November 22 2024 - St. Cecilia - Consolation and Challenge of the Gospel

 

Our first readings at Mass this week have been taken from the Book of Revelation. On Wednesday, we read of John’s Vision of the Heavenly throne room filled with angels and saints singing God’s praises. A thousand years before St. John was born, the prophet Ezekiel had a similar vision at the beginning of his life as a prophet—a vision of the throne room of heaven with God seated on the throne surrounded by heavenly creatures.

In today’s reading, John is handed a scroll and told to eat the scroll. Here is another parallel to Ezekiel. Ezekiel, was handed a scroll by an angel and told to eat it and that the scroll would be sweet as honey, but sour to the stomach.

What’s going on here?

First of all, these parallels with Ezekiel indicate the importance of John’s visions. Just as Israel needed to take Ezekiel’s prophetic messages seriously, now the Church needs to take John’s messages seriously. So the message of the Book of Revelation is to be taken very seriously.

And like Ezekiel’s prophecy, John’s Revelation is both Sweet and Sour. Sweet in that it contains consolations, sour in that it communicates challenge.

It is consoling to read in the Book of Revelation how God is aware of the challenges of being a Christian in the world. He knows the hostility the world has for the Gospel—he knows the sufferings we endure for being a follower of Jesus. And the message of the book of Revelation is that God is going to deliver his people from the hands of the wicked. But that’s also a word of warning to the wicked, isn’t it. You better align yourself with God. You better repent, before it is too late.

The scroll is sweet, the message of the Gospel is consoling because it promises eternal life, but it is also sour and bitter, because the Gospel tells us that we, like Jesus, must take up our own crosses and follow him.

Today the Church celebrates an early Roman martyr: St. Cecilia. St. Cecilia was a life-long Christian, she loved Jesus more than anything. But living in a time of Christian persecution, Cecilia was arrested and sentenced to death by beheading. The legend states that her executioner failed at beheading her multiple times. And as Cecilia lay dying in her cell for three days, she sang God’s praises. In pain, as she lay dying, she and praised God.

She accepted the bitterness of the Gospel because she knew that believing in and following Jesus leads to eternal life. And that sweet message of salvation consoled her so much, that she was filled with song and praise as her earthly life ended, knowing that heaven awaited her.

We honor St. Cecilia today, knowing that she teaches us to deepen our hope in the promises of Jesus—that those who die with Him as Lord will be raised to everlasting life, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Let us bring our prayers and petitions before God, whose Word is sweet and consoling, yet challenges us to take up our cross and follow Christ.

For the Church, that she may faithfully proclaim the message of the Gospel, sweet in its promises and challenging in its demands, and guide the faithful to eternal life.

For leaders of nations, that they may align themselves with God’s justice and promote peace, reconciliation, and respect for human dignity.

For all those who suffer persecution for their faith in Christ, that they may be strengthened by the example of the martyrs and remain steadfast in their hope of eternal life.

For all who are sick, lonely, or in pain, that they may find consolation in God’s promise to deliver His people from suffering and bring them eternal peace.

For all the faithful departed, that they may share in the sweet promise of eternal life with Christ, especially those who bore witness to Him through suffering.

God of eternal sweetness and truth, you call us to embrace both the consolations and the challenges of the Gospel. Hear our prayers and grant us the grace to persevere in faith, hope, and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

 

November 22 2023 - St. Cecilia - Sing a new song unto the Lord

 All throughout the scriptures God’s people are known for making music.  After escaping from the Egyptians and crossing the Red Sea, the people of Israel sang a song exulting the Lord for delivering them from their enemies. Singing was certainly part of Israel's formal worship in both tabernacle and temple. The Psalms bear rich testimony that in joy and sorrow, in praise and lament, the faithful raise their voices in song to God—making music on lutes and harps, and pipe instruments, even with loud clashing cymbals. There’s certainly a time and place for music like that! 

Our Lord in the Gospels is recorded as singing hymns with his disciples on their way to Mount Olivet, after the Last Supper—like a recessional hymn following the first Mass.  

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, telling them, “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…”

In the book of the apocalypse, the saints of heaven are depicted standing around the throne of the Lamb, singing. 

