Reflection Starter from the Book of Tobit

"Bless God and give him thanks before all the living for the good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Proclaim before all with due honor the deeds of God, and do not be slack in thanking him." - Tobit 12:6

World Water Day

Today, 22 March, is being observed as World Water Day, a United Nations-sponsored observance designed to highlight the importance of fresh water for home and family life, one's livelihood, cultural practices, one's wellbeing, and the local environment.

Background information:

World Water Day

United Nations World Water Development Report 2021 "Valuing Water"

"We Will Rock You" on Steel Drums

It's time for some steelpan (or steel drum) music, a type of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of "We Will Rock You":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the virtue of acceptance and its related virtue of fortitude.

Bishop Tobin on Saint Joseph and Acceptance

"In observance of this special Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis has given us a beautiful little letter about St. Joseph, Patris Corde, that is, 'With a Father's Heart.' In his letter, our Holy Father offers a reflection on the various ways in which Joseph fulfilled his vocation to be a father."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on Saint Joseph and his spirit of acceptance.

To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit: 

The Imitation of Christ: The Spiritual Path of St. Joseph (18 MAR 21)

Reflection Starter from St. Josemaría Escrivá

"Great holiness consists in carrying out the little duties of each moment." - Saint Josemaría Escrivá

Harmonious Chorale: "God of Mercy and Compassion"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of the Harmonious Chorale (Ghana) presenting "God of Mercy and Compassion":

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Today the Church celebrates the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The assigned readings are Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:7-9, and John 12:20-33. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 51 (Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 51 Create in me a clean heart

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

"I am troubled now.  Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name."

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again."

The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, "An angel has spoken to him."

Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: Fifth Sunday of Lent March 21, 2021

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fifth Sunday of Lent (March 21, 2021)

Crossroads Initiative: A Love Stronger than Death - Unless a grain of wheat fall to the ground

St. Paul Center: The "Hour" Comes: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday of Lent

Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality: Fifth Sunday of Lent

The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College: This Sunday, Victory Only Comes in the Jaws of Defeat (18 MAR 21)

Word on Fire: Writing the Law Upon Our Hearts (Cycle B * Lent * Week 5)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: The New Covenant and the Road to the Cross (18 MAR 21) 

Spirituality of the Readings: Coming to Pieces (Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B) 

In Exile: The Power of Helplessness (Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B) 

Glancing Thoughts: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah (Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B)

The Perspective of Justice: Seeing Jesus (Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B)

The Word Embodied: Repentance and Eucharist (Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B)

Historical Cultural Context: Understanding Honor (Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B) 

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Cyril of Alexandria (Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of food banks and other similar food ministries.

Msgr. Pope on How We Fulfill the Ancient Jewish Feasts

"As Holy Week and the Easter season approach it is helpful to ponder what we actually do. . . .

"It would be wrong to say that we, as Christians, do not observe the solemn Jewish feasts [such as Passover, Pentecost, and Yom Kippu] at all. We do more than observe them, we fulfill them. These Old Testament feasts pointed to Christ and are fulfilled by Him.

"The clearest example of this is Passover. Christ Jesus is our Passover (or paschal) Lamb and every Easter we solemnly celebrate that Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed, once and for all. We are delivered from death and make our Exodus from the slavery of sin to the glorious freedom of the children of God."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on how we in the Church fulfill the ancient Jewish feasts.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: We Do More than Observe The Ancient Jewish Feasts, We Fulfill Them (14 MAR 21)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Each day that begins, if welcomed in prayer, is accompanied by courage, so that the problems we have to face no longer seem to be obstacles to our happiness, but rather appeals from God, opportunities for our encounter with him." - Pope Francis

U.S. Navy Sea Chanters:1960s Hit Medley

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters presenting a 1960's Hit Medley: