Jun 05 2009

This Is No Longer My Primary Blog

Published by Dim Bulb under Uncategorized

Due to reasons which have nothing to do with stblogs, their service, or the stblogs community, I have decided to make THE DIVINE LAMP accessible on a Wordpress hosted site. I will continue to post content here, however, the blog on my new site will have much more to offer.

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Jan 16 2010

Resources For Sunday Mass, January 17th (Both Forms of the Rite)

This was first posted on my primary blog.

Note: this post contains links to resources relating to BOTH the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite (i.e., “the Novo Ordo,” the “Mass of Vatican II”) and the Extraordinary Form (i.e., “The Latin Mass.”  All resources in English).  Concerning the two forms see here.

ORDINARY FORM: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Note that the Gospel reading for this Sunday is identical in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary forms of the rite.  You may wish to consult the resources for the Gospel (mostly sermons) listed under EXTRAORDINARY FORM below.

ReadingsNAB translation.

Readings With CommentaryFrom A Catholic Site.  The lectionary readings according to the Douay-Rheims Challoner translation along with commentary from the old Haydock Bible Commentary. Note: readings come first as a group, followed by commentary.

Navarre Bible Commentary.  Time sensitive links.  Site includes text from the Catholic Edition of the RSV along with commentary from the famous Navarre Bible.

Sunday Gospel Scripture StudyExcellent!  Online audio or video presentation 66 minutes long.  You can subscribe to it via itunes.

Lector NotesTime sensitive link.  Provides brief summaries of the readings followed by short but useful explanations of the historical and theological or liturgical setting.  Also provides brief suggestions on how a lector should “proclaim” (i.e., read) the text.  Printed, the content could serve as a handout inserted into the parish bulletin or for discussion groupsSite includes links to the readings according to the Jerusalem Bible Translation.

Praying Towards SundayPrayer suggestions, points for reflection and meditation.

Spirituality Of The ReadingsAfter a brief treatment of the liturgy’s “Ordinary Time” period the author relates the first reading with the Gospel.

In Exile: The Eucharist As ReconciliationI found this brief essay to be very good.

Thoughts From The Early ChurchSt Maximus of Turin on the wedding at Cana.

The Word In DepthI especially  liked the overview of the first reading (Isaiah), and the second reading (Corinthians).

EXTRAORDINARY FORM: Second Sunday After Epiphany.

Online Missal For This SundayLatin and English.  Contains the readings, Introit, Collect, Gradual, etc.

Devout Instructions On The Epistles and GospelsMuch the same content as previous link but with various instructions/teachings added.  Also includes instructions on matrimony.

Homily On The EpistleOnline book contains Epistle reading and homily.  Site contains zoom feature to increase text size in needed.

Homily On The GospelFrom the same online book as the previous homily.

On The Sacrament Of MatrimonyOnline book.  A sermon on John 2:2.

Augustine On The GospelBegins near bottom of page.

Note: The next several links are to sermon outlines which you may find useful for providing points for meditation, reflection and study.

Fervor and TepidityA sermon outline to Rom 12:11.

CursingA sermon outline on Rom 12:14.

RevengeA sermon outline on Rom 12:19.  Not part of today’s reading but related to the cursing text above and so included here.

Apostolic CounselsA sermon outline on Rom 12:16.

St Thomas Aquinas’ Lecture On John 2:1-10Biblical lecture not directly related to the liturgy.

St Thomas Aquinas’ Lectures on Romans 12:4-13 and 12: 14-21The text is available only in pdf so I cannot link directly to the page.  Once on the site find the text box next to the blue arrow.  It will have the number 1 in it followed by /610.  Delete the 1 in the box and type in the page number 482, then hit the enter key on your computer keyboard. Biblical lecture not directly related to the liturgy

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Jan 09 2010

January 10th Resources For Sunday Mass

Please note that this post contains resources for both forms of the Roman Rite.

Ordinary Form: Today is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

ReadingsNAB.Time sensitive linkAlso notice that the first and second readings offer alternate texts.

Readings With CommentaryFrom the Douay-Rheims Challoner translation.  The readings are posted first (including alternates) followed by notes from the old Haydock Bible Commentary.  Also notes from the Catena Aurea on the Gospel.

