Oro Valley Catholic

The Feast of Corpus Christi where Christ takes, blesses, breaks and gives his body and blood to his disciples ... you and me. What does it mean? This week on OVC. Readings:https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294 Chalice: German ca. 1230–50

Jackson Landers, a member of the St. Mark teen group describes his pilgrimage to Rome and attending Pope Francis' funeral. What did he think? This week on OVC. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Their is no up or down, only closer to Jesus or further away. Why is that important? Because eternal life in heaven is about relationship to God through Jesus. This week on Oro Valley Catholic. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060125-Sunday.cfm License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the Early Church's proclamation of God's Will and the Church. You cannot love Christ and despise his Kingdom - you cannot put a wedge between Christ and His Church. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052525.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

What does it mean to be a 'self'? Am I the result of social pressures? Is my true self to be found in my emotions? Am I a creature made in the image and likeness of God, whatever that means? Oh, yes! It means quite a lot. The Acts of the Apostles, early Christian preaching and my true self, this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051825.cfm Portrait of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Augustin de Saint-Aubin French After Maurice Quentin de La Tour French 1777 Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Book of Revelation is mysterious, unless you know the code. The secret code is the true worship of God. Revelation is based on the liturgy of the Mass. Through all the ups and downs of life, Catholics are called to true worship. Art: The Last Judgment, Master of the Orléans Triptych French ca. 1500 Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Greco-Roman world had very dark understandings of death and the possibility of continued existence. The Jews, late in their history, came to a belief among, at least the Pharisees, that a resurrection of the dead would happen at the end of time. The Christians upended all of that - Christ is risen and the tomb is empty. Deal with it! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

In the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter, St. Thomas doubts the Resurrection. What is the difference between a difficulty, a doubt and skepticism? Important distinctions in the quest for truth. This week on OVC. Art: Portrait of Blaise Pascal Augustin de Saint-Aubin French, After Augustin Pajou French, 1802 Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Tenebrae is a Christian remembrance of Christ's crucifixion. The music and scripture chosen commemortes the darkeness that seeks to overcome the inextinguashable light of the Son of God. Tenebrae prepares the Christ for the darkness and hope of the Paschal Triduum. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The sin of Adam and Eve leads to the travesty of sinful worship of God and the death of their son Abel at the hands of Cain, the older brother. The tragedy arises out of false worship. Another eldest son, Jesus of Nazareth will worship God in spirit and truth. He teaches His followers to do the same. The salvific value of true worship this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041325.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

What is sin? A weight... a debt ...disconnection from the divine. This week Christ is called to judge a woman caught in the very act of adultery? Should she be stoned? A trap? To be sure. By the end of the chapter, the powers of this world threaten Jesus with stoning. Adultery is an example of sin, but what is sin? Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040625-YearC.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Our world is pretty fragmented and it more difficult to build community. Catholics in their 20-30s are defying the trend and working to build a healthy, respectful community at St. Mark parish. Here the leadership team for St. Mark Young Adult Ministry describe their effors and successes in this week's OVC. Remember, we are in the process of moving to Podbean. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Kairos is the right time, the time of opportunity. In the Gospel, Jesus references death, guilt and the time for a decision. His parable? A fig tree that bears no fruit - it gets one more year! Readings for the Third Sunday of Lent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearC.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294 Fig Tree (Figuier) Aristide Maillol French Publisher Philippe Gonin French 1937–50

Romans 10 says, "for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." What does one of the most controversial passages in scripture mean? Simply put, 'faith that works.' You can oppose belief in your heart, this week on OVC. Please not that OVC is moving to a new platform on Podbean. Please subscribe there! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030925.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Oro Valley Catholic is moving to Podbean at https://pastoruc.podbean.com/?customizing=1. Join me there. Fr. John

The Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time brings us stories of discernment. How do I follow God's will? Holy Orders or Matrimony. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Much controversy between skeptics and believers. It is one thing to say that, as a materialist, I do not believe in the Resurrection. It is another thing to claim that the Gospel writers were anonymous, didn't know Jesus and made the story up years later. You can have your own dogma, not your own evidence. Listen about St. Luke's concern for historicity, this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012625.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294 Art: Medallion with Saint Luke from an Icon Frame, Byzantine, ca. 1100

