Praying the Communion Antiphon: A Time Set Apart Ash Wednesday.

 Praying Communion Antiphon

Praying Communion Antiphon Series Icon.

A Time Set Apart – Ash Wednesday

Rooted for the Season of Love

Communion Antiphon (Psalm 1:2–3)
He who ponders the law of the Lord Day and night
will yield fruit in due season.

 

Thinking About the Words

“Ponders.”

The word suggests more than reading.  It carries the sense of murmuring, turning something over quietly, almost repeating it under one’s breath. It is the difference between glancing and dwelling.

On this first day of Lent, the Church does not give us ashes as the final word. She gives us pondering. Pondering also reminds us of the Incarnation where Mary treasured and pondered these things in her heart.  Are we prepared this Lent to ponder the Lenten themes of repentance, change of heart and embracing Jesus as our Personal Saviour?

“Day and night.”

This is Genesis language. Creation itself unfolds in the rhythm of evening and morning. To ponder day and night is to allow the Word to accompany the whole of life — activity and rest, clarity and confusion, resolve and fatigue.

There is also something deeply practical here. What we dwell on during the day often settles into the heart at night. The thoughts we rehearse become the attitudes we carry. Lent asks: what am I allowing to shape me?

“Fruit in due season.”

Not immediately. Not by force. Due season belongs to God. Lent is watering and weeding and planting. Holy Week is pruning so that we are ready to meet the risen Christ in the garden.  Easter is flowering. The fruit is often hidden until grace ripens it.

If this is the season of love, then perhaps the fruit is not dramatic achievement, but a quieter heart, a softened reaction, a steadier gaze. Remember this antiphon is proclaimed just before we go to communion.

 

Reflection

• What does “pondering” look like in my daily life? Do I allow the Word to linger?
• What thoughts accompany me into the night?
• What fruit is the Gospel inviting me to cultivate this Lent?
• Am I willing to trust God’s timing rather than demand immediate growth?
• Reflect on past Lents. Consider the attitudes and ask God’s forgiveness.
• What attitude do I want to have this Lent towards  God?  How might I cooperate with this attitude by the fasting, prayer and almsgiving?

 

So that we can continue to ponder throughout this sacred day, we may wish to write our own prayer, pray the communion antiphon or use this prayer.

Prayer

Lord, let Your Word remain with me day and night.
Plant in me the love You desire,
and bring it to fruit in Your season.

 

This is how we begin Lent. 

Ashes on the forehead.
Word in the heart.
Season of love underway.

 

May our Lent be a sacred season.

 

Praying the Communion Antiphons in Lent: Introduction to series

 Praying the Communion Antiphons.

Praying Communion Antiphons  Icon

Introduction to Series

Each day at Mass, just before we receive Holy Communion, the Church gives us a sentence or two usually either related to Psalms or Gospel itself. This is known as the Communion antiphon and is said by the congregation whilst the priest is consuming from the chalice.

It is brief.
It is scriptural.
It is intentional.

Often, we barely notice it. If we do not have the words in front of us, it might even sounds garbled  or at best a few people praying aloud. 

This Lent, rather than adding something new, I would like to slow down and listen more carefully to what is already being given — the Communion Antiphons of Lent from the Roman Missal.

They are not random verses. They are chosen words placed on our lips as we approach the altar. 

What we ponder shapes us. What we carry through the day settles into the heart.

 During this holy season of Lent, each day we will:

• Think about the words themselves — their meaning, their nuance, their echoes in Scripture.

• Allow them to question us in practical, everyday ways.

• Carry a short prayer drawn from the antiphon into the rest of the day.

Lent is about entering more deeply into what the Church already gives us.

I hope you will come on this interior Lenten journey and encounter Jesus through this Communion Antiphon series.

Come Holy Spirit Series: The Spirit of Revelation

 Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

 The Spirit of Revelation

Unveiling What Eyes Cannot See

“God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:10

 

A Spirit Who Reveals

In a world full of information, it’s easy to confuse knowledge with revelation. But revelation is different. It is the uncovering of divine truth — not merely facts, but insight into God's heart, purpose, and presence.

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Revelation because He does not just inform; He illumines. He does not just present ideas; He unveils the very mystery of God’s will. Without the Spirit of Revelation, we read the Scriptures but remain blind. With Him, even a single verse can break open our hearts.