The Navarre Bible Commentary.  Time sensitive links.  Text of the Readings in the RSVCE translation along with commentary:

Lector NotesTime sensitive link. Contains brief but good background to the readings.

Christ And The World ReligionsA 15 minute audio sermon by Fr Robert Barron.

Working With The WordVery brief.  Connects first two readings with the Gospel.

Thoughts From The Early ChurchCommentary on the Gospel reading from St Hippolytus.

Scripture In Depth.

Word Sunday.  Offers more than what I’ve linked to belowThe site usually includes Scripture texts in both a popular and literal translation, accompanied with notes.

  • FIRST READING Isaiah 42 presents us with the image of YHWH’s servant, the beloved who would rule by opening the eyes of the blind and free those who lived in darkness.
  • PSALM Psalm 29 praised God for his power, reflected in the forces of nature. His power is awe inspiring.
  • SECOND READING In the book of Acts, Peter declared the Christ to the house of Cornelius, the pagan centurion. Peter stated that God shows no partiality. Even a member of the occupying military was worthy of salvation.
  • GOSPEL Unlike the other Synoptic gospels, Luke presented the baptism of Jesus in the context of prayer. The act of immersion and the revelation of the Trinity occurred as Jesus communed with the Father.

Extraordinary Form: In this form of the rite the 1st Sunday after Epiphany is the Feast of the Holy Family.

Readings: In the 1962 Missal the epistle reading for this day is Col 3:12-17.  Prior to that it was Rom 12:1-5.  The Gospel is Luke 2:42-52.

Homily on the EpistlePrefaced by the text of Romans 12:1-5.

Homily on the GospelPrefaced by the text of the Gospel text.

Losing, Seeking, Finding JesusSermon on the Gospel.

The Honor Due To ParentsSermon on the Gospel.

St Ambrose’s Homily on the GospelPrefaced by Gospel text.

Aquinas’ Catena Aurea on Luke 2:42-52Begins about the middle of the page.

Aquinas’ Commentary on Colossians 3:12-17.

Aquinas’ Homily Notes On The EpistleOn Romans 12:1-5.  Provides excellent points for meditation.

Aquinas’ Homily Notes On The Gospel. Provides excellent points for meditation.

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Jan 02 2010

Resources For Sunday Mass: The Epiphany Of The Lord

This post contains resources for both forms of the Roman Rite.  Please note that in the Extraordinary Form of the rite the Solemnity is always celebrated on January 6.  Also note that the first reading (Isa 60:1-6) and the Gospel reading (Matt 2:1-12) are identical in both forms.

ORDINARY FORM:

ReadingsClick on today’s date, January 3.

Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.  Excellent! Audio/video, approx. 51 minutes.

Being Bob~A Catholic SiteContains text from the Douay-Rheims Challoner version, and notes from the old Haydock Commentary.

Aquinas’ Lecture on Ephesians 3:1-6Not easy reading, and not specifically oriented towards today’s solemnity.

Aquinas’ Catena Aurea on Matthew chap. 2A compilation of texts from the Early Church Father.

Navarre Bible Commentary:  Not yet posted.  Will update post when available.

Lector NotesUseful notes for lectors which you may find useful also.

Religion, Science, and the Journey of the Magi15 minute audio homily by Fr. Robert Barron.

Working With The Word. Brief text relating the readings together.

Thoughts From The Early ChurchThis week features Odilo of Cluny.

Word Sunday: Contains the readings and brief, well informed notes.

EXTRAORDINARY FORMJust a reminder that the first and Gospel readings of the OF are identical to those used this week in the EF.

The Vigil of Epiphany. By Dom Prosper Gueranger.

Devout Instruction on the Epistle and GospelScroll down page.  Contains the readings and prayers of the EF, along with brief notes.  Followed by a description of why we use incense.

We Have Come To Adore HimSermon.  The star was to the wise men what grace is to us.

We Have Seen His Star In The EastFollows the above sermon.

Homily Of Pope St Gregory.

