'We need to see and hear and feel Christ through another . . .' Sunday Reflections, Easter, Year C

 

The Resurrection of Christ

Rembrandt [Web Gallery of Art]

Readings, Easter Vigil (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)

 Readings, Easter Sunday (Jerusalem Bible)

Readings, Easter Vigil (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Readings, Easter Sunday (New American Bible)

Gospel, Easter Vigil Luke 24:1-12 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)  

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marvelling at what had happened.

The Resurrection

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

Gospel Easter Sunday John 20:1-9 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)  

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going towards the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

The Gospel of the Easter Vigil may also be used.

Léachtaí i nGaeilge Aifreann an Domhnaigh

Regina Coeli
Sung at a Vigil for Life in Notre-Dame de Paris
22 May 2012

Queen of heaven rejoice, alleluia!

for he whom you were worthy to bear, alleluia!

has risen as he said, alleluia!

Pray for us to God, alleluia!

Dear brothers and sisters! The risen Christ is journeying ahead of us towards the new heavens and the new earth (cf. Rev 21:1), in which we shall all finally live as one family, as sons and daughters of the same Father. He is with us until the end of time. Let us walk behind him, in this wounded world, singing Alleluia. In our hearts there is joy and sorrow, on our faces there are smiles and tears. Such is our earthly reality. But Christ is risen, he is alive and he walks with us. For this reason we sing and we walk, faithfully carrying out our task in this world with our gaze fixed on heaven.

Happy Easter to all of you! (Pope Benedict, Easter Sunday 2011).

I have told the following story before here and on many other occasions, especially giving retreats. Each time I share it or recall it I experience the truth of Pope Benedict's words, Christ is risen, he is alive and he walks with us. I have also learned that persons with a deep, committed faith can sometimes be very fragile.

Forty-one years ago I spent part of a summer working in a suburban parish in the USA. One night at around 11 I did something I rarely did: make a late night phone call, and for no other reason than to say 'Hi'. I phoned a friend who was a teacher whom I had first met twelve years earlier when I was a young priest and she a generous, idealistic but confused 16-year-old. I'll call her 'Lily' since that flower is often associated with Easter in northern climes. Over the years I saw 'Lily' very rarely as I was in the Philippines.

Lily

[Wikipedia; photo]

I was shocked when 'Lily' answered. Her speech was slurred. She told me she had taken an overdose of a drug prescribed for a serious illness she had. I told her I would come over immediately but she said she would not let me in. She lived on her own but near her parents, about thirty minutes from where I was. I took another priest with me.

'Lily', of course, let us in. We spent about three hours with her. I was satisfied that what she had taken wasn't enough to kill her and that she wouldn't do anything drastic in the meantime. I promised to return in the morning.

I spent most of the next two days with 'Lily'. I called her doctor and also phoned a helpline for those dealing with or attempting suicide. 

I had seen 'Lily' grow in her faith over the years. After qualifying as a teacher she chose to teach in a parochial elementary school rather than in a public school, even though the salary was lower. She had a sense of mission. She came from a Catholic family but was aware since her childhood of her father's infidelity. But when she had attempted suicide when about 17 she saw her parents' great love for her, despite everything.

Yet it was something her mother said to her that had triggered off this latter attempt at suicide. 'Lily' felt that she wasn't living up to her mother's expectations. I think it was during the second morning I was with 'Lily' that she asked me, 'What are your expectations of me?' I answered, 'I don't have any expectations, only hopes'.

Hearing the word 'only hopes' was the turning point. That was when 'Lily' decided to live.

A few days later ‘Lily’ came to the parish where I was working for confession and Mass and she was truly filled with the joy that only the Lord can give. She also wrote me a long letter - she was a wonderful letter-writer - about her experience. 

