Today’s Merriam-Webster’s “Word of the Day” was a new one for me: lachrymose. If you know it already I suspect you are in linguistically rarefied company. If you don’t, join the crowd with me. Any guesses? Continue reading
lachrymose
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Monthly Archives: December 2022
We do well to remember
Every generation has events that shape the psyche and memory of their time. Consider the terror attacks of September 11th, 2001. Do you remember where you were when you heard the news? 27 percent of our current citizenry does not because they were born after or were too young to remember the events of that day. It is not that they are not familiar with the events of that day and all the consequences of it, but the day does not have the same resonance for them as it does for we watched in shock as the towers were struck and then fell. Continue reading
The question
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, lectionary cycle A, and again John the Baptist features prominently in the gospel text. Yesterday we considered the liturgical context of its use on Gaudete Sunday. Today we begin to look more deeply into the text itself, notably the question John sends along with his disciples: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Continue reading
Sounds of the Advent Season
Also part of the Advent Season are music concerts of holiday music. Our parish will hold its “Festival of Praise” on Friday evening, December 16th at 7:30 pm. Join us! Here is a sample of the musical offerings from a recent Saturday morning practice.
Repentance and Procrastination
Here in the Advent Season, parishes are holding Reconciliation Services in addition to their regular availability for the Sacrament of Confession – a nice reminder as the words of John the Baptist still echo from our Sunday Gospel. Take advantage of the opportunities. As is popularly said, “God has promised forgiveness to your repentance; He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”
Liturgical Context
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, lectionary cycle A, and again John the Baptist features prominently in the gospel text. Yesterday we considered the scriptural context of the gospel reading. Now we consider the liturgical context of its use here on the 3rd Sunday in Advent, Gaudete Sunday. Continue reading
What comes to the inbox
In case you needed a Christmas idea for a family member, friend or neighbor – who happens to be a committed Calvinist – this came as part of an advertisement for religious gift ideas, Should you want or need one, there are available from the manufacturer.
from Funny Calvinist Santa Quote Tee Shirt Co.
Never thought about it….
If you have ever visited Florence, Italy, you have visited the Galleria dell’Accademia. It is most famous for its sculptures by the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo: Prisoners, St. Matthew and, above all, the statue of David. There works are among the wonders that draw most of the hundreds of thousands of visitors the museum welcomes every year. The Galleria is open six days a week but is closed on Monday. Continue reading
…more advice
In one sense, my homily yesterday was about “advice.” John the Baptist had some great advice: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” In today’s comics (“Speed Bump
by Dave Coverly) there was some more good advice. The context is someone couch-surfing unable to find something to watch on the hundreds of channels and streaming services. The advice:
Go to MENU / SETTINGS / POWER / OFF / Pick up a Book
Scriptural Context
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, lectionary cycle A, and again John the Baptist features prominently in the gospel text. Where last week we encountered him as the herald of the Messiah, this week John has been arrested and is jailed. Before moving into the study, let’s consider the scriptural context of this gospel. Continue reading
friarmusings 