Vespers

I woke up this past Sunday morning really excited and at first I could not understand why.  The day was going to be the same as my many of my past Sundays; I would assist at the Masses and teach the RCIA. These are wonderful things, especially assisting at the Mass, but I knew my excitement was coming from something different. It was only when I was fully awake that I remembered this was the week we would ordain our new Bishop. The ceremonies would begin Monday evening with Vespers, the evening prayer that Bishops, Priest, Deacons and men and women in consecrated life pray.

Vespers is part of the Divine Officer or Liturgy of the Hours.  Morning Prayers are also part of the Divine office and along with Vespers are sometimes referred to as the "hinge prayers".  Morning prayer helps us begin the day with God in our minds and on our hearts.  We recall the resurrection and begin the day by dedicating it to God.  Vespers or Evening Prayer is our opportunity to review our day, give thanks to the Lord for what He has given us and for all the good things we have done in His name that day.

Every Evening Prayer includes the Gospel Canticle, which if from the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55).  The first two verse are:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

May these two verses be a reflection of what your day has been.

Behold the Lamb

(A reflection originally written for my Church bulletin)

Lambs were animals used as sacrifice for sins. The blood of the lamb was offered to God in atonement for our sins. Jesus was the final and complete sacrifice that atones for our sins. He is the Lamb sent from God.

This is why it is important that we reflect on the words of John the Baptist and the words we hear at every Mass: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb.”

The Holy Mass is where the Lord invites us to share in his Lamb. The lamb that truly does take away the sins of the world. Through reception of the Body of Christ our desire to do evil is lessened and we are united with Jesus Christ, our hope for eternal life.

Baptism calls us to Righteousness

(A reflection originally written for my Church bulletin)

How would you feel if God said to you; “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased” or “This is my beloved daughter, with whom I am well pleased.” You may think that this is impossible for we are not the Son of God. No, we are not the Son of God but each of us have been given a wonderful gift through Jesus Christ.

Jesus establishes this gift with his baptism. Jesus states he must be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness,” which is Jesus’ desire to fulfill the earthly purpose his Father has given him. Our righteousness can only start with the washing away of original sin, the sin of Adam and Eve that we are all born with. Without this cleansing we are barred from all the other graces God wishes to give us.

Recall the words of Jesus from the Gospel of John “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, one cannot enter the Kingdom of God". Later Jesus further confirms the importance of baptism when He tells the Apostles; “Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

The words of Jesus should be enough for us to realize the importance of baptism.  The Church recognizes this importance and teaches us that through baptism all our sins are forgiven; original and personal sins. The Catechism also tells us baptism is the gateway to the Spirit, the door to the other sacraments and is the foundation upon which the entire Christian life is built.

We become God’s adopted children through baptism. This is the gift Jesus has given us and by it we are brought into God’s family. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults states that Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God’s people. Hence we are called and indeed are the children of God.

Live your baptism to its fullest. We are the adopted sons and daughters of God. Make God well pleased.