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

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • 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
    • Feasts Website
  • 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: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Guest Author · August 10, 2014

HE MAIN THING that spiritual writers and commentators on the Bible find in the first reading for today is this: God does not ordinarily speak to us in extraordinary ways like earthquakes and rushing winds and fires, but in a tiny whispering sound. And one could develop this thought by saying that if one wants to hear this, one certainly has to be very quiet.

If there is one thing that the modern day world does not like, it is peace and quiet. One can hardly go anywhere and not have to listen to some kind of noise, be it music or some kind of broadcasting. I’m not in a position to say why this is. I just know the fact. I’m particularly annoyed when I visit someone’s home, and they don’t even have the courtesy to turn off the TV. However this topic is perhaps getting us off the subject. The point that I want to make is that if you want to have a conversation with God, it is best to do in a quiet atmosphere or surroundings. In my opinion that is why a quiet condition in our Churches is so important. I don’t think I need say more about what we experience in so many of our modern day Churches.

Probably one part of today’s Gospel that is passed over is the section where we are told that Jesus went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Now we can only speculate as to what kind of praying Jesus did. But if you take a definition of prayer that I frequently use, namely that “prayer is simply a conversation or talking with God,” then Jesus praying would simply be conversing with His Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. Now their conversation would not be like anything we would have or could imagine. We simply can’t imagine what it would be like, because, we are not divine; we are not God. Again this activity on the part of our Lord is bringing out a part of that wonderful mysterious blend of His two natures, the human and divine. We will never understand it.

THE REACTION OF THE DISCIPLES when they saw someone walking on the water was very natural. We probably would have reacted in the same way. But Jesus reassures them that they have nothing to fear. I don’t want to sound disrespectful to St. Peter, but I have always felt that he spoke out without really thinking ahead of time what he was saying. I have often had reason in sermons to say that I think that St. Peter in many respects seemed to be the most ‘human’ of all the apostles. We certainly seem to have more of his faults and failings recorded than of anyone else. So often he seemed to speak before he thinks. I’m not here to criticize him. If anything we might find some encouragement for ourselves from his frailties.

We can all probably identify with the disciples when it comes to their having fears. It’s easy now to say that they had nothing to fear since Jesus was so close. But that is not how it works in real life situations. And the same can be true for us. If you are anything like me, then you probably have had many fears or worries in life that later you found out to be groundless. But at the time they can be very real. The important thing to do to overcome them is to live in the here and now; to enjoy what we have here and now and not to be always projecting into the future. God has certainly taken care of us up to this point. He has probably had reason many times to say to us also, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” If we could only enjoy what God gives to us right now and not worry about the future!

When I attended Franciscan College they had an excellent man as our dean of students, Fr. Ignatius Brady, OFM. One of the spiritual books that he highly recommended was Christ in His Mysteries by Abbott Marmion, OSB. The general theme of this book was to take the events of the life of Christ and see them not only as events long past, but as events still happening in the life of the Church, especially in the Liturgical year, especially as portrayed in the Gospel selections each Sunday. He would encourage us to reflect on each Sunday’s selection and try to make it alive in our own lives for inspiration and imitation. Hopefully some of the ideas which I have presented in this homily will be helpful in your being able to do so.


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

    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

“The Church, which so long had preserved Latin consciously as a bond of unity, had quite suddenly decided to discard it as a useless encumbrance. With this rejection, and as an almost inevitable consequence, went out the window also the whole magnificent musical heritage of the Church. For when you change your language you also change your song. The Jewish exiles hanging their harps beside the waters of Babylon, so long ago, made that discovery.”

— Most Rev’d Robert J. Dwyer, Archbishop of Portland (26 October 1973)

Recent Posts

  • Charlie Kirk’s Fascination with Traditional Catholic Liturgy
  • “Novus Ordo Parish … With Polyphony?” • Is that possible? How specifically does that work?
  • “The Injustice of Traditionis Custodes” • (Private Meetings at the Vatican)
  • New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
  • PDF Download • Croft’s “Canonic Kyrie” (SATB)

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.