The BreadCast

O sign of perfect solitude who heeded so well the Lord’s command to enter into your closet in order to pray, whose great measure of self-denial led you to the peak of contemplation in God’s holy presence, whose only desire was that souls might draw close to Him – pray all who seek the Lord may approach Him with a whole heart, a heart set on Him alone, that in such perfect devotion all might find Him present in their souls, in their spirits, and be elevated in their lowliness to His indescribable divine love, to His peace which passes all our understanding but draws us ever closer to His wounded side.

(Ez.17:22-24; Ps.92:2-3,13-16; 2Cor.5:6-10; Mk.4:26-34) "They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God." The imagery today is of trees and plants and the growth and strength of the kingdom of God. "The just one shall flourish like a palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow," our psalmist rejoices, and adds, "They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be." In our gospel Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God is like the seed that grows gradually, imperceptibly into ripe grain ready for the harvest, and compares it also to the mustard seed, "the smallest of all the seeds on the earth," which "springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." God is the seed from which all is sprung. Jesus is the "tender shoot" spoken of by Ezekial. Taken from "the crest of the cedar," the humble bloom of the house of Israel, He is "planted on a high and lofty mountain" – raised up to the right hand of the Father – and by the power of the Holy Spirit, thence He "put[s] forth branches and bear[s] fruit, and become[s] a majestic cedar": His apostles and prophets go forth and plant the Word of God in all hearts; and as it grows unto heaven and blossoms forth in the works of every Christian, the Church is made to stand fast in the sight of the Lord. "Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it"; everyone who seeks refuge from the heat of the sun that is this world of sin beating down upon the human soul shall find in His Church a place of peace and comfort, a house in which he is nourished and sent on his flight, carrying the love of our God across the heavens to all lands. Brothers and sisters, let us be "courageous," as indeed Paul declares we are. Let us be strong and sturdy lowly trees growing by the grace of God to heavenly heights in all our deeds on earth. Though "we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord," though we would today see the kingdom of heaven fulfilled before our eyes, yet as long as we have the flesh of this tree enrobing our souls, let us always "aspire to please Him," to please our God, to grow closer each day to where He sits on His throne in the kingdom, that when we "all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" we "each may receive recompense" and together "sing praise to… [the] Most High." Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Gradual Heaven" from All One, sixth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us dwell beneath the shade of your boughs when harvest time has come, when your Son returns. YHWH, let us be planted in your House and grow by your grace into your kingdom, where you dwell in the highest Heaven. We are but lowly creatures, weak and prone to sin, but by your Son and by His Word and His blood we are strengthened and rise, we know not how, to your throne, where He sits with you in eternal glory with all the angels and saints who have done your will in this world. How can we be made worthy of your kingdom, O LORD? How can we be courageous, believing that we shall be saved from this corruptible flesh and come home to you? Is it not the lowly one you look upon? Is it not to save just such as us that you have sent your Son, who has instructed His disciples, who have instructed us, and through whom we are blessed? O let this Tree be a tree of life growing ever unto your kingdom, all souls entering there with songs of praise to your NAME!

