Mar
6
A Second Look at the Festival of Praise
Filed Under Confirmation, Franciscan University, Reflection, Sacred Music | Leave a Comment
This afternoon, we got a new intent to our household. That’s the fourth one this semester – and apparently the last for the semester, seeing as we have no more members who are qualified to take on a little brother. Hearing Travis intent brought so much joy to my heart. He’s a good man; a solid man. He’s a lover in the truest sense, and his letter really betrayed that about him. His smile is probably the best one in this dorm and he is filled with a joy I ache to possess some day. In fact, every one of my brothers in household and each of the intents excite me tremendously. Each one, with his own gifts and talents, has revealed Christ to me in ways I could have never anticipated or imagined – in areas of my life I never thought I would be so touched.
Read more
Jan
27
Reflection on Bede
Filed Under Chastity, Franciscan University, History, Marriage, Reflection | Leave a Comment
Even as an historical text, Bede had moments that absolutely fascinated me, especially in ways I couldn’t have expected it to. I was absolutely thrilled to see so many references to Sacred Music and to gain new insights on how the earliest English church. Of particular interest was Augustine’s correspondence with Pope Gregory I in Book I, Chapter 27. It is fascinating to observe Augustine’s questions, particularly those concerning marriage and sexuality, given his background and his less-than-optimistic approach to human sexuality. It is equally fascinating to see how some of his questions, particularly his eighth question about Baptism and menstruation, seem to already have somewhat more “progressive” answers in the mind of the Church as embodied in Gregory’s writing. Some do not.
Read more
Sep
28
Reflection on Marcus Aurelius
Filed Under Franciscan University, Philosophy, Reflection, Theology | 1 Comment
Reading through Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations was quite different than any other reading we have done in Honors this semester in the respect that it was not written by a Christian author. In spite of this stark difference, it was a fascinating read. While it was quite repetitive and disorganized, it came across as a very authoritative text on the ideas and lifestyle of Stoicism.
Read more
Sep
9
Reflection on Ignatius of Antioch
Filed Under Catholicism, Eucharist, Franciscan University, Reflection, Theology | Leave a Comment
Ignatius’ Epistles was a gripping read for many reasons. First, I was very intrigued by the way he wrote his epistles with such strong conviction while refraining from the use of his ecclesial authority. In doing so, he bore great witness by his common humanity. He also used curious phrases throughout his letters suggesting a strong sense of merit. Phrases such as “win my way to God” and “achieving greatness” seemed initially arrogant, but he was quick to clarify how, though he might make progress in discipleship, the progress does not justify him. It also became apparent that discipleship was quite a demanding thing for Ignatius, seeing as he considers martyrdom as the “first stage” of true discipleship.
Read more
Sep
7
Reflection on the Didache and Clement of Rome
Filed Under Catholicism, Eucharist, Franciscan University, Reflection | Leave a Comment
As the first two works of this semester, both the Didache and the Epistle of Clement were a great source of encouragement for me. Their subject matter, themes, and concerns are very near to my own thoughts and musings as a Christian. It is especially inspiring to see how grounded and universal the doctrines of the Church were at the time of the apostles and shortly thereafter during the time of Clement.
Read more
Sep
5
“Ladies, and Gentlemen…”
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
A new improved John Brodeur
What exactly does this mean?
A look behind the straw tin man
Into the things unseen
Weakness, shame and sin are there
And darkness does abound
But where these are and where they hide
My Lord, the Light, is found
Read more
Jun
23
Sacred Music, the Sacrifice of Calvary, and the Wedding Feast
Filed Under Eucharist, Sacred Music | Leave a Comment
PLEASE NOTE: This post has been edited. For those of you who have already read the original post, please be aware that I have retracted any implicitly negative or attacking statement about the ministers and clergy of my home parish. None of them were of ill-intent, but most of them were imprudent. In the future, I plan to practice better prudence in these matters from the very start.
The Mass, as my father always said, is first and foremost a SACRIFICE. It is the re-presentation of Christ’s death on the cross - the moment when he atoned for our sins and won us our salvation. This is no small thing, nor something we ought to take lightly. In the Old Testament, there were many sacrifices offered to God. From the moment when God revealed himself to Abraham, he began preparing mankind with types and figures of how a sacrifice ought to be offered. It is important to see how far back the rituals, prayers, vestments, priestly function, and solemnity of the Mass today reach back. This wasn’t just the invention of the apostles or some councils. This is the work of the Holy Spirit which - from the beginning - has been guiding us and teaching us how God desires to be worshiped. I think about that sometimes and am held in awe of how privileged we are to participate in and see the fruits of such an ancient heritage!
Read more
Jun
14
A Corpus Christi Sunday Meditation
Filed Under Eucharist, Mass Readings, Reflection, Scripture | Leave a Comment
Today is one of my favorite feasts of the entire Church year: the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. As a new member of the Tantum Ergo Sacramentum household on the campus of Franciscan University, this feast holds very important meaning for me and my brothers. As a feast celebrating the Eucharist, it is inevitably a glorious occasion. We are celebrating today the very source and summit of our Christian life. In the tradition of my household, I wanted to include a reflection on this weekend’s readings for the benefit of all who desire it. While it is customary to provide this reflection on Saturday night, I have chosen to do so on Sunday evening instead. This is such a profound day, and it deserves to be savored.
Read more
Jun
14
To all my loyal readers, I’d like to apologize for the length of time I have been absent from the blogosphere. While I’d like to have you believe my time has been consumed by other worthy ventures, I cannot accept such undue credit. Certainly, schoolwork and extracurricular activities have been very time consuming, but I am afraid my absence from this blog has been primarily out of spiritual neglect.
Read more
Apr
14
Musical Observations and Suggestions
Filed Under Catholicism, Church Seasons, Eucharist, Franciscan University, Open Letter, Sacred Music | Leave a Comment
First of all, I am delighted and encouraged to be hearing more chant at Mass. What worries me, however, is that the chant was done during Lent as a way of “abstaining” from “better” types of music. As both of you know, Gregorian chant is a treasure of the Church. Furthermore, it is not an arbitrary treasure. St. Ambrose says: “The fundamental power, animating all music which is not made but which grew (as is the case with the folk-music), belongs pre-eminently to Gregorian chant.” These simple melodies are not diminished by their lack of harmony at all; they are extremely meaningful, not just for Lent but for every liturgical season of the Church:
“The hesitation and mysteriousness [of Gregorian Chant] happily express in church music the modesty and humility of the worshipper.”
(New Advent, “Ecclesiastical Music”)
Read more
