A Psalm-prayer

I hear grumblings about the psalm-prayers in the LotH. I like them. I don't have an opinion about the appropriateness of having them. The Church has given them providentially to me for my spiritual edification.

At any rate, in the Office of Readings yesterday, the following prayer was given for Psalm 69:

God our Father, to show the way of salvation, you chose that the standard of the cross should go before us, and you fulfilled the ancient prophecies in Christ's passover from death to life. Do not let us rouse your burning indignation by sin, but rather, through the contemplation of his wounds, make us burn with zeal for the honor of your Church and with grateful love for you.

This is not a touchy-feely prayer. The Cross takes front and center. We do not shirk from mentioning God's burning indignation. Using the word "burn" twice is a nice touch. I'm especially moved by "zeal for the honor of your Church."

I wonder where these prayers came from?

Spring!

Spring began yesterday evening late. Here in Milwaukee the daffodils, tulips, and garlic are pocking their heads out of the ground. The pussy willow has its little, fuzzy blossoms (is that what they are?).

I've already planted peas and radishes. Onions will go in as soon as the sets appear in the local garden center.

"A sower went forth to sow...."

Aquinas and social distancing

This book is in the library at the seminary where I work.

Social distancing and the Mass

I watched a little bit of Bishop Barron's Mass this morning. Watching Mass on YouTube is painful. There is such a longing to be there. I can't imagine being separated from the Blessed Sacrament for weeks.I can't imagine what it is going to be like to go to Mass again.