Something Strange is Happening – Holy Saturday

 Something Strange  Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. These are the opening sentences in the non-scriptural reading in today’s Office of Readings. The author, it seems, is unknown.  The liturgy simply tells us that it is … Continue reading Something Strange is Happening – Holy Saturday

Have Mercy – Lotti’s Miserere (Music for Lent)

Have mercy on me, O God,according to thy steadfast love;according to thy abundant mercyblot out my transgressions. (Psalm 51:1) Have Mercy       And what transgressions they were!  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 … Continue reading Have Mercy – Lotti’s Miserere (Music for Lent)

Gabriel’s Annunciation and Mary’s Renunciation

Gabriel's Annunciation and Mary's Renunciation   Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son,and shall name him Emmanuel,which means “God is with us!”    (Isaiah 7:14)   Gabriel's Annunciation        There's something that doesn't seem to make sense at first in today's Gospel reading (Luke 1:26-38).  Here's the … Continue reading Gabriel’s Annunciation and Mary’s Renunciation