Woman Writing a Letter

Gerard Terborch [Web Gallery of Art]

In her letter 'Lily' said: I have come to learn more about myself - as a 'vulnerable' yet 'hopeful' person, and yet even more important - I feel that my relationship with the Lord has deepened. I have a deeper hunger to be united with Him on a more intimate and dependent level.

Further on 'Lily' wrote: Most times we need to see and hear and feel Christ through another, to be able to believe in Him more faithfully and securely . . . I realize that years and years of therapy can amount to nothing unless the Lord is a very central part of it. I was able to share my fears, hurts, confusion, pain and - thank God - tears with you in and through the anointing of your priesthood . . .

I find 'Lily's' words echoed in those of Pope Francis when he celebrated Mass on Holy Thursday 2013 in Casal del Marmo Prison for Minors. He ended his homily with these words: Now we will perform this ceremony of washing feet, and let us think, let each one of us think: 'Am I really willing, willing to serve, to help others?' Let us think about this, just this. And let us think that this sign is a caress of Jesus, which Jesus gives, because this is the real reason why Jesus came: to serve, to help us.

After the Mass Pope Francis met with the prisoners and said, Go forward, alright? And do not let yourselves be robbed of hope, do not let yourselves be robbed of hope! Understood? Always with hope. Go forward! Thank you. 

In his final greetings as he was leaving Pope Francis said, Now I leave. Thank you so much for your welcome. Pray for me and do not let yourselves be robbed of hope. Always go forward! Thank you so much! [Emphases mine.]

The following summer, at the end of a sabbatical, I was in that same parish again. I met up with 'Lily'. She told me that she didn't think she had long to live. Knowing something of her medical history I took her seriously and we had a very deep and faith-filled conversation about that. There was nothing morbid about it. We were facing a reality but with faith and hope in the Resurrection. Afterwards we had lunch together in a restaurant and our conversation was totally lighthearted.

That was the last time we met. 'Lily' died peacefully a few months later at the age of 29. I know from those who were with her at the time that she did so as one who had faithfully carried out her task in this world with her gaze fixed on heaven, to use the words of Pope Benedict above.

I learned from that experience that there are persons of deep faith who can be very fragile. I have seen that in others subsequently. 

I also saw God's utter love. Why did I make that late night phone call? I can see the Lord's hand in that visit. And I know that I was the only person whom 'Lily' could totally confide in at that time. Somehow it has been easier to share the past month's conflicts, feelings, tears and hopes with you which have built up over the years than with anyone else.

Lent and Easter is a prolonged moment every year when Jesus the Risen Lord says to each of us what Pope Francis said three times to the young prisoners last Thursday: Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope.

Through God's mercy nearly 40 years ago the same Risen Lord said to my friend 'Lily', Do not let yourself be robbed of hope - and she took him at his word.

'Lily' died peacefully the following year having received the Last Sacraments and ready to accept death at the age of 29. May she enjoy the fulness of the Resurrection.

Jesus is Risen

Flashmob, Beirut, Lebanon

This is one of the most joyful proclamations of the Resurrection I have ever come across. It is also a reminder to us that most Christians in the Middle East, including Lebanon, are Arabs whose language is Arabic, the language in which this Easter hymn is sung by professional singers.

 

 

Death of another Columban priest

 

Fr Owen Doyle

28 June 1934 - 13 April 2022

Another Columban priest died peacefully last Sunday afternoon, Fr Owen Doyle. He spent most of his life as a priest in Korea. Please remember him in your prayers.

Father Owen's obituary is here.

He was the fifth Columban here in St Columban's, Dalgan Park, to die within 16 days. May they all rest in peace. Please keep our community in your prayers.

Grave of Bishop Edward Galvin, Co-founder of the Columbans

St Columban's Cemetery, Dalgan Park, Ireland

The Sacred Paschal Triduum - Tréan Naofa na Cásca

 The Sacred Paschal Triduum

Tréan Naofa na Cásca

 

Thursday of the Lord's Supper

Déardaoin Shéire an Tiarna

Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples (detail)

Tintoretto [Web Gallery of Art]

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it round his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped round him (John 13:3-5, ESVUK). 

