Dear Parishioners:
Happy Easter!
We welcome all who come to St. Timothy for the Solemn Celebration of Easter. This glorious Feast is the very heart of our Catholic Faith. God has said a definitive YES to the human race in the action of raising Jesus from the dead. The Word made flesh lived our whole life, embracing even death, death on a Cross. This means that God Himself has not only created our life, but in the Person of Jesus Christ, He has lived it Himself. The value of human life is beyond price.
Even as we experience the Joy of Easter, a joy that can never be taken away, we must acknowledge at the same time that we are living the full Paschal Mystery, with death and suffering still present in our world for so many. Our knowledge of Christ can free us to address the problems and concerns of the world with the hope of making a real difference. We gather every weekend – and even daily – for Mass in order to hear the Word of God and to experience the touch of Sacramental grace in the Eucharist, so that we may have the strength to meet the problems that we encounter. There is no substitute for the Mass.
We are grateful to have so many present to enjoy the beauty of the Easter Liturgy and to praise God for what He has done for us in raising Jesus from the dead. It is truly a gift to have a full church as a witness to the power of God to gather His People. We encourage all who are “guests” today to come to the realization that you are invited to become “hosts” as well, joining us every Sunday in the celebration that acknowledges Easter as true for us throughout the year.
In this year of our 50th Jubilee, all who have been part of our history are invited to return for a visit if you live far away or to renew practice of the Faith we have shared with you if you are still in the neighborhood. Bishop Campbell will open our Jubilee with a special Mass November 26, 2011. Join us and keep in touch to hear about other events as we celebrate the Parish Golden Jubilee 2011-2012, and the School’s Jubilee 2013-2014.
The Year of Prayer:
Note that the Year of Prayer for St. Timothy Church has been observed since Divine Mercy Sunday last year and continues until Divine Mercy Sunday this year. All are invited to participate in the conclusion of the Year of Prayer with the Divine Mercy Devotion that will take place at St. Timothy Church next Sunday at 2 p.m.
Prayer of St. Faustina before the Eucharist
I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I adore You for all the works of Your hands, that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness and mercy, O Lord. You have spread so much beauty over the earth and it tells me about Your beauty, even though these beautiful things are but a faint reflection of You, incomprehensible Beauty. And although You have hidden Yourself and concealed Your beauty, my eye, enlightened by faith, reaches You and my soul recognizes its Creator, its Highest Good, and my heart is completely immersed in prayer of adoration.
My Lord and Creator, Your goodness encourages me to converse with You. Your mercy abolishes the chasm which separates the Creator from the creature. To converse with You, O Lord, is the delight of my heart. In You I find everything that my heart could desire. Here You light illumines my mind, enabling it to know You more and more deeply. Here streams of graces flow down upon my heart. Here my soul draws eternal life. O my Lord and Creator, You alone, beyond all these gifts, give Your own self to me and unite Yourself intimately with Your miserable creature.
O Christ, let my greatest delight be to see You loved and Your praise and glory proclaimed, especially the honor of Your mercy. O Christ, let me glorify Your goodness and mercy to the last moment of my life, with every drop of my blood and every beat of my heart. Would that I be transformed into a hymn of adoration of You. When I find myself on my deathbed, may the last beat of my heart be a loving hymn glorifying Your unfathomable mercy. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“For this reason I am sending you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord; he will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach them everywhere in every church.” (I Corinthians 4:17) “If Timothy comes, see that he is without fear in your company, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am. Therefore no one should disdain him. Rather, send him on his way in peace that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.” (I Corinthians 16:10-11)
From other texts, we know that Timothy was a younger companion of St. Paul. He has a special relationship with the Apostle and is a trusted co-worker in the Lord’s vineyard. From these texts in the First Letter to the Corinthians, we can also infer that Paul not only trusted Timothy at his side, but he felt he could entrust Timothy with special missions Paul’s call to the Corinthians was to treat Timothy as his own messenger and to cooperate with him in the common work of preaching the Gospel. Paul recognized that he could not do all that was asked of him; he shared the responsibility with a member of the next generation and created a sense of community among the workers in the vineyard.