The Method:   From the Sermon: “The feast of Epiphany…gives us a beautiful idea of the method which we must follow in serving our Divine Master, by presenting for our consideration the story of the Magi who came from the East to pay their respects to the Infant Jesus.

Some Thoughts For Epiphany SundayPreviously posted.  Taken from Meditation On The Life Of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis.  Kempis, of course, wrote the famous IMITATION OF CHRIST.

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Jan 01 2010

Some Thoughts For Epiphany Sunday

Thomas a Kempis is best known for his IMITATION OF CHRIST, but he also authored MEDITATIONS ON THE LIFE OF CHRIST, of which the following is an excerpt.

I bless and give Thee thanks, O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Prince of the rulers of the earth, for Thy Manifestation to the three Kings.

For when Thou wast born in Bethlehem of Judea, Thou didst forthwith reveal Thy Majesty to men of a far-off land.  Leading them by a heavenly light to Thy miserable dwelling-place, Thou didst manifest to them Thy state of holy poverty.

O God, great and wonderful!  Thou alone orderest all things, and doest great works in heaven above.  Thou wast not ashamed to appear before so many kings and nobles, poor and unadorned-an example of lowly indigence.

For, neither the place nor the habit assumed fo us didst Thou change for aught more splendid; in one and the same way before shepherds and kings didst Thou manifest Thyself.

I praise Thine ineffable compassion for the first-fruits of the Gentiles, for Thy call of the Heathen; whom from the far-off East Thou didst, by secret inspiration, draw to the light of the Gospel.

There are not found in Israel among her princes those who, with so much glory and faith, hasten to search out the place of Thy Nativity.  The faith of these strangers was brighter far-their devotion more fervent.

I glorify Thee for the marvelous enlightenment of the Gentiles.  So gloriously didst Thou shine into the dark minds of these men of the East, that, with undoubting faith, they followed over wide regions the heaven-shown sign.

With the holy Magi I reverently adore Thee; longing so to walk in their footsteps, that I may offer to Thee, with devout affection, the three precious gifts, which in themselves contain the high mysteries of the faith.

Falling down before They they presented gold in token of Thy royal dignity; frankincense in veneration of Thy divine majesty; and myrrh to tell fo Thy assumed mortality.

Wherefore, O Lord most merciful King of Kings, O Jesus Christ, Thou Ruler of the universe, accept from the hand of Thy unworthy servant the mystical offering, that I, in the spirit of these holy Kings, this day devoutly present unto Thee.

I offer Thee, now and forever, first, a sound faith, a firm hope, and a pure love.  I believe Thee to be the Ruler of all things in heaven and on earth.  I adore Thee, Very God, the Only-Begotten of the Father.  For my Salvation I confess that Thou didst take of the Virgin Mary a mortal body.

Further, accept, I pray Thee, three other gifts, containing within themselves a sweet-smelling savor.  Lo, I present unto Thee that which I received from Thee; I relinquish, out of love for Thee, all my worldly goods.  I wish not in this life to call anything my own.  My desire is to be content with plain food and simple clothing.  In this lies the true oblation of precious gold.

I also add the gift of frankincense, by which is signified the incense of devout prayer for my own sins; pleading with sighs and tears, thanking Thee for many mercies, and grieving for  all who are afflicted or distressed.  This is the burning of sweet frankincense, so acceptable unto Thee.

I offer unto Thee also the spices of myrrh, in memory of Thy most bitter Passion, longing, by a stern self-denial, to go on unto perfection.

For as often as I, through love of Thee, call to mind Thy cruel sufferings, I present unto Thee acceptable incense.

And when I overcome my evil desires and renounce mine own will, then do I bruise fragrant myrrh in my heart, that from thence a fitting sacrifice may be prepared for Thee.

O how happy should I be, could I offer to my Jesus plenteous myrrh, by gathering together all the labors, the sorrows, and the bitterness of Thy Passion!

For, by such a mingling of myrrh and frankincense, the faithful soul is moved to ardent amendment, to deed of penitence, and crucifying of the flesh.

O Jesus Christ, I give Thee thanks for the profound sanctity of this day, adorned as it was by Thee with three glorious miracles.  On this day, by the guidance of a star, Thou didst lead the three Kings to Thy manger; today Thou wast baptized of John in Jordan; on this day Thou turnedst water into wine at the marriage feast, clearly in all proving Thyself both God and man.

