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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 for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM

Jeff Ostrowski · September 18, 2021

The following is by Father Valentine Young, OFM, a faithful Catholic priest who died on 17 January 2020. It was delivered sometime between 2013 and 2020. To learn more about Father Valentine, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

17th Sunday after Pentecost

*  PDF Download • READINGS IN ENGLISH
—(1962 Missal) Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

ODAY’S GOSPEL is one of my favorite Gospels during the entire year. You may wonder why. I’m especially impressed by our Lord’s quoting of Psalm 109 to answer or refute his enemies. I have to admit that for a time I did not fully understand or appreciate this part of the Gospel where Jesus (quoting Ps. 109) says: “The Lord said to my Lord, sit thou at my right hand.” But Jesus says something very important before quoting this text. He says “How is it that David in the Spirit said…?” and then quotes the psalm. This little phrase tells us that David—in writing the Psalms—was influenced or inspired by the Spirit.

Mystery of the Holy Trinity: Scholars agree that there were no clear references to the Holy Trinity in the Old Testament. God chose to reserve the revelation of that fact about Himself until New Testament times. In other words, this Mystery of our Faith was only more clearly revealed after Christ (the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity) took on our human nature and was born as an infant in Bethlehem.

Explanation of text: I didn’t really understand this section of the Bible or this part of the psalm until I was in the Novitiate and we studied all one hundred fifty psalms as part of our training. Then I learned that one could justly paraphrase this part of the Bible by saying:

“The first Lord mentioned was God the Father.
And He declared to the
second Lord mentioned as His Son.
And the fact that the Second One mentioned
was told to “Sit at His Right hand”
was a biblical way of saying
that He had equal power
with the first Lord mentioned.
This one is God the Father.

Monsignor Ronald Knox, who translated the entire Bible during the 1940s, translates this verse as: “To the Master I serve the Lord’s promise was given, Sit here at my right hand while I make thy enemies a footstool under thy feet.”

In the Spirit: We are then told that David was only able to say this because he was ‘inspired’ by the Spirit. This is a reference to the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. This section also informs us that the writers of the Bible were inspired or guided by the Holy Spirit in what they wrote. This holds true for everything else written in the psalm.

Use of psalm: Since this psalm so uniquely sums up the facts about Christ, the Church uses this psalm as the FIRST PSALM AT VESPERS for each Sunday and Major Feast. And I’m told this verse is quoted in the New Testament more than any other verse of Sacred Scripture.

Overcoming enemies: This Psalm says much about Christ. Actually, I should say it ‘predicts’ much about Christ, because the psalm was written about 900 years before Christ even came in our human nature. It predicts that Christ would be a King and Priest. In our day and age I think it is good that we all be reminded that Christ will eventually overcome his enemies.

The enemy from within: One reason—the main reason—why I stress this fact in connection with the present crisis in the Church is because it seems most of our problems are arising from within the Church. The Church has survived many persecutions and problems coming from outside the Church. Today’s problems are unique. They are coming mainly from within the Church. They are coming from shepherds and leaders who should be defending the truth and not (seemingly, at least) seeking to destroy us from within.

The outcome: I can’t predict when this situation will change. But I’m sure from reading the rest of the psalm that Christ will eventually overcome His enemies. Right now, I have to put my faith and confidence in Him. I must hold on to the basic truths I know, even if there are many around who seemingly deny them. I do think a positive attitude is required. We know that the truth will eventually prevail. I can’t answer when or how. Right now I have to accept Christ’s Church with (seemingly, at least) many defects and flaws. But I have no doubt but that Christ is depending on each and every one of us to do what we can to help His Kingdom and Church prevail. +

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: SERMON 17th Pentecost, Valentine Young SERMON Last Updated: September 18, 2021

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —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

“No official approbation is required for hymns, songs, and acclamations written for the assembly.”

— Statement by the “Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy” (10-NOV-1996)

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