For centuries, the only Eucharistic Prayer we heard as Western Catholics was the old Roman Canon, usually recited in a low voice by the priest, in Latin. By the 1940s, many Catholics were learning to follow along with the actions of the priest by means of a bilingual missal, with Latin on one side and English on the other. Drawings of the priest’s position at the altar, moving from one side to the other, or bowing or standing with uplifted hands at the center, helped the readers stay on track.
The Roman Canon is a long prayer, and since it was done every day for every occasion, priests had a way of galloping through it. Even though long, its structure is fairly simple, with the consecration and sacrifice clearly marked out. Sadly, this surviving prayer had triumphed over many treasures of our tradition that emphasized other dimensions of Eucharist. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy in 1963 did not call directly for new Eucharistic Prayers, but that direction was inevitable. Discussion began almost immediately, and by 1967 the Vatican approved three new Eucharistic Prayers. In 1974, the Congregation for Worship unveiled the experiment of two Eucharistic Prayers for Masses of Reconciliation, and three for Masses with Children. At last, a period of creativity and enrichment had begun.
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2008
INTERNATIONAL WORLD YOUTH DAY ENDS
Tomorrow’s leaders in seed form
Jesus may not get an A on his botany quiz (certain orchids have the smallest seeds, not the mustard seed he claims), but his point is clear enough: God is at work even (especially) in the small and powerless. During this week young people from around the world have been in Sydney with the pope. Why should the pope, like his predecessor, regularly spend time with the young rather than with the world’s power-wielders? Like the Holy Father, we must see in our children not only those who need our care and protection for their happiness; we must see them as members of Christ’s body in their own right. “Let no one look down on you because of your youth,” Paul wrote to Timothy. No one is too young to carry the seed of faith, nor too old to bear fruit.
TODAY'S READINGS: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43
"A mustard seed is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs."
EN ESPAÑOL
DOMINGO, 20 DE JULIO DE 2008
TERMINA EL DÍA INTERNACIONAL DE LA JUVENTUD
Los líderes del mañana en forma de semilla
Puede que Jesús no tenga un 10 en su cuestionario de botánica (ciertas orquídeas tienen las semillas más pequeñas, no las semillas de mostaza él dice), pero este punto es lo suficientemente claro: Dios está trabajando aún (especialmente) en lo pequeño e ineficaz. Durante esta semana la gente jóven de todo el mundo ha estado en Sidney con el papa. ¿Por qué debería el papa, como su antecesor, regularmente pasar tiempo con los jóvenes en vez de estar con los poderosos del mundo? Como el Santo Padre, debemos ver en nuestros hijos no solo aquellos que necesitan nuestro cuidado y protección para su felicidad; debemos verlos como miembros del cuerpo de Cristo en su propio derecho. “No dejes que nadie te vea hacia abajo debido a tu juventud,” Pablo escribió a Timoteo. Nadie es demasiado jóven para llevar la semilla de la fe, ni demasiado viejo para dar fruto.
LECTURAS DE HOY: : Sabiduría 12:13, 16-19; Romanos 8:26-27; Mateo 13:24-43
"Y les contó muchas cosas en parábolas, diciendo, '¡Escúchen! Un sembrador salió a sembrar.'"
MONDAY, JULY 21
FEAST OF LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI, PRIEST, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
The gift of a broken heart
In his Personal Narrative, the early American sermon writer Edward Fitzgerald reveals something important about love when he says, “I have greatly longed of late for a broken heart, and to lie low before God.” It is unlikely any of us long for a broken heart. But to consider a broken heart a gift, Fitzgerald must have seen something akin to what Saint Lawrence of Brindisi approached when he wrote, “Love stirs itself from sorrow; and love itself is in equal measure lanced with sorrow.” The lower we lie in sorrow, the further we can experience God’s sacrificial love that comes down to us. Moreover, the pureness of our emotions when we are steeped in sorrow allows us to offer up to God a supple material for his grace. Instead of fearing your brokenness, offer it up.