The Old Testament describe Israel as an unfaithful bride. Ezekiel, a prophet, proclaimed that God would form a New Covenant. Jesus in the Gospel of John acts as the Divine Bridegroom calling his people back to the Father. That Divine Wedding is consumated at his crucfixion. Lean more this week on OVC. Art: The Annunciation, Hans Memling Netherlandish, 1480–84 Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

This week on OVC I discuss Baptism and Remembering the past. The Gospel from Luke, "After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Remember that you are dust, that you were slaves and don't look back! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bi:ble/readings/011225.cfm Art from the Met:The Baptism of Christ from a set of The Passion Design based on an engraving by Martin Schongauer, German 15th Century Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Feast of the Holy Family, The Book of Sirach has this to say about a Holy Family. "God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother's authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother." Sir 3 How is a family formed in holiness. This Week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122924.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth is described in the Gospel of Luke, "Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." We recite these words when we recited the 'Hail Mary." How should we think about the Visitation? This week on OVC. The Visitation, Anonymous, German, 15th century German Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122224.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Third Sunday of Advent brings us the story of St. John the Baptist telling those to be baptized to put sin behind them, be generous, don't abuse others or take advantage. It is very different from self-help as the next thing St. John says is to prepare for the one that will baptize with water and fire. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of St. John the Baptist on the Second Sunday of Advent: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Help always comes from the boonies, the outsiders. Learn more this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120824.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. ""My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." John 18 How is Jesus a king as David was king and God is king. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112424.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Spiritual, but not religious is to be alone in a dangerous neighborhood. Christ is both the Messiah and the New Temple. Why does he answer our human needs for security. This week on OVC. Architectural model of the temple of King Solomon in Jerusalem After a design by Thomas Newberry British (1883) On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 554 This monumental nineteenth-century architectural model of Solomon's Temple exhibits skilled craftsmanship and exquisite artistry, as well as architectural ingenuity and conceptual brilliance. Readings 33rd Sunday in OT: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111724.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

In the image, Melchizedek lays his hands on Abram. The Book of Hebrews looks at this moment in Genesis as the origin of the priesthood of Christ. "Brothers and sisters: The levitical priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, but Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7. What does this have to do with Jesus and the Temple Mount in the Gospel for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Ambition, glory and honor - is the desire for these things evil. Jesus doesn't say that. Instead, to be ambitious in service, to be the least of all and the servant of all, this is ambition, glory and honor in God's eyes. ""You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10 Readings for the 29th Sunday in OT: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102024.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Prudence is good judgment expressed in the choices you make. The grace of prudence is to choose wisely about matters eternal. In this week's OVC, the Lord teaches this lesson to a wealthy young man. "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands." Wisdom 7 Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101324.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

"But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Mark 10. This week, Jesus on Marriage and Divorce on OVC. Art: Marriage Contract: Late Period, 380–343 B.C. Dating to the 30th Dynasty, just before the conquest of the Persian Empire and hence of Egypt by Alexander the Great, this papyrus records a marriage contract. It is written in Demotic, which refers both to the language itself (a late form of Egyptian) and to the script. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100624.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

My Sunday homily on vocation to the priesthood.

For some people tatoos are personal expressions, windows to the soul. Can you recognize someone's true self through a tattoo? Flannery O'Connor says yes! Tatoos are subjective expressions of the human interior life. Sacraments are visible expressions of the reality of divine life. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092224.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

God's love is unconditional. Discipleship is not. "You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble." James 2: 19 What are the conditions of discipleship? Listen this week to OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091524.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Supernatural events both holy and demonic. What to do about them? The Vatican has some new instructions, this week on OVC. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Eucharist and the power of God. "Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ: for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:9. Power in our weakness, John 6, this week on OVC. Readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Fr. John' homily for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081824.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Learn about the teen experience of the Steubenville West retreat.

