From the Pastor – 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 2, 2018

From the Pastor – 13 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs.” This is the fourth time in 2 Corinthians, chapter 8 that St. Paul addresses the issue of giving. What Paul is trying to explain is that the motivation for giving should be similar to God’s motivation for gifting us. In the passage which constitutes today’s Second Reading Paul says, “As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also.”

In the original, Paul uses the old Greek word charis to describe the giving to which he is making reference. We can probably see that the roots of that word are very much the same as the roots of the word “charity.” Giving and sharing are definitely the work of God’s grace in us. In fact, our motivation should be very much the same as that of the Lord. He gives to us because of Who He is, not because of what or who we are.

We, too, must give if we wish to show holiness, or to at least aspire to it. That is also what we mean when we say that we are all called to stewardship, to be good stewards. It is one thing to be faithful, but it is another to give. At times we may think there are too many collections, but it is the results of these opportunities to give which support the Church’s work both locally and around the globe.

Pastoral Pondering

Last week I touched on the essential qualities of Sacred music: sanctity, beauty and universality. This week I would like to touch on the treasury of Sacred Music in the Church. Again, this material is taken from Archbishop Sample’s pastoral letter to the Diocese of Marquette, Rejoice in the Lord Always.

The early Church followed the patterns of music that were familiar to them. The Psalms of David were sung, and the human voice has always played an integral role in Judeo-Christian worship. From the early Church onward the treasury of Sacred music is quite large and covers millennia. Music that forms part of this treasury must possess the essential qualities mentioned above and must have the true nature and purpose of sacred music as understood by the Church.

The form of music that enjoys pride of place according to all official teaching is Gregorian chant which, according to Pope St. Pius X, has always been regarded as the supreme model for Sacred music. The Second Vatican Council reaffirmed this teaching of Pope St. Pius X by stating: “[S]teps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them (SC, 54). The Church acknowledges Gregorian Chant as especially suited to the Roman Liturgy. Therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services )SC, 116).

In addition to chant, sacred polyphony is also appropriate for Liturgical worship. Again, Vatican II states: “other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations, so long as they accord with the spirit of the liturgical action (SC, 116)…The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted” (SC, 114). For those who might not be familiar with it, polyphony is composed in a particular musical form and is most often associated with the Renaissance and composers such as Palestrina, Victoria, Tallis, Allegri and others.

Also to be included in the treasury of Sacred music is that body of popular sacred music including hymnody, psalmody, vernacular Mass settings, many of the Latin chant Mass settings, and other forms of sacred music suited to the musical abilities of the people. The Council states: “Religious singing by the people is to be intelligently fostered so that in devotions and sacred exercises, as also during liturgical services, the voices of the faithful may ring out according to the norms and requirements of the rubrics (SC, 118).

The Church maintains that there is an objective difference between Sacred and Secular music. Some music is simply not appropriate to the liturgy. That is not to say that such music has not been used, albeit erroneously, in some liturgical services in the past. I was listening to a podcast the other day, and the speaker was lamenting that when he was a teenager and participating in the music ministry of his church in Australia, they used a piece by Metallica for the recessional. Music that arises from pop culture, while it might be meaningful to a particular person or a group of people does not therefore qualify as Sacred music an is, therefore, not appropriate for liturgical worship.

Weddings and funerals tend to be the most fertile ground where these conflicts arise. However, having a basic understanding of what constitutes music appropriate for the liturgy helps avoid conflicts. In my experience, most liturgical musicians try to be accommodating, but there are standards that have to be maintained in order to preserve the integrity of the liturgical rites.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

