Genesis Series: Chapter 16

EXPLORING GENESIS.

THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS ICON.

 CHAPTER 16

According to the customs of the time Sarah gives her Egyptian servant Hagar to her husband to be his mistress. Hagar bears a child for Abraham who gives him the name Ishmael. However, Ishmael is not the son of the promise, it is not from him that will come the numerous posterity.  Ishmael is the ancestor the Arabs of the desert.

After Sarah realised that Hagar conceived, she gave Hagar such a hard time that she run away to the desert. The verses 3-6 are particularly interesting in considering human behaviour and underlying motives.

Imagine the scene- here is Sarah unable to conceive which in those days was considered a great cross- remember too Elizabeth was barren. So she gives her husband to Hagar the servant to conceive a child- something that both Abraham and Sarah wanted.  Hagar does conceive but instead of being ‘grateful’, she treats her so badly that she runs away. Note too that Hagar lost respect for Sarah. She sees her opportunity to be more involved with Abraham. Good material for another episode of ‘Days of our lives’ or the Young and the Restless perhaps!

Perhaps one might also be tempted to consider a modern equivalent here-a parallel with surrogacy motherhood perhaps. I wonder what Sarah might have done with IVF and genetic engineering!

Anyway, the few next verses are significant not only for Hagar, but for us as well- a real lesson to be learned here.

‘The angel of the Lord found her by a spring in the desert, the spring on the road to Shur. He said, `Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?' `I am running away from my mistress Sarai,' she replied.

The angel of the Lord said to her, `Go back to your mistress and submit to her.'

The angel of the Lord further said to her, `I shall make your descendants too numerous to be counted.'  Then the angel of the Lord said to her: Now, you have conceived and will bear a son, and you shall name him Ishmael, for Yahweh has heard your cries of distress.. ‘ (Gen 16-7-11).

God expects us to do our duty and not run away, but He is always there to hear our cries of distress and help and bless us on our journey.  God is always with us but especially when life is tough. If we choose the route of escapism, let us run to the arms of God with our distress.

                            

A Hymn to the Trinity

 A HYMN OF THE TRINITY.

THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Many years ago, at primary school, I learnt this lovely hymn to the Trinity called

''Praise to the Father''.  As I have grown older, I have become fonder of it each year as we celebrate the feast of the Trinity, because it captures the theology of the Trinity in a succinct manner.  I find it helpful to reflect upon it and to use it as a prayer. I share it with you hoping that you might find it meaningful also.

PRAISE TO THE FATHER.

Refrain:  Praise to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Spirit, Three in One,

Praise and glory for ever.

1. Eternal Father to whose might

Your creatures endless praise is due,

You we adore and thank and bless,

We are Your children made by You.

Refrain:  Praise to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Spirit, Three in One,

Praise and glory for ever.

2. Eternal Son of God the Word

Through whom creations' work was done-

We are Your brethren whom You saved,

Vanquishing death, our life You won.

Refrain:  Praise to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Spirit, Three in One,

Praise and glory for ever.

3. Eternal Spirit, Living Love,

God's gift, His Church to sanctify,

Dwell as Christ promised in our midst,

Clothe us with power from on high.

Refrain:  Praise to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Spirit, Three in One,

Praise and glory for ever.

Taken from the Living Parish Hymn Book.

Opening Prayer Series- Trinity Sunday

Opening Prayer Series

THE MASS.

OPENING PRAYER

The Opening Prayer of the Mass for Trinity Sunday reads as follows:

Let us pray 

(to the one God, Father, Son and Spirit)

Father,

You sent Your Word to bring us truth

and Your Spirit to make us holy 

Through them we come to know the mystery of your life 

Help us to worship You, one God in three Persons,

by proclaiming and living our faith in You.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

In making this prayer tangible for my life during this week, the following reflection questions emerged: 

1. How does the Trinity work in my life?

2. How do I know the mystery of Your life through the Trinity this week?

3. What commitment am I prepared to make to know one God yet three persons in my life?

4. How I do worship the One True God yet Three Persons?

6. What relationship do I have with each of the Three Persons of the One God?

7. How might I proclaim and live my faith in the mystery of the Trinity? 

This feast highlights the relationship nature of God in that there is Fatherhood, Sonship and from that love issues the Holy Spirit. . We can spend time trying to explain it, as St Patrick did, using the shamrock and many others since, but in essence it is a mystery that we will never truly understand until we reach Heaven.  However, we do not need to wait until then to develop a relationship with each Person of the Blessed Trinity- we are still praying to God, but each Person of the Trinity can help us as we draw close in our lives.

