THURSDAY, THIRD WEEK OF LENT If it is by the finger of God that I cast out devils, then the reign of God is upon you. (Luke 11:20) Reflection. -- The Beautiful Hands of a Priest-- We need them in lifes early morning, We need them again at its close; We feel their warm clasp of true friendship, We seek them when tasting lifes woes. At the altar each day we behold them, And the hands of a king on his throne Are not equal to them in their greatness; Their dignity stands all alone; And when we are tempted and wander, To pathways of shame and of sin, Its the hand of a priest that will absolve us-- Not once, but again and again. And when we are taking lifes partner, Other hands may prepare us a feast, But the hand that will bless and unite us-- Is the beautiful hand of a priest. God bless them and keep them all holy, For the Host which their fingers caress; When can a poor sinner do better, Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless? When the hour of death comes upon us, May our courage and strength be increased, By seeing raised over us in blessing-- The beautiful hands of a priest. Lenten Question. Q: We used to conclude Stations of the Cross with benediction. Is this no longer appropriate? A: Bestowing a blessing with the eucharistic elements has a long tradition behind it. Cyril of Jerusalem (ca. 315—386) advises those who drink from the chalice to sign themselves with what remains on the lips after communion. From the early middle ages the sick and dying were blessed with the pyx containing the Eucharist after they had received. A similar blessing at the end of communion is a regular part of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. However, these blessings are always part of the eucharistic liturgy itself and serve as a solemn conclusion to the action of eating and drinking the Lords Body and Blood. After the development of the feast of Corpus Christi in the thirteenth century, eucharistic exposition and benediction became independent devotional services. Benediction was especially popular in times when sacramental communion was rare and Mass could be celebrated only in the morning hours. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction immediately afterward became a common conclusion to evening devotions of all kinds. This is the reason people remember benediction as the conclusion to the Stations of the Cross. The 1973 instruction Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass affirms the ritual practice of exposition and benediction and brings it into the official liturgy of the church. At the same time it prohibits exposition merely for the purpose of giving benediction. Benediction is understood as the conclusion of a time of worship and prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. It is not merely something to be added to another devotion. Similarly, the Stations of the Cross developed from the procession of pilgrims from the traditional place of the judgment of Jesus by Pontius Pilate- to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This commemorative walk through the streets of the Old City was made available to people around the world by the placing of fourteen crosses, often with an image of the station, on the walls of the parish church. In short, the stations are best celebrated as a procession of the assembly from place to place. Combining the stations with benediction seems to impair the spirit of both devotions. Rev. Paul J. Niemann Prayer. O God, you sent your Son, Jesus, to bring eternal life to those who believe. I join him in praying for laborers for your harvest. May your Holy Spirit inspire men and women to continue his mission through your priesthood, deaconate, religious life and lay ministry. May this same Spirit make known your will for my life. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 02:16:02 +0000
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