In keeping with local Seattle custom where the Archbishop and Rector of the cathedral take turns preaching Holy Thursday and Good Friday, Fr. Mike Ryan had the honors today. Since I shared thoughts for the day in an earlier blog entry, I leave you with today’s Liturgy video below:
My thoughts this morning are drawn to reflect upon God the Father’s perspective of today’s events, namely the passion and death of Jesus. In order to get there, please imagine the moment Jesus is taken down from the cross and placed in his mother, Mary’s arms. Now, imagine Jesus passing Read more
On this Holy Thursday night, we are very much like the people of Israel on that first Passover night in Egypt. They were in their homes praying that angel of death would indeed ‘passover’ them. We, too, like many around the world are in our homes, praying that we and Read more
On this Wednesday of Holy Week, the Gospel recalls the betrayal of Judas. Perhaps today as a part of our preparation to enter the Passion of our Lord, we could make a good examination of conscience. It is too easy to lay the full burden of guilt at the feet Read more
With today’s reading of the Last Supper from John, the ‘stage is set’ for the Passion and Death of Jesus. Satan enters into the drama of this supernatural struggle. “And it was night.” The Prophet Isaiah foretells once again how God will make ‘his servant’ the ‘light of salvation.’ Jesus Read more
Fr. Cantalamessa references the passage of Mary anointing Jesus (Mark 14:3, John 12:3) in his book, Come, Creator Spirit: Meditations On The Veni Creator. Granted, Fr. Cantalamessa is making a subtly different point, namely about breaking the alabaster jar, which releases the scent of the perfume, making a powerful analogy Read more
Our Holy Week has begun. God does not remain distant. In Jesus, God’s humility is manifest. Jesus takes on our human flesh. Jesus continues to be in our midst. Our minds continue to interpret our present moment through our ‘normal’ experience prior to COVID-19. It makes it difficult to ‘catch Read more
Jesus comes to gather the nations into the one Kingdom of God. As the Passover Feast draws near, the people knowing the Pharisees seek to kill Jesus ask: “Will he come to the Feast?” Jesus is the Feast! He will make that Passover surpass and fulfill all other Passover celebrations. Read more
Earlier this week, Pope Francis through the Congregation for Divine Worship provided a new Mass for celebration during times of a pandemic. The Mass includes special prayers and readings, which were used today for our livestream Mass. The Gospel is the very same used for the Urbi et Orbi prayer Read more
Knowing you have many options for online services during Holy Week, I share with you my own schedule for Liturgies during these holy days. All Liturgies will be live-streamed from St. James Cathedral in Seattle. Palm Sunday: April 5 at 8:30am Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper: April 9 Read more