This challenge of sharing the work and of receiving those who are sent in the name of the Church to be collaborators in our common task of evangelizing continues in our time. In our Parish, we can be grateful for all the “elders” who have worked so faithfully among us since our earliest days. We also note that the next several generations are being invited to assist in the labors and all are called to be welcoming and cooperative. May we find the Peace that comes from knowing that the Lord has called us together as brothers and sisters.
Reflections on the Liturgy: A new English translation for the Prayers of the Mass
As you have heard, the Catholic Church will begin using a new translation of the Liturgy in English beginning with Advent 2011. This means that the congregation and the clergy both will be learning new forms for expression of the Faith in the vernacular. For example, the People’s response to the greeting “The Lord be with you” will become “And with your spirit.” A number of other changes will be seen in the People’s parts of the Mass as well as in the prayers recited by the ministers.
Two primary reasons dictate this new translation. The new English version will be more faithful to the Latin original and will be sure that nothing is left out. Over the years, it has been acknowledged that the nuances of English have missed some important elements that are to be found in the Latin texts and the new translation will be an effort to bring those back into common awareness. Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, the new English translation will allow all to see more clearly that our Liturgical texts find their source and inspiration in Sacred Scripture. The words we say are derived often directly from specific Scriptural texts. The current translation has often obscured this origin by having a different sound and meaning from the texts of Sacred Scripture. The Catholic Church is the Biblical Church. Our Mass and all our Liturgies were the source of and the fruit of Scripture. The Mass texts will assist us to understand this wonderful truth.
All are invited to learn the new form and to deepen awareness of the Liturgy of the Church. Lex orandi, lex credendi – how we pray is how we believe.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor April 17
Dear Parishioners:
Our journey through Lent is coming to its close. With Palm Sunday, we now enter into the “High Holy Days” of our Catholic Faith. The central Liturgy of the Catholic Church crosses over four days, from Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday. The Triduum – counted as three days in the ancient Jewish way, from evening to evening – offers one great Liturgy that leads us deep into the Paschal Mystery.
At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening, we celebrate the Gift of Priesthood, the Call to Serve and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Good Friday recalls the Passion of the Lord. Holy Saturday reminds us of the time of darkness before the dawn of Resurrection. The Solemn Easter Vigil carries us through the night to the new day of Eternal Life.
Our RCIA participants stand before us as a reminder of the truth and power of our Catholic Faith, entering into the life of grace through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Let us pray with them and for them as they join us for the first time at the Altar.
On Tuesday evening, the Diocese of Columbus also experiences the Chrism Mass, which is properly the Mass of Holy Thursday morning. At this Mass, the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils that will be used for the celebration of the Sacraments throughout the coming year. The Bishop and Priests of the Diocese also renew the promises of their ordination and ask for the prayer of the priestly people. If you have never had an opportunity to participate in this Mass, you are encouraged to do so, at St. Joseph Cathedral on April 19 at 6 p.m.
Let the Liturgical events of Holy Week and the Triduum enter into your awareness, whether you are able to attend or not. Easter is the most important expression of our Faith. Don’t miss it!
The Year of Prayer: Prayer Recalling the Passion & Resurrection of the Lord
Dear Lord Jesus, by Your Passion and Resurrection You brought life to the world. But the glory of the Resurrection came only after the sufferings of the Passion. You laid down Your life willingly and gave up everything for us. Your body was broken and fastened to a Cross, Your clothing became the prize of soldiers, your blood ebbed slowly but surely away, and Your Mother was entrusted to the beloved disciple. Stretched out on the Cross, deprived of all earthly possessions and human aid, You cried out to Your Father that the end had come. You had accomplished the work given You, and You committed into His hands, as a perfect gift, the little life that remained to You. Lord, teach me to accept all afflictions after the example You have given. Let me place my death in Yours and my weakness in Your abandonment, Take hold of me with Your love, that same foolish love that knew no limits, and let me offer myself to the Father with You so that I may rise with You to eternal life.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my
relatives.” (Romans 16:21)
St. Paul gives credit where it is due and he does all he can to keep folks connected. This short greeting from the Letter to the Romans shows Paul’s interest in ensuring that the Gospel is understood as “a family affair.” Our Timothy is among those named as offering greetings and some of Paul’s own blood relatives are included as well. It is not certain whether any of these were already known to the Roman community or whether this note serves as an introduction. Paul himself had not yet been to Rome, though he had met a number of those who were from Italy in his travels through Greece.
