THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 17th, 2014
Opt. Memorial of The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order
Liturgical texts here
AS I sat to write this meditation over the weekend, my wife was in the other room with terrible cramps. An hour later, she miscarried our tenth baby at the twelfth week of her pregnancy. Even though I had been praying from day one for the baby’s health and a safe delivery… God said no.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 14th, 2014
Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop
Liturgical texts here
CAN you hear it? Jesus is leaning over humanity again, saying, “Ephphatha” that is, “Be opened”…
Jesus groans again over a world that has become “deaf and dumb,” a people that has so compromised that we have completely “lost the sense of sin.” So it was with Solomon whose idolatry would tear his kingdom apart—symbolized by the prophet tearing his cloak into twelve strips.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 13th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
What’s left of Solomon’s Temple, destroyed 70 A.D.
THE beautiful story of Solomon’s achievements, when working in harmony with God’s grace, came to a halt.
When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to strange gods, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God.
Solomon no longer followed God “unreservedly as his father David had done.” He began to compromise. In the end, the Temple he constructed, and all its beauty, was reduced to rubble by the Romans.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 12th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
The Little Flower, St. Thérèse de Lisieux
WHETHER it is the Temple of Solomon, or St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, their beauty and splendor are types and symbols of a much more sacred temple: the human body. The Church is not a building, but rather the mystical body of Christ made up of the children of God.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 11th, 2014
Opt. Mem. of Our Lady of Lourdes
Liturgical texts here
EVERY morning, it’s the same ritual for millions of people: have a shower, get dressed, pour a cup of coffee, eat breakfast, brush teeth, etc. When they come home, it’s often another rhythm: open the mail, change out of work clothes, start supper, etc. Furthermore, human life is marked by other “traditions”, whether it is setting up a Christmas tree, baking a turkey at Thanksgiving, painting one’s face for game-day, or placing a candle in the window. Ritualism, whether it’s pagan or religious, seems to mark the life of human activity in every culture, whether it is that of neighbourhood families, or that of the ecclesial family of the Church. Why? Because symbols are a language unto themselves; they carry a word, a meaning that conveys something deeper, whether it is love, danger, memory, or mystery.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 10th, 2014
Memorial of St. Scholastica, Virgin
Liturgical texts here
WHAT religion makes such claims as ours? What faith is there that is so intimate, so accessible, that reaches to the very core of our desires, other than Christianity? God dwells in Heaven; but God became man so that man could dwell in Heaven and God could dwell in man. This is insanely wonderful! This is why I always say to my brothers and sisters who are hurting and feel God has abandoned them: where can God go? He is everywhere. Furthermore, He is in you.
THE image above pretty much sums up how unbelievers today approach the central message of the Gospel in our contemporary culture. From Late Night talk shows to Saturday Night live to The Simpsons, Christianity is routinely mocked, the Scriptures belittled, and the central message of the Gospel, that “Jesus saves” or “God so loved the world…” has been reduced to mere epithets on bumper stickers and baseball backstops. Add to that the fact that Catholicism has been marred by scandal after scandal in the priesthood; Protestantism is rife with endless church-splitting and moral relativism; and evangelical Christianity is at times a televised circus-like display of emotion with questionable substance.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 7th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
SOMETHING strange and seemingly foreign began spreading through Catholic churches in the 1970’s. All of a sudden certain parishioners began raising their hands at Mass. And there were these meetings happening in the basement where people were singing songs, but often not like upstairs: these people were singing with the heart. They would devour Scripture like it was a sumptuous banquet and then, once again, close their meetings with songs of praise.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 6th, 2014
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Liturgical texts here
O, to be at the bedside of King David, to hear what he would say in his dying moments. This was a man who lived and breathed a desire to walk with His God. And yet, he stumbled and fell so often. But he would pick himself up again, and almost fearlessly expose his sin to the Lord appealing to His mercy. What wisdom he would have learned along the way. Fortunately, because of the Scriptures, we can be there at David’s bedside as he turns to his son Solomon and says:
Be strong and be a man! (1 Kg 2:2; NABre)
Between today’s three Mass readings, we men in particular can find five ways to live the challenge of David.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 4th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
Where are all the children?
THERE are so many little thoughts I have from today’s readings, but they all center around this: the grief of parents who have watched their children lose their faith. Like David’s son Absalom in today’s first reading, their children are caught “somewhere between between heaven and earth”; they have ridden the mule of rebellion straight into the thicket of sin, and their parents feel helpless to do a thing about it.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for February 3rd, 2014
Liturgical texts here
A “performance” at the 2014 Grammy Awards
ST. Basil wrote that,
Among the angels, some are set in charge of nations, others are companions of the faithful… —Adversus Eunomium, 3:1; The Angels and Their Missions, Jean Daniélou, S. J., p. 68
We see the principle of angels over nations in the Book of Daniel where it speaks of the “prince of Persia”, whom the archangel Michael comes to battle. [1]cf. Dan 10:20 In this case, the prince of Persia appears to be the satanic stronghold of a fallen angel.
The guardian angel of the Lord “guards the soul like an army,” said St. Gregory of Nyssa, “provided we do not drive him out by sin.” [2]The Angels and Their Missions, Jean Daniélou, S. J., p. 69 That is, grave sin, idolatry, or deliberate occult involvement can leave one vulnerable to the demonic. Is it possible then that, what happens to an individual who opens himself up to evil spirits, can also happen on a national basis? Today’s Mass readings lend some insights.
THE media continues to roll out its rather brutal comparisons between Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict. This time, Rolling Stone magazine has jumped into the fray, describing Francis’ pontificate as a ‘Gentle Revolution,’ whilst stating that Pope Benedict is…
…a staunch traditionalist who looked like he should be wearing a striped shirt with knife-fingered gloves and menacing teenagers in their nightmares. —Mark Binelli, “Pope Francis: The Times They Are A-Changin'”, Rolling Stone, January 28th, 2014
Yes, the media would have us believe that Benedict is a moralistic monster, and the current pope, Francis the Fluffy. Likewise, some Catholics would have us believe that Francis is a modernist apostate and Benedict a prisoner of the Vatican.
Well, we’ve heard enough in the course of Francis’ short pontificate to get a sense of his pastoral direction. So, just for fun, let’s take a look at the quotes below, and take a guess at who said them—Francis or Benedict?
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 31st, 201
Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest
Liturgical texts here
Rusty Crucifix, by Jeffrey Knight
“WHEN the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
It’s a rather haunting question. What could possibly bring about such a condition whereby the greater part of humanity will have lost its faith in God? The answer is, they will have lost faith in His Church.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 30th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
SOMETIMES I look down the narrow, darkening road of the future, and I find myself crying out, “Jesus! Give me the courage to go down this path.” In times like these, I am tempted to tone down my message, taper my zeal, and measure my words. But then I catch myself and say, “Mark, Mark… What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?“
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 29th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
I find this one of the most challenging of all the Gospel parables, for I see myself in one soil or the other. How often does the Lord speak a word in my heart… and then I soon forget it! How often does the mercy and consolation of the Spirit bring me joy, and then the slightest trial throws me into confusion again. How often do worries and concerns of this world carry me away from the reality that God always carries me in the palm of His hand… Ah, cursed forgetfulness!
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 28th, 2014
Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas
Liturgical texts here
THERE are some interesting parallels in today’s Scriptures between the Virgin Mary and the Ark of the Covenant, which is an Old Testament type of Our Lady.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 27th, 2014
Opt. Memorial St. Angela Merici
Liturgical texts here
WHEN David marched on Jerusalem, the inhabitants at that time shouted:
You cannot enter here: the blind and the lame will drive you away!
David, of course, is an Old Testament type of Christ. And indeed, it was the spiritually blind and lame, “the scribes who had come from Jerusalem…”, who tried to drive Jesus out by casting shadows on His reputation and twisting His good works into appearing as something evil.
Today, there are also those who wish to twist what is truth, beauty, and goodness into something intolerant, oppressive, and wrong. Take for instance the pro-life movement:
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 25th, 2014
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Liturgical texts here
THERE is believed by many saints and mystics in the Church to be an event coming known as the “Illumination”: a moment when God will reveal to everyone in the world at once the condition of their souls. [1]cf. The Eye of the Storm
I pronounced a great day… wherein the terrible Judge should reveal all men’s consciences and try every man of each kind of religion. This is the day of change, this is the Great Day which I threatened, comfortable to the well-being, and terrible to all heretics. —St. Edmund Campion, Cobett’s Complete Collection of State Trials…, Vol. I, p. 1063.
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (1769-1837), known and praised by popes for her astoundingly accurate visions, also spoke of such an event.
Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. The Eye of the Storm |
|---|
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 24th, 2014
Memorial of St. Francis de Sales
Liturgical texts here
WHAT the Church needs most today, said Pope Francis, “is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful… I see the church as a field hospital after battle.” [1]cf. americamagazine.org, Sept. 30th, 2013 Ironically, some of the first wounded rolling in since his pontificate began are casualties of confusion, mostly “conservative” Catholics bewildered by statements and actions of the Holy Father himself. [2]cf. Misunderstanding Francis
The truth is that Pope Francis has done and said certain things that require clarification or has left the hearer wondering, “Who was he just referring to?” [3]cf. “Michael O’Brien on Pope Francis and the New Phariseeism” The important question is how can and should one respond to such concerns? The answer is twofold, revealed in today’s readings: first on the level of an emotional response, and second, on the level of a faith response.
Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. americamagazine.org, Sept. 30th, 2013 |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | cf. Misunderstanding Francis |
| ↑3 | cf. “Michael O’Brien on Pope Francis and the New Phariseeism” |
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 23rd, 2014
Liturgical texts here
ONE of the giants of our time whose head has grown extraordinarily large is narcissism. In a word, it is self-absorption. One could even argue that this has now become self-worship, or what I call “iWorship.”
St. Paul gives a long list of what souls will look like in the “last days.” Guess what is at the top?
There will be terrifying times in the last days. People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful… (2 Tim 3:1-2)
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 22th, 2014
Memorial of St. Vincent
Liturgical texts here
HOW do we slay the giants in our day of atheism, individualism, narcissism, utilitarianism, Marxism and all the other “isms” that have brought humanity to the point of self-destructing? David answers in today’s first reading:
It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle is the LORD’s and he shall deliver you into our hands.
St. Paul put David’s words into the contemporary light of the new covenant:
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. (1 Cor 4:20)
It is the power of the Holy Spirit that converts hearts, peoples, and nations. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that illuminates minds to the truth. It is the power of the Holy Spirit so desperately needed in our times. Why do you think Jesus is sending His Mother among us? It is to form that cenacle of the Upper Room once again that a “new Pentecost” may descend upon the Church, setting her and the world aflame! [1]cf. Charismatic? Part VI
Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. Charismatic? Part VI |
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THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 21th, 2014
Memorial of St. Agnes
Liturgical texts here
The mustard seed grows into the largest of trees
THE Pharisees had it all wrong. They were obsessed with details, watching like hawks to find fault with this or that person, with any little thing that wasn’t according to “standard.”
The Lord is also concerned with the little things… but in a much different way.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 20th, 2014
Memorial of St. Sebastian
Liturgical texts here
GOD is doing something new. And we have to pay attention to this, to what the Holy Spirit is doing. It is time to let go of our expectations, understanding, and security. The winds of change are blowing and in order to fly with them, we have to be stripped of all the heavy weights and chains that keep us tied down. We have to learn to listen intently, as it says in the first reading today, to “the voice of the Lord.” [1]translation in the Jerusalem Bible
Footnotes
| ↑1 | translation in the Jerusalem Bible |
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THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 18th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
WE are often unhappy because we are looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. St. Justin searched in the philosophies, Augustine in materialism, Teresa of Avila in fictional books, Faustina in dancing, Bartolo Longo in satanism, Adam and Eve in power…. Where are you searching?
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 17th, 2014
Memorial of Abbot St. Anthony
Liturgical texts here
THROUGHOUT salvation history, what draws the disciplinary intervention of the Father is not sin, but a refusal to turn from it.
So the idea that—if you step out of line, stumble and sin—it will draw down the wrath of God… well, that’s the devil’s idea. It’s his primary and most effective tool in accusing and trampling on the joy of Christians, in keeping one depressed, self-loathing, and afraid of God.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 16th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
IT looked like the perfect comeback. The Israelites had just been soundly defeated by the Philistines, and so the first reading says they came up with a brilliant idea:
Let us fetch the ark of the LORD from Shiloh that it may go into battle among us and save us from the grasp of our enemies.
After all, with all that happened in Egypt and the plagues, and the reputation of the ark, the Philistines would be terrorized at the idea. And they were. So when the Israelites marched into battle, they thought they had that fight in the books. Instead…
FRANCIS, AND THE COMING PASSION OF THE CHURCH
PART II
by Ron DiCianni
EIGHT years ago, I had a powerful experience before the Blessed Sacrament [1]cf. About Mark where I felt the Lord asked me to put my music ministry second and begin to “watch” and “speak” of the things He would show me. Under the spiritual direction of holy, faithful men, I gave my “fiat” to the Lord. It was clear to me from the very beginning that I was not to speak with my own voice, but the voice of Christ’s established authority on earth: the Magisterium of the Church. For to the twelve Apostles Jesus said,
Whoever listens to you listens to me. (Luke 10:16)
And the chief prophetic voice in the Church is that of the office of Peter, the Pope. [2]cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1581; cf. Matt 16:18; Jn 21:17
The reason I mention this is because, taking into consideration everything that I have been inspired to write, everything that is happening in the world, everything that is in my heart now (and all of it I submit to the Church’s discernment and judgment) I believe the pontificate of Pope Francis is a significant signpost at this juncture in time.
Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. About Mark |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1581; cf. Matt 16:18; Jn 21:17 |
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 15th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
EVERYTHING that happens in our world passes through the fingers of God’s permissive will. This does not mean that God wills evil—He doesn’t. But he permits it (the free will of both men and fallen angels to choose evil) in order to work toward the greater good, which is the salvation of mankind and the creation of a new heavens and new earth.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 14th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
I REMEMBER driving through one of my father-in-law’s pastures, which was particularly bumpy. It had large mounds randomly placed throughout the field. “What are all these mounds?” I asked. He replied, “When we were cleaning out corrals one year, we dumped the manure in piles, but never got around to spreading it.” What I noticed is that, wherever the mounds were, that’s where the grass was greenest; that’s where the growth was most beautiful.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 13th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
THERE is no evangelization without the Holy Spirit. After spending three years listening to, walking, talking, fishing, eating with, sleeping beside, and even laying upon the breast of our Lord… the Apostles seemed incapable of penetrating the hearts of the nations without Pentecost. It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit descended upon them in tongues of fire that the mission of the Church was to begin.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 11th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
MOST of the time, when we witness for Christ, we are going to be confronted with having to love the unlovable. By this I mean that we all have our “moments,” occasions when we are not very lovable at all. That is the world in which our Lord entered and the one into which Jesus now sends us.
IN February last year, shortly after Benedict XVI’s resignation, I wrote The Sixth Day, and how we appear to be approaching the “twelve o’clock hour,” the threshold of the Day of the Lord. I wrote then,
The next pope will guide us too… but he is ascending a throne that the world wishes to overturn. That is the threshold of which I am speaking.
As we look at the world’s reaction to the pontificate of Pope Francis, it would seem the opposite. Hardly a news day goes by that the secular media isn’t running some story, gushing over the new pope. But 2000 years ago, seven days before Jesus was crucified, they were gushing over Him too…
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 10th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
Artist Unknown
THERE has been a lot of teaching on evangelization in this week’s reflections, but it all comes down to this: letting the message of Christ’s love penetrate, challenge, change, and transform you. Otherwise, the imperative of evangelizing will remain but a lovely theory, a distant stranger whose name you know, but whose hand you’ve never shaken. The problem with that is every Christian is called in obedience to be an emissary for Christ. [1]cf. Evangelii Gaudium, n. 5 How? By first of all moving “from a pastoral ministry of mere conversation to a decidedly missionary pastoral ministry.” [2]POPE FRANCIS, Evangelii Gaudium, n. 15
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 9th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
JUST when you would perhaps expect God to send prophets wielding thunderbolts warning that this generation will be destroyed unless we repent… He instead raises up a young Polish nun to deliver a message, timed for this very hour:
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 8th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
Christ Walking on Water, Julius von Klever
PART of a reader’s response to yesterday’s Now Word, Love Beyond the Surface:
What you said is very true… But I think the sole focus of the Church since Vatican II has been love, love, love, love—with zero focus on the consequences of sinful actions… I think the most loving thing a person can do for an AIDS patient ( or adulterer, porn viewer, liar etc.) is tell them that they will spend eternity in the darkest abyss of hell if they do not repent. They won’t like hearing that, but it is the Word of God, and the Word of God has power to set the captive free… Sinners are pleased to hear consoling fleshy words, not realizing that soft, smooth words, tender embraces, and pleasant conversation without the hard truth is deceptive and powerless, a counterfeit Christianity, lacking power. —N.C.
Before we look at today’s Mass readings, why not look at how Jesus responded when He did “the most loving thing a person can do”:
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 7th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
Photo by Claudia Peri, EPA/Landov
RECENTLY, someone wrote asking advice for what to do in situations with people who reject the Faith:
I know we are to be ministering and helping our family in Christ, but when people tell me they don’t go to Mass anymore or hate the Church…I am so shocked, my mind goes blank! I beg the Holy Spirit to come upon me…but I don’t receive anything…I have no words of comfort or evangelization. —G.S.
