Oro Valley Catholic Fr. John Arnold

Sr. Therese Wong, CFR is my special guest on OVC. Sr. Therese is a professed member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. " The aim of the Community is to live the Gospel in simplicity according to the ideals of Saint Francis, as handed on by the Capuchin tradition. The values uniting the sisters include a strong Eucharistic prayer life, an emphasis on a common life marked by a warm family spirit, joyful imitation of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Church and loyalty to the Holy Father." Her family are parishioners at St. Mark. here is her story.

Here is more about the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal:
https://www.franciscansisterscfr.com/

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The Vatican's document "Dignitatis Infinita" is a statement on the nature of and the threats to human dignity. It is well worth meditating on during the Easter Season.

The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Jesus, at the Last Supper, said that he is the vine and we are the branches. We are rooted in him or we die. The body of Christ is Jesus' historic body, it is also the Church and it is also the Eucharist. Each roots the Catholic in the dignity that grace and God give. The Vatican's recent article on human dignity, Dignitatis Infinita, identifies the various modern challenges to the dignity. I explain further in the podcast at OVC.

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Art: Public domain: The Man of Sorrows
Italian

last quarter 14th century
Not on view

A monk and a hooded figure, his back bared so that he can whip himself in penitence, kneel before a dreamlike vision of Jesus rising from his tomb. This plaque, with an inscription naming the society of Saint Dominic, was probably intended for private prayer by a member of a Dominican brotherhood.

Focus on the crucified Christ and his suffering was widespread in the 1300s. Pope John XXII (reigned 1316–34) declared that the Imago pietatis should be evoked during the celebration of the Mass. Pope Innocent VI (reigned 1352–62) affirmed that devotion to the Instruments of the Passion would reduce punishment for sin after death; seen here are the vinegar-soaked sponge that was offered to Jesus on the cross and the lance that pierced his side.

How does the concept of human dignity helps us to discuss current social issues in America. Part One of a two part podcast.

Read Dignitas Infinita here: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/04/08/240408c.html

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Two Young Peasant Women. Camille Pissarro French 1891–92
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 820

By virtue of their size, placement, and quiet dignity, these youthful laborers dominate the landscape setting—an open field near Pissarro’s house at Eragny. Sympathetic to anarchist ideals, the artist wanted to preserve the values of agrarian society that were being threatened by the rapid industrialization of France. He began this picture in summer 1891 and completed it in mid-January 1892, a month before the opening of a major exhibition of his work organized by his dealer Joseph Durand-Ruel. Many of the fifty paintings were sold from the show, but Pissarro kept this canvas and gave it to his wife.

Tenebrae, the hour of darkness, was celebrated at St. Mark the Evangelist on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Ancient hymns, scripture readings, prayers and a meditation are offered to feed the reverence of the faithful during this holiest time of the year.

Art:The Crucifixion
Pietro Lorenzetti Italian

1340s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 635


Lorenzetti imbued this familiar biblical subject with a new sense of pathos and dramatic intensity. Details such as the piercing of Christ’s side with a spear, the breaking of the legs of the thieves, and the Virgin swooning into the arms of her companions ensure an emotional response from the viewer. Lorenzetti creates a strong sense of shared human experience by placing his figures in pairs or groups, allowing us to imagine the various reactions that were felt by witnesses of the Crucifixion.

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"Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3 If we are not fulfilled in this life, maybe it means we are made for another like. God loves us in while in our sins. Can we respond and begin the journey home? This week on OVC.

The artwork is Greek and Roman Art, aCarnelian ring stone with Asclepius, the god of medicine, Roman, ca. 1st century BCE–3rd century CE, On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 166

This Roman intaglio is engraved with the bust of Asklepios, the hero and god of healing. As on this gemstone, he generally appears as a mature, bearded man accompanied by a snake.

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031024-YearB.cfm

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"Brothers and sisters:
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." 1 Cor.
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030324.cfm

Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

View of Jerusalem with the Temple of Solomon, Philippe de Champaigne French. 17th century