TODAY'S READINGS: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8; Matthew 12:38-42
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
TUESDAY, JULY 22
FEAST OF MARY MAGDALENE
Jesus is for everybody
Mary Magdalene was the first person in history to encounter the risen Jesus. That’s pretty amazing when you consider that she was perhaps the lowliest of the disciples, mistrusted by the others. Why not the apostles Peter or John? They were also at the tomb that morning, had seen it empty, and had gone to tell the others. Jesus chose Mary precisely so that the possibility of such an encounter could be realized by everyone. Lowliness does not disqualify a person from discovering Christ. Ponder the empty tomb and you, too, can see the Lord.
TODAY'S READINGS: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; John 20:1-2, 11-18
"Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord.' "
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
FEAST OF BRIDGET OF SWEDEN, RELIGIOUS
See and hear God more clearly
In one of her many visions, Saint Bridget, the great Swedish mystic and patron of Europe, received instruction from the Virgin Mary about God: “Think on his justice and judgment in such a way that you do not forget his mercy, for he does not work justice without mercy or mercy without justice. The cloak is faith. Just as the cloak covers everything and everything is enclosed in it, human nature can likewise comprehend and attain everything through faith.” Duly inspired, Bridget worked tirelessly in defense of her faith and in support of the poor. Wrap yourself securely in the cloak of faith and come to understand God’s justice and mercy more fully.
TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10; Matthew 13:1-9
"Whoever has ears ought to hear."
THURSDAY, JULY 24
FEAST OF SHARBEL MAKHLUF, PRIEST
Inspiration from a hermit
The child of a mule driver, the Lebanese monk Saint Sharbel (1828-1898) ran away from home to join a monastery when he was in his early 20s. While a monk, he longed to live like the ancient desert fathers and in 1875 became a hermit, which he remained for the rest of his life. His poverty and prayer gained for him a reputation for holiness, and people sought him out for advice and blessings. His tomb still attracts pilgrims of all faiths. You may not want or need to head to the hills to find God, but you probably have ways you can simplify your life and make more room for prayer.
TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Matthew 13:10-17
"Thus says the Lord: I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride."
FRIDAY, JULY 25
FEAST OF JAMES, APOSTLE
You send me
What makes the apostle James different from the many other “Jameses” in the New Testament? The word apostle comes from the Greek apostolos, “someone sent out.” The more general meaning of the word is translated into Latin as missio, from which we get missionary. But it is also used in a more specific sense to refer to the first 12 disciples whom Jesus chose, named, and “sent out” to the world. While we honor James in name today as one of those 12, we can honor him and the other apostles much more by carrying on their work in the world. Ready for your send-off?
TODAY'S READINGS: 1 Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 20:20-28
"Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant."
SATURDAY, JULY 26
FEAST OF JOACHIM AND ANNE
A grand legacy
Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary, are not mentioned in scripture, but legend says they were childless and thus rejected by society until they experienced simultaneous annunciations that God had other plans. They are often depicted in art as a couple kissing at Jerusalem’s Golden Gate where their separate angels had sent them to announce their mutual good news to each other: Not only would they have a child, but she will be a queen. While Grandparents Day was established in 1979 “to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer,” this memorial of Jesus’ grandparents emphasizes handing on the treasure of faith. The affinity that the old and the very young often have for each other in our families is an opportunity to leave our grandchildren much more than our signed wills.
TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 7:1-11; Matthew 13:24-30
"The Kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field."
Contributors: Father Paul Boudreau, Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, Ann O'Connor, Sean Reynolds, Joel Schorn, and Patrice J. Tuohy
©2008 by TrueQuest Communications, L.L.C. PHONE: 800-942-2811; E-MAIL: mail@takefiveforfaith.com; WEBSITE: www.takefiveforfaith.com. Licensed for noncommercial use. All rights reserved. Scripture quotes come from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
SPRED is a collaborative effort among the parishes in a local area. We all share a common vision – to welcome