How as Catholics are we to respond to unbelievers? To atheists? To fundamentalists? To those who disturb us? To people living in mortal sin, within and without our families? These are questions I get asked quite often. The answer to all these is to love beyond the surface.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 6th, 2014
Liturgical texts here
“The Running Nuns”, Daughters of Mary Mother of Healing Love
THERE is much talk among the “remnant” of refuges and safe havens—places where God will protect His people during coming persecutions. Such an idea is firmly rooted in the Scriptures and Sacred Tradition. I addressed this subject in The Coming Refuges and Solitudes, and as I reread it today, it strikes me as more prophetic and relevant than ever. For yes, there are times to hide. St. Joseph, Mary and the Christ child fled to Egypt while Herod hunted them; [1]cf. Matt 2;13 Jesus hid from the Jewish leaders who sought to stone Him; [2]cf. Jn 8:59 and St. Paul was concealed from his persecutors by his disciples, who lowered him to freedom in a basket through an opening in the city wall. [3]cf. Acts 9:25
WHEN you are overwhelmed with your sinfulness, there are only nine words you need to remember:
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (Luke 23:42)
DEAR brothers, sisters, beloved priests, and friends in Christ. I want to take a moment at the beginning of this year to update you on this ministry and also take a moment to thank you.
I have spent time over the holidays reading as many letters as I can that have been sent by you, both in email and postal letters. I am so incredibly blessed by your kind words, prayers, encouragement, financial support, prayer requests, holy cards, photos, stories and love. What a beautiful family this little apostolate has become, stretching out across the world from the Philippines to Japan, Australia to Ireland, Germany to America, the United Kingdom to my homeland of Canada. We are connected by the “Word made flesh”, who comes to us in the little words that He inspires through this ministry.
THERE are many hopeful things developing in the Church, most of them quietly, still very much hidden from view. On the other hand, there are many troubling things on the horizon of humanity as we enter 2014. These too, though not as hidden, are lost on most people whose source of information remains the mainstream media; whose lives are caught in the treadmill of busyness; who have lost their internal connection to God’s voice through a lack of prayer and spiritual development. I am speaking of souls who do not “watch and pray” as Our Lord asked us.
I can’t help but call to mind what I published six years ago on this very eve of the Feast of the Holy Mother of God:
HE did not wait for a castle. He didn’t hold out for a perfected people. Rather, He came when we least expected Him… when all He could be offered was a humble greeting and abode.
And so, it is appropriate this night that we hear the angel’s greeting: “Do not be afraid.” [1]Luke 2:10 Do not be afraid that the abode of your heart is not a castle; that you are not a perfect person; that you are in fact a sinner most in need of mercy. You see, it is not a problem for Jesus to come and dwell among the poor, the sinful, the wretched. Why do we always think that we must be holy and perfect before He will even so much as glance our way? It is not true—Christmas Eve tells us differently.
Footnotes
| ↑1 | Luke 2:10 |
|---|
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for December 20th, 2013
Liturgical texts here
SAME angel. Same news: beyond all possible odds, a baby is going to be born. In yesterday’s Gospel, it would be John the Baptist; in today’s, it is Jesus Christ. But how Zechariah and the Virgin Mary responded to the news was completely different.
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for December 19th, 2013
Liturgical texts here
The attack on a group of men praying outside a Cathedral, St. Juan Argentina
I recently watched the film Prisoners, a story about the abduction of two children and the attempts of the fathers and police to find them. As it says in the movie’s release notes, one father takes matters into his own hands in what becomes a very intense moral struggle. [1]The film is very violent and contains many expletives, earning it an R rating. It also, curiously, contains many blatant Masonic symbols.
I won’t say any more about the film. But there is one line that stood out like a beacon:
Footnotes
| ↑1 | The film is very violent and contains many expletives, earning it an R rating. It also, curiously, contains many blatant Masonic symbols. |
|---|
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for December 18th, 2013
Liturgical texts here
WHEN Joseph learned that Mary was “found with child”, today’s Gospel says he set about to “divorce her quietly.”
How many today quietly “divorce” themselves from the Mother of God! How many say, “I can go to straight to Jesus. Why do I need her?” Or they say, “The Rosary is too long and boring,” or, “Devotion to Mary was a pre-Vatican II thing that we no longer need to do…”, and so forth. I too pondered the question of Mary many years ago. With a sweat on my brow, I poured over the Scriptures asking “Why do we Catholics make such a big deal of Mary?”
THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for December 17th, 2013
Liturgical texts here
THERE is a powerful moment of drama in one of St. John’s visions in the Book of Revelation. After hearing the Lord chastise the seven churches, warning, exhorting, and preparing them for His coming, [1]cf. Rev 1:7 St. John is shown a scroll with writing on both sides that is sealed with seven seals. When he realizes that “no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth” is able to open and examine it, he begins to weep profusely. But why is St. John weeping over something he hasn’t read yet?
Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. Rev 1:7 |
|---|