 

Beyond Human Understanding

St Paul says, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard… God has prepared for those who love him. These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit” (1 Cor 2:9–10). The Spirit of Revelation helps us perceive truths we could never arrive at on our own — truths about who God is, who we are, and what we are called to be.

This is more than intellectual learning. It is  a graced encounter. Sometimes it is a flash of insight during prayer; sometimes it is a quiet certainty in the middle of confusion. The Spirit does not just give us answers — He gives us understanding.

 

Why This Matters

We need the Spirit of Revelation when:

• The Word of God feels dry or distant.
• We’re discerning the next step and feel lost.
• We long to grow but don’t know how.

It is the Spirit who reveals the hidden workings of grace in our lives. He draws us into God’s mystery not to confuse us, but to transform us.

 

A Personal Reflection

When I began praying about this theme, I realized how often I rely on reasoning — trying to ‘figure things out.’ But then I remembered the moments when truth simply dawned on me, gently and without striving. That is the Spirit of Revelation: not something I discovered, but Someone who showed me.

The Spirit reveals what we are not yet ready to ask. He opens windows in the soul we did not know were there.

 

A Prayer to Close

Spirit of Revelation, open the eyes of my heart.
Lift the veil that clouds my understanding.
Show me the truth that transforms, not just informs.
Lead me into the deep places of God’s heart.
Reveal to me what I need to see — and give me the courage to respond.
Amen.

Feast Day Series: Who is St Blaise

 Feast Days Series

St Blaise

Saint Blaise is one of those saints whose story is simple, earthy, and deeply pastoral — and whose legacy the Church has kept very much alive.

 Who was St Blaise.

He was a Bishop of Sebaste (in what is now Armenia) who lived in  the late 3rd / early 4th century.  He was a physician before becoming a bishop, which already hints at his lifelong concern for healing and was martyred during the persecutions under Emperor Licinius.  According to tradition, Blaise:

• Lived for a time as a hermit in a cave
• Was surrounded by wild animals, who came to him for healing
• Refused to abandon his flock when persecution intensified

He was eventually arrested, tortured, and martyred — faithful to the end.

 

 Why is he remembered?

Saint Blaise is best known as the patron saint of throat ailments — and more broadly of healing and protection.

The tradition comes from a powerful story:

While Blaise was imprisoned, a mother brought him her young son who was choking on a fishbone. Blaise prayed, and the child was healed.

That one quiet, human moment shaped centuries of devotion.

The Blessing of Throats (3 February)

 

On his feast day, the Church celebrates the Blessing of the Throats, using two crossed candles, usually blessed on Candlemas.

The blessing prays that:

“Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.”

It’s one of the most tender sacramentals we have — brief, personal, and bodily — faith touching flesh.

 

Why he still matters

Saint Blaise speaks quietly into modern life:

• He reminds us that holiness includes care for the body
• That prayer and healing belong together
• That God works through ordinary human needs — breath, voice, fragility

He’s especially close to:

• Singers, lectors, preachers
• Those who struggle with illness
• Anyone who has ever feared losing their voice — literally or spiritually

 

Solemnity of Presentation of the Lord in the Temple

 Feast Days and Solemnities Series.

The Presentation of the Lord In the Temple.

Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord

Theme: “My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation.” Luke 2:22–40

Setting the Scene

Forty days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph bring Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, in accordance with the Law of Moses. They come not in splendour, but in simplicity, offering the sacrifice of the poor — a pair of turtledoves.

In the Temple, they encounter Simeon, a righteous and devout man who has been promised that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Simeon takes the child into his arms and blesses God. The prophet Anna is also present — an elderly woman who spends her days in prayer and fasting. She gives thanks to God and speaks about the child to all who are awaiting redemption.

This quiet moment in the Temple reveals something immense: the meeting of promise and fulfilment, waiting and arrival.

Gospel Reflection: Light Revealed in Faithfulness

The Presentation reveals Jesus as the fulfilment of God’s promise, recognised not by the powerful or influential, but by those who have waited patiently and faithfully. Simeon proclaims Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for Israel.” Light enters the Temple — not dramatically, but through obedience, humility, and trust.

Simeon’s prophecy also carries a note of suffering. Jesus will be a sign that is opposed, and Mary herself will be drawn into this mystery of pain and redemption. From the beginning, light and shadow stand side by side.

