Year 1 in the Books

Well, my first year of PhD studies is now over. It has been an interesting and fruitful year. I enjoyed my classes and learned a lot, though I am also thankful for the summer break. Lots of parish stuff to do and get ahead on, and need to prepare for language exams. But overall, a good year. I am looking forward to continuing in the Fall.

Interesting . . .

In 2 Kings 6:1-7, Elisha retrieves an axe head that fell into the water by throwing a stick in the water. What is the significance of this? Irenaeus writes that here we see a picture of the cross, which is the wood that has retrieved what was lost. "By means of a tree we were made debtors to God, [so also] by means of a tree we may obtain the remission of our debt." Interesting . . .

Best Cartoon Ever

I remember watching this cartoon growing up. Too bad they don't make 'em like this anymore.

Update: YouTube removed the cartoon I originally posted, so here's another version . . . with Hebrew subtitles!

Testing Moses?

In the Treasury readings for today, we hear this word of God to Moses: "I have seen this people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you."

What did Moses think of these words? Seems to me they may have sounded mighty tempting. In addition to being set free from this grumbling and complaining people . . . make a great nation of ME. A new patriarch. Greatness, recognition, honor. How often do we strive after and covet these things? I would think Moses would be tempted too.

But how does he respond? With prayer. He intercedes for the people, calling upon the honor of God's name and promises. He strives not after his own greatness, but that God's name be great in all the world. Here he is a type of Christ, who (Philippians 2) did not strive for greatness or equality with God, but made Himself nothing, interceding for us stiff-necked people, so that the wrath of God would not come upon us for our sins.

Lord, help me not think of myself more highly that I ought, but have this mind in myself as well: to serve and pray to the honor and glory of your name alone. Amen.

Another Good Quote

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried. — G. K. Chesterton

HT: Pastor Greg Alms

Good Quote

John XXIII, when confronted by problems, at a certain point famously said, "Sometimes I just kneel down and say, Lord, it’s your Church, I am going to bed".

HT: Father Z.

The day after Easter . . . Holy Week behind . . . 75 degrees and sunny . . . what a great day to golf! After I got some things done this morning, went to the driving range and played nine holes. How good it felt to be out and playing. I played pretty well - only hit one shot I would really call a clunker. Didn't putt too good, but that will come around. I hope I'll play more this year. Maybe get the Peasant son out there playing with me this year . . .

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia!

A blessed Easter to you all!

Must See "TV"

Take some time today and watch this performance of Bach's St. John Passion on YouTube. It is magnificent. It is in 17 parts, but at the end of each part, you can click on the next and it is quite easy to watch it all. You will be glad you did.

If you cannot watch it all, make sure you watch parts 13 and 17. Part 13 is an aria on "It is finished." But right in the middle of such a sad aria, the soloist breaks out in a joyous "The Lion of Judah wins the fight!" That's the theology of the cross right there - our Lord's victory in death! Part 17 is the final part, "Rest well," and the Passion concludes with one of the greatest hymn verses ever written:

Lord, let at last Thine angels come,

To Abram's bosom bear me home,

That I may die unfearing;

And in its narrow chamber keep

My body safe in peaceful sleep

Until Thy reappearing.

And then from death awaken me

That these mine eyes with joy may see,

O Son of God, Thy glorious face,

My Savior and my Fount of grace.

Lord Jesus Christ, My prayer attend, my prayer attend,

And I will praise Thee without end!

(Someone please remind me to sing this on Good Friday next year!)

Are you still here? Go watch!

HT: Matt Harrison

Holy Saturday

A blessed Holy Saturday to all of you. This is one of my favorite days of all the year. We have remembered the love of our Lord shown to us by the cross and anticipate the full-throated joy of Easter tomorrow. Today is peaceful and calm. Crafting the sermon for tomorrow, looking forward to the Vigil tonight, everything sinking in. A very good day indeed.

Note to Telemarketers

If you call my church during Holy Week, I will not buy anything from you, ever.

Great and Holy Friday

Some good pictures of Jesus crucifixion over at Cyberbrethren. God's blessings to you this day as we meditate on our Saviour's great love for us.

Litany of the Blessed Sacrament

P: Lord, have mercy upon us.
R: Christ, have mercy upon us.
P: Lord, have mercy upon us.

P: O Christ, hear us.
R: O Christ, graciously hear us.

P: O God the Father in heaven;
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
O God the Holy Ghost;
O Holy Trinity, one God:
R: Have mercy upon us.

P: O God and Savior, revealed so clearly;
O Jesu, Lamb without spot;
O Jesu, Purest Manna;
O Jesu, Daily Bread;
O Jesu, Word made flesh and dwelling in us;
O Jesu, Sacred Victim;
O Jesu, Bread of Life;
O Jesu, Cup of Blessing;
O Jesu, Mystery of the Faith;
O Jesu, Medicine of Immortality;
O Jesu, Fullness of Divine Love;
O Jesu, Bread made flesh by the power of the Word;
O Jesu, Bond of Charity;
O Jesu, Priest and Victim;
O Jesu, Hope of penitents;
O Jesu, Pledge of glory in the life to come;
R: Have mercy upon us.

P: Be merciful unto us and spare us, good Lord.
R: Be merciful unto us and hear us, good Lord.

P: From unworthy reception of Thy body and blood;
From the lust of the flesh;
From the lust of the eyes;
From the pride of life;
From all occasions to sin;
R: Good Lord, deliver us.

P: By that desire which Thou hadst to eat the Passover with Thy disciples;
By that great love with which Thou didst institute this holy sacrament;
By Thy most sacred body and precious blood which Thou hast left us in the Sacrament of the Altar;
By the wounds which Thou receivedst for us and by Thy death upon the cross:
R: Good Lord, deliver us.

P: We poor sinners beseech Thee:

R: To hear us, O Lord God.

P: That it may please Thee to preserve and increase in us faith, reverence, and devotion towards this wonderful sacrament.
That it may please Thee to bring us by a true confession of our sins to a frequent and worthy use of this holy sacrament;
That it may please Thee to deliver us from all heresy, unbelief, and hardness of heart;
That it may please Thee to grant us the precious fruits of this most holy sacrament;
That it may please Thee to comfort and defend us in the hour of our death that as by faith we now praise Thee, so we may hereafter behold Thee face to face in heaven:
R: We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord.

P: Son of God:
R: We beseech Thee to hear us.

P: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world:

R: Have mercy upon us.
P: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world:

R: Have mercy upon us.
P: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world:

R: Grant us Thy peace. Amen.