Christ is Risen indeed. And what could be more fitting this day than the joyous Easter hymn, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today"? T
Laetare, Jerusalem: 4th Sunday of Lent
Laetare Sunday represents more than a break midway through Lent. It's a demarcation, showing us that something is changing. It's a last breath of fresh air and a final glimpse of sunlight before plunging into the depths of Passiontide. We have a reminder of God's promise as we walk with Jesus on the Way of the Cross.
Abundant Mercy – Lotti’s Miserere (Music for Lent)
King David had used trickery and deceit to send Uriah the Hittite to his death. He had, in fact, murdered his loyal soldier in order to hide his own adultery. Tradition tells us that David composed Psalm 51 as an expression of sorrow and repentance for the wicked deed. We often refer to the psalm as the Miserere ("Have mercy") because that's its first word in the Latin Vulgate Bible.
Hail, Queen! Ave Regina Caelorum
The trials of Lent, and by extension of our earthly life, are the necessary road between the two. What better to contemplate in our last waking moments of the day in this penitential season than the Glory at the end of the journey?
Christ’s Food vs. Adam’s: Ash Wednesday
But there it is: Adam’s selfish choice brought death to mankind, while Christ’s self-sacrifice brings life. When we eat the Body of Christ, we counteract what Adam ate.
The Convergence: Presentation, Nativity, and Passion
The Convergence Today is the convergence, the end of the beginning and the beginning of the end. Which is to say, today is the Feast of the Presentation, a perfect microcosm of both/and. The official Christmas Season ended a couple weeks ago on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. The Presentation of the Baby Jesus … Continue reading The Convergence: Presentation, Nativity, and Passion
Music for the Presentation of Our Lord: Holst’s “Nunc Dimittis”
Nunc Dimittis Nunc Dimittis is one of my favorite compositions by the early 20th century composer Gustav Holst. Since tomorrow is the Feast of the Presentation, this seems a fine time to share a video I put together a few years ago. It combines a mesmerizing performance of Holst's piece with Caravaggio's painting of the … Continue reading Music for the Presentation of Our Lord: Holst’s “Nunc Dimittis”
Bread of Angels: St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Panis Angelicus”
Bread of Angels May the Bread of AngelsBecome bread for mankind . . . St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican, one of the greatest of all philosophers, and arguably the greatest of Catholic theologians. His feast day comes this week, on January 28th. We tend to think of him as a pretty cerebral fellow. And so … Continue reading Bread of Angels: St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Panis Angelicus”
The Bigger They Come: The Coversion of St. Paul
“The bigger they come, the harder they fall.” How many times have we seen that the more formidable the opponent, the more dramatic the impact when he comes crashing down?
Mozart Makes The Gloria Soar
You've heard it hundreds of times, maybe thousands. But how much do you know about it? Or have you ever wondered where it comes from, or how it got into the Mass?