Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff.
It is the 4th Sunday of Easter in the Novus Ordo and the 3rd Sunday after Easter in the Vetus Ordo. In the Novus Ordo this Sunday is “Good Shepherd Sunday”. In the Vetus Ordo, Good Shepherd Sunday was last week.
Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Sunday Mass of obligation?
Tell about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass.
Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?
I have a few thoughts about the orations in the Vetus Ordo for this Sunday: HERE
A taste:
[…]
“While” is complicated. It can be a noun, as in an interval of time or, archaically, a particular occasion. It is also used as a conjunction, “during the time that”, “as long as” and also “even though”. “While” is also a preposition, “until”. Moreover, “while” is a verb, “to pass time, especially in a pleasant way”. As the Scarecrow sang, “I could while away the hours, conferrin’ with the flowers… if I only had brain.” It might be interesting to apply some of this polyvalence to “Modicum, et iam non videbitis me: et iterum modicum, et videbitis me” (v. 16) “A short while, and thenceforth you will not see me: and a while again, and you will see me”.
Shall we while while we are here for a while? We are strangers and sojourners in this vale of tears.
[…]
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Not directly from the sermon, exactly, but Fr. Kiely’s piece in The Catholic Thing caused me, at 2 a.m. to read the Epistle of James, which I hadn’t read in a long, um, while. (Knox translation, of course — thanks again, Fr. Z.) Talk about a colonoscopy-level examination of conscience. It was a reminder that I may not have taken even the first step toward heaven. Hit me as no sermon ever has.
Our sermon was about Mother’s Day. We don’t always appreciate that our mothers suffer. He gave some examples, one was how mothers of large families get criticized for having “too many” children thereby hurting the environment. Suffering can bring us to sainthood but only if we accept it. He gave the example of the 2 thieves crucified along with Jesus, one of whom accepted that he deserved his punishment but the other did not and asked Jesus to come off the cross and save them.
The best priest I’m aware of in a huge metropolitan area repeatedly risked his position telling the truth about his archbishop and Bergoglio, but now in every homily he’s spending most of the time talking about all these supposedly hopeful signs about Prevost. How is this priest and all the other optimistic trads going to pivot when this Chicagoan and South American that Cupich and Bergoglio love does what they and James Martin, Weurl, the New York Times, and Crux expect?
Left here with permission and anonymity. (Novus Ordo)
“My sheep hear my voice,” says the Lord. “I know them, and they follow me.”
O beloved, what joy it is to be counted among His sheep, not because of any worthiness of our own, but because of His love that knows no bounds. Indeed, He does not say, “They found Me,” but, “I know them.” Before we ever turned to Him, He sought us. Before we could ever love Him, He loved us first.
Let us then ask: what voice do we follow? For many voices cry out in this world. Voices of ambition, of pride, of pleasure, of fear. But the sheep of Christ know His voice because His voice speaks not to the ears, but to the heart. The one who listens with the heart hears not only words, but love.
And what does He say? “I give them eternal life.” Not gold, not thrones, not passing riches, but that which no man can steal, no moth can corrupt, no death can end. He gives Himself, for He is life eternal.
You have heard in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles how Paul and Barnabas spoke the Word of God and were rejected by some, yet received with joy by others. Why this division, my brothers and sisters? Were the words different? No. But the hearts were different. Some ears were closed by pride, others opened by grace. So it is always. The sower scatters the same seed, but it bears fruit only in the soil made ready.
Let your hearts be such soil. Do not let jealousy or anger choke the Word. Do not let the world’s concerns trample it. You are His sheep; then live as His sheep. Be meek, not stubborn; be gathered, not scattered. Love the fold, which is the Church. Do not stray alone, for wolves prowl where sheep wander.
And now you have heard the vision of the Lamb in Revelation: a multitude from every nation, clothed in white, having come through great tribulation. Do you see, beloved? The Church is not made up of one tribe, nor does she dwell only in one land. She is universal, Catholic in truth and name. She suffers now, yes, but she will be glorified. You who are washed in the blood of the Lamb fear not suffering, for even tears are numbered, and God shall wipe away every one.
Do you wish to follow the Shepherd? Then take up your cross. Do you wish to dwell in His house? Then learn to love your enemies. Do you wish to hear His voice in glory? Then silence your passions in this world, that you may hear the still, small voice of your Lord.
He has said, “No one shall snatch them out of My hand.” Be not presumptuous, for you may leave of your own will, but no one shall tear you away if you cleave to Him. Cling, therefore, to Christ with both hands: with faith and with works. Hear Him in Scripture, receive Him in the Sacrament, serve Him in your neighbor. This is the pasture of the sheep.
And what is this unity He proclaims? “The Father and I are one.” He is not separate from the Father in power, in purpose, in glory. When you follow the Son, you are drawn into the love of the Father. And what is that love? The Holy Spirit. Yes, beloved, the whole Trinity shepherds you, saves you, and sanctifies you.
So then, O you who were once wandering sheep: rejoice! The Good Shepherd has laid down His life for you and calls you by name. Do not harden your hearts. Come into the fold. Listen for His voice. And follow, not with feet, but with your life.
Amen.