Ash Wednesday - February 22, 2012

Ash Wednesday
February 22, 2012

 “I turned to the Lord God,
pleading in earnest prayer,
with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.”  Daniel 9:3

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent where we go with Jesus into the desert to fast and pray. Our desert is most likely not the geographical location of biblical times but more likely a spiritual reality present in the silence of our heart, mind and soul. At least that is where my desert takes me. To once again use these 40 days of spiritual retreat for prayer and study of God’s precious Word. To reflect on my sins, resolve once again with the Grace of God to repent, turn away from sin, turn toward the Gospel and draw ever more near to God my Creator, His Son Jesus my Savior and His Holy Spirit my Paraclete.

“Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;

in the greatness of your compassion
wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt

and of my sin cleanse me.

Be Merciful, O Lord for I have sinned.

For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:

Against you only have I sinned,

and done what is evil in your sight.

A clean heart create for me, O God,

and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out from your presence,

and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,

and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.”
(Psalm 51)

“Remember, man, you are dust,
and unto dust you shall return.”
(Genesis 3:19)

"You have made us for yourself,
O Lord, and our heart is restless
until it rests in you." St. Augustine

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter - February 22

Chair of Saint Peter

February 22

Every year on February 22, the Church celebrates the feast of the Chair of St. Peter and what the chair signifies. It represents the moment in scripture when Jesus made St. Peter the head of His Church. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-19) This makes this chair unlike any other. For it is the authority of Christ himself who occupies this chair no matter who is Pope at any given time. And Christ has promised that His Holy Spirit will protect His Church against the gates of the netherworld forever.

In 2001 we had the privilege of taking a trip of a lifetime. Momboisse Family Adventure’s toured St. Peter’s Basilica. Here, in the heart of the Basilica, just under the center dome stands the baldacchino (canopy or Chuppa). The baldacchino is built over the main Papal altar. The Papal altar is built over the Tomb of Saint Peter. Circular staircases lead down to the tomb. Looking through the baldacchino and over the Papal altar our eyes are drawn to Lorenzo Bernini’s magnificent reliquary the Altar of the Chair containing a relic of a chair St. Peter used to preach. The Altar is illuminated by one of my favorite depictions of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

Why would the main Papal altar in St. Peter’s Basilica be covered by an ornate yet breathtaking four poster bed frame? The answer is that upon this altar and all the altars in every Catholic Church around the world the faithful will partake in the Eucharistic meal the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ. This is no ordinary meal to which we have been invited.

At this meal, Christ gives His Body, to His bride, the Church. We are then called to consume Our Lord’s Body in an intimate communion. The Catholic Church likens this communion to the marital union of husband and wife. The baldacchino built over the main altar thus represents a wedding bed. At the altar, every time we partake of the Eucharist, we, the Church (bride) unite with Jesus (bridegroom) in an intimate communion. Happy are those called to the Supper of the Lamb. Pax
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St Peter's Basilica - Altar of the Chair Bernini

Jesus Heals the Paralytic - Mark 2:1-12

Jesus Heals the Paralytic

Mark 2:1-12

“When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay.

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his sprit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question thus in your hearts? “Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all: so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:1-12)

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven.'" What a beautiful Gospel message. The paralyzed man, unable to move was brought to Jesus by his friends.  It was their faith that moved Jesus to heal. 

We have all been at times “paralyzed” separated and unable to approach God for one reason or another.  At a time when I was overcome by illness, spiritual darkness and confusion it was the prayers of my family and friends, which “carried me” lowering me into the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.   In His divine wisdom, just as He had attended the paralytic, He first addressed my soul and then my illness. The faithful prayers of my family and friends similar to the faith of the paralytic’s faithful friends became the catalyst for Jesus to forgive and to heal.  Thank's be to God. 

Prayer is answered (John 17:23).God’s grace is sufficient; His power is made
perfect in our weakness.
(2 Corinthians 12:9).
Persevere in prayer without ceasing.
And in all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
(2 Thessalonians 5:17-18)  ___

Art

Palsied Man Let Down Through Roof - James Tissot

Jesus Heals the Paralytic - Louis Hector Leroux

Jesus Heals the Paralytic Icon