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Corpus Christi Watershed

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: 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Guest Author · May 3, 2014

0319_emmaus ANY A RETREAT has been given around the theme of the ‘Emmaus Walk’, especially about the idea of how the two disciples were walking with Jesus and did not realize it. They finally recognized Him when they were at a meal with Him and Jesus said the blessing and broke the bread and began to distribute it to them. I know there will probably be differences of opinion among Scripture scholars as to whether Jesus was actually repeating or saying what we know as a Mass. Certainly it is a fact that the early Church often referred to the Mass as the “Breaking of the Bread.” This is the term that St. Luke uses in his writings. In view of the importance that the Mass was to have in the religion or Church that Jesus founded, it certainly would seem that it was most fitting that Jesus would have done this.

But of course Jesus did not leave us with any systematic theology books or texts. In fact He didn’t leave us with any of the New Testament being written. By his time the Old Testament had all been written, but none of the New Testament. At this point in time the Church was a very tiny development consisting of eleven apostles, Mary, His Mother, some of the faithful women and a few others. This was before Pentecost. And admittedly those must have been very bleak days even though the apostles had the assurance that Jesus had come back to life. We can only imagine what role Mary, His mother must have had during those days. We don’t really know.

The First Reading: In the first reading though we do have St. Peter’s first speech or public address on the first Pentecost. One wonders how the man, who in the presence of a young maiden denied that he even knew Jesus, now got up in public and proclaimed that Jesus of Nazareth was a man whom God sent to you with miracles, wonders and signs. You used pagans to crucify and kill Him, but God raised Him up again. Then Peter quotes from one of the Psalms which foreshadows Christ’s resurrection. Of course the Jews would have been very familiar with this Psalm. It must have really surprised them to realize that this psalm that they had been saying all these years referred to Jesus.

First Letter of Peter: It might be noted that St. Peter wrote this letter from Rome around the year 63 AD and that it was written to Christian Communities in Asia Minor. St. Peter is mainly trying to encourage them, reminding them of their dignity, especially because they were not redeemed by perishable silver or gold, but by Christ’s own Blood that is beyond all price. In many respects we can consider this first letter of St. Peter like a first Papal encyclical. It certainly is evidence already of the primacy and importance that Peter must have had in the early Church.

Today’s Communion verse is appropriately taken from the Gospel. In some respects this is the ideal situation. It as it were applies the fruits of the redemption wrought in the Gospel applied to the graces received in Communion. Our faith also tells us that the Lord is present in the shared Bread which is the Eucharist. Yes we consume the Eucharist and at the same time we adore the Eucharist. These actions are not mutually exclusive. Like the disciples we must also recognize the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread.


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

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

On 26 July 1916—during the German occupation of Belgium—a student choir led by Van Nuffel performed his setting of the psalm “Super flumina Babylonis” in Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral. The text and the musical setting very aptly expressed the depressed and rebellious mood of the population. The acclaim was enormous, and it laid the foundation for Van Nuffel’s formation of the Saint Rumbold’s choir.

— Unknown

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