 Tenebrae is a liturgical service of sung readings and Psalms that features distinctive symbolic elements of Christ’s passion and death. Tenebrae means “shadows” or “darkness” in Latin. The service shows the darkness that comes over the earth upon Christ’s death. One of the chants of the service draws from Scripture that tenebrae factae sunt — “darkness fell” at the death of Christ (Matthew 27:45-46). Candles are gradually extinguished, and a loud noise, called a “strepitus” at the service’s conclusion symbolizes the chaos following Christ’s death.
Historically, it was a portion of the Liturgy of the Hours prayers of Matins and Lauds for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Holy Week. Now, it is often an adaptation or shortened form of those prayers typically offered on Spy Wednesday of Holy Week. Tenebrae is designed to serve as a powerful, reflective experience for the faithful ahead of the Easter Triduum. The representation of the darkness of sin and death serve to call the faithful to embrace the light of Christ, who has conquered death. Those attending a Tenebrae service for the first time may be startled by entering a church shrouded in darkness except for the light of a few candles, the gradual extinguishing of those candles, and the loud banging noise (the “strepitus”) that builds and echoes in the darkness at the service’s conclusion. Tenebrae is not only rich in striking visual elements, but also features some of the most distinctively mournful music the Church has to offer with the chanting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah and the Psalms. According to Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, associate professor and the director of sacred music at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, CA, the Church has seen Tenebrae as “a funeral service, in some ways, for Christ,” providing a “spiritual picture” of the darkness after the death of Christ before the Resurrection. SOURCE: https://www.ncregister.com/features/tenebrae-services-spy-wednesday TAGS: Story  ... a high-tech cleaning machine! This spider-looking drone was seen power washing rooftops. Using a large nozzle, a long water line, and a remote controller, this drone was swooping left and right, up and down, hosing down the roof. Sure beats a ladder, a sponge, and a bucket of water!
But perhaps it's a little overkill. Sure, roof cleaning can be daunting, but is tackling this job with a drone worth the apparent expense? How often do you encounter a task or a problem, and try to cut it down with a chainsaw instead of just cutting it into small pieces with a knife? Ask God for his help. Ask Him to show you the way: the right, smart, and best way. He won't lead you astray. Guide of My Soul, show me what to do and how to do it. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Story  Putting ourselves in different positions can sure change our perspective on things.
Look at these birds. How did they ever get their necks entwined around each other? But if you stepped to the side, and looked at the birds from a different perspective, you would see that they were actually just sitting next to each other without even touching one another. An optical illusion; a matter of perspective. Next time you're in a jam, step away for a bit. When you come back to it, God will give you a whole new perspective, and things will be seen so much different than before. Loving Father, help me to see things as You want me to see them, and not as I want to see them. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Story  "So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Found this old, blank check register in the bottom of the drawer. Once a check register, always a check register, right? So it seemed good enough to use. For those who use check registers, you only use them to record checks, deposits and withdrawals in your account. So what difference does it make that the calendars on the back page of the register are from 1984 to 1986? Really? 1984 to 1986? That check register is 40 years old! A generation! But look at that: the 1986 calendar is the same as today's 2025 calendar, so it's relevant for this year! History has a way of repeating itself. The old is made new again. Have hope. Even if you lay low for years, just plodding through life, fallen by sin after sin, and lost along the way, God has a way of reinvigorating you, reigniting you, and bringing you to new life. Allow your "old" to be made "new" again. Thank you, God, for staying with me through my years and giving me the new life that you long for each one of us. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Story  This tree, nestled in the suburb close to the road, is so odd-looking. So straight, tall, and spindly. The branches look thin, stick out funny, and appear evenly spaced.
Makes you wonder, who ever would plant such a weird looking tree? What type of tree is it? There are a number of these trees planted along the road. So after passing them numerous times, you can no longer pass by without snapping a picture so its origin and species can be investigated. Where to start? How do you look up "odd spindly tree" on the internet? Then again, look close at the tree, particularly at the top of the tree. Do you see it? It isn't a tree at all. It is a masterfully concealed cell phone tower. You can see the antennas and electronic communications equipment mounted among the "branches" on a pole. Man's creation mimicking God's creation. Very clever. Very deceptive ... but with a nod toward the environment and nature. TAGS: Story  "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3.