We celebrate today the feast of the patron saint of musicians, St. Cecilia. Legend states that after St. Cecilia was arrested and imprisoned for her faith, she was tortured for days. But throughout her gruesome tortures she sang to God, she sang God’s praises. St. Cecilia was able to sing in the face of death because of her Faith. Faith that death is not the end. For that martyrs win an imperishable crown in heaven for their courageous witness. 

For those without faith, death is the worst thing imaginable. But the fearless song of the Christian is itself a witness to Christ’s victory. Death does not get the last word. Christ is victorious. This world—this valley of tears—is but a prelude to everlasting life with God for the redeemed. 

Singing. I never understand why some Christians don’t like to sing. We are told to sing by our scriptures. The Lord himself was a singer of hymns and psalms. The saints are able to sing in the face of death. Song has a powerful ability to help us transcend earthly mindedness. Singing elevates our mood, it lifts our minds and hearts to join in an angelic, heavenly activity in the praise and worship of God. 

Anyone can learn to sing if they want to. Just as anyone can learn to follow Christ. Anyone can learn to love God and trust God enough to sing like the saints in the face of suffering. 

Through the intercession of St. Cecilia, may the Holy Spirit teach us to sing a new song of adoration unto the Lord in witness of the saving Gospel—the victory of Christ—for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That we may endeavor to put our time, talent, treasure, creativity, and devotion into serving the mission of the Gospel. 

For a strengthening of Christian marriages; for an increase in virtue among spouses; for healing in troubled marriages; and for God’s mercy to replace bitterness, resentment, and selfishness. 

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we pray for the safety of travelers, the peaceful resolution of all family divisions and national hostilities, for protection from disease, and harmony amongst all those who gather; for the lonely and forgotten, and that holy gratitude may fill our hearts and animate our lives.

For the safety of police and firefighters, for first responders, the underemployed and unemployed, for those struggling with addiction, for the incarcerated, for those suffering from depression or burn-out, and for the sick and dying. 

We pray in a special way during this Month of November, for all of the faithful departed, for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for all the souls in purgatory, and for…

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

November 22 2022 - St. Cecilia - The most beautiful song (school mass)

 All throughout the scriptures God’s people are known for making music.  After escaping from the Egyptians and crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites sang a song exulting the Lord for delivering them from their enemies.

Israel sang as she traversed the desert, she sang in the Temple, she sang in exile.

And entire book of the Bible—the book of Psalms—contains songs of joy, songs of adoration of God, songs of repentance for sin, songs of desperation, songs of thanksgiving in acknowledgement of God’s blessings, songs to bestow courage on God’s people as they faced their enemies, songs which contain timeless wisdom to guide one’s life.

There are even Psalms instructing God’s people to pick up your instruments and make some music for God—on lutes and harps, and pipe instruments, even with loud clashing cymbals. 

The Lord Jesus himself in the Gospels is recorded as singing hymns with his disciples on their way to Mount Olivet, after the Last Supper. A recessional hymn following the first Mass.  

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, telling them, “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…”

In the book of the apocalypse, the saints of heaven are depicted standing around the throne of the Lamb, singing. 

We celebrate today the feast of the patron saint of musicians, St. Cecilia—so a very happy feast day to all musicians—and to the whole Church who constantly sings God’s praises. St. Cecilia was an early Christian martyr, she was arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and sentenced to death because of her Catholic faith. Legend states that throughout her tortures, which lasted for days, she sang to God. 

Think about that. St. Cecilia’s faith was so important to her, that she was able to sing in the face of death. Is your faith strong enough? 

Jesus on the cross recited the lyrics of a song: a song that begins, “my god my god, why have you forsaken me” expressing the sentiments of all those who suffer and feel that God is at a distance…but the song continues: “Dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and my feet”…a thousand years before Jesus was born, this song about a man having his hands and feet pierced for God was written by David..Jesus’s ancestor. And then the song concludes: All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage. And I will live for the LORD;” From the cross, Jesus referenced this song about a man who dies for the Lord, who, even though he dies, will live, will continue to praise God even in death, who will live for God forever. 

That is why St. Cecilia was able to sing when she was facing death. Because of Jesus’ promise, that all those who believe that Jesus is the son of God, those who die with his praises on their lips, will live beyond death. 