May we come to worship a Trinity of Persons, one eternal God in our prayer and in our lives.

Life is Your gift to us.

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES

CHRIST THE REDEEMER 

Welcome to my series Reflection and Prayer.

My reflection and prayer series is about sharing reflections and Prayers which have impacted upon me and have provided food for thought. I hope that they will also nurture your soul and spirit. I acknowledge the author when it is known, whilst others I am unaware of the author.

If you missed the previous posts in this series, why not take a look.

My sixth post in this series is called:

LIFE IS YOUR GIFT TO US.

Heavenly Father, who created us,

Life is Your gift to us,

Through Baptism, You invite us to share the gifts of our life in service to others.

Be with us as we choose each day,

to show Your Presence in our world.

Give us the courage and generosity to respond to Your Love,

and to Your call.

We pray, that we may respect each one's chosen path,

as we journey together

and as we endeavour to serve You in witnessing to the Gospel,

Open our minds and our hearts

as we continue to seek the way You are calling us today.

Amen.

May this reflection move you to your Spirituality in Action (SIA) this week.

Be inspired by the Priesthood. The Year of the Priest Series

THE YEAR OF THE PRIEST.

SAYING MASS.

Welcome to another post on 'The Year of the Priest' Series. Each week until end of June 2010, this series will provide food for thought on the Year of the Priest', examine how we, as laity, can appreciate the gift of Priesthood in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and encourage our priests in this special year. If you missed my other posts on this series, why not take a look.

As the Year of the Priest draws to a close, it is time to consider how we might continue appreciating our priests. In my last post, my challenge was to consider how you might fittingly bring this year of the Priest to a close in your parish- for your priest.

In this post I wish to highlight the need for us to continue to think highly of our priests.  It is true to say that the scandals disappoint and hurt the body of Christ and we can be sadly tempted to wonder if many or all priests are like that. Trust has been broken by a few- one fall is one too many as we know.  However, as we draw to a close this Year of the Priest, why not dwell on the wonderful work of most priests which often gets forgotten when we are bombarded in the media with another scandal.

Why not be inspired by the wonderful stories expertly put together by Sr Patricia Proctor.

• Keep it on your bedside/coffee table to be uplifted and as a reminder of how wonderful the priesthood is.
• Allow your heart to be warmed by these stories and remember that each of 101 stories are real priests.
• Be an advocate for the priesthood- when you hear criticism and ridicule of the priesthood, do not be afraid to speak up and give a positive and realistic view. This book will provide you with many conversation pieces to re-balance the scales.

Make the commitment during this next month before the Year of the Priest ends to continue to love and support your priest. You need him as he is our link with the Good Shepherd in the Sacramental life of the Church, but he also needs your support also.

I read on a billboard some time ago CHCH- what is missing? - UR.  

Will this be the case with You and your priest for the years to come?

Saint Philip Neri Book reviews.

 Welcome to my new series Book Reviews.

Each week, this series will review all types of Catholic books to assist us in our growing relationship with God. 

ST PHILIP NERI

This first post in this series is about St Philip Neri whose feast is celebrated on 26 May. 

I was particularly struck and attracted to the title- 'St Philip of the Joyous Heart’.  I know one cannot judge a book by its cover, but in this case, even the title has a precious gem to offer us.  Are we known as (insert your name of the joyous heart)? It is worth our consideration.

The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri is a congregation of Catholic priests and lay brothers who live together in a community bound together by no formal vows but only with the bond of charity. They are commonly referred to as Oratorians.  The congregation was founded by St. Philip Neri in the city of Rome, but today it has spread around the world, with over 70 Oratories and about 500 priests.

