The Descent from the Cross is a panel painting by the Flemish artist Rogier van der Weyden created c. 1435, now in the Museo del Prado, Madrid.
Archive | March, 2013
their cross and His cross
29 Mar
Jesus never gave up.
And he doesn’t give up on us.
Jesus always did the will of the Father.
And it is the will of the Father we will all be saved.
During this Holy Week I have carried with me in my pocket a small wooden cross. It has reminded me of the cross that my Palestinian friends in Beit Jala (Bethlehem) carry every day. I wanted to carry their cross with me this week, and, during the veneration of the cross on Good Friday, to touch it to the cross at church.
Today I touched that cross – their cross – to the cross of Jesus, and I held that cross – their cross – in my hands all during the time during which all the others came to the sanctuary to venerate the cross. I asked Jesus to either take the cross of occupation off their backs or to let them know in their arms and legs, in their minds and hearts that he was carrying it with them.
I haven’t decided yet whether I will hide that little cross in the Easter lilies on Sunday or give it to the Catholic parish priest in Beit Jala when I see him in June.
we help to carry it as Simon of Cyrene did
29 Mar
Way of the Cross at the Coliseum, Stations of the Cross led by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, on Good Friday: The Passion of the Lord Meditations by Lebanese young people under the guidance of His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï.
[Whenever I pray the 5th station, I think of our suffering brother and sister Palestinians in Beit Jala. I like to think that, in some small way that might help them to keep hope, we help them carry their cross.]
V Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 23:26
As they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the Cross, to carry it behind Jesus.
Jesus’ meeting with Simon of Cyrene took place in silence, providing us with a lesson for our lives: God does not want suffering and he does not accept evil. The same is true of the human being. But suffering, accepted in faith, is transformed into a path of salvation. Then we accept it as Jesus did, and we help to carry it as Simon of Cyrene did.
Lord Jesus,
you have involved man in the carrying of your Cross.
You have invited us to share your sufferings.
Simon of Cyrene is like us
and he teaches us to accept the Cross
that we encounter on the paths of life.
Following your example, Lord,
we too carry the Cross
of suffering and illness today,
but we accept it because you are with us.
It can nail us to our chair,
but it cannot prevent us from dreaming;
it can obscure our vision,
but it cannot touch our conscience;
it can deafen our ears,
but it cannot prevent us from listening;
it can bind our tongue
but it cannot suppress our thirst for truth;
it can weigh down our spirit,
but it cannot rob us of our freedom.
Lord,
we want to be your disciples
so as to carry your Cross every day;
we will carry it with joy and hope
because you are carrying it with us,
because you have triumphed over death for us.
We give you thanks, Lord,
for every sick or ailing person
who knows how to bear witness to your love,
and for every “Simon of Cyrene”
whom you place on our journey.
Amen.
Good News for Good Friday
29 Mar
Good Friday
at St. Andrew
Morning Prayer: 8:00 am (in Church Hall)
Way of the Cross: 12 noon
Good Friday Liturgy: 1:30 pm
Night Prayer: 10:00 pm (in Church Hall)
We adore your Cross, O Lord,
we praise and glorify your holy Resurrection,
for behold, because of the wood of a tree
joy has come to the whole world.
“I am at your service”
28 Mar
During the evening Mass at a prison for minors in Rome, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young people of different nationalities and faiths, including at least two Muslims and two women, who are housed at the juvenile detention facility.
“I am at your service,” the pope said.
The pope greeted the residents with hugs and gave each of the young detainees a large chocolate egg and a traditional Italian Easter cake shaped like a dove.
The detainees, who range in age from 14 to 21, then gave the pope a wooden crucifix and kneeler they made in the detention center’s woodshop.
“Shadow” Stations by 7th grade at SASEAS School
28 Mar
The Fifth Station: Simon Helps to Carry the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Jesus, as you grow weaker, the soldiers grow impatient. They worry this execution will take too long. They grab a random man from the crowd, Simon, traveling from Cyrene for the Passover festival. Simon does not want to help – he does not want to become involved, but the soldiers force him to help you carry your cross. Simon’s strong hands somewhat lighten the heavy load for you, dear Jesus.
How many times has God placed an opportunity to help someone else in my path and I ignored it? I walked past another student whose books are scattered in the stairwell. I failed to share my lunch with a student who forgot his. I ignore papers or trash I’ve left on the floor, expecting someone on clean-up duty to pick it up. I dash to the bus and don’t bother to hold the door for someone behind me. At home, I ignore the basket of clean laundry as I head upstairs. I make myself scarce when it’s time to carry in groceries or set the dinner table. I ignore the needs of my younger siblings.
Let us pray: Lord, help me notice the needs of those around me. Help me to do more than just stand there and watch. Help me to see the needs of others as opportunities to show my love for you; that in loving others, I will surely find you.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
“my brother Andrew”
24 Mar
After he was greeted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, Pope Francis thanked him for his remarks, referring to him as “my brother Andrew.”
This was significant because Andrew is the patron saint of Constantinople and Peter is the patron saint of Rome; the two represent two ancient churches who are trying to retrieve the fraternal relationship that the two brother apostles had. Andrew and Peter were brothers. Andrew is the “first one to be called” and Peter is the “first one among the apostles”.
Historically, this was most probably the first time ever that an ecumenical patriarch was present at the inaugural Mass of a pope.
Locally, this is a reference to “my” Andrew, “our” Andrew, St. Andrew, the patron of my parish, our parish.
Pope Francis @Ponitfex on Twitter three times since election
23 Mar
Pope Francis @Pontifex
17 March
Dear friends, I thank you from my heart and I ask you to continue to pray for me. Pope Francis.
Pope Francis @ Pontifex
19 March
Let us keep a place for Christ in our lives, let us care for one another and let us be loving custodians of creation.
Pope Francis @ Pontifex
19 March
True power is service. The Pope must serve all people, especially the poor, the weak, the vulnerable.
Holy Week at Busted Halo and at St. Andrew
23 Mar
Holy Week
at St. Andrew
Holy Thursday, March 28
Mass of Our Lord’s Supper: 7:30 pm
Night Prayer: 10:00 pm
Good Friday, March 29
Morning Prayer: 8:00 am
Way of the Cross: 12 noon
Good Friday Liturgy: 1:30 pm
Night Prayer: 10:00 pm
Holy Saturday, March 30
Morning Prayer: 8:00 am
Easter Vigil Mass: 8:30 pm
Easter Sunday, March 31
8:00 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:30 pm
We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection,
through whom we are saved and delivered.
The Lord is truly risen, alleluia.
To him be glory and power
for all the ages of eternity, alleluia, alleluia.
With Open Doors 