Let the Lord enter, says the Psalm. These words invite us also, and we are challenged to let our hearts and our lives be open freely for the coming of Jesus.
Like a gift wrapped with a beautiful covering, it may be expensive and beautiful, what is important is what is inside. We must thorn ourselves from mediocrity and other worldly beauty. We must prepare more our hearts because Christ will dwell in it.
Look at Joseph. He was well planned with his life together with Mary, but God has another plan. God seek more within him, asking him to be the earthly father of the coming Emmanuel. Joseph gave up his earthly desires and offered himself to God to be part of salvation history. He let God entered his life, for with God everything will come out very good.
Remove the wrappers in us, and let our true gifts, the gift of heart and life, be acceptable to our birthday celebrant. How? Let God enter and work in us. Let us work so that others may feel the gift of Christmas, the gift of service.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Another Clarification
There were also e-mails came from altar servers within the diocese regarding one occasion where some "servers" worn dalmatic in one procession. Well, there were certain occasions in other dioceses that non-commissioned servers used it too. The internet gave us a good information to clarify this matter, and supported by other liturgical norms:
"The dalmatic is the outer liturgical vestment of the deacon. It is worn at Mass and at solemn processions and benedictions, except when these processions and benedictions have a penitential character, as in Advent, during the period from Septuagesima Sunday to Easter, at the blessing of candles and the procession on Candlemas Day, etc.; this is because the dalmatic has been regarded from the earliest times as a festal garment. The dalmatic is also worn by bishops under the chasuble at solemn pontifical Mass, but not at private Masses. Priests are not permitted to wear the dalmatic under the chasuble unless a special papal privilege to this effect has been granted, and then only on those days and occasions for which the permission, has been given." (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04608a.htm)
See:
CB, 126.
GIRM, 119: For the deacon: the alb, the stole, and the dalmatic; the dalmatic may be omitted, however, either out of necessity or on account of a lesser degree of solemnity.
GIRM, 336: The sacred garment common to ordained and instituted ministers of any rank is the alb, to be tied at the waist with a cincture unless it is made so as to fit even without such. Before the alb is put on, should this not completely cover the ordinary clothing at the neck, an amice should be put on. The alb may not be replaced by a surplice, not even over a cassock, on occasions when a chasuble or dalmatic is to be worn or when, according to the norms, only a stole is worn without a chasuble or dalmatic.
"The dalmatic is the outer liturgical vestment of the deacon. It is worn at Mass and at solemn processions and benedictions, except when these processions and benedictions have a penitential character, as in Advent, during the period from Septuagesima Sunday to Easter, at the blessing of candles and the procession on Candlemas Day, etc.; this is because the dalmatic has been regarded from the earliest times as a festal garment. The dalmatic is also worn by bishops under the chasuble at solemn pontifical Mass, but not at private Masses. Priests are not permitted to wear the dalmatic under the chasuble unless a special papal privilege to this effect has been granted, and then only on those days and occasions for which the permission, has been given." (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04608a.htm)
See:
CB, 126.
GIRM, 119: For the deacon: the alb, the stole, and the dalmatic; the dalmatic may be omitted, however, either out of necessity or on account of a lesser degree of solemnity.
GIRM, 336: The sacred garment common to ordained and instituted ministers of any rank is the alb, to be tied at the waist with a cincture unless it is made so as to fit even without such. Before the alb is put on, should this not completely cover the ordinary clothing at the neck, an amice should be put on. The alb may not be replaced by a surplice, not even over a cassock, on occasions when a chasuble or dalmatic is to be worn or when, according to the norms, only a stole is worn without a chasuble or dalmatic.
December 12, 2010 - 3rd Sunday of Advent (A)
This is a Sunday of rejoicing, but only a foretaste of a much more rejoicing on Christmas. How can a person rejoice if something hinders him or her?
Well, problematic people are difficult to rejoice, right?
Get rid of your problems: sin and doubt.
Sin is really a hindrance of joy. We all knew that. How about doubt? Well, one solution... believe!
