Friday, January 30, 2015

Timely words from The Author of timely words



Today, by God's grace, I was able to get to morning mass. The Lord didn't let my paltry effort go to waste, either, as the liturgy hit me right between the eyes. Several times. In a good way.


Here is a snippet from the first reading: (from Hebrews 10:32-39)

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; 
it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.


Left jab!


And another from the Reponsorial Psalm: (From Psalm 37)



The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm, 
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.


Right cross!

And then the Gospel: (From St. Mark 4:26-34)


Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,



And just for good measure, the communion antiphon: 

Look toward the Lord and be radiant, let your faces not be ashamed.

Annd, the KO.


Father's homily went on to describe how the mustard seed of faith is accepted by God and multiplied beyond our human ability and comprehension. How Mother Teresa carried one person off the street at a time. How God's power is what is needed, not our own. We just have to come up with that little seed. That small act. Offer that sore heart.

Today, He lovingly encouraged me. I always can recognize His voice because of the profound love and gentleness, even as I am corrected.

Once again I am overwhelmingly grateful for the gift of the Church, where I can go and just plug into the mass, or adoration, or if I can, say a Rosary, and if I can't, just hold some Rosary beads. I don't have to come up with anything on my own at all, except the mustard seed of getting myself in the doors. 

As Father said, " We just provide the mustard seed of faith, and God does all the rest. All we can do is what we are able." He even mentioned letting go of control. Nice one, Father.

How true, how comforting. What a relief when life threatens to overwhelm, and I am tempted to try to tough it out  on my own. How easy to forget! 








*no idea why all the white boxes around the text. will come back and fix it later!

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Comfort for troubled times

This was the entrance hymn this past Sunday at the TLM at Holy Trinity. Not this arrangement, of course. I couldn't find anything similar to the presentation we enjoyed, but I thought this was a nice arrangement. It is good for a live recording, not my favorite usually. I don't know if they do all the verses I have added below, but there are beautiful to read just the same.


It is a comfort to know that He is the Alpha and Omega, in all and above all.

This was the offertory prayer:

I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Thy Name for ever; for Thou O Lord, art sweet and mild, and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon Thee, alleluia,












1 Of the Father's love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega;
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
2 By his Word was all created;
he commanded; it was done:
heaven and earth and depths of ocean,
universe of three in one,
all that sees the moon’s soft shining,
all that breathes beneath the sun,
evermore and evermore!
3 O, that birth forever blessed
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!
4 This is he whom seers in old time
chanted of with one accord,
whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word.
Now he shines, the long-expected.
Let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!
5 O ye heights of heaven, adore him.
Angel hosts, his praises sing.
Powers, dominions, bow before him,
and extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent;
every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
6 Christ, to thee with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be.
Honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore! Amen.