The Gospel does not belong to individuals. It is always a communal reality. When a community hears and proclaims the Good News in words and in shared actions, including worship, the Gospel takes root. Families become larger by their opening to the others and drawing them in. The greetings offered are not superficial. They are a heart-felt welcome into the awareness of a mutual belonging. We are called to live this way.
Reflections on the Liturgy: NICENE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
One change that occurs in the first section of the Nicene Creed is the return to the singular form for the translation of the word Credo, “I believe.” It is important to note that this is not meant to be a change in the meaning of the recitation of the Creed as a communal act of Faith. Rather, it is a direct translation of the word as it appears in Latin (Credo) and in the Greek original (Πιστεύω Pisteuo). The Church stands together as the One Body of Christ, united in the Act of Profession of Faith. Each unique person’s “I believe” is one with the voice of the One Bride of Christ, who says “I believe.” It is interesting to note that this unity is emphasized in the Churches of the East where the Sign of Peace is given by the clergy during the Creed: One Church, One Faith.
The decision to change “seen and unseen” to “visible and invisible” is perhaps an effort to stay close to the Latin text, since the words used have cognates in English. This particular article of the Creed is Scriptural: “For in him all things were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible.” (Colossians 1:16) The primary meaning of this is the fact that God is Creator of all that exists. The material and spiritual worlds are from one source, the All Good and Loving Creator.
Our journey through Lent is coming to its close. With Palm Sunday, we now enter into the “High Holy Days” of our Catholic Faith. The central Liturgy of the Catholic Church crosses over four days, from Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday. The Triduum – counted as three days in the ancient Jewish way, from evening to evening – offers one great Liturgy that leads us deep into the Paschal Mystery.
At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening, we celebrate the Gift of Priesthood, the Call to Serve and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Good Friday recalls the Passion of the Lord. Holy Saturday reminds us of the time of darkness before the dawn of Resurrection. The Solemn Easter Vigil carries us through the night to the new day of Eternal Life.
Our RCIA participants stand before us as a reminder of the truth and power of our Catholic Faith, entering into the life of grace through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Let us pray with them and for them as they join us for the first time at the Altar.
On Tuesday evening, the Diocese of Columbus also experiences the Chrism Mass, which is properly the Mass of Holy Thursday morning. At this Mass, the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils that will be used for the celebration of the Sacraments throughout the coming year. The Bishop and Priests of the Diocese also renew the promises of their ordination and ask for the prayer of the priestly people. If you have never had an opportunity to participate in this Mass, you are encouraged to do so, at St. Joseph Cathedral on April 19 at 6 p.m.
Let the Liturgical events of Holy Week and the Triduum enter into your awareness, whether you are able to attend or not. Easter is the most important expression of our Faith. Don’t miss it!
The Year of Prayer: Prayer Recalling the Passion & Resurrection of the Lord
Dear Lord Jesus, by Your Passion and Resurrection You brought life to the world. But the glory of the Resurrection came only after the sufferings of the Passion. You laid down Your life willingly and gave up everything for us. Your body was broken and fastened to a Cross, Your clothing became the prize of soldiers, your blood ebbed slowly but surely away, and Your Mother was entrusted to the beloved disciple. Stretched out on the Cross, deprived of all earthly possessions and human aid, You cried out to Your Father that the end had come. You had accomplished the work given You, and You committed into His hands, as a perfect gift, the little life that remained to You. Lord, teach me to accept all afflictions after the example You have given. Let me place my death in Yours and my weakness in Your abandonment, Take hold of me with Your love, that same foolish love that knew no limits, and let me offer myself to the Father with You so that I may rise with You to eternal life.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my
relatives.” (Romans 16:21)
St. Paul gives credit where it is due and he does all he can to keep folks connected. This short greeting from the Letter to the Romans shows Paul’s interest in ensuring that the Gospel is understood as “a family affair.” Our Timothy is among those named as offering greetings and some of Paul’s own blood relatives are included as well. It is not certain whether any of these were already known to the Roman community or whether this note serves as an introduction. Paul himself had not yet been to Rome, though he had met a number of those who were from Italy in his travels through Greece.
