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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

Craving the Body of Christ

Fr. David Friel · April 5, 2020

ACH year during Holy Week, I focus on a different character from the Passion narrative, trying to experience the whole of Holy Week through his or her eyes. Usually I let the Holy Spirit guide me in the selection process. Over the years, I have experienced Holy Week alongside John the Apostle, Mary, Simon of Cyrene, St. Dismas (the Good Thief), Mary Magdalene, the Roman soldiers, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, Veronica, and others. Once or twice, I have repeated a character.

Whether you find that idea appealing or not, I have a recommendation for this year, when COVID-19 will prevent so many followers of Christ from attending public celebrations of this most sacred week.

My recommendation is to spend some time this week identifying with Joseph of Arimathea.

What do we know about Joseph of Arimathea? Frankly, not much. Like many other characters in the Gospels, what we know of Joseph of Arimathea is gleaned through snippets.

He was from a place called Arimathea, which was a town of Judah (Lk 23:51). He was evidently a wealthy man, since he could afford to have a new tomb hewn out of rock for himself (Mt 27:60). According to Luke’s description, he may have been a member of the Sanhedrin (Lk 23:50). He is, furthermore, described as “a disciple of Jesus,” but, notably, “a secret one, for fear of the Jews” (Jn 19:38). So he was a man of faith, but a man, in some ways, reticent in his faith.

Although we do not know a great deal about him, what we do know is very telling. Two matters stand out—two actions that Joseph of Arimathea undertook on the day of Christ’s crucifixion and that are worthy of our reflection today.

First, the Gospel of Luke records that Joseph of Arimathea “went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus” (Lk 23:52). The word “asked” demands our attention. In Greek, it is a very strong word (ᾐτήσατο), a verb that can mean to ask, or beg, or desire, or crave, or even demand.

Imagine that: Joseph of Arimathea desired, even craved the body of Jesus.

The second major action he undertook that day is described by the Gospel of Matthew: “Joseph took the Body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed” (Mt 27:59-60). Had it not been for this one great gift, in which he gave our Lord a tomb, the name “Joseph of Arimathea” would have been forgotten centuries ago. On account of his generosity, however, he is well and favorably remembered.

It is significant that this was not just any tomb, but rather “a new tomb where no one had ever been laid” (Jn 19:41). The cultural norm of the time and place was to reuse burial places, which often took the form of hillside necropolises. As Bishop Sheen observed: “Born of a virgin womb, He was buried in a virgin tomb, and as Crashaw said: ‘And a Joseph did betroth them both’” (Life of Christ, Chapter 53).

By giving Jesus a tomb, of course, Joseph of Arimathea was not consigning Him to death. Although not yet possessing faith in the Resurrection, he unwittingly gave the Lord a place to come to life again.

There is a tremendous beauty in these two great acts of Joseph of Arimathea—the acts whereby he “asked for the Body of Jesus” and offered Him a tomb. In our own day, each one of us is called to repeat these same very acts.

The widespread lack of access to the Sacraments at present has already cultivated a sincere craving for the Body of Christ in the hearts of many of the faithful. Have these circumstances also prompted us to hew a new place in our hearts from which the Lord can come to life again?

Certainly, the present situation is far from ideal. Indeed, it is unlivable for any length of time. Lacking the power to alter our conditions, though, we might at least seek the graces that remain always on offer from the Lord.

I invite you to follow the sacred events of this Holy Week alongside Joseph of Arimathea. By sharing with him a deep craving for the Body of Christ, may we also be united with him in offering the Lord a place to rise up and stand forth and declare newness of life.


COVID-19 Pandemic Reflections

On Separation from the Sacraments:

• A Word of Encouragement
• Stories from Walter Ciszek, SJ
• Insights from Joseph of Arimathea

On Returning to the Sacraments:

• Insights from Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ
• Stories from Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Coronavirus Pandemic, Holy Week Last Updated: May 28, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Random Quote

“Contradictions place us at the foot of the Cross, and the Cross places us at the gates of Heaven.” (Saint John Mary Vianney)

— Cardinal Merry del Val’s Prayer-Book

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