“King of kings and Lord of lords” – Hallelujah!

Peanut Gallery: Thank you Opera Company of Philadelphia for bringing Christ into our culture. He is risen… and that’s something to sing about! Happy Easter.

http://www.operaphila.org/facebook — On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation’s “Random Acts of Culture” at Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ – the world’s largest pipe organ – the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah” at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers. Continue reading ““King of kings and Lord of lords” – Hallelujah!” →

Angry Jesus…

Peanut Gallery: I’ve been watching the Easter Vigil at the Basilica in Washington, DC. I’ve been there many times with Prolife Christians at the annual March for Life in Washington. But tonight I was struck by the colossal icon by Polish artist John de Rosen – “Christ in Majesty.” That’s how I found this blog. I realize that it moves us ahead in the Easter story to the Ascension… but still, it’s something to think about.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009
Angry Jesus

Angry Jesus is a powerful image. The minute I see his face, I start hearing the “Kyrie” from Mozart’s Requiem in my head. He’s not the kind and gentle Jesus of the Gospel that everyone wants as a best friend. He’s been to hell and back and he’s way past all that. He has been wounded and tortured but now even the deep jab to his heart from a Roman lance is no more than a scratch. This Christ isn’t here to pray fervently in the desert or smile at us. This Christ is done. With his open arms he seem to ask either, “What the hell are you people doing?” or, “Well? Are you ready to open your arms, or aren’t you? Have you stepped up and lived up to the goodness within you, or do I have to smack you upside the head?” I love Angry Jesus.

Last weekend I went to Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America and one of the ten largest churches in the world.

People either love the Shrine or they’re repelled by it. I’m one of the former. I used to go there a lot during high school. The vastness of the interior and the beauty, to my mind, of the art work had the power to lift my spirit and give me a sense of calm and focus. Continue reading “Angry Jesus…” →

Evening Reading: Mark 16.1-8 ESV

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.

And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back— it was very large.

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.

But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Morning Reading: Hebrews 5.7 NLT

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.