The Great Week

Palm Sunday, outside the Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacramento, California
(C) 2013 On Being Roman Catholic in America

For Catholics, the focus of the entire year is found in Holy Week, or what is sometimes referred to as "the Great Week"--as we re-live the Passion of Our Lord, Jesus Christ and ponder the power of unconditional love and utter freedom found in obedience to the will of the Father.

Pater, si non potest hic calix transire, nisi ibam illum: fiat voluntas tua. (Luke 22:42)

Where have they put Him?



(C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” (Jn. 20:2)

Good Friday

Sacrifice and Sacrament

The Eucharist is a sacrifice inasmuch as it is offered up, and a sacrament inasmuch as it is received.

One of the many gifts to us from Blessed John Paul the Great was his declaration of the Luminous Mysteries, an invitation, through Our Lady’s Most Holy Rosary, to contemplate the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. On Holy Thursday, observed today, the culmination of the Luminous Mysteries comes to mind. The last decade, the fifth mystery, is the Institution of the Eucharist: Christ present with us—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. In the breaking of the Bread, we realize: The kingdom of God is at hand.

The Road Not Taken

Peter and Judas. Two broken responses to Christ’s invitation to follow Him, which is the Way of the Cross. When night fell, the sheep scattered, as predicted. Judas, with a kiss, turned away, irrevocably, it seems, choosing despair and death. Peter swore denials, but then wept bitterly. Tears of remorse. And perhaps, tears released in thanksgiving for what Peter at once may have recognized in Christ’s look from across the courtyard--forgiveness.  (Luke 22:61)

Moral Authority

On questions of faith and morals, the Bishops need not be listened to, the argument goes, because, after the child abuse scandal (or name your example), the Church has lost its "moral authority."  Assuming, for sake of argument, a working definition of "moral authority" is "suasion," that is, the ability to influence or persuade another, how does the "no moral authority" argument fare?  Not well when you dig into it.  The underlying premise of the "no moral authority" argument assumes the applicability of the old adage, Do as I say, not as I do.  But the moral authority of the Church, the Truth it proclaims, draws its power not from human conduct or example but from the Word itself.   In denying the reality of the Truth, we take the stage as Pilate does this Holy Week:  "What is truth?" (Jn.18-38)