It is also Mother’s Day.

My father was Irish-Roman-Catholic (pronounced “Irishromancatholic”) and my mom, until her later years when she came home to the Catholic Church, was a Southern Baptist, though she never went to services.

I fondly remember coming home from Mass on Sunday mornings and finding my mom in the kitchen frying chicken (and every once in a while, rabbit) with the AM radio playing a fiery preacher. This was the theme song to the show and my mom always sang along with it.

Let me know what you think of my “redition”

The Readings

Words for the Jewish prayer and a translation are below:

Shalom aleichem malachei ha-sharet malachei elyon,

mi-melech malchei ha-melachim Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu.

Bo’achem le-shalom malachei ha-shalom malachei elyon,

mi-melech malchei ha-melachim Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu.

Barchuni le-shalom malachei ha-shalom malachei elyon,

mi-melech malchei ha-melachim Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu.

☼

Tzeit’chem le-shalom malachei ha-shalom malachei elyon,

mi-melech malchei ha-melachim Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu.

English

Peace upon you, ministering angels, messengers of the Most High,

of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.

Come in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High,

of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.

Bless me with peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High,

of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.

☼

May your departure be in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High,

of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.

Readings

Readings can be found here I am not preaching the Scrutinies.

OK, here’s the set-up. Last Tuesday night we spent some time talking about those occasions when we may find ourselves absolutely void of ideas, or in a time pinch. We admitted to drawing (sometimes pretty heavily) from internet or canned homilies. Fr. Richard made a point that we need to use it as an outline, get the general sense and then make it our own.

I was slated to preach this weekend, then I realized that it was the First Scrutiny. We have one person entering the Church from parish A, one from C and none from B. Of course, I have no idea which Mass these people will be at, though it is unlikely that they will be at parish B.

Fr. Jose went to Omaha for a check-up on Thursday and they decided to keep him a few days to run some tests. (Please pray for him as of today they still don’t know the severity of the problem they discovered)

Long story short one substitute priest for A, one substitute priest for B and SCAP for C.

Are you still with me? OK….. so I decided to preach one homily for all three parishes and wanted to carry the theme of the scrutinies into the regular readings.

This is where I ran across an excellent source here: http://www.theemmausseries.com/index.html (that I wanted to share with everyone) with a particularly promising exegesis/homily for this week here: http://www.theemmausseries.com/blent03.html The result is attached.

Talk about a dose of real-world experience that directly relates to our most recent topic. Please let me know what you think. … - Bill

First of all, it is pod-cast-safe  or Podsafe*.  It is a shame that has to be a consideration.

The second was the upbeat nature of the music.  It’s fun and has a tempo that works well for the show. It’s clean and refreshing, (like a new piece of gum). It is not to everyone’s taste, I’m sure.

Third, and surprizingly, last determining factor was its message. Granted, it is a good and positive message that fits the general upbeat nature of the show. But a person could find such music anywhere.

Please know that theology never entered into the choice. While the Catholic Church has much music that can teach and edify and even be theological in nature, I don’t take pop Christian music as being, necessarily, correct in its understanding of Jesus Christ, His nature or the teaching of His Bride, the Church.

DJ Digital Josh is a very talented young man and I thank him for makiing his music available for use.  He is a man who is trying, through his art, to bring the good news of Jesus to everyone who will listen.

If you like what you hear, let him know, if not, let me know and remember, God IS Good!

*Podsafe is a term created in the podcasting community to refer to any work which, through its licensing, specifically allows the use of the work in podcasting, regardless of restrictions the same work might have in other realms. For example, a song may be legal to use in podcasts, but may need to be purchased or have royalties paid for over-the-air radio use, television use, and possibly even personal use.

I don’t read music.

Panic-time!

I downloaded the song from Amazon.com, and headed to my office.  I wish I could read music (well, not enough to actually learn to read it) as I spent a good hour-and-a-half practicing. This is the result. It might be as good as it will ever get with my poor voice.

This is the homily I gave this weekend for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B. Also a small bit of useful advise for my brother deacons.

The Readings

The Readings

This video on YouTube has had over 17,000,000 hits. That’s huge!  Unfortunately, this young man has his facts all goofed up.  He claims that the reason Jesus came was to abolish religion. Hard to swallow, as Jesus Himself was an ardent follower of a religion.Clever rhyme? …. yes.   Well produced…. you bet.   All flash and no substance.     Here’s one Deacon’s take. Just a podcast… no slick production, just the facts.

Homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary time.

The readings for the day can be found here

Is there a place for personal, visible acts of piety at the altar? This is one of the questions I put out to my brother deacons via an internet poll lasting about two months. That’s what this episode of DeaconCast is all about.

The readings for this Sunday can be found here

Text of the homily (PDF)

Please feel free to leave a comment or two, Thanks

I also referenced Blessed Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter in the Dignity and Vocation of Women Mulieris Dignitatem

Feedback is always welcome! Dcn. Bill

I am posting a link to the Sunday Readings as well as the lyrics of Gaudete by the Mediaeval Baebes

As always, comments are welcome. Honest opinion is the only way I can become a better preacher and further the Kingdom in my humble way.

Readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121111.cfm

Lyrics: Latin/English

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus Ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae, Hoc quod optabamus; Carmina laeticiae Devote redamus.

Deus homo factus est, Natura mirante; Mundus renovatus est, A Christo regnante.

Ezechiellis porta Clausa pertransitur; Unde lux est orta, Salus invenitur.

Ergo nostra concito Psallat iam in lustro; Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.

__________________________________________

Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born Of the virgin Mary, rejoice

The time of grace is here, that which we desire Let us recite with devotion a song of joy

God is made man in erring nature The world is restored by the reigning Christ

Passing through Ezekiel’s closed gate Whence the light has risen salvation has appeared

Therefore we now sing our hymn in brightness May it bless the lord, our saviour king