(1Kgs.19:9,11-16; Ps.27:7-9,13-14; Mt.5:27-32) "Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks." "Your presence, O Lord, I seek. Hide not your face from me," David sings in our psalm; and it is the presence of the Lord that is made known to Elijah in our first reading. And that same presence stands most openly before us in the teaching of Jesus in our gospel. Elijah comes to the mountain of God to find shelter against the persecutions of his own people, for as he says, "I alone am left, and they seek to take my life." He alone holds the word of God, and so with what zealousness his life is sought. God promises to show Himself to His lone prophet, but neither in the "strong and heavy wind" nor in "the earthquake" nor in "the fire," which come before Elijah with great power as he stands upon the mountain, does the prophet find God. By none of these is he moved. But in "a tiny whispering sound" the presence of the Most High God is made known ("it is not by sword or spear…" 1Sm.17:47); it is this still, small voice that instills the fear of the Lord in his pierced soul and causes him to "hid[e] his face in his cloak and [go and stand] at the entrance of the cave," now seeking shelter from the power of God. And is not this quiet Word made known in fullness today in the presence of Jesus, He who came "humble and mounted on an ass" (Mt. 21:5)? Does His simple teaching, do His gentle words not rend our hearts in twain? Here is the power of strong wind, earthquake, and fire all together in the voice of the Son of a carpenter; here in this unassuming flesh is God Himself made known. And what does He teach us? And how difficult is it to hear! How we must cower at His words as they reach into our heart! For He tells us that our glance must seek God alone, that our heart must speak, our actions must reveal, His love only. Else what can we do with our eye but to "gouge it out and throw it away"? What can we do with our hand but "cut it off and throw it away" if it will not do the will of the Lord? For all else is waste, and to pursue in blindness the mere pleasures of the flesh, to look upon the vanity of the world with longing, will but bring us to Gehenna – this the gentle Lord would prevent with all His might, with even His death upon a cross. Do not turn your look upon the sins of this degenerate age. Do not throw in your lot with those "who have forsaken [the Lord's] covenant, torn down [His] altars, and put the prophets to the sword." "Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted and wait for the Lord," and you "shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living" – and you shall be wed in truth to Him who is all love, and you shall be called to anoint kings and prophets, to do the will of the Father in fullness as His holy children. ******* O LORD, let us be pure of heart, that we might see you, that we might know you, that we might be in your presence and do your will. YHWH, how can we bear your Word reaching down into our souls; how can we stand in your presence? Though you come to us in gentleness and humility, your loving word is severe to hearts full of sin as our own. And so we hide our faces from your radiant presence. Let us not be afraid, O LORD, to heed your Word and do your will; change our hearts that they might be pure as your own. Let us not look with lust upon the tempting objects of this world or reach our hand out to them or run to find them… In peace and in calm let us remain in your presence, your Word ministering to our poor souls. Let us desire only to be like you, dear God, and to dwell in your presence. O LORD, you will take us to your kingdom after this earthly life is spent, if we spend it in your service. Keep us close to you all our days, protect us from the attacks of the devil, and we indeed shall come to see the glory of your transcendent kingdom. O let us be subject to you and your gentle, saving Word this day!

(Gn.3:9-15; Ps.130:1-8; 2Cor.4:13-5:1; Mk.3:20-35) "With the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption." We hear today recounted in our first reading our first parents' tragic fall from the grace of God into the boundaries of hell – for now they tend to hide themselves from His glorious face. Oh such disobedience that has caused such painful separation of the crown of creation from the Creator's hand! And what greater punishment than this can we know: not to be eternally in His presence as was His intent? And for such sin inflicted upon our race our psalmist is caused to plea: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!" For release from the "iniquities" upon his soul he begs the Lord… and so is proclaimed the cry of us all. And does the Lord hear? He cannot help but hear, for "with [Him] is forgiveness, that [He] may be revered." He draws His children back to His paradise by the cords that are the blood of Christ, "that the grace bestowed on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God." "Knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also… we are not discouraged… For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven." Sin may well be at work within us, causing the body to die, causing us to give up our lives – forcing us to put no stock in the passing things of this life; but through this sacrifice the Lord is at work building our home in heaven. Paul sums up this redemptive process so beautifully when he says, "This momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison." For the affliction indeed passes with these passing things, but His house is eternal. And in our gospel we see well that Jesus has come and "plunder[ed] the house" of Satan. "He drives out demons" from this decaying house in which we dwell, dividing it against itself and breaking the hold Satan has on souls by the corrupted influence of the flesh. Anointing fallen man with the purity of the Holy Spirit, as by fire sin is consumed. What devil can stand in this light? What influence has sin upon our souls with Jesus as our God? And so we poor fallen creatures become as His own, as His "brother and sister and mother," for by the grace that comes only from the Son, again we become one with the Father – in joy we stand before His loving gaze. "More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord," for now has our redemption come. Written and produced by James Kurt; read by Sylvia Kurt. Music: "Unbind Yourself" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, with hope we look to the dawn when we shall be freed from sin and joined to your Son. YHWH, how can we be forgiven our foolish disobedience, which has separated us from your presence, from the House in which you dwell? How shall we reenter there, we who are so bound by Satan because of our sin? Will you hear our cry, O LORD? You cannot but hear our cry, dearest God; you quickly answer those who seek forgiveness and the doing of your will. You will not turn your back on those who mourn for their iniquities, who long again to see your face. Indeed, Jesus you send to us. And from what does your Son hold back in redeeming our lives from the grave? What will He not do to convince us of your love for your wayward children? We must but accept His Word, His love, even as He hangs on the Cross for us, and not spurn the Spirit's work in Him. He will make us as His brothers, plundering Satan's possession of our soul and bestowing your glory upon us, if we but trust in you and your loving mercy.