Anna’s presence reminds us that perseverance in prayer bears fruit. Her long years of waiting are not wasted; they prepare her to recognise God’s work when it appears in unexpected form.

Ordinary Time invites us to recognise that God’s greatest work often unfolds quietly — through faithfulness, patience, and openness to the Spirit.

Personal Reflection

This Gospel invites us to reflect on how we wait and how we recognise God’s presence. Simeon and Anna do not cling to certainty or control; they trust God’s promises across a lifetime.

We may long for clarity, answers, or visible signs, yet this feast reminds us that God often comes through ordinary acts of faithfulness — keeping commitments, showing up in prayer, and trusting the slow work of grace.

The Presentation also invites us to consider how light enters our own lives — sometimes gently, sometimes with challenge — calling us to deeper trust.

 

Questions for Reflection

·    Where do I recognise faithfulness in my own life or the lives of others?

·     How do I respond when God’s work unfolds quietly rather than
 dramatically?

·     What does it mean for Christ to be “light” in my current circumstances?

·     Where am I being invited to trust God’s promises more deeply?

·     How do I hold together joy and challenge in my faith journey?

 

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You are the light revealed to the nations
and the fulfilment of God’s promise.
Help me to recognise Your presence
in the quiet faithfulness of daily life.
Teach me to wait with trust,
to welcome Your light,
and to follow You wherever You lead.
Amen.

 

Moments from the Gospel Series: Word of God Sunday

 

Word of God Sunday

On this Sunday,  the fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time the Church also celebrates Word of God Sunday, a day set aside to renew our love for Sacred Scripture and our attentiveness to God who speaks. Instituted to highlight the central place of the Word in the life of the Church, this day invites us not only to hear Scripture proclaimed, but to receive it as a living word addressed personally to us.

The Word of God is not simply a text from the past. It is living and active, shaping faith, guiding conscience, and forming disciples. As Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes, we are reminded that God’s Word reveals the values of the Kingdom and invites us into a way of life shaped by trust, mercy, and humility.

Word of God Sunday also encourages us to deepen our relationship with Scripture beyond the liturgy — through prayerful reading, reflection, and daily listening. Ordinary Time provides the space for this steady encounter, allowing the Word to take root gradually and bear fruit in everyday life.

Word of God Sunday

On this Sunday, the Church also celebrates Word of God Sunday, a day set aside to renew our love for Sacred Scripture and our attentiveness to God who speaks. Instituted to highlight the central place of the Word in the life of the Church, this day invites us not only to hear Scripture proclaimed, but to receive it as a living word addressed personally to us.

The Word of God is not simply a text from the past. It is living and active, shaping faith, guiding conscience, and forming disciples. As Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes, we are reminded that God’s Word reveals the values of the Kingdom and invites us into a way of life shaped by trust, mercy, and humility.

Word of God Sunday also encourages us to deepen our relationship with Scripture beyond the liturgy — through prayerful reading, reflection, and daily listening. Ordinary Time provides the space for this steady encounter, allowing the Word to take root gradually and bear fruit in everyday life.

The Fourth Sunday Pattern: A Pause That Reorients

• Fourth Sunday of Lent – Laetare Sunday
• A softening of penitence. Rose vestments. “Rejoice” not because Lent is over, but because God’s mercy is already at work.
  
  
• Fourth Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday
• A pause in Resurrection triumph to remind us who the Risen Christ is:
• not distant glory, but the Shepherd who knows, calls, and lays down his life.

In both cases, the Church says, in effect:

“Do not lose heart. Remember who God is, and who you are to Him.”

These Sundays are pastoral interruptions.

 Where Word of God Sunday Fits (and Why It’s Different)

 Word of God Sunday isn’t a “fourth-Sunday pause” — it’s a foundation pause.

It doesn’t mirror Laetare or Good Shepherd Sunday by position in the calendar, but by function.

What does it do?

Word of God Sunday: has 3 functions:

Calls us back to listening
Re-centres the Church on revelation before action
Reminds us that every season — penitential, paschal, or ordinary — begins with God speaking

In that sense, it quietly underpins all the other Sundays mentioned.

• Laetare Sunday reassures us: God’s mercy restores us
• Good Shepherd Sunday reassures us: God’s Son leads us
• Word of God Sunday grounds us: God’s voice forms us

Ordinary Time Isn’t Missing the Pause — It Is the Pause

Ordinary Time doesn’t need a “mirrored fourth Sunday” because it is already the space where the Word is lived, absorbed, and repeated until it becomes flesh in us.

Ordinary Time:

• Is not “ordinary” in the casual sense
• Is ordered time — time shaped by the steady proclamation of Scripture
• Trains us in faithful listening rather than dramatic moments

So Word of God Sunday appearing in Ordinary Time is actually perfect: It is not so much a highlight but rather  a reminder of the quiet centre that sustains the whole liturgical year

 

• “If Laetare Sunday reminds us that mercy is already breaking through, and Good Shepherd Sunday reminds us who walks ahead of us, Word of God Sunday reminds us that it all begins with listening.”
• “The Church does not mirror Laetare or Good Shepherd Sunday in Ordinary Time — instead, she gives us the Word itself, trusting that attentive listening is what carries us through every season.”
• “Before we rejoice, before we follow, before we act — we are first a people who listen.”

Conclusion

The Church knows and teaches us:

• when to interrupt intensity. 
• when to soften the journey. 
• when to simply say: “Listen again.”

May God bless you on This Word of God Sunday.

 

Collect Series: Third Sunday Ordinary Time

 Collect Series

The Mass: Collect series icon

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

 

Almighty and ever-living God,

direct our actions towards Your good pleasure,

that in the name of Your beloved Son,

we may abound in good works.

 



In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What does the word action mean and how does that affect the direction of my actions.

2. What actions will I direct towards God's good pleasure this week?

3. What attitude might I adopt when I direct my actions towards God's good pleasure?

4. What does God’s good pleasure mean to me?

5. What does scripture say about faith and good works?

6. What can I do about actions I have done previously that were not totally directed towards God?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Theme: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven Is Close at Hand.”      Matthew 4:12–23.

Setting the Scene

After John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus withdraws to Galilee and settles in Capernaum, by the sea. Matthew notes that this movement fulfils the words of the prophet Isaiah: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” What appears to be a quiet geographical shift is revealed as a moment of divine purpose. You will also notice the connection from the first reading from Isaiah that is read at Mass.

From this point, Jesus begins to proclaim His central message: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.” As He walks along the Sea of Galilee, He calls Simon Peter and Andrew, then James and John, inviting them to follow Him. Immediately, they leave their nets and respond to His call.

Jesus then travels throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and illness among the people. Light begins to spread where darkness once held sway.

Gospel Reflection: Stepping into the Light

This Gospel marks a decisive turning point. Jesus’ message is clear and urgent, yet deeply hopeful. Repentance here is not about fear or punishment, but about turning toward the light that has arrived. The Kingdom of Heaven is not distant; it is near, present in the person of Jesus.

The calling of the first disciples reveals the heart of conversion. They respond immediately, not because they fully understand, but because something in Jesus’ presence draws them forward. Leaving their nets symbolises a willingness to loosen their grip on what is familiar in order to step into something new.

Matthew’s use of Isaiah reminds us that Jesus comes precisely into places of darkness — confusion, weariness, fear, and longing. Ordinary Time invites us to recognise where light is already breaking into our lives and to choose to walk toward it, one step at a time.

Personal Reflection

Many of us know what it is like to live in partial light — managing responsibilities, routines, and expectations while carrying areas of uncertainty or shadow within us. Jesus’ invitation today is gentle yet direct: turn toward the light.

Following Jesus does not always require dramatic change. Often it begins with small shifts of direction — listening more attentively, letting go of what no longer gives life, or trusting enough to take the next step.

Ordinary Time gives us space to practice this turning daily. The call to repentance becomes an ongoing movement of the heart, shaping how we live, choose, and love.

Questions for Reflection

·         What words or images from this Gospel draw me toward the light?

·         Where do I sense Jesus calling me to turn or change direction at this time?

·         What “nets” might I be holding onto that make it difficult to follow?

·         How do I experience the nearness of God’s Kingdom in my everyday life?

·         Where is light beginning to break into areas of darkness or uncertainty for me?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You come as light in places of darkness.
Help me to turn toward You with trust and openness.
Give me the courage to leave behind whatever holds me back
and to follow You into the life You offer.
Amen.