The Gospel does not belong to individuals. It is always a communal reality. When a community hears and proclaims the Good News in words and in shared actions, including worship, the Gospel takes root. Families become larger by their opening to the others and drawing them in. The greetings offered are not superficial. They are a heart-felt welcome into the awareness of a mutual belonging. We are called to live this way.
Reflections on the Liturgy: NICENE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
One change that occurs in the first section of the Nicene Creed is the return to the singular form for the translation of the word Credo, “I believe.” It is important to note that this is not meant to be a change in the meaning of the recitation of the Creed as a communal act of Faith. Rather, it is a direct translation of the word as it appears in Latin (Credo) and in the Greek original (Πιστεύω Pisteuo). The Church stands together as the One Body of Christ, united in the Act of Profession of Faith. Each unique person’s “I believe” is one with the voice of the One Bride of Christ, who says “I believe.” It is interesting to note that this unity is emphasized in the Churches of the East where the Sign of Peace is given by the clergy during the Creed: One Church, One Faith.
The decision to change “seen and unseen” to “visible and invisible” is perhaps an effort to stay close to the Latin text, since the words used have cognates in English. This particular article of the Creed is Scriptural: “For in him all things were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible.” (Colossians 1:16) The primary meaning of this is the fact that God is Creator of all that exists. The material and spiritual worlds are from one source, the All Good and Loving Creator.
Monday, April 11, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor April 10
Dear Parishioners:
Thirst, Light, and Life are the themes found in the heart of Lent with the Scriptures of the Samaritan Woman, the Man Born Blind, and the Raising of Lazarus. Our RCIA participants experience Scrutinies based on these themes, inviting them and all of us to reflect upon our deepest aspirations, our need for enlightenment and our hope of Eternal Life.
When we look at our lives with these in mind, we find that the world’s concerns are put in their proper perspective. What happens to us is not as important as how we respond to it. When our response comes from the deepest part of ourselves, we open up a place for growth in Faith, Hope and Love. We come to know God and ourselves better, and we are in touch with Reality instead of a world of our own creation. Imagination is given a capacity to be silent in the face of the Promises God makes to us in Jesus: Springs of Grace, True Understanding and a Capacity to Worship in Spirit and in Truth, and Resurrection into a Living Relationship with the Trinity.
The world is in need of witnesses, true examples of the power of Faith to transform and to shape us in the image of God. We must be witnesses if we are true to our identity as God’s People. Are you aware of the promise of God in your own life? Have you really given yourself over to the grace that is offered? Now is the time to search your heart, to scrutinize your spirit in order to discover where God is working in your soul. The Spirit has been sent into our hearts and is awaiting our welcome.
The Year of Prayer: An Act of Consecration in the Universal Call to Holiness
O Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Master, my Love,
I give myself entirely to You this day
in and act of offering to consecrate myself
—all that I am, all that You have given me—
in union with Your Sacrifice of the Cross.
Lord Jesus, I offer myself for the salvation of souls
and the consecration of all the world in Your holiness.
Accept me as a living victim of Your Lord,
so that Your Church may be transformed in Your holiness
to be a sign of salvation for all the world.
Master, I offer myself for Your Vicar on earth,
for all bishops, priests, deacons, religious
and for all Your faithful people,
so that we all may have hearts made only for Your Love.
As a member of Your Mystical Body,
grant that I may participate in Your Eucharistic Sacrifice
with even greater love and reverence.
