Tag: christianity

Hidden Manna and a White Stone

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Pope Francis in the Elevation of the Holy Eucharist

Greetings on this the The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Corpus Christi
Readings: Ex 24:3-8; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18; Heb 9:11-15; Mk 14:12-16, 22-26

Notes

A helpful short teaching on Corpus Christi: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/a-short-teaching-on-corpus-christi.pdf

Summary

In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present — body, blood, soul, and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the “Real Presence” of Christ in the Eucharist. Source: https://www.usccb.org/eucharist

Reflection

Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna; I shall also give a white amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.” (Rev 2:17)

In our celebration today we recall the progressive elaboration of theophany culminating in the Real Presence of the Lord in the species of the Bread and Wine.

Personal Reflection

Back in the days when I taught RCIA (OCIA) I would discuss the hidden manna and the white stone after the Eucharistic theology was given. It has such powerful meaning although not completely understood. I would teach the Hidden Manna was the Eucharist itself – Transubstantiation, appearance is the same, the substance has changed. The White Stone references can be found here: Rev 3:12; 19:12; Is 62:2; 65:15. Your intimate connection to the Lord is as a lover’s name, shared one to the other, unique and personal.

I would give them a White Stone to remember this promise of an intimate love name. I would encourage them to receive the Eucharist daily as a living intimate moment.

White Stones – symbol of a new name

The height of the Mass for the priest, as priest, is the Institutional Narrative. The height of the Mass for the priest, as man, and for all of us is the Holy Communion.

This is why we come. This is why we try to be Holy as God is Holy. Because we want to commune with the Lord, that is, an intimate sharing of self, one to the other, at the physical, mental and spiritual levels. Completely, entirely, fully.

First Reading

Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people, who answered, “All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do.” Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words of his.”

Responsorial

I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.

Second Reading

The blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

Sequence

Lauda Sion: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/06/19/lauda-sion-2/

Gospel Acclamation

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.

Gospel

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb.

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

If Dad is for me, what else matters?

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Trinity

Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Readings: Dt 4:32-34, 39-40; Ps 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20

Notes

The reflection today is from the Liturgy of the Hours, Trinity Sunday, Morning Prayer.

A lovely supplemental reflection on the Trinity here: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/understanding-the-trinity/

Summary

  • Come Holy Spirit, that we may show your fruit in our lives, charity, joy, peace, equanimity, kindness, generosity, long-suffering, patience, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.
  • Father, all powerful, you have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts, so that we cry: Abba, Father!
  • Christ Jesus, you sent the Paraclete, who proceeds from the Father to bear witness to you.

Reflection

Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, one God in three Persons, by proclaiming and living our faith in you. Grant this Lord we pray. Amen.

Personal Reflection

Trinity Sunday comes after Pentecost Sunday as the Pentecost event brings into a fuller view the dynamic love that is God. The Lord holds nothing back from us, the entirety of Himself in a way we can experience fully given our sensory nature. Our second reading says it well: The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Descended like a Dove – Come Holy Spirit!

I know in my own life, I always did better and felt better with the approval of my Dad. In whatever the situation, if Dad was for me, what else mattered?

First Reading

This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other.

Responsorial

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.

Second Reading

You received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Gospel Acclamation

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.

Gospel

Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

The Lord’s Mercy and Marriage: A Reflection on Divine Kindness

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Man and Woman at a counseling session. Rough start!

Greetings on this the Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jas 5:9-12; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 11-12; Mk 10:1-12

Summary

The Lord is kind and merciful.

Divine Mercy Portrait

In our readings today a certain type of meta-crescendo ‘ABC’ style used across the readings. Perhaps after you read this reflection you will disagree. Maybe you would say it’s more like a Pauline ‘ABA’ style. Or maybe you just shake your head and say, ‘There he goes again!’ I am happy to read your comments. Allow me to lay the approach out for you.