St Philip Neri was born on July 22 1515 in Florence and died on May 25 1595 aged 79 years.  He was beatified by Pope Paul V on May 11 in 1615, canonised by Pope Gregory XV on March 12 1622. His feast day is May 26.

Saint Philip Neri is considered to be one of the Catholic Church's most lovable and loving saints. Despite his wisdom and learning, he was a simple childlike soul, who loved to joke and play with his many pets. Being a childlike soul is a very different concept than being a childish soul, and it is well worth reflecting upon the difference for our own growth development.

This charming and well written paperback book of 168 pages by Francis X Connolly is well worth reading, as it not only gives an account of Saint Philip Neri's life and extensive ministry, but it also provides food for thought for us, who desire to live out God's call to us to holiness.

We not only need to desire to live out our calling to holiness, but like Saint Philip Neri, we do not have to be dreary characters. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to provide us with the gift of a joyous heart, so that in both joy and in tribulation, we may journey onwards and upwards with an authentic and integrated personality which is impregnated by God.

May St Philip Neri inspire you today on his feast day.

The Virtue Series: Self Control Part 2.

The Virtue Series: 

Self Control Part 2.

Why do we need this virtue?  Self-control is necessary to moderate those things that are good when used to preserve our lives, yet become evil when they are abused.  It is possible to have too much of a good thing.  The three primal areas of life, namely, food, drink and sexuality are necessary for our survival, and are the most difficult to control.  They require the virtue of self-control if they are to be properly and healthfully used for our good. 

SCRIPTURE 

Let us examine scripture passages that are pivotal to this virtue as follows: 

·                     Romans 6:11-23: Saint Paul encourages us to control our passions through the power of the Spirit of God, Our freedom from sin grant us our sanctification and eternal life.

·                     Isaiah 5:11-12: indicates that those who get drunk are cursed because, as a result of their drunkenness and lack of self-control, they fail to acknowledge the Lord.

·                     Romans 13:11-14: warns us against making 'provisions for the flesh'.  We are to be prepared for the return of the Lord.

·                     Ephesians 5:18: God commands us not to get drunk- it is in fact a sin.

·                     1 Peter 4: 7: indicates the need to be sane and sober so that we can pray.

These are tough readings, and yet when we reflect upon them seriously, and the need to have this virtue of self-control, we realize that living righteously is not boring, because we can then enjoy God's gifts in the manner they were meant to be enjoyed.  However, if we choose to indulge in the passions of the flesh, we become slaves of our flesh and commit serious sin, damaging our relationship with God.  However, thankfully, God is merciful and should we fall into sin, we only have to admit our faults and ask His mercy and forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation. God is always ready to forgive and make us free from sin.

As I ponder about this virtue of self-control, I felt challenged to consider:

1.            How does our culture evaluate gluttony, drunkenness, and fornication?

2.          Has my understanding of these things been shaped by the Church or by society  views?

3.            Do I need to change my thinking and my habits?

The Catholic Church, by referring to sexual relations as the 'marital act', has clearly indicated the proper context for such behaviour. It is important to remember that both premarital sex and adultery are serious sins which need immediate repentance.  The Church teaches this in accord with Scripture.  The following passages define the context and purposes of the marital act and the gravity of the offences against chastity. 

·                     I Corinthians 6:15-20: The marital act is only appropriate within the context of marriage.  Fornication is a sin against your own body, the Body of Christ, and the Holy Spirit, of whom you are a temple.

·                     I Thessalonians 4: 3-5: Not controlling our bodily passions is equivalent to being a heathen who does not know God.  Lust is a sin again charity and chastity.

·                     Hebrews 1: 3-4: Marriage is to be honoured and the marriage bed kept pure as 'God will judge the immoral and adulterous'.

 Thankfully, God does not expect us to be perfect.  Some people suffer from addictions in these areas.  Whether we are prone to be tempted and fall, or we suffer an addiction in these areas, we need to

·                     seek God's help through prayer and fasting so as to grow in holiness.

·                     gain healing through the sacrament of Reconciliation.

·                     attend weekly/daily Mass to receive Christ in the Eucharist so as to become like
            Christ and less prone to sin.

·                     seek appropriate counselling.