Take me, Lord Jesus, and with me Your Church
and all the world in Your Love
to Your Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit,
now and forever. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“As Paul was about to set sail [from Greece] for Syria, he decided to return by way of Macedonia. Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, from Beroea, accompanied him, as did Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.” (Acts 20:3-4)
St. Timothy knew how to be with St. Paul in a small group. He also knew how to take his place in a crowd. No doubt Paul relied on him for many things. The diversity of types that were gathered together as followers of Christ were a sign of the universality of the message, the Good News of the Gospel. Flexibility of plans and a willingness to change when the need arose was also a sign of docility to the Spirit and to a concrete realism concerning human nature. Paul and Timothy sought to follow the Spirit’s lead and they acknowledged limitations.
We are all called to make room for people who act and think differently than we do. In seeking to do God’s will, we must be open to all the possible roads that lead where we want to go. The contributions of each soul are to be valued and we must learn how to cooperated with differing opinions and manners of operation.
Reflections on the Liturgy: AT THE GOSPEL
Deacon (or Priest): The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Deacon (or Priest): A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
The People’s parts for the dialogue before the Gospel have minor changes: “And also with you” becomes “And with your spirit” as has already been discussed.
The response to the announcement of the Gospel has just the addition of the “O” before “Lord.” This change, interestingly enough, does not have a correspondence in the Latin. The Latin expression translated here is Gloria tibi, Domine. The word Domine is in the Vocative, that is, direct address. In English, this form does not often have any difference from the Subject form (Nominative), so the “O” is added to emphasize that it is speaking formally to God. It is true that we don’t tend to make use of the “O” in ordinary conversation, but we do find it in poetry and in expressions that are meant to be lofty and emphatic.
St. Timothy Debt Elimination – a real possibility!
A Challenge Donation for up to $50,000 toward repayment of the Parish Building Loan has been offered as an incentive to retire the parish debt. Our current debt is down to about $170,000. If we can reach donations or new pledges to meet the challenge donation, we will be well on our way to completing the Campaign for St. Timothy….
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our Golden Jubilee could also be a celebration of the “burning of the mortgage” in the life of St. Timothy Parish? There would be dancing on the tables!
Looking ahead to May and the Bishop’s Annual Appeal
Thirst, Light, and Life are the themes found in the heart of Lent with the Scriptures of the Samaritan Woman, the Man Born Blind, and the Raising of Lazarus. Our RCIA participants experience Scrutinies based on these themes, inviting them and all of us to reflect upon our deepest aspirations, our need for enlightenment and our hope of Eternal Life.
When we look at our lives with these in mind, we find that the world’s concerns are put in their proper perspective. What happens to us is not as important as how we respond to it. When our response comes from the deepest part of ourselves, we open up a place for growth in Faith, Hope and Love. We come to know God and ourselves better, and we are in touch with Reality instead of a world of our own creation. Imagination is given a capacity to be silent in the face of the Promises God makes to us in Jesus: Springs of Grace, True Understanding and a Capacity to Worship in Spirit and in Truth, and Resurrection into a Living Relationship with the Trinity.
The world is in need of witnesses, true examples of the power of Faith to transform and to shape us in the image of God. We must be witnesses if we are true to our identity as God’s People. Are you aware of the promise of God in your own life? Have you really given yourself over to the grace that is offered? Now is the time to search your heart, to scrutinize your spirit in order to discover where God is working in your soul. The Spirit has been sent into our hearts and is awaiting our welcome.
The Year of Prayer: An Act of Consecration in the Universal Call to Holiness
O Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Master, my Love,
I give myself entirely to You this day
in and act of offering to consecrate myself
—all that I am, all that You have given me—
in union with Your Sacrifice of the Cross.
Lord Jesus, I offer myself for the salvation of souls
and the consecration of all the world in Your holiness.
Accept me as a living victim of Your Lord,
so that Your Church may be transformed in Your holiness
to be a sign of salvation for all the world.
Master, I offer myself for Your Vicar on earth,
for all bishops, priests, deacons, religious
and for all Your faithful people,
so that we all may have hearts made only for Your Love.
As a member of Your Mystical Body,
grant that I may participate in Your Eucharistic Sacrifice
with even greater love and reverence.