If you want to go deep on the writing style arguments: https://semanatorul.emanuel.ro/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/4.1.04-Semanatorul-4.1.2023_Mihaila.pdf

The full scripture readings today can be found here (it will provide a fuller read): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052424.cfm

  • A–A– In the first reading, the letter of James that we are not to judge our brothers and sisters (that is, anyone).
  • B–B– In the responsorial, Psalm 103, a favorite pslam of mercy (in particular for a Friday, the day of the crucifixion). I put in the full responsorial today. Kindness and Mercy.
  • C–A–(which do you think) In the gospel reading, Jesus defines marriage in mystical terms, blessed terms and inviolate terms.

In the sandwich approach (ABA), the readings present the two major examples of sin: Judging and Divorce – the ultimate form of personalized judging. The solution (the B), is the kind and merciful Lord. That is how the LORD views our mistakes and sins and short of this marvelous grace we would fall into an abyss of self-loathing and haterd for all.

Mercy Triumphs Judgement

In the meta-crescendo (ABC) approach an eye-popping theological perspective. The first reading defines the problem, period. The problem is judging others which includes your spouse (doh!). The foundational solution is the kind and merciful Lord. The height of that mercy in this life is the giving of man to woman and woman to man, that they might become one flesh. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. (x-ref Gen 2:18-25).

Bands of Marriage

The LORD God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. Said differently, man and woman are the fullest completion of the creation of humanity oen in the other.

You may draw one or two conclusions and they are both right.

Reflection

Relationships are bruised and can fail to the onslaught of judgement especially from those closest to us. We can reflect on the mercy of God for our own shortcomings as the only saving solution of our particular mistakes. But why not for the mistakes of others? Even the spouse? (the answer is Yes, in case you were wondering)?

Perhaps we can go deeper. The Lord has imbedded in us the solution. In our discovering ourselves in the Other of Ourselves, we have within a heart capable to express most wonderfully the kindness and mercy of the Lord. His answer is the matrimonial model. Of course you marry only one at a time and ideally only ever once. But we suffer from the hardness of [y]our hearts against MANY people besides a spouse. The matrimonial perspective allows for the reality of your completion in all persons.

Married or single does not matter in this context then.

If Adam can say ‘Alas!” and Eve can ‘urge for peace’, so too you can do.
At home.
At work
Everywhere.

Everyone.

Personal Reflection

How did I come to this reflection? Yesterday I was the presiding minister at a funeral and graveside service. In preparation for the service I call the next-of-kin (NOK) representative and offer condolences, ask questions and give them the chance to tell the story of the deceased in a way that brings them comfort (and for the widowed spouse who could not speak). A marvelous conversation and a clear sign of healthy grief and remembrances. I did ask the question, due to the age differences, where did they meet? Part of the answer was the place but the other part of the answer was to reminisce that they (husband and wife) were ‘one person‘. It caused me to tear up. I told the NOK representative that I would love to use the gospel account of Jesus, which pure coincidence is the reading today, where he describes: But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

The NOK representative cried.
I cried (a little as to not interfere).

You can cry too, with joy.

Bride and Groom

First Reading

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have seen the purpose of the Lord, because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Responsorial

The Lord is kind and merciful.

R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Gospel Acclamation

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

Gospel

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Embracing Intelligibility in Chaos: Biblical and Chaos Theory Perspectives

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Easter
Perception can be interior. It can also be universal. This image is t first chaotic but it reveals things it has no actual association with, directly, but related by inferrance.

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 18:23-28; PS 47:2-3, 8-9, 10; Jn 16:23b-28

Notes

Chaos theory is a method of qualitative and quantitative analysis to investigate the behavior of dynamic systems that cannot be explained and predicted by single data relationships, but must be explained and predicted by whole, continuous data relationships. Chaos theory concerns deterministic systems whose behavior can, in principle, be predicted. Chaotic systems are predictable for a while and then ‘appear’ to become random. (Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory).

