Theologian in Training Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I don't know if it is done yet, but this seems to be what I have at the moment...and since most of you appreciate my posting my Sunday homilies I figure I would continue... _____________________________________ Everytime we enter this Church we do something unique, something entirely unheard of in this day and age, we fall upon one knee and bow our head in genuflection, a practice very common in the past when in the presence of a king or person of rank; a seemingly simple gesture of adoration, respect and humility. I once heard something with regard to this, which may or may not be true, which I would like to share now. In the past it was believed that when someone would genuflect before a king, it could have been their last act on earth. For, on each side of the king a soldier would stand, and if that king became displeased with that person, for whatever reason, one of the king’s soldiers would actually behead them. Therefore, when they would genuflect before a king they were literally putting the entirety of their lives in the hand of that king. Granted, it is not as extreme with us today, but it does serve as a very important reminder of what we do and why we do it. So then it begs the question, why do we do it in the first place? Because we believe 2000 years ago a great king became one of us for our sake. A little child whom we knelt next to while He slept and when He grew older, watched, as He was clothed with royal garments, to be mocked and then crowned…with thorns. That was the first time. Yet, we believe He will come again a second time as king, as ruler as judge, and He will have dominion over all people, all nations and all languages, and this dominion will never end. And we will once again kneel before Him, not as one lying in a manger but as one sitting upon a throne, His throne as Lords of Lords and King of Kings, and, as we heard in our second reading: “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him,” and we will see Him as we have never seen Him before, clothed in majesty and properly crowned. Let us then be mindful of this before we leave the Church this day/night, making our genuflection no different than those in the past, knowing that we too bow down before a king, silently surrendering ourselves as well. Our king, Jesus, whom we know as child and judge, Lord and God, the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the almighty…The Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last…Christ The King. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 That's beautiful, Theo. I'm really excited about tomorrow ... I'm going to our Cathedral where they're doing one of Mozart's masses for the 10 am service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 very nice, thanks fr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 [quote name='Sojourner' post='1127837' date='Nov 26 2006, 12:52 AM'] That's beautiful, Theo. I'm really excited about tomorrow ... I'm going to our Cathedral where they're doing one of Mozart's masses for the 10 am service. [/quote] Thank you...what is a Mozart Mass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 [quote name='Theologian in Training' post='1127853' date='Nov 25 2006, 11:01 PM'] Thank you...what is a Mozart Mass? [/quote] Mozart composed a number of Masses during his lifetime. One will be done tomorrow; it's the Mass in C, the Coronation mass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cappie Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 The shivering and hungry king: There is a story about an Irish king. He had no children to succeed him on the throne. So he decided to choose his successor from among the people. The only condition set by the king, as announced throughout his kingdom, was that the candidate must have a deep love for God and neighbor. In a remote village of the kingdom lived a poor but gentle youth who was noted for his kindness and helpfulness to all his neighbors. The villagers encouraged him to enter the contest for kingship. They made a collection for him to make the long journey to the royal palace. After giving him the necessary food and a good overcoat, they sent him on his way. As the young man neared the castle, he noticed a beggar sitting on a bench in the royal park, wearing torn clothes. He was shivering in the cold while begging for food. Moved with compassion, the young man gave the beggar his new overcoat and the food he had saved for his return journey. After waiting for a long time in the parlor of the royal palace, the youth was admitted for an interview with the king. As he raised his eyes after prostrating before the king, he was amazed to find the king wearing the over coat he had given to the beggar at the park, and greeting him as the new king of the country. When he comes in glory, Christ the King is going to judge us on the basis of our corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeekingHisPlan Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 [quote name='Sojourner' post='1127865' date='Nov 26 2006, 01:08 AM'] Mozart composed a number of Masses during his lifetime. One will be done tomorrow; it's the Mass in C, the Coronation mass. [/quote] Oh, lucky, lucky, lucky!! Musical praise fit for a King indeed!! Are they doing the whole thing at the appropriate times then? If so, Mass is going to be a long one! (Not that that's a bad thing!) I think it would be completely awesome to have the musical Mass parts in their proper places within an actual Mass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 [quote