Take me, Lord Jesus, and with me Your Church
and all the world in Your Love
to Your Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit,
now and forever. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“As Paul was about to set sail [from Greece] for Syria, he decided to return by way of Macedonia. Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, from Beroea, accompanied him, as did Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.” (Acts 20:3-4)
St. Timothy knew how to be with St. Paul in a small group. He also knew how to take his place in a crowd. No doubt Paul relied on him for many things. The diversity of types that were gathered together as followers of Christ were a sign of the universality of the message, the Good News of the Gospel. Flexibility of plans and a willingness to change when the need arose was also a sign of docility to the Spirit and to a concrete realism concerning human nature. Paul and Timothy sought to follow the Spirit’s lead and they acknowledged limitations.
We are all called to make room for people who act and think differently than we do. In seeking to do God’s will, we must be open to all the possible roads that lead where we want to go. The contributions of each soul are to be valued and we must learn how to cooperated with differing opinions and manners of operation.
Reflections on the Liturgy: AT THE GOSPEL
Deacon (or Priest): The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Deacon (or Priest): A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
The People’s parts for the dialogue before the Gospel have minor changes: “And also with you” becomes “And with your spirit” as has already been discussed.
The response to the announcement of the Gospel has just the addition of the “O” before “Lord.” This change, interestingly enough, does not have a correspondence in the Latin. The Latin expression translated here is Gloria tibi, Domine. The word Domine is in the Vocative, that is, direct address. In English, this form does not often have any difference from the Subject form (Nominative), so the “O” is added to emphasize that it is speaking formally to God. It is true that we don’t tend to make use of the “O” in ordinary conversation, but we do find it in poetry and in expressions that are meant to be lofty and emphatic.
St. Timothy Debt Elimination – a real possibility!
A Challenge Donation for up to $50,000 toward repayment of the Parish Building Loan has been offered as an incentive to retire the parish debt. Our current debt is down to about $170,000. If we can reach donations or new pledges to meet the challenge donation, we will be well on our way to completing the Campaign for St. Timothy….
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our Golden Jubilee could also be a celebration of the “burning of the mortgage” in the life of St. Timothy Parish? There would be dancing on the tables!
Looking ahead to May and the Bishop’s Annual Appeal
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor April 3
Dear Parishioners:
The Gospel of the Man Born Blind offers the themes of light and darkness, sight and blindness, seeing and not seeing, to our spiritual understanding this weekend. We are invited to acknowledge that the world around us is not always as it seems and that the answers to our questions must come from a level different from that in which the problems arise. “Whose sin caused this?” is the wrong question. Fault and Blame are a pastime in which we often indulge, but it never succeeds in offering true peace.
The next time you are in an argument, try this on for size: “You get to be right this time” or “It’s my turn to be wrong.” Then what happens? Do you not find that you can go deeper once that disagreement is out of the way? “This happened so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” Forget that question, now watch this!
Someone should do a screenplay with this Gospel tale. It is truly funny when you get into the movement of things. The Man Born Blind is the only one who can see. Everyone else around him lacks insight into the way things really are. The people who saw him as the blind beggar every day are not sure it is the same man when he is able to see. His own parents won’t acknowledge more than that he is their son and they distance themselves from all the hubbub surrounding him. The religious leaders miss entirely the import of the miracle of his sight, and so, although they claim to see, they remain blind to Who Jesus IS.
We are called, in our time, to open our own eyes to the truth of things. Can we recognize and acknowledge that we are in need of Salvation? God alone is God. Only God can save. Jesus is the Word of Salvation, spoken in our very nature. Hearing that Word, we can open our eyes and our blindness is healed. What are you called to see?
As you know, we are now in the final months of preparation needed before our Parish Golden Jubilee. The first event has been set, with a special opening Mass to be celebrated by Bishop Frederick Campbell on November 26, 2011. (St. Timothy Parish was officially established November 29, 1961.) Plans for that evening will include Mass, a meal, and a presentation by one who knew our first Pastor, Fr. “Gus” Winkler. We also want to allow the year to unfold with other celebrations and events. Leadership is needed. If you are reading this, decide to be a part of something and bring ideas to your next group meeting. Be sure that it is on your agenda before summer arrives.
