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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Homily: 4th Sunday of Lent (Year A)

Guest Author · March 30, 2014

HE INCIDENT in today’s Gospel about the man being blind from birth reminds me of one of the first courses we studied when we began our four years of theology in Oldenburg, IN. The course was called ‘Apologetics’ and was taught by Fr. Lambert Brockman, OFM a Franciscan who was one of the wisest men I ever met. I make a distinction here between being wise and being knowledgeable. He had insights that showed real wisdom, which had to be a gift from the Holy Spirit.

Briefly stated the study of Apologetics was a branch of Christian theology which attempts to give a rational defense to the Christian Faith. It may be summed up by saying that Christ claimed He was God; Christ proved the truth of His statement by the miracles that He worked. Therefore what Christ said was true. The Catholic Church is the only Church that can trace its origins back to the time of Christ. Therefore the Catholic Church is the Church which Christ founded. Needless to say this is a simplified version of what we studied in this course.

Fr. Lambert particularly liked the miracle in today’s Gospel because it showed our Lord’s enemies trying to disprove its super-naturalness. They went from one ridiculous position to another. First they tried to say, “Well, maybe this man wasn’t really blind from birth after all.” And so they go and ask him if he is the one who was blind from birth, or was it maybe someone else. And he assures them that he is the one. And that it was this man named Jesus who cured him. And so they go to the parents. The parents have the same story, namely, that he is their son and that he was blind from birth. But they are starting to get somewhat nervous in all of this. They know that the Pharisees don’t like Jesus and are out to get Him. They don’t want to get in trouble with them either. And so, they try to ease out of the situation by saying, “well, he’s our son alright. But he’s old enough. Ask him.” Already the community had agreed that if anyone said Jesus was a prophet they would be expelled from the synagogue or ostracized.

What we have in the Pharisees is simply refusal to believe. Their minds were made up. They had no use for this Jesus and they were out to get him. But let’s face it. Our concentration should not be on what other people did or are doing now. They were certainly suffering from what spiritual writers call ‘spiritual blindness’. Now the question should be: “Are there any areas in my life where I am suffering from spiritual blindness?” Another way of asking this would be: Are there any areas where I am rationalizing, that is, trying to justify something I am doing that is wrong, but trying to tell myself it is alright? And we might give this just a little different tweak by saying, “Is there something more I could be doing, but am not?” Think of your final judgment day. Would there be some things that you would wish you had done that you haven’t done? As I have said before: “You are going to get a lot more in eternity for a Holy Hour spent in Church than you are going to get for an hour spent in watching television.” It is somewhat of a spiritual blindness which keeps us from seeing things in this way.

In the Epistle Reading St. Paul tells the Ephesians that they were once darkness, but now they are children of light. Light produces every kind of goodness, righteousness and truth. A simple way of saying this would be to say, if we truly see we will clearly see what is the next right thing to do and will do it. In my opinion that is doing the will of God.


We hope you enjoyed this homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Orlando de Lassus died in Munich on 14 June 1594, the selfsame day his employer decided to dismiss him for economic reasons. He never saw the letter.”

— New Grove

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