Introduction to Vespers for the Memorial of St. Pius V - Pope. (Feastday April 30)

St. Pius V had complete trust in the Lord. Knowing that the Lord was at his side he made very challenging decisions, such as; he challenged his Cardinals to curb their customary luxurious living, Bishops were required to found diocesan seminaries and to reside in their Sees. The secular clergy, the Religious Orders and even the laity came to feel the Pope's influence in carrying out the decisions of the great Council of Trent, which had brought its session to a close in 1563. Church music and liturgical worship were also reformed.

Going through the psalter of Tuesday week 1 for vespers as a reflection, I realized that the first Psalm-Ps.19(20) is a prayer for a king before he goes for battle and the second Psalm-Ps.20(21) is a thanksgiving for a king's victory. Both these Psalms tells us about the complete trust of a king in God who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. This reminded me that during his reign as Pope, the Turks were attacking Cyprus; Pope Pius V was confident that the allied forces of Venice, Genoa, Spain and the Holy See will win in this battle. He was sure that God will lead them to victory. The Allied forces gained their victory while a great procession of the Rosary Confraternity was passing through the streets of Rome, imploring divine assistance. Pope Pius organized it and in memory of this victory, he instituted the feast of the Holy Rosary and entered this invocation 'Help of Christians' in the Litany of Loreto.

We pray that like Pope Pius V, we too can put our trust in God and confidently be assured that He is with us in all situations.

Introduction to Lauds for the Memorial of St. Pius V - Pope. (Feastday April 30)

This introduction is based on the Psalter of Week 1 - Tuesday.  
'He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob'. [Ps. 23 (24) :5-6]Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Pius V. A man who was ordained a priest at the age of 24 and for 16 years devoted himself to the teaching of philosophy and theology. A man of solid piety and self-discipline. He passed long night hours in prayer and, when travel was necessary, went on foot in silence and without a cloak.

In his personal life as a Pope, he continued the practices of virtue that he had followed as a monk and, notwithstanding his great burden of work, twice daily took time-out for meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. To the poor he distributed generous alms, and the sick received his visits and personal ministrations in the hospitals.
We can be guilty sometime, having Jesus at our block (seminary grounds), churches or at chapels in the form of the Eucharist and we visit Him only at strict visitations. We bargain our time with Him. Pope Pius V recognized the need to seek the face of Jesus. He learned how to drain strength from God by seeking His face in the Blessed Sacrament and from the poor, sick and the needy.

Jesus is in our midst; He is here present in the Blessed Sacrament, in our prayer room, in our classrooms, in our rooms, our workplace. He is very much present in our community. We see His face at mealtime, classes, at games and in all places and situations.

Let us then pray, that like St. Pius V we may seek the face of God in all situations, mainly seek Him in one another.

Introduction to Vespers (Tueasday: Easter) Week 4.

Introduction based on the Gospel reading for the day - (Jn 10:22-30).

Whenever I find it difficult to sleep especially after having a very heavy dinner, I use to go out from my room / house to get some fresh air, and when I look out it is pitch black (dark). All the earth is absolutely silent, totally, completely. When I sit out there longer I realized there are sounds. Sounds of insects' chirping, the leaves from the nearby trees hitting each other following the rhythm of the wind. And if listen very carefully I can even hear myself breathing.

It really amazes me how the faintest and gentlest sounds dominate when it is quiet all around. It is in silence that they finally assume their rightful place of importance.

And that's the way with the voice of God. He is difficult to be found amidst the many voices and noises within and around us. He is gentle. He comes only when invited. If our heart is in turbulent, distressed or preoccupied, we will sure miss it. We will drown His voice.

But when we are quite, calm or at peace, when we put aside all the 'noise', we will definitely hear Him so clearly through His still voice, His creations, friends, loved ones and even life's circumstances.

So friends, in this evening prayer, let us take heed to this morning's Gospel in which it says; "The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me". Let us pray that in all situations we still be able to listen and recognize the voice of our Good Shepherd and follow Him.

Introduction to Lauds (Wednesday: Easter) - Week 3

Psalm 97 (98) clearly proclaims a Messianic and Eschatological (religious belief connected with the end of the world) message. It leads us to contemplate God's final victory over evil and salvation for all peoples. "The Lord makes known His salvation!" In this early part of the day; the hour of Christ's resurrection, God manifests His power in the Paschal Mystery of Christ.

The scripture reading this morning (Rom 6:8-11), reminds us that Christ who has risen from the dead cannot die anymore. And we are asked to die to our sins and live a life that looks towards God through the saving act of Jesus.

So, let our lives be a new canticle that proclaims throughout the world God's saving power. God rules with justice; those who walk in His ways will share in the final victory of our God.