By John Putnam • June 27, 2025
During June, we have celebrated key moments in the life of the Church — Pentecost, the Most Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi — culminating today with the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Though very different men, they are united in faith, mission, and martyrdom, and the Church has honored them together since the third century. St. Peter, the first Pope, was chosen by Christ as the rock on which the Church would be built. The Catechism tells us that because of the faith he professed, Peter remains the “unshakeable rock of the Church.” Despite his human weaknesses, Peter's loyalty, repentance, and leadership make him a powerful model of stewardship. St. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became one of the Church’s greatest evangelists. In today’s second reading, Paul reflects on his mission, saying, “I have finished the race… the crown of righteousness awaits me.” The Greek word he used for “crown” — stephanos — refers to a victor’s crown, not a royal one, showing his view of faith as a race well-run for the sake of Christ. Though they were martyred separately, tradition holds that Peter and Paul were in Rome at the same time, and their shared witness and sacrifice tie them closely together in Church history. They embody two vital aspects of stewardship — Peter in his faith and leadership, and Paul in his zeal and wisdom. As stewards, we are called to follow their example — to build the Church through our commitment, to overcome our failures through God’s mercy, and to proclaim the Gospel with courage. Like Peter and Paul, we are invited to give all we have for the sake of Christ and His Church. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering  This Solemnity marks the beginning of summer vacation in Rome. The Holy Father will be traveling to Castelgandolfo for some time away from the heat of Rome. For the rest of us, the weeks of summer are in full swing, and as we move into July this week, I hope that families have an opportunity to spend some time in rest and relaxation. Spending time with family, friends, and the Lord, are among the best things that we can do with our “down time”. Leisure is essential to a well-lived life, but it has to be understood properly in the context of the Christian life. Anthony Esolen’s Leisure: The Basis of Culture is a contemporary reflection and expansion on the classic work of the same name by Josef Pieper. Esolen argues that modern society has lost its understanding of true leisure, mistaking it for mere idleness or entertainment. In contrast, he defines leisure as a contemplative, receptive state that allows individuals to encounter truth, beauty, and God. True leisure, according to the author, distinguishes leisure from passive consumption or busyness. True leisure is rooted in wonder, worship and reflection – activities that are ends in themselves, not means to productivity. He critiques how modern life has turned all human activity into something utilitarian. Education, art and even religion are often reduced to tools for social mobility or economic growth, rather than pursued for their intrinsic value. Esolen emphasizes that leisure finds its highest expression in worship and liturgy. Time spent in contemplation of the divine is the deepest form of leisure, because it directs the soul toward eternal realities. He draws on classical and Christian sources to affirm that man is not simply a worker or consumer but is made for contemplation and communion. In the end, he calls for a return to genuine leisure as the only path to restoring culture, education, and the dignity of the human spirit. The author argues that without true leisure, civilization cannot thrive, because it loses contact with what is eternal and meaningful. Leisure, rightly understood, is not a break from life – it is at the heart of what makes life worth living.

From the Pastor - Corpus Christi

By John Putnam • June 20, 2025
Today we observe the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This beautiful feast celebrates the gift of the Eucharist, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches is the source and summit of our Christian faith. “For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself” (CCC paragraph 1324). The very word, Eucharist, means “thanksgiving” or “gratitude” and so this feast is especially meaningful to all of us who are striving to live as grateful stewards of all God’s blessings to us. Surely the Eucharist is the greatest of all blessings because it is not only from God, the Eucharist, is God — the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today’s second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us of the depths of love our Lord has shown us in the gift of the Eucharist, recalling Christ’s words at the very first Eucharistic celebration. “The Lord Jesus… took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.’” In that moment, and at every celebration of the Mass thereafter, Jesus gives us His very self in an act of complete humility and perfect love. How can we possibly show our gratitude for such a sublime gift? We can receive the gift of the Eucharist with the greatest possible reverence and love. And, following our Lord’s example, we can give ourselves generously to others in the week ahead. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ naturally follows the Solemnities of Pentecost and the Holy Trinity. Each of those celebrations highlight a profound experience of God. The Eucharist invites us into the very life of God which is the Holy Trinity. We are nourished by the Lord to sustain us as we strive to run the race and fight the good fight. The Church in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican II describes the Eucharist as the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows… At times perhaps we allow our assistance and participation at Mass and reception of the Eucharist to become habitual or common place. Such an attitude should always be avoided since it diminishes the centrality that the Eucharist is to play in each of our lives. Nonetheless, it is a common pitfall that many of us fall into. There are a number of ways in which we can help ourselves to avoid falling into that trap. First and foremost, we should prepare ourselves for participation at Mass. This can be accomplished in a number of ways but especially by taking some time to read and reflect on the Scriptures before we arrive at the church. Arriving early at Mass so that we can actually spend some time in prayer, quieting our hearts and minds before the celebration begins is also helpful. Outside of Mass, we can make spiritual Communions and make visits to the Blessed Sacrament. These moments of grace can also inspire us to live more authentically Christian lives by our concern for and service to the poor. Serving our neighbor and loving the neighbor as we love ourselves is a true expression of our love for God.  I also want to offer a word of thanks to all those who assisted with the diaconate and priestly ordinations the previous two Saturdays. A great deal of work goes into these events, and the St. Mark staff and volunteers always “step up” to do their part. We as a parish are honored to host these important Diocesan events and appreciate all of those who contribute to their success.
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