O Sanctuary of the Father, Temple of the Holy Spirit, Mother of the Son of God who carried Him in your womb and contemplated Him in your heart – how shall we find Jesus within us; how shall we become the temples of the Spirit the Lord calls us all to be if you do not pray for us, if we are not formed in your womb, in the love with which you are blessed? Hold us in your soul, dear Mother, that our spirits might join with your own and we might thus become one with our Lord and brother. In us also let Him make His home.

(Hos.11:1,3-4,8-9; Is.12:2-6; Eph.3:8-12,14-19; Jn.19:31-37) "With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation." "Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!" From His pierced heart flow forth the waters of salvation; in Jesus' blood we find our life. Oh how wonderful to have a God whose "heart is overwhelmed," whose "pity is stirred," who bleeds and dies for us upon the cross to reveal the limitless nature of His love. Here is "God's manifold wisdom" made known, here in "the unfathomable riches of Christ" freely given to all, that all might "grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge." Such unsurpassable grace can but leave us breathless in praising His name! "When Israel was a child I loved him," says the Lord through the prophet Hosea. His love "like one who raises an infant to His cheeks" does not leave His blessed child; it only grows with time. Even though "they did not know that [He] was their healer," yet He did not turn away – He multiplied His love for us in the sacrificial offering of His Son. Now having been redeemed of our sin in the cleansing shower of His blood, we can only claim to be "confident and unafraid." For with Isaiah we fully proclaim: "My strength and my courage is the Lord, and He has been my savior." What the prophet knew in shadow we see now in the fullness of the light that is the Son, and so "in Christ and through faith in Him we can speak freely to God, drawing near Him with confidence" and "attain[ing] to the fullness of God Himself" and to His love. My dear brothers and sisters, let our prayer for one another be joined on this "solemn feast day" with Paul's desire for the Ephesians: "May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of your life." Then like this blessed Apostle who went from being "the least of all believers," persecuting the Church of Christ, to being shown "the mysterious design which for all ages was hidden in God" – and indeed "enlighten[ing] all men" of the Father's love revealed in Christ Jesus – we too will be raised from our lowly state in this world of sin to our place with the Son at the right hand of God. The fountain of salvation is open now; come to the water and drink fully of His love, of His blood. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Cleansing" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, Jesus was pierced for our sins; His blood pours upon us for our salvation. YHWH, you are our healer. Your Son is the fountain of our salvation; in His blood we are cleansed of our sins. May we make our home in His Sacred Heart. We praise you, LORD, for your love, for the care you have shown to your little ones. To us you have sent your only Son to die on the Cross that we might live. Though it is our lance that has pierced His Sacred Heart, yet His unfathomable love pours upon us and bestows on us the great riches of your glory. For this gift what can we do but praise your holy Name? O LORD, may your Christ dwell in our hearts through faith in Him; may charity be the root and foundation of our lives, that by the love of your Son we may draw near to you yourself, dear God. No longer is your mysterious design hidden from men's eyes – O let your great wisdom be known and all souls glorify your ineffable NAME through Jesus who speaks to us ever of your mercy!

