Tag: Lent

Palm Sunday Soul Booster

Giotto, Entry into Jerusalem (1305)

To get deeper into the spirit of Holy Week, and to help you to do the same, I’ll be posting daily “soul boosts” containing the following: (1) a hymn tied to the liturgical day; (2) a timely Biblical text; (3) a beautiful piece of religious art; (4) a spiritual reflection; and (5) a Saint you should get to know (or get to know better). Today’s Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday (or “Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord”).

Let’s start with the obvious: why does this day go by two different titles?

The Five-Fold Argument for the Resurrection

I’ve got a piece today on Strange Notions (based upon this 2010 post) looking at five specific pieces of evidence that suggest that the Resurrection happened. Here’s a snippet: On this Good Friday, the day Christians traditionally commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross, let’s examine the evidence surrounding his death and resurrection. I’d… Continue reading The Five-Fold Argument for the Resurrection

A Holy Thursday Challenge

Nicolas Poussin, The Institution of the Eucharist (1640) Tonight marks the beginning of Triduum, the most sacred season of the year. It’s the three day period lasting from Holy Thursday evening until Easter. It’s here, on Holy Thursday, that Christ institutes the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Here’s how St. Paul describes it in tonight’s… Continue reading A Holy Thursday Challenge

A Biblical “Easter Egg” in the Passion of Jesus Christ

A subtle or hidden feature, particularly in a movie or game, is often referred to as an “Easter egg,” because it’s something that you have to hunt for. The Bible is full of things like this – subtle references are easy to overlook, even upon repeated readings. So, for example, take this line from Mark 15:21:… Continue reading A Biblical “Easter Egg” in the Passion of Jesus Christ

What’s the Point of Mortification and “Offering It Up?”

Domenichino, The Way to Calvary (1610) One of those phrases that Catholics use that non-Catholics are often baffled by is “offer it up.” Usually the context involves some sort of hardship, either voluntary or involuntary. Elizabeth Scalia gives the example “when you are in pain, when you are disappointed, when your feelings have been hurt,… Continue reading What’s the Point of Mortification and “Offering It Up?”

Holy Saturday

For Christ also died for sins once for all,the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days… Continue reading Holy Saturday

Good Friday

Behold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. As many were astonished at him — his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men — so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because… Continue reading Good Friday

The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

V. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.R. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum. Pope John Paul II From the Gospel according to Mark. 15:46-47 Joseph of Arimathea, wrapped the body of Jesus in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock. And he rolled a… Continue reading The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

The Beauty of Tenebrae

Tenebrae Hearse I went to Tenebrae last night at the Dominican House of Studies.  If you’re not familiar, it’s a beautiful way of reflecting upon the death of Christ.  Here’s how Wikipedia explains it: The principal Tenebrae ceremony is the gradual extinguishing of candles upon a stand in the sanctuary called a hearse.[2] Eventually the Roman… Continue reading The Beauty of Tenebrae

The Thirteen Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

V. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi. [We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.]R. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum. [Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.] Pope John Paul II From the Gospel according to Mark. 15:42-43, 46 And when evening had come, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected… Continue reading The Thirteen Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross