Passiontide

"And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing."

Galatians 6:9

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It is Passiontide, the fifth week of our Lenten journey toward Easter. We are perhaps weary of the fast, and ready to celebrate Our Lord's glorious resurrection with all the beauty, smells, bells and feasting appropriate to the day. But we are not there yet.

Indeed we are not. Our statues are now covered--hidden--at church, much like Our Lord had to hide Himself from the Jews lest they kill Him before His time was accomplished (today's Gospel reading, John 7:1-13). Let us too, as we are able, hide ourselves in meditation on the coming events, let us join our own fastings and prayer to His as we prepare for the holiest week of the liturgical year. Let us redouble our efforts for our own sakes and for the good of His Church!

And the Church gives us encouragement to do just that. From the hour of Terce for April 8, 2014, The Liturgy of the Hours:

Prayer {from the Proper of the season}
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.

Let us pray
Lord, we beseech thee, that this our Fast may be acceptable in thy sight, and may, through thy blessing, effectually work in us, making us meet here to receive thy grace and hereafter the everlasting glory which Thou hast promised.

Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

R. Amen.

 A blessed Passiontide to all.