Ó bhí a fhios ag Íosa go raibh gach uile ní tugtha isteach ina lámha dó, ag an Athair, agus gur ó Dhia a ghabh sé amach, agus gur ar Dhia a bhí a thriall, d'éirigh sé ón suipéar, agus leag sé uaidh a chuid éadaigh, agus cheangail sé tuáille faoina choim. Ansin chuir sé uisce sa bháisín agus thosaigh ag ní cosa na ndeisceabal agus á dtiormú leis an tuáille a bhí faoina choim (Eoin 13:3-5, ABN).

The Last Supper

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, ESVUK).

Is é fios a fuair mé féin ón Tiarna agus a thug mé daoibhse: mar atá, an oíche a bhí an Tiarna Íosa le tabhairt ar láimh, thóg sé arán agus, ar altú dó, bhris agus dúirt: “Is é seo mo chorp atá le tabhairt suas ar bhur son; déanaigí é seo mar chuimhne orm.” Mar an gcéanna tar éis na proinne thóg sé an cupa ag rá: “Is é an cupa seo an nuachonradh i mo chuid fola. Déanaigí é seo mar chuimhne orm a mhinice a ólfaidh sibh é.” A mhinice, más ea, a itheann sibh an t‑arán seo agus a ólann sibh an cupa, bíonn sibh ag fógairt bhás an Tiarna nó go dtiocfaidh sé (1 Coraintigh 11:23-26, ABN).

Antiphona ad Communionen  Communion Antiphon

Evening Mass ( 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Hoc Corpus, quod pro vobis tradetur:

This is the Body that will be given up for you;

hic calix novi testamenti est in meo Sanguine, dicit Dominus;

this is the Chalice of the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord;

hoc facite, quotiescumque sumitis, in meam commemorationem.

do this, wherever you receive it, in memory of me.

Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Aoine Pháis an Tiarna

Crucifixion with the Virgin, John the Evangelist, and Mary Magdelene

Blessed Fra Angelico [Web Gallery of Art]

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished”, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (John 19:28-30, ESVUK).

Tar éis an méid sin, ó bhí a fhios ag Íosa go raibh gach ní déanta feasta, chun go gcomhlíonfaí an scrioptúr, dúirt sé: “Tá tart orm.” Bhí soitheach ansiúd lán d'fhínéagar. Thum siad spúinse as an bhfínéagar agus chuir siad ar bharr chraobh iosóipe é, agus chuir siad chun a bhéil é. Tar éis dó an fínéagar a ghlacadh dúirt Íosa. “Tá sé curtha i gcrích.” Chrom sé a cheann agus thug uaidh a spiorad (Eoin 19:28-30, ABN).

Oh Sacred Head Surrounded

Original Latin lyrics by St Bernard of Clairvaux.

Translated by Henry Baker. Music by Hans Leo Hassler.

Arrangement by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Name of choir not given.

Deposition from the Cross

Blessed Fra Angelico [Web Gallery of Art]

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there (John 19:38-42, ESVUK).

Ina dhiaidh sin d'iarr Iósaef ó Airiomatáia cead ar Phioláit - ba dheisceabal d'Íosa é; os íseal, áfach, ar eagla na nGiúdach - corp Íosa a bhreith leis, agus thug Pioláit an cead. Tháinig sé mar sin agus thóg sé an corp. Níocodaemas freisin - é siúd a tháinig san oíche chuige ar dtús - tháinig sé agus meascán miorra agus aló aige, timpeall céad punt meáchain. Thóg siad corp Íosa dá bhrí sin agus rinne siad é a chuachadh i línéadaí maille le spíosraí, de réir nós adhlactha na nGiúdach. San áit inar céasadh Íosa bhí gairdín, agus sa ghairdín sin bhí tuama nua nár cuireadh aon duine ann riamh roimhe. Is ansiúd a chuir siad Íosa, de bhrí gurbh é lá ullmhaithe na nGiúdach é, agus ó bhí an tuama in aice láimhe (Eoin 19:38-42, ABN).