We are saved by faith, not by sight. Sin disintegrates the human integration of body and soul. Sin teaches us to love the corruption of evil instead of the holiness of God. The Eucharist is the remedy for our sin sick souls. More this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080424.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

This weeks Gospel from John 6 tells the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in the desert. It is the beginning on Jesus' discourse on the Eucharist. "Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you." John 6:53. Catholics understand that Christ is substantially present, body, soul, divinity in the Eucharist - we call this the real presence. Why do we differ, however, about receiving in the hand or on the tongue? Lots to talk about there in this weeks OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072824.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

In the Gospel from Mark 6, Jesus sends out the twelve apostles with authority over demons, to anoint with oil to cure the sick and the power to preach the good news, "Repent." In short, go beyond your mind (metanoia) and change how you think. We tether our spiritual life to reality when we meditate on the circumstances of our upcoming death and what it says about our life in the here and now. Take courage and follow 'the Way.' Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071424.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Jesus comes home to Nazareth in Mark 6. He is met with skepticism and rejection despite all of his signs and teaching. Dr. Carlos Eire of Yale University has written a book challenging the ubiquity of modern skepticism. In They Flew: A History of the Impossible, Dr. Eire discusses levitation and other preternatural phenomenon amongst three Catholics, St. Theresa of Avila, St. Joseph Cupertino and Ven. Maria Agreda. Multiple witnesses and many fantastic experiences open up a discussion of what is possible in reality. Eire challenges the comfortable skepticism and its foundations with a discussion of the history of the impossible. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070724.cfm Art: Saint Teresa of Avila Interceding for Souls in Purgatory Workshop of Peter Paul Rubens Flemish (public domain) Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

What is love? Is it based on the qualities another has, or the length of a relationship, or just something inside me? St. Thomas Aquinas maintains that all love is love of God according to our deepest desires. Learn more about love in this week's OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062324.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Tree of Life is an old, universal mythological symbol. It appears in Genesis 3 and Revelation 22. It is the center of the mystery of the Cross of Christ. Hear the story that contains all other stories - the tree of live this week on OVC. Readings for 11th Sunday: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061624.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Jesus is accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul. Blasphemy is attacking the work of the Holy Spirit and consists in a lack of a sense of sin or 'hardness of heart' in the words of scripture. Mark 3, this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060924.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

This week on OVC Sr. Therese Wong's mom, Sharon, gives her perspective on supporting the vocations of children. You are right! It involves prayer and some great stories. Art: Mother and Daughter in Prayer, Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld German; Ludwig Ferdinand Schnorr von Carolsfeld Austrian, ca. 1811–17 Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Feast of the Most Holy Trinity The Trinity is the central mystery of Christianity. The nature of God, one what and three divine persons or who's is the most important revelation of Christ. Go out, he told his apostles before he Ascended, to the whole world and baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Most Holy Trinity, this week on OVC. Art: Allegory of the Catholic Faith Johannes Vermeer Dutch, ca. 1670–72 Music: Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294 Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052624.cfm

The Feast of Pentecost and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051924.cfm Art: Plaque with the Pentecost -South Netherlandish - ca. 1150–75 The Acts of the Apostles recounts how they were infused with the Holy Spirit fifty days after Easter, an event celebrated by the feast of Pentecost. In this plaque, the use of gilding and of enamel over metal foil creates a shimmery effect appropriate to this mystical scene. Along with others of the same dimensions— including three in the main building of the Metropolitan Museum—it once decorated an imposing church furnishing, such as an altar, candlestick, or large cross. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

This is a reboot of a pocast from the past about the Ascension. Miracles, like the Resurrection and the Ascension, are doors out of this world. Dr. Peter Kreeft, Ph.D, professor of Philosophy at Boston College and a prolific writed wrote. "When you think about it logically, there are two and only two philosophies of life. For either there are or there are not doors in the walls of the world. Either there is Nothing or Something outside Plato's Cave. That sounds very abstract and philosophical. Let me make it very concrete. Two people are walking down a street together. There is an old stone wall on their left, too high to see over. As they approach an intersection, the sidewalk and the wall curve around to their left. As they approach the curve, the first walker is absolutely certain that when they turn the corner they will not see an angel walking through the wall. The second walker is not. Which walker are you? Which would you like to be? Kreeft, Peter. Doors in the Walls of the World: Signs of Transcendence in the Human Story (p. 8). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition. Met, public domain - ist: Related to Ascension tapestry, Vatican Scuola nuova set by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) (Italian, Urbino 1483–1520 Rome) Well, who do you want to be? The readings for the Ascension are found here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052123-Ascension.cfm Music: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581 (Mozart) by Musicians from Marlboro is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License.

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

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