(Ex.24:3-8; Ps.116:12-13,15-18; Heb.9:11-15; Mt.14:12-16,22-26) "The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord." The blood of sacrifice, the blood that seals all covenants with God, is upon all our readings today. In our first reading, on the altar Moses has "erected at the foot of the mountain" where he received the commandments of the Lord – an altar surrounded by "twelve pillars for the twelve tribes" – "young men of the Israelites… offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord." Half of the blood of the bulls Moses "splashed on the altar"; the other half he "sprinkled… on the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words of His.'" And so the people promise to heed the Lord's commands; and so the first covenant is instituted. Our psalm tells us, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones." And our second reading informs us just how precious is the death of the Lord's Faithful One. Yes, "Christ came as high priest"; as "mediator of a new covenant" He entered the "perfect tabernacle not made by hands… not belonging to this creation," and offered not "the blood of goats and bulls" but rather "His own blood." His "death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant." And so does "the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished before God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God." And in our gospel, in anticipation of His crucifixion, on the feast of Passover – when the lamb was sacrificed and its blood used to anoint the houses of the Israelites to thus save them from death – Jesus institutes the New Covenant with His disciples. First "He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, 'Take it. This is my body.'" Then with the cup He said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many." It is, of course, this New Covenant we celebrate this day, as we come to the table where all the disciples of the Lord have eaten, where all His faithful have been washed clean in His blood. Here we share not only with our minds – for then why should it be necessary to eat and drink (one does not eat and drink a symbol, but feasts with eyes alone) – but with our very bodies, with the fullness of our beings; and our very human nature is transformed by His sacrificial presence. Brothers and sisters, the Lord gives Himself entirely for us; let us here lay down our lives in His flesh and blood. Let us take up the cup of salvation and each day call upon His Name. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Blood in My Palate" from Loving Spirit, third album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, is Jesus not our inheritance; do we not eat the Body and Blood He has given up for our salvation? YHWH, the blood of the New Covenant be upon us for good, the blood of Christ upon our lips; and let us fulfill our vows before you, serving as the Body of your Son. O let us be blessed with all the graces of Heaven as they pour upon us in the blood of Jesus, our Lord! How can we make return to you, dear God, for all the good you have done for us, for your giving us your only Son to serve as sacrifice for our sins, as food for our journey to you? You, O God, have come among us in His flesh and remain with us in the Sacrament – how can we grasp such a gift? How can we thank you for your love toward us revealed in the blood of Jesus the Christ? Let us but take up the cup you offer and call upon your holy Name. Let us but serve you with all our lives, worshiping you in all things, O living God, and the promised eternal inheritance will be ours. O let us drink of the fruit of the vine with your Son in the kingdom! Prepare our hearts to receive your Lamb.

O Mother of our Lord, who are we that you should visit us? Over hills you came to see your cousin Elizabeth and the child she conceived so miraculously; to her you brought the Child who brings us all salvation. Yes, to us all you bring Jesus… all holy souls you visit with His grace. John the Baptist proclaims this Savior whom he has known first in your voice, and all hearts leap up at your approach; for the Lord is with you, even in your blessed womb: how blessed is this fruit you bear! Visit us this day, dear Mother, with Jesus our Redeemer, that even this day we may rejoice in His Name.

O lover of the Church           for whom you offered your life,           defending the saving truths of the faith           against the evil tide           engulfing humanity,           proclaiming the Gospel of Christ           and the light of the Lord           to the ends of a desolate world           drowning in a thousand false notions           of love           as man makes himself God           and so knows only emptiness           inside –           pray that we will extricate ourselves           from the embrace           of the culture of death           and find a civilization of love;           pray especially the smoke of Satan           will be blown by the Spirit           from this House you love           that She may be evangelized anew                                      and come to contemplate           the glory of God.

O converter of peoples, called from the quiet of cloister walls you went obediently over seas to preach to the souls to whom you were sent, and the Lord worked through your obedience, spoke through the words you uttered to the nations… and so the light of holy faith banished the darkness of error and souls indeed were gathered into Christ’s fold – pray, O shepherd, obedience shall be ours, too, and all whom the Father would hold unto His breast shall come indeed to that sacred place and there find their rest. May God’s will be accomplished in His Church and we bear fruit in His name.