The Entombment of Christ

Rembrandt [Web Gallery of Art]

Holy Saturday

An Satharn Naofa

His cross stands empty

Sung by the Choir of Ely Cathedral, England

His cross stands empty in a world grown silent
Through hours of anguish and of dread;
In stillness, earth awaits the resurrection,
While Christ goes down to wake the dead

He summons Adam and his generations,
Brings light where darkness endless seemed;
He frees and claims His own, so long held captive,
Who, with the living, are redeemed.

With God the Father and the Holy Spirit,

Give praise to Christ the crucified,

Who, through the ages, seeks to save his lost ones:

The sinful men for whom he died.

This hymn, from The Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal, is used in The Office of Readings for Holy Saturday in The Divine Office approved by the Episcopal Conferences of Australia, England and Wales, Ireland, Scotland.

'Verso l'alto - To the heights.' Sunday Reflections, Palm Sunday, Year C

 

Palm Sunday, East Timor

[Wikipedia; photo]

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)

The gospel for the procession with palms is included here as is the Passion according to St Luke arranged for reading by  N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

The gospel for the procession with palms is included here as is

the shorter form of the Passion according to St Luke, Luke 23:1-49.

Gospel for procession of Palms Luke 19:28-40 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)  

When Jesus had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

 

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

Entry into Jerusalem, 

Lorenzo Ghiberti [Web Gallery of Art]

Pope Benedict on Palm Sunday

In years when World Youth Day isn't celebrated overseas it is observed in Rome on Palm Sunday. That's where it took place in 2007. Here are extracts from Pope Benedict's homily that day, emphases added.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Dear Young People,

The Gospel of the blessing of the palms that we have heard gathered here in St Peter's Square, begins with the sentence: '[Jesus] went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem' (Lk 19: 28). At the very beginning of today's Liturgy, the Church anticipates her response to the Gospel saying: "Let us follow the Lord". This clearly expresses the theme of Palm Sunday. It is the sequela (consequence). Being Christian means considering the way of Jesus Christ as the right way for being human as that way which leads to our destination, to a completely fulfilled and authentic humanity. In a special way I would like to repeat to all young people on this 25th World Youth Day that being Christian is a path or, better, a pilgrimage; it is to travel with Jesus Christ, to journey in the direction he has pointed out and is pointing out to us.

But what direction is this? How do we find it? Our Gospel passage offers two clues in this regard. In the first place it says that it is an ascent. This has first of all a very concrete meaning. Jericho, where the last part of Jesus' pilgrimage began, is 250 metres below sea-level, whereas Jerusalem the destination is located at 740 to 780 metres above sea level: a climb of almost 1,000 metres. But this external route is above all an image of the internal movement of existence that occurs in the following of Christ: it is an ascent to the true heights of being human. Man can choose an easy path and avoid every effort. He can also sink to the low and the vulgar. He can flounder in the swamps of falsehood and dishonesty. Jesus walks before us and towards the heights. He leads us to what is great, pure. He leads us to that healthy air of the heights: to life in accordance with the truth; to courage that does not let itself be intimidated by the gossip of prevalent opinions; to patience that bears with and sustains the other. He guides people to be open towards the suffering, to those who are neglected. He leads us to stand loyally by the other, even when the situation becomes difficult. He leads us to the readiness to give help; to the goodness that does not let itself be disarmed, even by ingratitude. He leads us to love; he leads us to God.

. . . Jesus knows that his way goes further: the Cross will not be his end. He knows that his journey will rend the veil between this world and God's world; that he will ascend to the throne of God and reconcile God and man in his Body . . .  

