May 11, 2025

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Easter is the oldest and greatest Christian feast. The feast is also called the “Pasch,” or Pascha (from the Hebrew for “Passover”). Among Jesus’ titles are “Paschal Lamb” and “Lamb of God.” Each Sunday is seen as a “little Easter”. Easter is to the Liturgical Year as Sunday is to the week. Holy Mass is the highest form of liturgy and involves all of our senses. We are called to full, conscious, and active participation in all liturgies, especially Holy Mass. We participate as we sing the hymns, listen to Sacred Scripture, listen to the homily, respond to the prayers, go forward to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion, go forth to love and serve the Lord, as well as the fellowship after Holy Mass. In the liturgy we encounter the living God. “The liturgy is, in fact, the work of Christ himself, head and members, and active participation in the liturgy is a participation in the very work of Christ.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)
Today is also Good Shepherd Sunday. “We are his people, the sheep of his flock.” (Responsorial Psalm)
Happy Mother’s Day! Have a good week in the Risen Lord, Gay Snell

May 18, 2025

Tradition with a capital “T” is the teachings and practices handed down, whether orally or in writing, separately but not independent of Scripture.  Tradition is divided into two areas.  The first includes Holy Scripture, the essential doctrines of the Church, the major writings and teachings of the Fathers, the liturgical life of the Church, and the living and lived faith of the whole Church down through the centuries.  The Second includes customs, institutions, and practices that express the Christian faith.  (Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices)  To us as Catholics, Tradition is very much alive.  To non-Catholics it may seem to be non-living as they feel life comes from the Holy Spirit.  It does, but it is the Holy Spirit who gives life to Tradition.  One Tradition begun by Jesus at the Last Supper, practiced and shared by the Apostles, and handed down to us, is Holy Mass.  The Holy Spirit is who brings life to Holy Mass.  He is who the celebrant calls upon at the Epiclesis; he is who Jesus sent to the Apostles at Pentecost.  Jesus, himself, said, “Do this in memory of me.”  It is our memory that tells us who we are.  The Church has a memory—the liturgy, the way we worship.  Gay Snell

May 25, 2025

Next Sunday, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord.  Then June 8 is Pentecost Sunday and the close of the Easter Season.  “Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize in his name, reminding them that he is always present through his Spirit.  Having ascended to his Father amid cries of gladness, we are to be his witnesses for we have been gifted with his Spirit of wisdom and revelation.”  (ORDO)  The Ascension of the Lord celebrates Jesus’ ascending into heaven 40 days after his Resurrection.  There is documentation that this feast dates from the early 5th century, it was observed long before then in connection with Pentecost and Easter.  During the years, practices came and went in regards to the celebration of the Ascension:  In the 10th century some dramatic details were added to the procession.  From the 11th century the procession was gradually replaced by a pageant—these plays never received liturgical approval from Rome.  By the 13th century a statue of the risen Christ was hoisted through an opening in the ceiling while the people rose and stretched out their arms acclaiming the Lord in prayer and song.  During the Middle Ages, it became a custom to eat fowl because Jesus “flew” to heaven.  In Germany, bakers and innkeepers gave their customers pieces of pastry made in the shape of birds.  In England, the feast was celebrated with games, dancing and horse races.  In central Europe, families went hiking and on picnics.  In addition to attending Mass, how will you celebrate the Ascension of the Lord?  Gay Snell