I, therefore, pray Thee, O lowly and gracious Lord, that Thou wilt not suffer me to be led astray by Herodian delusions, by the honors of the world, and the allurements of the flesh, but so guide me with the blessed Magi in the right way to the heaven of heavens, that I may be found meet to behold Thee in everlasting glory.

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Dec 31 2009

Sermons For New Years Eve/Day

source and permissions.

Appropriate Thoughts For The Last Day Of The Year.  A New Years Eve sermon on Sirach (Eccles.) 3:26.

For the grace of God hath appeared to all men.  A sermon on Titus 2:11-12

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. A Sermon on Rom 1:7 and Eph 1:3.

The Fear Of God Our Surest Way To Happiness. A sermon on Psalm 111:1 (112:1).

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Dec 26 2009

December 27, Resources For Sunday Mass (Both Forms of the Rite)

Ordinary Form: The Feast Of The Holy Family.

Readings.

Sunday Gospel Scripture Study Outstanding audio/video presentation.  Aprrox. 1 hour.

Homily: What Makes A FamilyAudio, by Fr. Robert Barron.

Word Sunday~Popular and literal translations of the readings, along with notes.  Site offer more resources than those listed:

Sunday Scripture StudyVery brief notes on the Gospel, includes questions for study/reflection, catechism references.  At the time of this posting the site hasn’t been updated with this weeks study.

Navarre BibleCommentary.  Please note that this week’s Lectionary allows for alternate first and second readings.

Sunday Bible Reflections by Dr. Scott Hahn.  Text or audio, very brief.  Highlights common theme(s). Current week not yet available as I post.

Extraordinary Form: Sunday Within The Octave Of Christmas. Please note that the readings for the EF differ from the OF. Also note that most/all of the following links are to online books.  You may increase the text size of these books by using the sites zoom feature.

Devout Instruction On The Epistle And Gospel Contains the prayers and readings of the day, along with instructions based on these.  Followed by Instruction on Blessing.

Aquinas’ Lectures on Galatians 4:1-7.  Not lite reading.

Homily on the EpistlePrefaced by the Epistle Reading (Gal 4:1-7).

Homily on the GospelPrefaced by Gospel Reading (Lk, 2:33-40). Scroll down page to find (“Homily X”).

St Bede The Venerable’s Homily on the GospelPrefaced by Gospel reading.

We Must Live As Children Of God.

Note: some of the sermons which follow are based upon other readings than those used in the Mass for today.  They deal with the subject of time, a themes suggested by today’s Epistle reading “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son…”

On The Shortness Of Time.  Based on 1 Cor 7:31.

On The Uncertainty Of TimeBased on Heb. 1:12.

On The Value Of TimeBased on Eph. 5:15.

On EternityBased on Eccles. 12:5.

On The Persecution Of The ChurchBased on Lk 2:34.

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Dec 25 2009

Resources For Christmas Mass (Extraordinary Form)

For resources according the the Ordinary Form of the Rite click HERE.

Devout Instructions on the Epistle and Gospel:

The Spiritual Christmas Tree (a sermon on Ps 1:3)

God’s Gift To Man (a sermon on Lk 2:15)

Homily of Pope St Gregory the Great (scroll down page slightly to find)

St Bernard’s Sermons. May have to scroll down slightly to find some of these:

Christmas Eve:

Christmas Day:

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Dec 25 2009

Resources For Christmas Mass (Ordinary Form)

The links below are resources for the Ordinary Form of the Rite.  Resources for the Extraordinary Form can be found HERE.

Word Sunday:  The links to the readings below include both text and notes

Christmas Eve: December 24

FIRST READING

PSALM

SECOND READING

GOSPEL

Christmas Midnight: December 25

FIRST READING

PSALM

SECOND READING

GOSPEL

Christmas Dawn: December 25

FIRST READING

PSALM

SECOND READING

GOSPEL

Christmas Day: December 25

FIRST READING

PSALM

SECOND READING

GOSPEL

From The Navarre Bible: Includes text and commentary.

