• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • Ordinary Form Feasts (Sainte-Marie)
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
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

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Today the Church has made a big mistake, turning the clock back 500 years with guitars and popular songs. I don’t like it at all. Gregorian Chant is a vital and important tradition of the Church and to waste this—by having guys mix religious words with profane, Western songs—is hugely grave, hugely grave.”

— Maestro Ennio Morricone (10 Sept 2009)

Recent Posts

  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”
  • 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • The Tallis Scholars
  • Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
  • Pope Saint Paul VI to Consilium (14 October 1968)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.

The election of Pope Leo XIV has been exciting, and we’re filled with hope for our apostolate’s future!

But we’re under pressure to transfer our website to a “subscription model.”

We don’t want to do that. We believe our website should remain free to all.

Our president has written the following letter:

President’s Message (dated 30 May 2025)

Are you able to support us?

clock.png

Time's up