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    Fr. Joseph Jenkins

  • The blog header depicts an important and yet mis-understood New Testament scene, Jesus flogging the money-changers out of the temple. I selected it because the faith that gives us consolation can also make us very uncomfortable. Both Divine Mercy and Divine Justice meet in Jesus. Priests are ministers of reconciliation, but never at the cost of truth. In or out of season, we must be courageous in preaching and living out the Gospel of Life. The title of my blog is a play on words, not Flogger Priest but Blogger Priest.

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The Mingling of Water & Wine

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Father Joe

Notes from the Pastor [4]

(Please note this is an archival post that is decades old.  Msgr. Awalt passed away a number of years ago.)

Let us consider a drop of water.  I have already mentioned blessing yourself with water as you enter the church.  Sometimes the Penitential Rite is conducted with the sprinkling of water upon the congregation, again reminding them of both baptism and as we beseech God for mercy and forgiveness.  Mercy does not mean just forgiveness; rather is is also asking for God’s help and presence in our lives– in living out the vocation He has given us.

While many drops are scattered in the sprinkling, there is a single drop of water placed into the wine of the chalice just prior to the offertory prayer.  The drop of water in the wine along with the bread will be consecrated into the body and blood of Christ.  The drop of water is symbolic of our union with the person of Jesus (His presence) at Mass as we go to the Father.  The prayer used at the mingling of water and wine is pregnant with meaning:  “Through the mystery of this water and wine may we share in the divinity of Christ who humbles himself to share in our humanity.”

What an incredible journey for this little drop of water… what a journey for us as we approach the Father through Christ!

William J. Awalt

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The Use of Incense

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Father Joe

Notes from the Pastor [3]

(Please note this is an archival post that is decades old.  Msgr. Awalt passed away a number of years ago.)

Incense is composed of granules that when ignited by fire from burning charcoal give off a pleasant odor, along with smoke.  The prayer that is said when it is used on solemn occasions gives insight into why it is used.  “May our prayer arise to you (God) with a pleasing fragrance.”  Our prayer comes from lifting up our minds and hearts to God.  The rising smoke reminds us of this.  The sweet fragrance tells us of God’s and the acceptance of our prayers.  The use of incense has taken on the added sign of honor for what and who is incensed.  It may be the corpse at funerals, the Gospel book at Mass, the host in the Blessed Sacrament, or the people at Mass.  Incensing reminds us of the honor and dignity of those who are incensed.  “You are a chosen race, a people set part, a royal priesthood.”  Incense reminds us of who we are– the delight we give the Lord with our prayer rising to His throne.

William J. Awalt

 

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