February 20/First Tuesday of Lent Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. ~ Ps 34.4 A friendly “hello” to visitors after Mass. A weekly church supper that draws seniors, neighbors, and students from the nearby college campus. A colorful banner hoisted on the church portico welcoming visitors to the religious services within. These are but a…
Song 5: Glory Be
February 19/First Monday of Lent The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. . .The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple. ~ Ps 19.1, 7 To those who have eyes to see, God can be found everywhere – in a…
Song 4: Speak Up
February 17/Saturday after Ash Wednesday Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. ~ Ps. 86.1-2 Underlying the penances of Lent and the rules and regulations of our faith is the salient reality of God’s love. It is where…
Song 3: Washing Up
February 16/Friday after Ash Wednesday Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. ~ Ps 51.3-4 My father, a veteran sailor, told us when we were young that the dishwashing policy on board was “if it looks clean, it is clean” (my mother grimaced, without fail). Appropriate for an extended sailing trip, perhaps, when thorough cleaning…
Song 2: It’s the Journey
February 15/Thursday after Ash Wednesday Blessed are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. ~ Ps 1.1-2 “When will we get there?” On the annual summer…
Song 1: True Love
February 14/Ash Wednesday Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;in the greatness of your compassion, wipe out my offenses. ~ Ps 51.3 It is February 14: Valentine’s Day. It is February 14: Ash Wednesday. A day for love, certainly, but not the kind expressed by winged cupids, red roses, and sugary candy hearts that say “LUV YA” and “U…
Keeping Advent 22: The Lord Be With Us
December 24/Fourth Sunday of Advent I have been with you wherever you went. ~ 2 Sam 7.9 Some people have a knack for picking out wonderful gifts — the book that delights, the scarf that adorns, the kitchen gadget that transforms. Others of us worry, as we put the last presents under the tree, whether we have chosen well. Will…
Keeping Advent 21: MYOB
December 23/Third Saturday of Advent So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. ~ Luke 1.51 For the past few years, I have carried around in my wallet a nugget of wisdom from the great contemporary Presbyterian minister and author, Frederick Buechner, reminding me that I should mind my own business when it comes…
Keeping Advent 20: Devil’s Food
December 22/Third Friday of Advent He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. ~ Luke 1.51 PEWSAGL: the mnemonic I created for the Seven Deadly Sins (Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Avarice, Gluttony, Lust, since you asked) still occupies space in my brain from my high school study of Chaucer (and yes, it is fair to ask what…
Keeping Advent 19: Why Me?
December 21/Third Thursday of Advent Elizabeth . . . said, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” ~ Luke 1.42 If there are any fashionable virtues these days — and sometimes it seems that the very concept of virtue is obsolete — we can be sure that humility is not among…