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CARMELITE
MONASTERY, TRANQUILLA, KNOCK,
CO. MAYO, IRELAND. |
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| EASTERTIDE CHRIST
IS RISEN! HE IS TRULY
RISEN! |  |
This
is the traditional Russian Orthodox greeting, and it is re-echoed in all Christian
cultures throughout the world on the glorious day of Easter Morning. Jesus
Christ has achieved His New Exodus by His death and Resurrection. Through our
baptism into Him, we too share in this universal Exodus - an endless procession
of redeemed humanity, following our Saviour into the light.  | Easter
is an explosion of joy and hope; the loveliest season of the year. One would wish
it might never end.
But each
Sunday, the original feastday, as Vatican 2 calls it, is a weekly celebration
of the Resurrection. |
That
is why Pope Benedict calls for a renewal of Sunday, which is threatened by the
consumerism of our culture. It is a holy day, a family day, when all need to relax
and be joyful together.
We pray for this and take to heart the words of the
Apostle Paul: "If you be risen with Christ seek the things that are above."  | Rejoice,
Queen of Heaven, rejoice,
May joy fill your heart,
For he whom you were
worthy to bear
Has risen as he said.
Alleluia. |
*
* * * * * * ASCENSION The
Ascension is
a feast of hope. |  |
"Today
Jesus Christ Our Lord went up to Heaven; let our hearts go up with Him."
writes St. Augustine in the readings for this day. What
sovereign pity earthward drew Thee,
Our load of sins thy charge to make,
Slain
that the guilty race that slew Thee
Life from Thy guiltless death should take...
Be
Thou the end of our wayfaring,
As Thou the guide, as Thou the way,
Our
friend, these earthly shadows sharing,
Our crown of life in perfect day. |
*
* * * * * * PENTECOST On
this day of Pentecost we are filled with immeasurable joy, and we pray to Christ:
Lord,
renew the face of the earth. |  |
And
Pentecost is always with us, as the Carmelite poet, Jesssica Powers, sings: This
is a beautiful time, this last age,
the age of the Holy Spirit.
This is
the long-awaited day of His reign
in our souls through grace.
He is crying
to every soul that is walled:
"Open to Me..."
And, once inside,
He is calling again:
"Come to Me here in this secret place..."
Hear
Him within you,
speaking of infinite love. |
A
mighty wind invades the world,
So strong and free on beating wing;
It is
the Spirit of the Lord
From whom all truth and freedom spring.
Lord,
renew the face of the earth.
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