. . . Since the way to true life, to being people in conformity with the model of the Son of God Jesus Christ, surpasses our own strength, this journey always means being carried. We find ourselves, so to speak, roped to Jesus Christ together with him on the ascent towards God's heights. He pulls and supports us. It is part of following Christ that we allow ourselves to be roped together; that we acknowledge we cannot do it alone. This act of humility, entering into the 'we' of the Church is part of it; holding tight to the rope, the responsibility of communion not breaking the rope through stubbornness or self-importance. Humbly believing, with the Church, like being a roped-party on the ascent towards God, is an essential condition for the following of Christ. This being roped together also entails not behaving as masters of the Word of God, not running after a mistaken idea of emancipation. The humility of 'being with' is essential for the ascent . . . 

Blessed Pier Giorgio mountain climbing in 1924 

[Wikipedia]

We find ourselves, so to speak, roped to Jesus Christ together with him on the ascent towards God's heights.

. . . Let us sum up: the following of Christ requires, as a first step, a reawakening of the desire to be authentic human beings and thus the reawakening of oneself for God. It then requires us to join the climbing party, in the communion of the Church. In the 'we' of the Church we enter into communion with the 'you' of Jesus Christ and thus reach the path to God. We are also asked to listen to the Word of Jesus Christ and to live it: in faith, hope and love. Thus we are on the way toward the definitive Jerusalem and, from this moment, in a certain way, we already find ourselves there, in the communion of all God's Saints.

Our pilgrimage following Christ is not therefore bound for an earthly city, but for the new City of God that develops in the midst of this world . . . 

Pope Benedict XVI, 2013

[Wikipedia; photo]

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

by Bishop David M. O'Connell CM of Trenton, New Jersey

Verso l'alto - To the heights

Humbly believing, with the Church, like being a roped-party on the ascent towards God, is an essential condition for the following of Christ. This being roped together also entails not behaving as masters of the Word of God, not running after a mistaken idea of emancipation. The humility of 'being with' is essential for the ascent . . . 

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1910 - 1925) is one of the patron saints of World Youth Day.

Blessed Pier Giorgio, patron of young adults, man of the beatitudes, pray for us.

Traditional Latin Mass

Palm Sunday

The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 4-10-2022 if necessary).

Gospel for Blessing of Palms: Matthew 21:1-9 

Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11.  Gospel: Matthew 26:36 - 27:60.

Christ Carrying the Cross

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

Deaths of Two More Columban Priests

Please pray for the repose of the souls of Fr Aodh O’Halpin and Fr Daniel O’Gorman who died last weekend.

I have posted about them here.

.

Deaths of Two More Columban Priests

 

Fr Aodh Eamonn O'Halpin

31 January 1934 - 2 April 2022

Please pray for the soul of Fr Aodh Eamonn O'Halpin who died peacefully in our nursing home here in Ireland last Saturday, 2 April. He spent the early years of his missionary priesthood in Mindanao, Philippines, and later worked in Ireland before spending many years on mission in Britain.

The name 'Aodh', an old Irish name sometimes used as an equivalent for 'Hugh', is pronounced like the letter 'A' in the English alphabet.

Father Aodh's obituary is on the website of the Columbans in Ireland here.

The Deer's Cry (St Patrick's Breastplate)

Sung by Rita Connolly

In his will Father Aodh asked that this be played at his funeral.

Fr Daniel O'Gorman

4 March 1932 - 3 April 2022

Father Dan worked for many years in Korea, arriving there in 1957 when it was still devastated after the Korean War. In his latter years in Ireland he was of great help to Columbans who were sick until he himself moved into our nursing home in 2014.

His obituary is on our Irish website here.

Solas na bhFlaitheas ar an mbeirt seo sagart misinéireachta dílis.

The Light of Heaven on these two faithful missionary priests.

Crucifix, St Columban's Cemetery, Dalgan Park, Ireland