May we continue to desire and grow in this virtue.

Next week, the series will continue as we explore the virtue of faith.

Mary Help of Christians- Patroness of Australia and New Zealand.

OPENING PRAYER SERIES 

THE MASS.

Mary, Help of Christians is the Patroness of Australia and New Zealand. This feast falls on the 24th May each year, but this year it falls next to the feast of Pentecost, which is fitting as Pentecost is the birth of the Church and Mary, gave her ascent to being the mother of God and gave birth to Jesus. We need Mary to help us give birth to Christ in our lives each day.

PRAYER  OF THE FEAST

The prayer often associated with this feast is as follows:

Lord,

You place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, Help of Christians.

Through her prayers, 

grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

Under her protection may Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

In years gone by, this prayer was recited regularly at school.  I can remember wondering why was it so important to have wisdom for the leaders and integrity for the citizens, rather than vice-versa.  All these years later, I have to say that this prayer definitely had the correct wording as our leaders do need wisdom and our citizens need integrity.

I also have a special spot for this feast as I was baptised at a church called 'Mary Help of Christians' and I remember fondly a dear old nun with this name- she became known in some circles as 'Help'. May God bless her soul because she was a help to many.

May Mary Help of Christians 

help all citizens of Australia and New Zealand on this feast day.

Genesis Series: Chapter 15

EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES

THE BIBLE.:EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES ICON.

CHAPTER 15

Abraham’s faith is put to the test, the promises are a long time being fulfilled. When Abraham and his wife who are both advanced in age, God renews the promise and seals it by a Covenant. According to ancient Covenant rites, those involved passed between the bleeding victims and called down upon themselves a similar fate if they broke their pledge.  Under the symbol of fire, it is Yahweh (God) who passes and He passes alone, for his covenant is a unilateral pact, a divine initiative. 

Abraham faith is a firm confidence in a promise which, humanly speaking cannot be realized.  God gives him the credit for this action.  Abraham is justified, he is made just and holy by this faith, which directs his conduct and is his principle of action.  

What happens to us when God puts our faith to the test?  Do we think that the promises of God are not being fulfilled for us?  Are we ready to throw in the towel with God?

But let us look at Abraham’s response since he is our father in faith.  He dialogues with God, asking questions and seeks answers. But he does not doubt, even though he does not understand how God’s promises can be fulfilled to him.  His faith therefore calls him into action and he lives by that faith.

God also asks us to have faith in Him, to trust Him and know that all is well. He also asks us to live in faith and for that faith to be alive and active.

There are many ways we can enliven our faith- prayer is essential- that dialogue with God regularly provides the opportunity for us to be open to what God is saying and for Him to nourish our faith.  But we must also enliven our faith and know it intensely if we are going to be able to live by its principles.

Why not check out your parish to see if they have a resource library with books and videos and tapes on faith related matters. Why not take up the challenge of identifying some area of faith that you want to understand more and be like Abraham and seek answers. Let us all keep nourishing our faith, seek answers and understanding and live by our principles of faith during this week.   

Why not set your faith on fire and make a covenant with the Lord on this issue.

Dessert Menu for Pentecost Sunday.

DESSERT MENU FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

Fruit Salad is often used as a dessert for Pentecost Sunday. It is made from 12 fruits to represent the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit which are: Charity, Generosity, Joy, Gentleness, Peace, Faithfulness, Patience, Modesty, Kindness, Self-Control, Goodness and Chasity.

The fruit salad can be made using both dried fruits such as currants, raisins, dates and tinned fruits as well as fresh fruits. These are then combined with a syrup made with sugar and water and perhaps a dash of your favourite liqueur.

Another name for Pentecost Sunday is its traditional name' Whitsunday' which commemorated the white robes worn by the newly baptised on this day. Two other traditional desserts served therefore are white food-meringues or a sponge cake topped with white icing.

Regardless of whether you choose these traditional Pentecost desserts or not, it is important to remember that a new chapter began at Pentecost, and the Apostles started to take the Gospel of salvation to the whole world.  This is also our task.  Pentecost ends the liturgical season of Eastertide, but it marks the birthday of the Church.

