The words of today’s gospel: “I am the Good Shepherd” have a significant meaning for those of us “sheep” who look for protection and guidance from their Shepherd. There is also a reference to the last three chapters of the Book of Isaiah – prophecies relating specifically to the coming of Christ which curiously were deleted from a version of the Old Testament. One can only wonder why this was done. In any case, we should all remember the words of Jesus: “I know mine and mine know me. As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep. And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.”
Low Sunday is the culmination of the eight-day celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The term Low is intended to indicate the contrast between it and the great Feast one week earlier of Easter Sunday, certainly the greatest of all liturgical feasts. The Octave Day of Easter is considered part of the feast, though to a lower degree. The entire celebration of Easter is meant to give us confidence that we too can one day share in the same Resurrection of the body if we hold fast to the Truths of Faith and the power of Grace over sin that Our Lord won for us. We must have confidence that our path is right and our goal can and will be achieved.
On Easter Sunday St. Paul tells us to purge out the old leaven and that Christ is our Passover. His rising from the dead still shocks and amazes the modern world as it did in His day. One of the purposes for Our Lord’s Resurrection is as an aid to believe all that He taught and gave us.  It also proves His victory over sin because He overcame its consequence, death. Easter is the glorious reward for Our Savior’s great work of sacrifice and includes all the merits He has won for us as well. We too will rise from the dead someday and go to heaven where God has prepared a place for us. We must have courage and enjoy this feast.
The Easter Vigil begins with the Feast of Light in dispelling the darkness of sin. The next part of the ceremony is about Baptism and renewal of vows and finally we have the Mass. The central doctrine of Easter is the Resurrection of Our Lord and His overcoming of evil and death. We renew our Faith and rejoice in Christ’s glorious Resurrection.
Palm Sunday encompasses all of the Mysteries of Holy Week in one singular devotion. Â It begins with an exclamation of Joy as Christ enters Jerusalem as Savior and King, turns to profound sorrow as He undergoes His Passion and Death, and the culminates in Joy again at His Resurrection. Â Since it is in the nature of Man to worship, recalling these events allows us to worship in a deep and meaningful way as our God and His Church intends.
Today’s sermon can be broken into two parts.  The first part is a reflection on the great Pope of Tradition, St. Pius V, whose feast falls on May 5th, but today gives way to the Feast of the Ascension.  The second is of course on the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven.  St. Pius V essentially gave us the Traditional Mass we celebrate today and codified it for all posterity. He also did so much in the relatively short time of his papacy (7 years) that it would take many books to describe the impact he had on the Faith. He promoted missionary activity, fought and won battles against both protestantism and mohammedanism and left us a catechism based on the doctrine of the Council of Trent. Our Lord ascended to Heaven to prepare a place for us which is foretold by Jesus saying to his disciples: “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s s house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you. And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself; that where I am, you also may be.” So, we can take from this being bonded to Our Lord through the Eucharist that Heaven is our real and final home. It is our destiny if only we will keep the Faith.
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Evening Mass
Treasure In Heaven
Father mentions the words that Fr. Superior spoke this morning regarding St. Pius V whose feast day is May 5th but today gives way to the Feast of Ascension Thursday. Â Though of relatively short duration, the pontificate of St. Pius V has enormous significance for us and the entire Church. Â He gave us the Mass that we have today, taken directly from Saints Peter and Paul, and codified it for all eternity. Â In regards to the epistle and gospel for the Ascension, Father mentions that we are required to regulate our affections. This means that if our hearts are for God, then our efforts will be towards the good, but if our hearts are towards evil, then our efforts will be towards evil. Â Christ said: “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Â This should also cause us to engage in mental prayer, which is the raising of our hearts and minds to God and showing Him how much we love Him. Â This is especially important on this day when our Lord gives us the promise of our own entry into Heaven. Â Mental prayer is really the easiest form of prayer but is often neglected in the rush of today’s world.
“Peace be with you” were the words Our Lord used to address the Apostles on Easter night so they would know that He harbored no ill will towards them for their failure to be with Him at Calvary. These are the same sentiments for all of us sinners to remember so we recover from our falls.
Lumen Christi, intoned by the Celebrant three times with increased vigor as he approached the Altar during the Easter Vigil, is a reminder to us that the Light of Christ will remain with us even in the darkest hour – that period of time between Christ’s Death and His Resurrection. And He showed this Light to His Blessed Mother, to those at the cross and to the many of the faithful so as to confirm their Faith and leave no room for discouragement – that indeed, they might spread the Good News to all nations. Will we spread the Good News despite the efforts of many who would dispel it in our times?
Easter Midnight Mass 2016 Christ truly rose from the dead as His appearances on Easter show. He remains with us still and His Resurrection is our guarantee of freedom from sin and its consequences. #20160327
What does it mean for us to say: Christ rose from the dead? It means that He finally and once and for all overcame Death and gave us a hope for our own resurrection if we stay true to His words. This awesome act of the Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, is the most profound and stupendous act in all of human history and the symbols of the Fire, Paschal Candle, Holy Water that He left us are meant to give us a glimpse of the compassion Jesus has for us as we travel the road set for us when He said to His disciples: “I will not leave you orphans.” It is important also that we remember the large number of people who give testimony to this Event – that it was not just a story or fable of some kind but that it really happened. #20160326
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Servants of the Holy Family, a Catholic religious community in Colorado Springs was founded on the Feast of the Holy Family in 1977 and is placed under the patronage of the Sacred Persons of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Read more