name='SeekingHisPlan' post='1127874' date='Nov 25 2006, 11:19 PM'] Oh, lucky, lucky, lucky!! Musical praise fit for a King indeed!! Are they doing the whole thing at the appropriate times then? If so, Mass is going to be a long one! (Not that that's a bad thing!) I think it would be completely awesome to have the musical Mass parts in their proper places within an actual Mass! [/quote] I hope so, though! I'm super excited about it. I've listened to a number of Mozart's masses, and sung the Requiem (which I might play while I'm getting ready ...) but to be able to have one performed at a REAL Mass ... it's a rare occasion indeed. I hope it IS long. And glorious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 [quote name='Sojourner' post='1127865' date='Nov 26 2006, 01:08 AM'] Mozart composed a number of Masses during his lifetime. One will be done tomorrow; it's the Mass in C, the Coronation mass. [/quote] Wow, that sounds pretty amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cappie Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 [url="http://www.aylesburychoral.org.uk/concerts/works/mozart_coronationmass.htm"]http://www.aylesburychoral.org.uk/concerts...onationmass.htm[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeekingHisPlan Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 (edited) You've sung the Requeim too? Awesome!! I'm going to start a thread in open Mic re: sacred classical music, so as not to take over Father's thread. Edited November 26, 2006 by SeekingHisPlan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 I changed it up a bit to highlight certain things. _____________________________ Everytime we enter this Church, for those of us physically able, we do something unique, something entirely unheard of in this day and age, we fall upon one knee and bow our head in genuflection, a practice very common in the past when in the presence of a king or person of rank; a seemingly simple gesture of adoration, respect and humility. I once heard something with regard to this, which may or may not be true, which I would like to share now. In the past it was believed that when someone would genuflect before a king, it could have been their last act on earth. For, on each side of the king a soldier would stand, and if that king became displeased with that person, for whatever reason, one of the king’s soldiers would actually behead them. Therefore, when they would genuflect before a king they were literally putting the entirety of their lives in the hand of that king. Granted, it is not as extreme with us today, but it does serve as a very important reminder of what we do and why we do it. So then it begs the question, why do we do it in the first place? Because we believe 2000 years ago a great king became one of us for our sake. A little child whom we knelt next to while He slept and when He grew older, watched, as He was clothed with royal garments, to be mocked and then crowned…with thorns. That was the first time. Yet, we believe He will come again a second time in radiant glory as king, as ruler as judge, and He will have dominion over all people, all nations and all languages, and this dominion will never end. And we will once again kneel before Him, not as one lying in a manger but as one sitting upon a throne, His throne as Lords of Lords and King of Kings, and, as we heard in our second reading: “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him,” that is, even those who crucified Him and mocked Him as king, and we will see Him as we have never seen Him before, clothed in majesty and properly crowned. Let us then be mindful of this before we leave the Church this day/night, making our genuflection no different than those in the past, knowing that we too bow down before a king, silently surrendering ourselves as well. Our king, Jesus, whom we know as child and judge, Lord and God, the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the almighty…The Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last…Christ The King. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlygrace08 Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 : that's a wonderful homily!! Thanks for sharing, Father!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 To everyone thank you for the great feedback, as usual. It seemed to go over better at the 5:30PM Mass than the 10:00AM, but both times I was told that I say a beautiful Mass...The Holy Spirit is quite generous to me...and I thank Him for it... Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit That my thoughts may all be holy Act in me, O Holy Spirit That my work too may be holy Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit That I love but what is holy Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit That I may defend all that is holy Guard me then, O Holy Spirit That I always may be holy. ----St. Augustine---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanctifyMe Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 (edited) [font="Arial Narrow"][size=2][color="#663366"] Thank you again for sharing your homily, They are always relevant to this time and place, and a welcome additional perspective after the awesome homily at my own parish, I love being able to get another view~ as there are so many treasures hidden in each gospel reading. ..also, the prayer by St. Augustine is beautiful, i think i will put it in my blog~ we are blessed by your presence! Peace. lisa[/color][/size][/font] Edited November 27, 2006 by SanctifyMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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