The Year of Prayer: Prayer for Guidance
O Holy Spirit of God, take me as Your disciple:
guide me, illuminate me, sanctify me.
Bind my hands that they may do no evil;
cover my eyes that they may see it no more;
sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell within me.
Be my God; be my guide.
Wherever You lead me, I will go;
whatever You forbid me, I will renounce;
and whatever You command me,
in Your strength, I will do.
Lead me, then, into the fullness of Your Truth. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Then Paul sent to Macedonia two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, while he himself stayed for a while in the province of Asia.” (Acts 19:22)
Putting trust in one’s co-workers is a sign of confidence that a vision is shared. St. Paul puts his trust in Timothy and Erastus and sends them ahead of him while he wraps up some business in Asia. They have successfully preached Jesus to a group of followers of John the Baptist, imparting the Holy Spirit to them. Trouble has begun to be stirred up by non-believers in the synagogue and by pagans worshiping the goddess Artemis. Paul makes his proclamation of the Gospel in the context of all this controversy. When it becomes clear that he has done all that he is able to do for the moment, he goes on to join the others in Macedonia. It is ironic to realize that our Timothy will return to Ephesus one day as its bishop. The troubles faced by Paul at this moment will not settle, and in fact, it will be in the effort to preach to the same hostility that Timothy will be martyred.
Who are the members of your circle of trust in matters of Faith? Do you share the tales of your struggles with others? Whose witness in the face of difficulties has enabled you to continue to proclaim the Faith in spite of obstacles?
Reflections on the Liturgy: GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you,
we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Gloria has a few changes that come from the original text in Latin. As before, a number of these texts now relate more clearly to their source in Sacred Scripture. We are all familiar with the song of the Angelic Choir at Bethlehem. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will.” (Lk 2:14). The Vulgate (the Latin Bible) has this: “Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra, pax in hominibus bonae voluntatis.”
There is a lovely movement from the Hymn of Praise sung by the Angels, the Glory given in the highest, to the kind of praise that human beings have to offer. In order to give high praise from earth, we need to express it in multiple ways. “Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te….” – “We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.”
Our current translation opted to simplify, leaving out several expressions and rearranging the order for some unknown reason. There is a “build-up” to the acknowledgement of Who God IS, with the titles “Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.” A three-fold expression is repeated using “glory” and addressing God as Lord and King and Father.
Similarly Jesus is addressed with distinct titles as Lord and Christ, Only-Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God and Son of the Father. The cry for mercy is restored to its three-fold pattern as in the Penitential Rite. Here the role of Jesus as God’s Lamb is brought out in great relief. This also comes from Scripture: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
Parts that are not changed have Scriptural references that have not been obscured: Holy One -- “For you alone are holy” (Rev 15:4) and Most High - “Let them know that you alone, you whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:19)
We praise God with the highest praise, singing to Him in words of Scripture with titles that remind us of His exalted nature. Earth offers the Trinity tokens of praise and glory that draw us into the Communion of Life and Love shared by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. That gives us Pax – Shalom: Peace and Wholeness in a Living Relationship with God as Church.
The Gospel of the Man Born Blind offers the themes of light and darkness, sight and blindness, seeing and not seeing, to our spiritual understanding this weekend. We are invited to acknowledge that the world around us is not always as it seems and that the answers to our questions must come from a level different from that in which the problems arise. “Whose sin caused this?” is the wrong question. Fault and Blame are a pastime in which we often indulge, but it never succeeds in offering true peace.
The next time you are in an argument, try this on for size: “You get to be right this time” or “It’s my turn to be wrong.” Then what happens? Do you not find that you can go deeper once that disagreement is out of the way? “This happened so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” Forget that question, now watch this!
Someone should do a screenplay with this Gospel tale. It is truly funny when you get into the movement of things. The Man Born Blind is the only one who can see. Everyone else around him lacks insight into the way things really are. The people who saw him as the blind beggar every day are not sure it is the same man when he is able to see. His own parents won’t acknowledge more than that he is their son and they distance themselves from all the hubbub surrounding him. The religious leaders miss entirely the import of the miracle of his sight, and so, although they claim to see, they remain blind to Who Jesus IS.
