’m just curious – where did you hear this story about St. Michael? I’ve been doing research and I can’t find this story of St. Michael anywhere!
Well, I was going to post this earlier, but decided not to. At mass this morning after the gospel and homily, just before the offertory they decided to give catechisis of the Communion Rite. I was taken aback and unsettled. 15 minutes later, we began again. The wife and I just decided we would go to another more traditional evening mass and felt much better. The message we got this evening was that we shouldn’t neglect opportunities to help those in need, this offends God the most.
Father taught about who the angels are, including our Guardian Angels are — and commented that while we most often think of them associated with children, they don’t retire when we get older. He also pointed out to us that God is always reaching out to us, through the angels. A third point which was definitely worth remembering was this: it is not contradictory that the angels worship God constantly AND take care of our needs.
This was the first time we have ever had a Solemn High Mass in this parish on a Sunday. (When we recently had a Requiem, 120 people attended, but the parish holds less than that, so some people waited outside.)
We sang Byrd’s Mass for 3 Voices (except the Gloria and Credo, which we sang from the Missa de Angelis) , Palestrina’s Jesu Rex Admirabilis, Victoria’s Ave Maria.
EF Mass for us today. I learned lots and lots about angels from Fr. Ken Baker. Fascinating sermon.
A Monsignor filled celebrated the Mass today at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes. Our Gospel was Lazarus and the rich man. The Monsignor spoke to the importance of charity. He also noted and thanked the people at Mass for their ever increasing charitable giving, especially for the second collection which goes directly to help the homeless and jobless within the immediate area.
Peace and God bless.
No St. Michael this week. We heard a thoroughly Pelagian homily on how going to Heaven or Hell is 100% our doing. What we do in this life determines state of next. No mention of Grace, Faith or the cross of Jesus Christ nor how those works might be sanctified for our merit by a life of Faith in Christ.
EF form. Michaelmas. A schola that transported. Happiness. Oh yes, and the sermon! On choosing hell by not grasping on to God through the sacraments. Quoting from The Great Divorce,of course noting it is a work of fiction, but gleaning the many graces offered by God to avoid Hell. Which sent me home to reread it. An enjoyable Sunday evening.
Organ postlude, “Grand Dialogue in C,” Louis Marchand. Grand indeed.
I am new-ish to this form of the mass, but so growing to love it. Can;t get there every week because of commitments to my home parish.
Oh– confession is offered every Sunday before mass. Took Fr. Z’s urging to go to heart. I do go to confession, but trying to go more often and do a better job of it.
Sorry! thought I closed my italics. :/
How wonderful it is that we have a wonderful pope now; one who cares for the poor.
Visiting Boston yesterday was surprised to learn there’s a chapel run by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary in Prudential Plaza made it very convenient since I was looking as a descent walk to the nearest Mass.
The Priests homily was about Lazarus and the distinction that God knew, or revealed his name, and not the rich man’s. This was because Lazarus had a relationship with God and the rich man didn’t. I thought that was a cool point that I obviously did not see. He tied this parable, discussing the sin of omission, with the judgement in Matthew’s Gospel, separating goats and lambs, and Timothy’s letter “faith without works is dead. ”
Very reverent during the liturgy of the Eucharist.
@ SimonDodd
GRRRR…. Oh, that sort of thing just chaps my hide! I know they are really doing beloved Benedict a favor when they use Pope Francis as a means to revile him, but it still makes me livid. Must remind myself that his reward should be ‘very great in Heaven’ after all the evil spoken against him untruly… and that it isn’t Pope Francis’ fault.
Father’s Sunday sermon was focused on the seriousness of the sin of omission and that while being wealthy is not a sin, being selfish with our wealth is. He told us the story of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, and how, though he was from a wealthy family, he ‘made himself poor’ for the truly poor, doing his best to imitate Christ, who made Himself poor for us. Blessed Pier had wealth beyond economic, as he was rich in personality, good looks, etc…and he used that wealth to bring people to Christ, in various ways, so even if we are not rich in money, we still have riches to share and we must.
Father spoke first about the nature of angels and their rebellion, then the reality of demonic influence and how to overcome it.
I should have been more clear. Father spoke about the nature of angels, and the rebellion of Lucifer and his demons, etc..
OF Mass in English:
Watch out for spiritual complacency. Make sure that what you do in this life has value in the next life.
At the TLM in Alhambra, Father Bishop talked about St. Michael and his battle with Lucifer. First time I’ve heard that in years. He also told the story of Leo XII and the reason (a vision) he composed the prayer to be said after Mass. Stunning sermon.
So why have we quit saying this prayer after Mass?
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom 19th Sunday after Pentecost…Father preached on the golden rule, and said how if we followed the golden rule there’d be peace in the world, because we would avoid the temptation to fight back, and we need to strive for Spiritual Perfection in Him.
Two points that stuck out to me this week. One as a college student who loves both the service side and the intense prayer side of Catholicism I am often bothered when I here people talk about the “poor” or the “minority” in this kind of we are going to help them attitude. Fr. Jim Fitz S.M. pointed out the fact that the rich man has no name but Lazarus does. In a culture where more money more power get buildings named after you, Jesus finds the rich not even worthy to name in his parable.
Leading into this Fr. pointed out this phrase that meant allot to me “THE POOR HAVE NAMES”.
As my own side comment. People are not poor especially if you help them grow both economically and spiritually. America is one of the poorest nations spiritually we need to grow this as much as we need to grow people out of poverty. This is my prayer. I pray for those with names and for those who have no faith.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit tbe glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary AMEN