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Dec 19 2009

Resources For Sunday Mass: 4th Sunday Of Advent

The following post contains links to online resources for both forms of the Rite.  I may update this post later today.

Ordinary Form:

Readings: Text.

Homily: Joy Before The Ark.  Audio, by Fr. Robert Barron.

Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.  Audio/video, approx. 60 minutes.  Excellent!

Word Sunday.  Text and notes on the readings.  More resources than found below.

  • FIRST READING Even in the midst of an invading army, Micah the prophet promised the people a Savior, one who would come from Bethlehem.
  • PSALM Psalm 80 was a desperate plea for restoration. Enemies were at the city walls, yet, the singer still put his trust in YHWH.
  • SECOND READING The author of Hebrews tried to answer the question: Why did Jesus come to earth? The answer was: to offer himself back up to the Father, among with us.
  • GOSPEL In the gospel of Luke, Mary traveled to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Their meeting would be a revelation. God was acting in the world, in a new way, from an unexpected source.

Sunday Scripture Study.  Very brief notes and question on the readings, along with suggested Catechism references.  NOTE: as I post this the current study has yet to be made available.

Navarre Bible.  Contains the readings plus commentary from the Navarre Bible.

Sunday Bible Reflections.  By Scott Hahn.  In text or audio.  Very brief.  Does a good job of relating the readings together.

Extraordinary Form: Please note that the readings for the EF differ from the OF. Also note that most/all of the following links are to online books.  You may increase the text size of these books by using the sites zoom feature.

Devout Instructions On The Epistle and GospelScroll down page. Contains the readings and prayers along with notes.  Followed by practical instructions on Penance (Confession).

Homily On The EpistleOpens with Epistle Reading.

Homily On The Gospel Opens with Gospel Reading.

Homily By Pope St Gregory The Great.

Five Sermons For The 4th Sunday Of Advent.

  1. On God’s Mercy.
  2. On Penance.
  3. Second Sermon On Penance.
  4. Third Sermon On Penance. May have to scroll down page to find.
  5. A Fourth Sermon On Penance. May have to scroll down page to find.

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Dec 12 2009

Resources For Sunday Mass, Third Week Of Advent

The following post contains links to online resources for both forms of the rite.

Ordinary Form:

Readings.

The Message Of John The Baptist.  An audio sermon by Fr. Robert Barron.

Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.  Audio/video lecture on the Gospel.  Run time approx. 60 mins.

Word Sunday: this site contains more resources than just those linked to below.

  • FIRST READING The prophet Zephaniah presented Jerusalem as a young, joy-filled girl. The cause of her joy was divine reconciliation. The time had come for God to be with his people.
  • PSALM The response verses from Isaiah 12 brim with confidence in the power and activity of God. The Lord will soon come. He will be with us and act for us.
  • SECOND READING St. Paul wrote a simple message to the community at Philippia. Live in joy by thanking God for all things.
  • GOSPEL In Luke’s gospel, John the Baptist urged a life change among his audience. He implicitly preached hope for he could see the future and the coming of the Messiah.
  • CATECHISM LINK In this week’s Catechism Link, we discuss law and God’s grace, the way God wants people to live and the help he gives them to live that way.

Sunday Scripture Study.  Brief notes on the Gospel, review questions, catechism references.

Navarre Bible Study.  Readings and commentary from the Navarre Bible.

Sunday Bible Reflections.  By Dr. Scott Hahn.  Very brief, highlighting the common theme of the readings.  Available in both text and audio.

Extraordinary Form: Please note that the readings for the EF differ from the OF. Also note that most/all of the following links are to online books.  You may increase the text size of these books by using the sites zoom feature.

Devout Instructions On The Epistle and Gospel.  Contains text of the readings, instructions based upon them, prayers, reflections, and advice on how to bear witness.

Homily On The Epistle. From an online book.  Opens with the reading.  This Homily is immediately followed by one on the Gospel.

Pope St Gregory the Great’s Homily On The Gospel.  Online book.  Scroll to bottom of page linked to.

The following several sermons are all on the Gospel (Jn 1:19-28) and are taken from the same online book.  With some of the links you may have to scroll down slightly to find the beginning of the sermon.

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