Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
Of all the talents gifted to men, I most wish that I had some musical gift. I have always wanted to be able to sing, but sometimes I see the joy that great musicians are capable of sharing with others.
The first time I watched this I was absorbed by the music. The second time the faces of the audience caught my attention. You can see how emotional they are, and how the music moves them. The third time I watched, I could see the expression of satisfaction on the faces of the musicians who know they have a rare and beautiful gift to share.
Finally, I think the song brings joy in all the many versions we each have heard throughout the years. Surely John Newton was gifted by the Holy Spirit with the words that would touch the hearts of millions of people, people across all religions, and yes, convert more than a few, or at least leave their hearts and minds open for the Spirit to move in them.
Historians tell us that the predecessor of the Mother’s Day holiday was the spring festival honoring mother goddesses.
In ancient Greece, the spring festival honored Rhea, wife of Cronus and mother of the gods and goddesses.
Cybele was honored in Roman festivals. This Roman celebration, known as Hilaria, lasted for three days – from March 15 to 18, and began several hundred years before Christ was born.
England observes “Mothering Sunday”, observed on the fourth Sunday in Lent. It is possible that 
the ceremonies to honor Cybele were adopted by the early Church in honor of Mary, Mother of Christ.
In seventeenth century England, young men and women would bring small gifts to their mothers in observance of this day. This British holiday would not carry over to America. One explanation is that life on the American frontier was simply too harsh to take time out for this celebration. Some also believe this conflicted with rigid Puritan beliefs. It would be several centuries later before Americans redesigned their own day dedicated to the memory of their mothers. (more…)
If you are a really old timer Treeper, you used to read Mailboxes and Old Barns every Sunday. If you missed those excellent stories, and you haven’t yet discoverred Sharon’s writing, here’s your chance. It’s only 3.99 on Kindle.
It has one of my must have requirements to be added to my favorites list. If an author can make me see the characters, feel the action, view the scenery, in other words, put me in the story, it’s a rare treat. Sharon has that gift. Along with the ability to allow the experiences as related to be the lessons we sometimes need, without attaching a sermon.
JN 18:1—19:42Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley
to where there was a garden,
into which he and his disciples entered.
Judas his betrayer also knew the place,
because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards
from the chief priests and the Pharisees
and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him,
went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?”
They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.”
He said to them, “I AM.”
Judas his betrayer was also with them.
When he said to them, “I AM, “
they turned away and fell to the ground.
So he again asked them,
“Whom are you looking for?”
They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.”
Jesus answered,
“I told you that I AM.
So if you are looking for me, let these men go.”
This was to fulfill what he had said,
“I have not lost any of those you gave me.”
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it,
struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear.
The slave’s name was Malchus.
Jesus said to Peter,
“Put your sword into its scabbard.
Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?” (more…)
At the end of the liturgy on Holy Thursday evening, in every Catholic Church around the world, the Blessed Sacrament is removed to the altar of repose, the altar is stripped, the church is bare, empty. Tomb-like. It is a striking and heartbreaking tradition, and I make sure to attend each year, to allow my heart to break, my tears to fall, my spirit to be clouded in gloom and dread, preparing for Good Friday, and Christ’s passion.
My purpose in sharing this video is to encourage those of you who let Easter sneak up on you, without much thought beforehand, to find your own ways to open your heart and experience the pain of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Perhaps dedicate an hour to prayer and scripture. Go to a church and wait with Jesus during the hours of 12 to 3. Give alms. Go to a Good Friday service. Fast. Cut off the phones, televisions, computers.
Observing these two solemn days of the Christian calendar will make your Easter more meaningful, and enrich your faith.
MK 11:1-10“When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem,
to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples and said to them,
“Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately on entering it,
you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone should say to you,
‘Why are you doing this?’ reply,
‘The Master has need of it
and will send it back here at once.’”
So they went off
and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street,
and they untied it.