“Rise, pick up your mat, and walk!” From what do we need to rise? Our scripture readings are an interesting prelude to the holiday weekend and the inauguration of another American presidency. We also look forward to the Octave for Christian Unity next week, also beginning on Monday. No matter who is inaugurated, do we […]
Author: John Thomas Lane, SSS
Daily Eucharistic Reflections
January 8, 2021
As we wrap up the Christmas season, our scriptures continue the theme of “epiphany” or manifesting. This short season invites and challenges us to show the incarnation’s power in our lives, especially through the healing presence that Christ made known to us. The first letter of John invites to testify to this incarnation of the […]
Pastoral Liturgy · January / February 2021
The Revised Order of Baptism of Children – Part 4
We continue our pastoral commentary on the second edition of the Order of Baptism of Children (OBC), implemented last year on the Feast of the Presentation of the LORD (February 2). We are now in Chapter IV of our review, which addresses a catechist presiding at the liturgy because there is no priest or deacon […]
Daily Eucharistic Reflections
December 4, 2020
Friday, First Week in Advent Author’s note: Out of respect for non-ruler language that is part of the concept of the “kingdom of God,” like other contemporary Christian writers and theologians, I am now using the word “kin*dom” as part of this theological concept that we are all building for a better world. The prophet […]
Daily Eucharistic Reflections
November 6, 2020
(Author’s note: This reflection was written before knowing the outcome of the USA elections, but knowing, that in our very divided country, one group of voters will not be pleased with the outcome of the election.) We have been confronted with two strong realities this week: the solemnity of the saints and commemoration of the […]
Pastoral Liturgy · November / December 2020
The Revised Order of Baptism of Children – Part 3
We continue our pastoral commentary on the second edition of the Order of Baptism of Children [OBC]. We return to the ritual at the Liturgy of the Word. Interestingly, paragraph 44 mentions all are seated for the “Biblical Readings and Homily,” even though the readings given in OBC 44 are all gospels. These are the […]
Eucharistic Witness · November / December 2020
Eucharistic Witness (November/December 2020)
John Thomas Lane, SSS Highland Heights, OH In my prayer life I can be very “literal” with God, basing my prayers on the sacred Scriptures as well as the many liturgical terms that surround my life. When I first learned in kindergarten that the Greek word “Eucharist” translated into the English word “thanksgiving,” I was […]
The Body of Christ
Table of Contents of the Order of Baptism of Children
September 27, 2020 Interesting items to note and some thoughts about the new Order of Baptism of Children (OBC) – see below: Baptisms Outside of Mass are given chapter numbers. The “norm” for many parishes, baptism during Mass, is an “appendix.” Certain elements are celebrated when more than one child is baptized (Ephphatha). Catechists may […]
Daily Eucharistic Reflections
October 2, 2020
Memorial of the holy Guardian Angels How close can you get to God? Are we ever close enough?!? How is that bond and relationship in these days of even greater stress and anxiety? When loved ones die, many grieve and share that they have a new “guardian angel” in heaven to watch over them. It’s […]
Daily Eucharistic Reflections
September 4, 2020
There are many places in the gospel documenting the encounters Jesus and his disciples had with the scribes and Pharisees. Why did he “hang out with them?” Or did they follow him like reporters, asking questions? To learn? Interested or not? These keepers of the law, ritual, and tradition were like us: stewards of God, […]