St. Crispin Friary, Bronx, NY
(Submitted by Deacon E)

In music, it’s called a bridge.  In speech, it’s called a segue.  In English grammar, they’re called transition words.  In the liturgy of the Mass, it’s known as the Responsorial Psalm.  A brief bit of poetry that fills the space between two readings.  Too often, however, we allow it to pass without a pause.  We hear the cantor’s voice, but not the words.  If the readings that bookend the psalmody are particularly engaging and powerful, the psalm can fade from memory the instant we’re finished singing or saying it.  

Such is the case this weekend where the readings announce God’s choice for the leader of His holy people: Eliakim as High Priest in the Jerusalem temple, and Peter as the rock on which the nascent Christian church is to be built.  Important and powerful stuff.  What, unfortunately, can be lost as we focus on the prophetic link between these two stories and the reality of its living legacy in the Catholic Church today, is the beauty of the bridge, the segue, the transition between them.

“… in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple.”

As I hear these words, I’m drawn to the front door of my parish church.  I pull them wide open and take a step back to gaze inside and see Jesus waiting behind the doors of the tabernacle.  He’s waiting for me.  That little voice inside my head says:  “Come inside.  Allow me to settle your heart.”  Before I begin to move, I can’t help but raise my arms and sing:

“… in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple.”

Dear brothers, this hymn of praise should resonate in our hearts every time we step through the front doors of our parish church.  And as we enter, vested in the garments of a deacon, may we proclaim, “I give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth.”

In Christ the Servant + Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Receive + Believe + Teach + Practice