The Catholic Church has had on her lips for two thousand years, this very song—the song of Songs—the most beautiful song--the song singing of God’s victory over death through Jesus Christ. Will you sing it? Why wouldn’t you?

The Feast of St. Cecilia—what a wonderful saint to celebrate before taking off a few days for Thanksgiving Break. Cecilia reminds us to join in the Church’s song every day—a song that turns to God with the sentiments of every human heart—thanking God and praising God—for the invitation to sing forever. For the glory of God and salvation of souls.

November 22 2021 - St. Cecilia - Sacred Music and the New Song of the Martyrs

All throughout the scriptures God’s people are known for making music.  After escaping from the Egyptians and crossing the Red Sea, the people of Israel sang a song exulting the Lord for delivering them from their enemies. Singing was certainly part of Israel's formal worship in both tabernacle and temple. The Psalms bear rich testimony that in joy and sorrow, in praise and lament, the faithful raise their voices in song to God—making music on lutes and harps, and pipe instruments, even with loud clashing cymbals. There’s certainly a time and place for music like that! 

Our Lord in the Gospels is recorded as singing hymns with his disciples on their way to Mount Olivet, after the Last Supper. A recessional hymn following the first Mass.  

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, telling them, “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…”

In the book of the apocalypse, the saints of heaven are depicted standing around the throne of the Lamb, singing. 

We celebrate today the feast of the patron saint of musicians, St. Cecilia. Legend states that after St. Cecilia was arrested and imprisoned for her faith, she was tortured for days. But throughout her gruesome tortures she sang to God, she sang God’s praises. 

I think of Cecilia’s beautiful music as she faced her martyrdom in contrast with Psalm 137 which, depicts the Jews being so distraught, so anguished due to their physical separation from the Jerusalem temple, that they hang up their hearts. They are so overwhelmed that they could not bring themselves to song when their Babylonian captors request a song of zion. 

But, St. Cecilia was able to sing in the face of death, and this is certainly a characteristic of the Christian saint. Because of Christian faith and hope, faith in Christ’s victory over death, hope in eternal life with him and the resurrection, we are able to sing even in this valley of tears.  

St. Augustine describing the Christian life once said, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.”  The Christian witnessing to the victory of Christ over sin and death is to be a song which resounds to all corners of the world.  Whether in good times or in bad, in times of suffering, or in times of joy the Christian life is to be a hymn to God. For Christ’s victory over death, enables us to sing alleluia—God is victorious—even in the face of our own martyrdom. 

Several of the Psalms proclaim: “sing a new song unto the Lord”, well, the Christian is able to sing that new song, even in the face of gruesome martyrdom because we know that death does not get the last word, death does not silence the witness of the Church, for it did not silence Him.

The Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium explains that there are two purposes for sacred music: "the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful."

Beautiful Sacred Music, reflects the beauty and holiness of God, engaging our human emotions, imaginations, and wills. We make beautiful music because God is beautiful, and we sing songs of lamentation to more deeply express our guilt or our suffering.

And yet, sacred music is also a sacramental like sacred art and architecture, the miraculous medal, or holy water. Music expresses our faith but also opens us up, disposes us, like the other sacramentals, to the grace of God, by pointing us to the transcendent. Sacred music has been successful in stirring the hearts of hardened atheists to recognize that there is something beyond the material, beyond the self.

The Church is blessed by her sacred musicians who help us to worship God in spirit, truth, goodness, and beauty. Through the intercession of St. Cecilia, may the entire Church, through all her trials and joys, sing to God the new song of adoration for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

November 22 2019 - St. Cecilia - Courage of the Martyrs

When we celebrate the feasts of the martyrs, like St. Cecilia, we do so for a number of reasons. First, to give thanksgiving and praise to God. We join our lives to theirs through this act of divine worship. For the martyrs came to altars just like ours. They thanked God for the salvation of their souls just like we are doing. And from this altar they received the body and blood of Jesus that nourished their souls, that helped them to love Jesus so much that they were willing to die for Him.

