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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: 5th Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Guest Author · May 19, 2014

0319_feeding-5k-LG OMEWHERE I READ that today’s three Scripture readings were three mixed or unconnected messages. And that is the impression I got as I read them.

The First Reading: The first reading takes us back into the early days of the Church when a problem seems to have arisen. Needless to say, back in those days the Government did not look out for widows and orphans or other needy people. It seems already some provision had been made to take care of widows, but in this case it was only for those who were of Jewish descent.

Converts from Greek speaking peoples were being neglected. This caused a problem and was brought to the attention of the Apostles. Certainly under Divine inspiration they instituted the order of the Diaconate to help in this matter. Admittedly, not a whole lot is said here, but the Church has always referred to this passage as a Scriptural basis and proof of the establishment of the diaconate as part of Sacred Orders.

Sacred Orders, as we know is one of the seven sacraments and is divided into three sections: the diaconate, the priesthood, and the episcopacy. The powers of the deacon are rather restricted: he can proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass; He can baptize, distribute Communion, and assist at weddings if duly delegated. The priesthood is the next degree. He can confer all the Sacraments except Ordinations. His power to confirm is somewhat restricted, and is considered only an extraordinarily minister of that sacrament. Finally the Bishop has the fullness of Holy Orders, and he is able to perform all the Sacraments with no restrictions. Now a lot of this we know from what we may read in the Bible and the rest from what we learn from Sacred Tradition. Both are equally God’s way of revealing His truth to us. Christ instituted the Priesthood for us at the Last Supper when He told His Apostles “Do this in memory of me.” In telling them to “do this” He must have given them the power to do so.

RETURNING NOW TO THE ORIGINAL POINT about Hebrew and Hellenistic widows: The problem was that the widows who spoke Greek, rather than Hebrew or Aramaic, were being overlooked in the daily alms and provisions being given out. Therefore the Apostles chose seven Greek speaking Deacons to look after their needs. The Church in its missionary efforts has always looked out also for the temporal well being of individuals. There is a very simple mission principal which says: “You can’t preach the Gospel to a hungry stomach.” From my own experience in the missions, I know we spent much time and effort in trying to alleviate the material wants and needs of the poor people whom we were serving.

The Gospel: The Gospel is still part of Jesus’ talk to his Apostles after the Last Supper. He is telling them that He is going to have to leave them, but that He is going to prepare a place for them in heaven. Now much of this just doesn’t seem to sink in. They maybe hear, but don’t want to understand. It’s hard to say. Jesus doesn’t seem to want to push the fact. Jesus is very patient and tolerant. Sometimes that is how we have to be with others, just as they have to be with us. Jesus even reminds his Apostles that if they have a hard time believing some of the things He says, then they should believe because of the miracles He has worked. After all they were present probably at several of the miracles that Jesus worked. They had good reason to believe that Jesus must be Divine because of the miracles He worked.

Conclusion: In the Communion verse for today we will be repeating the words of Jesus, I am the vine, you are the branches, whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Hopefully we all intend to stay with Jesus regardless of what happens. The Apostles seemed to falter during Jesus’ sufferings and death, but made up for it afterwards by their preaching and subsequent sufferings, and by living for Jesus. We too in our own way will remain faithful to Jesus to the end, and hopefully will bear much fruit until God calls us to one of the mansions that He has prepared for us in heaven.


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

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —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

“We decided to entrust this work to learned men of our selection. They very carefully collated all their work with the ancient codices in Our Vatican Library and with reliable, preserved or emended codices from elsewhere. Besides this, these men consulted the works of ancient and approved authors concerning the same sacred rites; and thus they have restored the Missal itself to the original form and rite of the holy Fathers.”

— ‘Pope St. Pius V (Quo Primum, 1570)’

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