Today, the first Sunday after Easter, is traditionally called "Low Sunday" in some parts of the Christian Church. Low because Easter was one of the high Sundays of the year, so this would definitely feel like an anticlimax. Others believe it is a corruption of the Latin laudes or praise, from the opening words of the Sarum Rite [The form of Latin Rites used in England before the Reformation]
Many new Christians were traditionally baptised at Easter, in white robes, and on this subsequent Sunday, they laid aside these garments. On this Sunday, they were encouraged to follow the words in the first Epistle of Peter - 'like newborn babes desire pure spiritual milk', which, in Latin is translated "Quasi modo geniti infantes, rationabile, sine dolo lac concupiscite" So sometimes this is actually called Quasimodo Sunday.
The protagonist of Victor Hugo's book was thus named, because he was left on the steps of Notre Dame on the first Sunday after Easter. Quasi Modo means 'in the manner of' or 'just like that' How have I got to be this old without learning that?
I have looked back at my Lenten Pauses, six Sundays entitled
Reflection, Rooted, Repair, Relationships, Readiness, Release
Last Sunday, obviously was Resurrection
So maybe this Sunday, when many of my Catholic friends may be understandably feeling a little low, we should remember in our prayers all those who are bereft, and the Latin Phrase
Requiescat In Pace
There must be a huge number of pastors and priests who are hoping for a restful Sunday after the rigours of Holy Week.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that, Angela. I didn't know any of it.
ReplyDeleteI have only just discovered it too!
DeleteI did not know that!! I very much appreciated your alliteration though!!! I woke late this morning and missed church!
ReplyDeleteWe too woke late, so decided to go to worship on Zoom. Sadly we had to give up as both sound and camera not working properly.
DeleteI have just been catching up on your posts. I could not get to see the Easter showing of King of Kings in Norwich but I see they have got in on again and am hoping to fit it in this week although I am very busy. I enjoyed reading your review. I also see that you have not seen The Two Popes. Do please watch it. It is excellent. It is available on Netflix and I have watched it at least 4 times. Although it is obviously fiction with regard to the two popes conversations, it is very true to the story of the two popes in real life. I am sure you will both enjoy it. I have seen Conclave 3 times at the cinema courtesy of my cinema pass. I enjoyed that one too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rachel, for the recommendation. I shall check out 2 Popes on Netflix.
DeleteThe late Pope John I I, designated this Sunday as The Devine Mercy. I have a rough idea of why but listening to today’s Gospel (Jesus appearance in the Upper Room and the disbelief of Thomas) my thought is this. When the disciples locked themselves away in fear of what might become of them and also grappling with the two reports of the appearance of Jesus, they must have also felt extreme shame and trepidation over their running away when Jesus was arrested, and in the case of Peter blatant denial. But the first (and second) words of Jesus when He appeared to them all in their hideout was “Peace be with you”. No mention of their shortcomings at a critical moment. And the great theme of Pope Francis was Mercy and Jesus preferences mercy over sacrifice. I’ve gone about but just thinking ‘aloud’.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this Philip. I didn't know about JP2 AND "Divine Mercy". And "Peace" would mean Shalom, wholeness. I'm drawn back once again to Micahs call to "Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before your God" Certainly Pope Francis displayed those attributes.
DeleteThanks for today’s information -I didn’t know about quasi modo. After the splendour of yesterday’s service for the Pope, I hope many people are having a quiet and peaceful Sunday. Catriona
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely having a quiet Sunday here!
DeleteThis Sunday was far from "low", as we celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday, as proclaimed by St.John Paul II. Some of our congregation prayed at 3 pm every day from Good Friday until yesterday, (a novena - 9 days), and then today we had a beautiful service in the afternoon at 3 pm, in addition to the usual Sunday mass at 11 am. I am excited because next month we shall be going to Vilnius, which is one of the places where St. Faustina wrote her diary and received the vision of the painting that Jesus requested be placed in every church. It is Our Lord's wish that everyone should know of the love and mercy of God.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you, and your friends have been very busy, and very faithful in prayer. I hope your trip to Vilnius is a time of joy and blessing 💙
Delete