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Views from the Choir Loft

John the Baptist and the Meaning of Marriage

Fr. David Friel · August 29, 2017

ODAY’S liturgical feast, in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms, is the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. This is one of the more intriguing feasts for people who are just becoming familiar with the liturgical year and celebration of the saints. Even for those who are very familiar with the Church’s liturgy, today’s feast prompts a timely question: why was the Baptist killed?

It began with Herod, who decided to take his brother’s wife as his own. John the Baptist rightfully didn’t approve of that, and he said to Herod: “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Needless to say, that opposition did not put John in Herod’s good graces. So John the Baptist was killed for his defense of marriage.

It’s so very much like the story of Sir Thomas More. Thomas was asked by Henry VIII to give approval to the king’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon. As a matter of conscience, Thomas More refused to give his approval. And so he, too, suffered death for his defense of marriage.

In our own day, marriage is under siege in numerous ways. Society asks us to accept that marriage means whatever we want it to mean. Society asks us to view marriage as a mere business arrangement—as simply a legal construct. But that is not what marriage is.

Marriage is a Sacrament, instituted by Christ, for the fostering of family life. We need the moral courage—the fortitude—to call evil evil and good good. We may never be put to death for raising opposition to modern trends. But, then again, maybe we will.

We need the intercession of Saints John the Baptist and Thomas More to strengthen us in this fight. Let’s ask for their heartfelt prayers so that the world might rediscover the authentic meaning of Holy Matrimony.

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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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

An Indult of the “Commission for Russia” (25 November 1929) authorizes Bishops and Administrators Apostolic in Russia to permit the celebration of Mass and the reception of Holy Communion in the afternoon or evening, on condition that a Eucharistic fast of four hours from noon be observed.

— Sacred Congregation of Rites, 25 nov 1929

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