Summary

In our first reading today, we learn that Paul has stabilized in his understanding of his mission and purpose. Highest order was to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ and his personal encounter with Jesus (Theophany by action and words). Then he allowed himself to enter into an orderly sequence of visitations, instructions, correspondence and leadership. All the while being nudged by the Lord to return to Jerusalem as the 3rd and final missionary journey waypoint to Rome. He knew he was headed to Rome well in advance of his actual travel.

An orderly sequence.

Reflection

Jesus used an orderly sequence: parables, figures of speech, then direct and clearly about the Father. As chaotic as the world seems to be:

  1. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28).
  2. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world (Jn 16:33).

Personal Reflection

As I go about living in a chaotic world, I do try and remember that there is intelligibility that I cannot sense. An orderly sequence that at times seems impossible and other times, like when the fog lifts for a moment, a clearly articulated path. So I take heart in the words of Jesus:

For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God (Jn 16:27).

First Reading

After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples.

Responsorial

God is king of all the earth.

All you peoples, clap your hands;
shout to God with cries of gladness.
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.

Gospel Acclamation

I came from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples: For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

P.S.

Added an AI generated image. Not sure I like it but it is what it is. The image relates the cosmos to the natural Earthly elements and living things and perhaps one part of the image invokes an identity for extra-Earthly beings.

What do you exhale?

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Exhale – what do we exhale?

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kgs 10:1-10; PS 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40; Mk 7:14-23

Notes

Defile means to:

  1. damage the purity or integrity of.
  2. impair the appearance of; disfigure.
  3. diminish or destroy the value or quality of.

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”

Summary

It is such a key difference than some would understand things to be, that is, to understand the word defile as an interior condition brought about by an expression of an interior problem. But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.

“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.

People can experience all sort of terrible events and circumstances. These events and actions of others cannot and never will defile you. You dignity given from the divine at the moment of your creation is yours forever. You have the dignity of the divine breath, rauh of the Lord. Thus says God, the LORD,…Who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it (ISA 42:5ac).

What is defiling is different. It is the impure thoughts turned to actions. Our imperfect state as it is of itself does not defile. It is the failure to master one’s self and allow the negative impulses to take action. These defile-able thoughts can be purified by us with the help of God into their actual expression intended from the beginning.

Reflection

We can convert what we exhale by what we inhale. The process of sanctification and holiness makes for a purifying conversion from the heart:

  • An evil thought can be upgraded to a holy thought.
  • An unchaste impulse into innocense.
  • A desire to theft into a charitable heart.
  • A desire to murder into a self-giving heart.
  • A desire to adultery into discovery of your Other.
  • A desire to greed into generosity.
  • A desire to malice into kindness.
  • A desire to deceit into a truth seeker.
  • A desire to licentiousness into self-control.
  • A desire to envy into appreciation.
  • A desire to blasphemy into praising God these transformations.
  • A desire to arrogance into humility.
  • A desire to folly into joyfulness and mirth.

Then let all these things come out of you!

Personal Reflection

We live in an age of deflection and projection. Everyone, myself included, suffer from this to one degree or another. The Queen of Sheba doubted Solomon but came and asked all her questions to her satisfaction. As a result: She was breathless. Remember this: you must exhale in order to inhale. You cannot have one without the other. We must learn to exhale that which is holy.

From the list above we can chose what we exhale. I’d rather the conversion.

Having exhausted, exhaled, all she doubted she came to understand. Blessed be the LORD, your God.

First Reading

Solomon’s Listening Heart: The Queen of Sheba.

The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon’s fame, came to test him with subtle questions. She came to Solomon and questioned him on every subject in which she was interested. King Solomon explained everything she asked about, and there remained nothing hidden from him that he could not explain to her.

She was breathless.

Blessed be the LORD, your God, whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel. In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice.”

Responsorial

The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Gospel Acclamation

Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth.

Gospel

“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry