Fr. Z's PODCAzTs

Today is the last podcast for this Lenten and Easter Cycle. Perhaps we will meet again at Pentecost.

The final Roman Station is San Pancrazio in the Janiculum Hill.

Scott Hahn gives us a helpful view of the Church which we should always keep in mind in spite of the “scandal, hypocrisy, bland liturgies, false teaching, broken families, sin and sinners everywhere.” It’s a summary of all times in the Church. But doesn’t this have a ring of truth for the period we have just passed through?

We pray for better times, but much depends on us. As St. John Paul II said: “Make yourselves saints, and do so quickly!”

Today’s Station is St. John Lateran. We hear about the white garments of the recently baptized.

Scott Hahn reflects on the fact that Heaven is more real than the reality we experience with our senses.

Today the Roman Station is Santa Maria ad Martyres… the Pantheon.

We hear about the consecration of the Pantheon as a church by Boniface IV in 609 and the screaming of the demons that came out of it because of the idols that were in it. Then Scott Hahn addresses the problem of the idol our society has made of sex along with the corrective of what true fulfilment and intimacy is.

Today’s Roman Station is the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles.

Scott Hahn talks about the bond of Christ and His Body, His Church, His Bride, which is our bond.

The Roman Station today is St. Lawrence outside-the-walls.  We started Septuagesima here!

Scott Hahn drives home how liturgy, our worship, our participation in the Church’s liturgy affects the course of history.

Sound familiar?  I have a few thoughts about that.

Roman Station: St. Paul’s outside-the-walls

Scott Hahn reflects on the Heavenly liturgy as related in the Book of Revelation and how it teaches us to worship.

We also hear what my home parish sounded like on Easter Sunday and why I am, in many respects, who and what I am today.

The Roman Station today is St. Peter’s on the Vatican Hill.

Today we heard about what a liturgical octave is. Also, Scott Hahn describes how all of creation is like an orchestra played by angels for the sake of divine worship.

The Roman Station today is at Santa Maria Maggiore. This is fitting since there is a tradition that the first things that Christ did after the Resurrection is visit his mother.

Today Scott Hahn talks about how, by God’s design, all creation is involved in worship of God. How should we worship God? Card. Bacci talks about true peace, which is “tranquilitas ordinis”, which is “concordia ordinata”.

Since there was no Mass on Holy Saturday, there was no ancient Roman Station.  However, for the Vigil the catechumens were at the Lateran Baptistry.

Today Scott Hahn talks about how God the Father provided and provides for his children.  We responded with sin.  He responded with more love to help us to our true homeland, Heaven.   Card. Bacci gives us a head start on true Easter.  You’ve heard of “permanent revolution”?  How about “permanent resurrection”!

Today’s Roman Station is Santa Croce in Gerusalemme where the relics of the Passion are venerated on soil brought from Calvary. Scott Hahn speaks about the “once for all” sacrifice which Christ perpetually offers the Father in Heaven and which we renew on our altars.