The young man rocked his two month old baby in the stroller, back and forth, during the Mass. The child was quiet, not fussy. When it came time for Holy Communion, he cradled the baby in his arms so the little one could receive the Lord's blessing from the priest. As the young man left the church, he stopped at the Holy Water font and traced a wet cross on his baby's forehead. The father had "daddy duty" this day. It was heartwarming to see how the father cherished his child, and wished to give all the blessings the church has to offer his little one. Does not our Father do the same? Do you become quiet so the Lord can embrace you in his arms, and give you all he has to offer? Become like a child and let your Father cherish you. Abba, Father, I long for Your care and Your blessing. Trace the sign of Your love on me. Amen. PHOTO CREDIT: stablediffusionweb.com TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer, Story  We were on a ship that passed through waters where whales were frequently seen. The seats in the viewing lounge were usually filled with people just passing time and relaxing. But as soon as someone stood at the large picture window and pointed, everyone jumped up to join him, thinking that there was one of the glorious mammals in sight.
It was actually rather humorous. We humans are a strange bunch. Over the course of days, we never did see a whale, but we sure learned a lot about human behavior! What are you searching for? Are you finding it? Or are you just following along with others who are mindlessly believing mirages of the truth? Be a leader. Be your own leader, of your own thoughts, beliefs and behavior. Don't be part of the group that runs to the window to see something that doesn't exist. Heavenly Father, guide me to seek You alone in all of the waters of life. Amen. IMAGE: Stock Photo at Vecteezy TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer, Story  Do you know the story of the lilum longiflorum – the Easter lily? This majestic white flower, with its trumpet-like shape and sweet scent, is as much a symbol of Easter as any other. But why, and how?
The Easter lily has a fascinating history. Native to Taiwan and the Ryukyu islands off the coast of Japan, it quickly became a prized European decorative plant in the 1700s, as Portuguese and Spanish sailors arrived in the area. But the true rise of the Easter lily in the West began when a World War I soldier, Louis Houghton, started cultivating them. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, growing lilies became an industry on its own. The symbolism of the flower in Christianity is multifaceted. On the one hand, the Easter lily blooms purely white – a color heavily associated with purity and holiness. The flower’s trumpet shape is said to symbolize a herald announcing Christ’s resurrection. But the very way a lily grows is symbolic: From a dormant bulb buried in the earth, a beautiful and vibrantly alive flower emerges, mirroring the story of Jesus rising from the tomb. A pious legend claims that after Jesus’ death and resurrection, lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane. The same legend has it that these flowers sprang up where drops of Jesus’ bloodied sweat fell as he prayed. But the Easter lily isn’t just about symbolism. For many, its fragrance is linked to a sense of celebration and spiritual awakening, as Easter finally arrives. The Easter lily holds both beauty and profound meaning. Its presence reminds us that even from the darkest times, new life will always bloom. Adapted from: https://tinyurl.com/Easter-Lily TAGS: Story  "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me." - Matthew 10:38
Take up your cross. But take up THREE crosses? These crosses are HUGE. They've even been described as "colossal." The tempered-steel crosses were erected by a church along I-75 in Tennessee in 2013. The center cross is 125 feet tall and the other two crosses are each 100 feet tall. The crosses are meant to give the church an identity to people passing on the highway. Back in 2013, it was estimated that seventy-five thousand cars pass the site on the east side of I-75 every day. The project didn't happen overnight, though. It was in the works for eight years. The Tennessee Department of Transportation was consulted about how far away the crosses should be from the highway in the unlikely case they fell. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified in case there were any potential height restrictions. Balloons were even raised to determine the best visibility of the crosses for passers-by. The cross is our identity as well. Despite all the planning, the pitfalls, the consultations, and the wait, we will be seen and identified by the cross we carry, and how well we carry it. Whether one cross, or three crosses, and whether seen by one or seventy-five thousand, our cross is a colossal statement of Christ's sacrifice and God's love for all mankind. Take up your cross and follow Him. TAGS: Reflection, Story  "Sarah then said, 'God has given me cause to laugh, and all who hear of it will laugh with me.'" - Genesis 21:6
We were kneeling before the tabernacle. Both silent, alone in our thoughts, yet present with the Lord. The array of flowers surrounding the Lord's house was astonishingly beautiful, lending to the serenity of the moment. After a while, she leaned over to me and commented about how the flowers were so nice. She even mentioned that she is normally allergic to flowers but was astonished that these did not bother her. I was silent for a bit, then slowly turned to her and said in a somber tone, "they're plastic." After a brief pause, she burst out laughing, and I, of course, joined her because of the levity of the moment and the expression on her face! How often do you get pulled into a situation that turns out to not be what it appeared to be? With "fake news" being such a catchphrase these days, how often have you chased something or shared something that turned out to not be true? How did you handle the situation? Turn to God. He caused you to laugh, and loves to laugh with you! Amen. TAGS: Inspiration, Story |
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