Dominica in albis

It's Divine Mercy Sunday, or Low Sunday, or the Sunday after Easter, whatever you want to call it. It is, amongst other things, a day when we talk about faith and a day when we talk about the peace that our Lord Christ brings us as a gift. The Bible readings are still somewhat historical. We heard about "Doubting Thomas" who wanted to put his finger in Christ's wounds before he was convinced that Jesus had risen and visited the disciples after the resurrection. And, we heard how Jesus kept wishing his followers peace. It was always the first thing out of the risen Christ's mouth when he appeared to his followers, perhaps as a reassurance of forgiveness for the things they did--or did not do--during the events surrounding the crucifixion: the Divine Mercy. I find that a good lesson for today. If I want to be Christ-like in my daily life, then I need to forgive any in my life who may have wronged me (or who I may think have wronged me), and wish for them peace.

It's still a festive season, and St. Stephen's was still in full, resplendant color from all the beautiful spring flowers of Easter last Sunday. After Lauds, the organist played a very fine prelude....something modern, but, unfortunately, not credited in the program.

Hymns today included Llanfair (Hail the day that sees him rise) for the processional, O fili et filiae (That night the apostles met in fear) for the offertory, a responsorial hymn with the organist's "Those who eat your flesh" antiphon for communion marching music, and Festival Canticle for the recessional. For the Mass setting, they did a plainsong Kyrie with choral extensions by Hans Leo Hassler from Missa Secunda, the Proulx A Community Mass Gloria, the organist's Alleluia, Hughes Mass of the Divine Word during the consecration, and the Agnus Dei from Isele's Holy Cross Mass.

The choir sang "This Joyful Eastertide" by Charles Wood as a post-communion motet.

Monsignor celebrated and preached the homily. He was surprisingly wound up today, and I was amused that he at one point said he wasn't going to get into a particular topic because he didn't want to go over on time for the homily, after which he spoke for another eight minutes! It was an interesting homily, though, because he talked about the value of community. So many people think they can worship alone, or read the Bible alone, or read their prayer book or breviary alone, as a substitute for going to Mass, yet, as Monsignor pointed out, we as humans need community, and we need corporate worship to help reinforce for us our religious beliefs and goals. And, it is in and as a community that we can accomplish ever so much more than we could do alone. He also used this as an educational opportunity to reinforce the differences between Protestant and Catholic belief, where many Protestants believe solely in Scripture, whereas the Catholic church believes and teaches both from Scripture and sacred tradition. Once again, it is "community" that helps us determine sacred tradition and how to collectively interpret holy Scripture.

Laurent begged off from Mass this morning, claiming that he had to do laundry, and he could only get it done if he did it in the morning; he'd go to church at 5:30, he said. Well, I don't think Laurent did his laundry. I called and texted him several times before and after Mass, and he didn't answer. I think he slept in this morning! I wonder if he's going to be wearing dirty clothes all this week? And, I'll lay you odds that he didn't go to Mass tonight. LOL