Secondly, we celebrate the martyrs for their example of courage. As we’ve been reading through the Maccabees this whole week, these acts of heroic faith echo through the centuries, inspiring us to be faithful when we are tempted, setting good example for young people, that their lives may be ordered to seek after that which is most important, a vibrant relationship with God that directs the whole of their lives.

And of all the virtues of the martyrs it is certainly their courage that we seek to emulate. C.S. Lewis
wrote that “Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” If we are to practice any of the virtues of the Christian life: faith, hope, love, prudence, temperance, and fortitude, we need courage to practice any of them.

We need courage to have faith: to believe that God exists even though we have no empirical proof of his existence, to believe in he testimony of the apostles that Jesus is risen, we need courage to believe that we are truly forgiven of our sins. We need to have courage to hope, that amidst all the chaos and evil in the world, the goodness of Christ will triumph. We need to have courage to love, to go beyond self-preservation and self-interest and caring for others, looking to their needs instead of only our own.

Courage is needed for the Christian Life, and the martyrs like Cecilia, remind us of that, and pray from their place in heaven, that we may be courageous when our faith, hope, and live are tried.

While Cecilia was imprisoned and being tortured for her faith, she continued to speak of the saving Gospel and to sing God’s praises. She is known as the patron saint of musicians, because by her courage her life became a powerful song of witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May her prayers and example aid us in having courage in the face of all trial for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Pope and all bishops and priests may lead the church in the courage practice and proclamation of the saving Gospel of Christ.

That parents may be models of courageous faith for their children, and center their family life on the Gospel through worship, prayer, and charity.

For members of our parish faced with temptations and trials, that they will choose faith and know the strength and peace of God.

That through the intercession of St. Cecilia, in thanksgiving for our parish musicians, that their lives may be blessed as they develop and share their talents for the glory of God.

That Christ the Good Shepherd will draw close to all who suffer, the sick, the needy, victims of injustice, and the dying.

We pray in a special way during this month of November for all the faithful departed, for those whose names are written in our parish book of the names of the dead, all deceased members of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, and our deceased family members and friends, deceased clergy and religious, those who fought and died for our freedom and for X. for whom this mass is offered.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

November 22 2017 - St. Cecilia - Singing joyfully amidst persecution

Having been involved in singing in choirs both in high school and in seminary, I came to develop a devotion to St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. And so when I visited Rome for the first time, one of the first Churches I made sure to visit was the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere. The church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is reputedly built on the site of the house in which she lived; the original church was constructed in the fourth century

St. Cecilia is one of the most famous Roman martyrs, her name is listed in the Roman Canon along with Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, and Anastasia.

The daughter of wealthy Christian family of Rome, Cecilia was promised in marriage to a Pagan man, despite an inner vow of virginity she had made to God. On the night of the wedding, she told her husband that God had set an angel over her to guard her virginity. Quite skeptical, of course, Valerian asked to see the angel. He saw the angel, and quickly went to the Pope to be baptized.
Cecilia’s holiness became a cause for many Roman pagans to seek conversion. But soon, she attracted the attention of the authorities; she was arrested and sentenced to death. Throughout her tortures, which lasted for three days, she sang God’s praises, which is why she is the patron saint of music.

Why was Cecilia so revered by the early Roman Church? Why is she revered still today?

St. Cecilia, the virgin martyr, singing God’s praises in the midst of persecution and torture, gives us example for the persecutions we must each face. The Lord promised that each of us would have to face our own persecution, that each of us would be misunderstood, mocked, even hated for the faith. And Cecilia reminds us that the Christian faces these persecutions joyfully, knowing that they lead to espousal with the Lord, eternal union with God in heaven.

If you cannot imagine facing persecution joyfully, pray for that grace—the grace to remain faithful and even joyful when your faith is tested, that in the moment of trial, your heart might be gladdened with the knowledge, that what suffer for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For all Christians, that as they experience persecution for the faith, they may know the closeness and love of the Lord and remain true to the Gospel.

Through the intercession of St. Cecilia, we pray for all musicians, that they may use their gifts and talents not for their own sake, but for the glory of God.

For peace to reign in the hearts of all preparing to gather for the Thanksgiving holiday and for the safety of all travelers.

That our young people may grow in a deep love of the Lord and his commands and be preserved from the errors of the world.

For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, or for those who will die today.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.