Abbey-Roads2

As promised:

My prediction for the release of the motu proprio is this - it will be released on either Good Shepherd Sunday, April 29th, or on the following day, the feast of St. Pius V.

For quite some time I have prayed for the reform of the liturgy.  My experience this past Saturday evening inspired my prayer anew.  I’ve become so accustomed to the Mass at St. Agnes, where Mass is celebrated by the priest facing the altar.  It seems much more conducive to prayerful participation, as opposed to watching the priest while he celebrates facing the people.  At least for me.

When I kneel to receive Communion on the tongue from the priest or deacon, this act of humility and reverence deepens my recollection in the reception of the Sacrament.  I find a deeper appreciation and respect for the priest who acts in persona Christi.  On the other hand, I’m distracted when standing, receiving Communion in the hand, pronouncing my “Amen”, while making eye contact with the extraordinary minister - concerned about particles, moving along so the next person in line may receive.

I’m aware all of these practices are permitted.  My comfort level is no longer there however.

Why does Elizabeth II seem so odd to our contemporary culture?

I think it is because she has always placed duty first and personal happiness second.  Everything we know about Queen Elizabeth, Helen Mirren’s portrayal notwithstanding, demonstrates this dedication.  Her attitude is the antithesis of our egocentric culture.

When she was only 21 years old, she stated in a radio address, “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”  It seems to have set the tone for her life.

Americans have long made fun of her for her simple taste and lack of concern for fashion, yet she determined never to be treated as a celebrity or fashion plate, consistently representing herself as a serious head of state and monarch, never playing to media or popular cult.

In this, many consider her to be rather remote and cold, simply because we do not understand the concept of decorum and dignity pertaining to her station in life, not to mention her obvious devotion to duty.  Prime Minister Harold Macmillan once wrote of her, “the Queen has been absolutely determined all through. She is impatient of the attitude towards her to treat her as… a film star… She has indeed ‘the heart and stomach of a man’… She loves her duty and means to be a Queen.”

I believe her example is a good one for all of us, no matter our station in life, or nationality.  The fulfillment of one’s duties in one’s state in life is the one penance Our Lord revealed to Sr. Lucia of Fatima that He “exacts and demands”.  Elizabeth Windsor seems to have lived this maxim heroically.

Photo credit: Hallowed Ground blog.

Lent as a preparation for death.

I’m at an age where some members of my have family died, some much younger than myself, hence my thoughts concerning my own mortality, and preparation for death.  When one is younger it is very difficult to take this notion seriously - it seems always to be far off in a vague and distant future.

Although I think Lent is about this preparation; dying to oneself through mortification, providing for others through alms and good works, concentrating upon the Paschal mystery.  In some sense, it’s all about death, especially if one acts as if it is oneself who is to die on Good Friday - in union with Our Lord.  It may help one to understand the Passover of the Lord more deeply, to actually participate in it.

“Teach me the demands of your precepts

and I will keep them to the end.

Train me to observe your law,

to keep it with all my heart…” - Ps. 119

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” - Ps. 19

The observance of Lent allows us to deal with the minutia of our daily lives.  When I examine my conscience each night and at mid-day, or before confession, I can sometimes excuse myself for little faults and imperfections.  I make excuses.

Today’s first reading from Leviticus lays out for us some of the commands of the law that are often ignored in our day.

“You shall not steal…You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor…”  

Few of us would steal, right?  Yet I think it is pretty common practice for many to spend non-productive hours while at work, either surfing the net, writing emails, visiting with fellow workers.  It is a form of fraud however, to be pretending to work, while doing our own thing.  It is perhaps a small example of sin or imperfection many may be unconscious of.  Although when one ruminates on the Word, as in today’s first reading for example, the unconscious is illuminated by the multi-faceted brilliance of it’s meaning, enlightening the soul, revealing our more or less unconscious infidelities. 

Lenten reading.

Many people visit bookstores looking for Lenten reading.  There are many good books out there to read.  For myself, I can’t get into anything but the daily readings from Mass - especially during Lent.  The readings are so rich and focused, instructing us on our journey.

“I have more understanding than all who teach me, for I meditate upon your law.” -Ps. 119

In the daily readings at Mass we hear the Holy Spirit speaking to the Church, to each soul, instructing us and showing us the way we should go.  Drawing our sins before our eyes, so that we may repent and amend our lives.

Lectio Divina, it’s a good thing.