We are called, in our time, to open our own eyes to the truth of things. Can we recognize and acknowledge that we are in need of Salvation? God alone is God. Only God can save. Jesus is the Word of Salvation, spoken in our very nature. Hearing that Word, we can open our eyes and our blindness is healed. What are you called to see?
As you know, we are now in the final months of preparation needed before our Parish Golden Jubilee. The first event has been set, with a special opening Mass to be celebrated by Bishop Frederick Campbell on November 26, 2011. (St. Timothy Parish was officially established November 29, 1961.) Plans for that evening will include Mass, a meal, and a presentation by one who knew our first Pastor, Fr. “Gus” Winkler. We also want to allow the year to unfold with other celebrations and events. Leadership is needed. If you are reading this, decide to be a part of something and bring ideas to your next group meeting. Be sure that it is on your agenda before summer arrives.
The Year of Prayer: Prayer for Guidance
O Holy Spirit of God, take me as Your disciple:
guide me, illuminate me, sanctify me.
Bind my hands that they may do no evil;
cover my eyes that they may see it no more;
sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell within me.
Be my God; be my guide.
Wherever You lead me, I will go;
whatever You forbid me, I will renounce;
and whatever You command me,
in Your strength, I will do.
Lead me, then, into the fullness of Your Truth. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Then Paul sent to Macedonia two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, while he himself stayed for a while in the province of Asia.” (Acts 19:22)
Putting trust in one’s co-workers is a sign of confidence that a vision is shared. St. Paul puts his trust in Timothy and Erastus and sends them ahead of him while he wraps up some business in Asia. They have successfully preached Jesus to a group of followers of John the Baptist, imparting the Holy Spirit to them. Trouble has begun to be stirred up by non-believers in the synagogue and by pagans worshiping the goddess Artemis. Paul makes his proclamation of the Gospel in the context of all this controversy. When it becomes clear that he has done all that he is able to do for the moment, he goes on to join the others in Macedonia. It is ironic to realize that our Timothy will return to Ephesus one day as its bishop. The troubles faced by Paul at this moment will not settle, and in fact, it will be in the effort to preach to the same hostility that Timothy will be martyred.
Who are the members of your circle of trust in matters of Faith? Do you share the tales of your struggles with others? Whose witness in the face of difficulties has enabled you to continue to proclaim the Faith in spite of obstacles?
Reflections on the Liturgy: GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you,
we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Gloria has a few changes that come from the original text in Latin. As before, a number of these texts now relate more clearly to their source in Sacred Scripture. We are all familiar with the song of the Angelic Choir at Bethlehem. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will.” (Lk 2:14). The Vulgate (the Latin Bible) has this: “Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra, pax in hominibus bonae voluntatis.”
There is a lovely movement from the Hymn of Praise sung by the Angels, the Glory given in the highest, to the kind of praise that human beings have to offer. In order to give high praise from earth, we need to express it in multiple ways. “Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te….” – “We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.”
Our current translation opted to simplify, leaving out several expressions and rearranging the order for some unknown reason. There is a “build-up” to the acknowledgement of Who God IS, with the titles “Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.” A three-fold expression is repeated using “glory” and addressing God as Lord and King and Father.
Similarly Jesus is addressed with distinct titles as Lord and Christ, Only-Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God and Son of the Father. The cry for mercy is restored to its three-fold pattern as in the Penitential Rite. Here the role of Jesus as God’s Lamb is brought out in great relief. This also comes from Scripture: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
Parts that are not changed have Scriptural references that have not been obscured: Holy One -- “For you alone are holy” (Rev 15:4) and Most High - “Let them know that you alone, you whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:19)
We praise God with the highest praise, singing to Him in words of Scripture with titles that remind us of His exalted nature. Earth offers the Trinity tokens of praise and glory that draw us into the Communion of Life and Love shared by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. That gives us Pax – Shalom: Peace and Wholeness in a Living Relationship with God as Church.
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