Believe that Christ came 2010 years ago, and everytime you celebrate Mass, hear the Word of God, serve each other, and humble yourself, like John the Baptist, doubt will leave you.
It is not easy to believe, yes. To believe, simply start by saying, "Yes, Lord, I believe!" Believe in the love of God given to you every morning. Believe that as your heart beats, he tells you, "Hey! have no doubt (fear), for I am here." Believe that you can change, believe that you can do it, believe that Christmas is the time for us to see with our own eyes and feel in our hearts that Christ is with us! He is truly with us.
Can't you feel it? Believe! He is here! As John preached last Sunday, here he is today.
Well, problematic people are difficult to rejoice, right?
Get rid of your problems: sin and doubt.
Sin is really a hindrance of joy. We all knew that. How about doubt? Well, one solution... believe!
Believe that Christ came 2010 years ago, and everytime you celebrate Mass, hear the Word of God, serve each other, and humble yourself, like John the Baptist, doubt will leave you.
It is not easy to believe, yes. To believe, simply start by saying, "Yes, Lord, I believe!" Believe in the love of God given to you every morning. Believe that as your heart beats, he tells you, "Hey! have no doubt (fear), for I am here." Believe that you can change, believe that you can do it, believe that Christmas is the time for us to see with our own eyes and feel in our hearts that Christ is with us! He is truly with us.
Can't you feel it? Believe! He is here! As John preached last Sunday, here he is today.
Clarification
There were altar servers and even priests sent me e-mails regarding the Mozzetta due to some happening/s within the country.
According to the "Costume of Prelates":
1. Mozzetta is an italian word derived from mozzo, which means cut short. The mozzetta is an ecclesiastical vestment, a short cape, which covers the shoulders, is buttoned over the breast, and, sometimes, a small hood is attached.
2. The mozzetta is by itself a sign of jurisdiction. Therefore, it can lawfully be worn only by the Pope, Cardinals and - within the limits of their jurisdiction - by Archbishops, Bishops, and Abbots.
The mozzetta is made of different materials and colors according to the different grades of the Sacred Hierarchy.
Ceremonial of Bishops:
1210. As choir dress in liturgical celebrations, canons who are not bishops wear over the cassock proper to their rank only a surplice and a black or gray mozzetta with purple trim. Clerics holding benefices wear over the cassock proper to them only a surplice and a black or gray mozzetta.
According to the "Costume of Prelates":
1. Mozzetta is an italian word derived from mozzo, which means cut short. The mozzetta is an ecclesiastical vestment, a short cape, which covers the shoulders, is buttoned over the breast, and, sometimes, a small hood is attached.
2. The mozzetta is by itself a sign of jurisdiction. Therefore, it can lawfully be worn only by the Pope, Cardinals and - within the limits of their jurisdiction - by Archbishops, Bishops, and Abbots.
The mozzetta is made of different materials and colors according to the different grades of the Sacred Hierarchy.
Ceremonial of Bishops:
1210. As choir dress in liturgical celebrations, canons who are not bishops wear over the cassock proper to their rank only a surplice and a black or gray mozzetta with purple trim. Clerics holding benefices wear over the cassock proper to them only a surplice and a black or gray mozzetta.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
December 5, 2010 - 2nd Sunday of Advent (A)
Advent is a call for faithfulness to our baptismal promises. The more we do our responsibility as Christians, the more Christ is eager to come. Advent is inviting us to prepare our lives. If ever we sinned, a good Christian goes to confession. If we are weak we need to eat, a good Christian nourishes his life with the bread of life. More follows how to be faithful to our baptismal vows.
However, our baptism doesn’t end in the sacraments, it lead us to a deeper celebration and participation of advent: spirituality. How can we apply everything we do for our life to be saved during this season?
One movie, Evan Almighty, taught me that if we want to change the world, we need to do an ARK (Act of Random Kindness). For me, if we want to change our life, do an ARK to yourself and to others. Baptized Christians do their responsibility of letting others feel that Christ is coming by doing an ARK to each other.
Saint John already did his ARK for Christ and others, how about us? How could we prepare for the coming of Christ as his followers? How and when shall we start building an ARK?
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