The message of Easter and of the Church is not something meant to be kept to ourselves, rather it is the glorious news that we must take to everyone : the love of God, the forgiveness of sins, and the redemption of the human race.   . May the Holy Spirit bless you abundantly.

Happy Birthday to all believers.

Opening Prayer Series: Pentecost Sunday.

OPENING PRAYER SERIES

Pentecost Sunday

THE HOLY SPIRIT

OPENING PRAYER

The Opening Prayer of the Mass for Pentecost Sunday reads as follows:

Let us pray

(that the Spirit will work through our lives to bring Christ to the world)

God our Father,

let the Spirit You sent on Your church

to begin the teaching of the gospel

continue to work in the world through the heart of all who believe.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during this week, the following reflection questions emerged: 

1. How does the Spirit work in my life?

2. How will I bring Christ to the world this week?

3. What commitment am I prepared to make to bring Christ to my world- family, friends, colleagues,  

    parishioners, people I meet at shopping centre?

4. Do I know my faith adequately to be able to teach the gospel to one other person? If not, what steps might I take to change this?

6. What areas in my life has the risen Christ renewed during Eastertide and how might the Spirit assist you to continue this renewal for the remainder of the year?

7. How might I live in the power of the Holy Spirit in my life?

This feast not only marks the 50 days of Easter and the closing of Eastertide as a liturgical season, but also the birth of the Church. As we celebrate the feast of  Pentecost, let us be filled and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Happy Birthday to all believers.

What will you do?

THE YEAR OF THE PRIEST.

HOW TO CELEBRATE PRIESTHOOD?

SAYING MASS.

Welcome to another post on 'The Year of the Priest' Series. Each week until end of June 2010, this series will provide food for thought on the Year of the Priest’, examine how we, as laity, can appreciate the gift of Priesthood in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and encourage our priests in this special year. If you missed my other posts on this series, why not take a look.

The Year of the Priest officially ends on 11 June this year on the feast of the Sacred Heart- 12 months from last year's feast of the Sacred Heart. There is still approximately another month so if you have not taken the opportunity to pray, to reflect, to imagine, to esteem, to support and to thank, why not think of the most appropriate way you can show your priest you care about the priesthood and his ministry to you.

Our parish is celebrating the end of the Year of the Priest with a special supper to acknowledge the ministry of our wonderful priests- living in an order parish is a blessing as we have variety and are able to experience the beauty of the priesthood through the varying personalities of our wonderful priests.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION.

So, what about you? What are you doing for your priest in your parish? Have you got a nice surprise lined up for him? How are you going to celebrate with him the close of the Year of the Priest?

There is still time to get something organised.

Most importantly, let not the Year of the Priest end on 11 June.  Let us continue to support and encourage our priests always.

Catholic Ascensiontide traditions

ASCENSIONTIDE.

The nine days between Christ's Ascension into Heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were spent by the Apostles in prayer. This is thought to be the origin of the Novena- a name still given to the tradition of praying for nine consecutive days when there is something special or some great need we want to ask of God.

The days before the feast of the Ascension were known as 'Rogation days' from the Latin 'rogare', meaning 'to ask'. One of the traditions associated with Rogation days were the Rogation processions. Rogation processions gave their names to various places, such as 'Gospel Oak', where the Gospel would be read or 'Paternoster field' where the Our Father would be said.

These are still sometimes used around the fields asking for a blessing on the land and on the newly-planted crops. Some churches near the sea have a blessing of the water and the fishing boats, for the harvest of the sea. 

This tradition has been linked with 'beating the bounds' with processions around the parish boundaries. This commenced after the Reformation, when the old rogation processions were formerly banned. People missed them and so they turned it into walks around the parish borders.

Another tradition of Ascensiontide is the decorating and blessing of wells, and thanking God for the gift of pure water. Some rural villages have beautiful floral 'well dressings' depicting Biblical scenes and local saints.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION.

Why not have a Rogation procession in your parish around the parish borders. Prayers, rosary and/or a blessing of a particular spot. You might include both traditions by cleaning up a local well or fountain that as a parish venture, and then bless and decorate it during the Rogation procession on Ascensiontide.