Reflection and Prayer Series: In the Shelter of His love

Reflection and Prayer Series:  

Christ the Redeemer Reflection and Prayer Series

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.

My post is called:

IN THE SHELTER OF HIS LOVE.

There are times within the valley

When it's difficult to praise-

Then God points me to the splendour

Of my ordinary days.

In every storm, He is unshakable.

In every struggle, He is steadfast.

In every season of sorrow, He is the haven of my heart.

In the shelter of His love, I will abide.

May we live, move and have our being in the shelter of His love this coming week.

Book Review: St Dominic and the Rosary.

BOOK REVIEWS.

 

St Dominic

ST DOMINIC AND THE ROSARY

Many of us have our favourite saint.  My favourite saint is St Dominic, who has a very special place in my heart. His feast day is coming up on 5 August in Australia, whilst the universal church celebrates it on 8th August. You might wonder why his feast day is different from the universal church. Mary McKillop's feast day falls on the 8th August in Australia.

So when it comes to books about St Dominic, I have to say that I am always keen to have a read.  I never tire of learning and discovering more about my favourite saint.

The authoress Catherine Beebe has presented the life of St Dominic in the popular Vision Books series of saints.  The key story about this wonderful saint which is often told in Dominican parishes is that Dominic as a young priest sat all night at a wooden table in a village tavern, and preached the truths of the Church to an embittered inn-keeper. The next day, the inn-keeper was converted and St Dominic joyfully received him into the Faith.

Of course, it is important to understand the times that St Dominic lived and worked since heresies were rife. It is in this context that St Dominic was able to bring the Church to the people and preach the truths of the Church

This charming paperback book of 161 pages is a delightful read, not only to those who may be unaware of the life of St Dominic and wish to glean a picture of his life, but also to those like myself who are familiar with the story of his life. I always enjoy reading something more about my favourite saint, and this book certainly energizes my novena to St Dominic.

St Dominic is also strongly connected with the Rosary. Tradition tells us that our Blessed Mother Mary, presented St Dominic with the Rosary, and since that time, the Rosary has been part of the Dominican way of life.  In my parish church, the stain glass window depicts magnificently St Dominic receiving the rosary from Our Lady.

Perhaps if you were looking for a precious gift, these three beautiful items shown would be warmly received delighting both the giver and the receiver.

May we all continue to grow in our faith and like St Dominic teach the truths of the Church by the way we live and act. 

Compendium Series: The Revelation of God

COMPENDIUM SERIES.

Jesus the Teacher.

 

We now continue the journey and commence with Section 1- Chapter 2- God comes to meet Man- The Revelation of God. It is important to remember as we explore this section that when the word 'man’ is used, it refers to species and not gender- therefore it is by nature an inclusive word. Let us not be put off by the term 'Sonship', since by definition in all its fullness it is also all inclusive.

Let us commence now Section 1 Chapter 2. Question no 6 asks:

6. What does God reveal to man?  (CCC: 50-53, 66-69)

Compendium states:

God, in His goodness and wisdom reveals Himself. With deeds and words, He reveals Himself and His plan of loving goodness which is decreed from all eternity in Christ.  Accordingly, to this plan all people by the grace of the Holy Spirit are to share in the divine life as adopted “sons” in the only begotten Son of God.

What does this mean for me? 

1. I am able to thank God daily for this gift and ask forgiveness when I have taken this gift of grace of the Holy Spirit for granted.
2. I am able to contemplate on the meaning of God’s goodness and wisdom and how it impacts on my life.
3. I am able to explore what sharing in God's divine life as 'adopted sons' means for me.

Questions to consider

1. What scripture passages supports God’s revelation to man? (e.g. Romans 5:1-2, Preface 1 of Advent).
2. Am I familiar with the deeds and words which God reveals to me?
3. What does adopted “sons” mean in all its fullness?

Next week we will consider the 3 phases of revelation.

Although the concept of revelation may seem difficult to comprehend or hard going to grasp, let us pray for each other as we claim/reclaim our 'adopted sonship' during this week.  Let us ask the Holy Spirit to assist us on our faith journey.  

About the Mass Series: Introductory Rite- Penitential Rite 1-3

About the Mass Series: 

The Mass: about the Mass series icon.

IPENITENTIAL RITE PART 1’.

The Penitential Rite consists of three elements:  
                  

(1) The invitation to acknowledge our sins,

(2) To ask for the mercy of God, and

(3) To accept His pardon and cleansing healing.

The priest invites us acknowledge our sins in one of the three texts used:

1. ‘.My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins’.

2. ‘As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength’.
 

3. ‘.Coming together as God’s family, with confidence let us ask the Father’s forgiveness, for He is full of gentleness and compassion’.

So how can we accept this invitation more fruitfully?  Our preparation that we have made during the week for our Sunday Mass will help us.  Perhaps, we might prayerfully recall one or two areas in our lives in which we struggle and wish to change. This invitation is a wonderful time to bring it to the Lord.  Then we ask for mercy as we use one of the 3 forms of confession.

FIRST FORM: ‘I confess to almighty God and to you, here present that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary every virgin all the angels and saints, and you, here present to pray for me to the Lord our God’.

When the first form is used, the Kyrie is said/sung after the ‘I confess’ (Confiteor), as follows:
 

Priest: ‘Lord have mercy’.  All: ‘Lord have mercy’.

Priest: ‘Christ have mercy’. All: ‘Christ have mercy’.

Priest: ‘Lord have mercy’. All: ‘Lord have mercy’.

Think about these words of the ‘I confess’ (Confiteor) - if we cannot recall our sinfulness, then perhaps the words-thoughts, words, actions and omission might be a prompt. But remember, we are not alone as we repent- we have Mary and the saints (Church triumphant), those in Purgatory (Church in waiting) to intercede for us, and our fellow parishioners- those in the same seat, those standing ahead and behind us and those across the aisle (the Pilgrim Church).  We are all asking for the mercy of God.

Note too, our body language- we are standing; standing before God as we are. But as one of the invitation texts reminds us: ‘we can be confident to ask for God’s forgiveness, for He is full of gentleness and compassion’. 

What does the Penitential Rite mean to YOU?

‘PENITENTIAL RITE: PART 2’.

In both Rites 2 and 3, we ask for the mercy of God, but the ‘Lord have mercy’ (Kyrie) or part thereof, is incorporated into the Rites.

Rite 2:

The Priest says: ‘Lord, we have sinned against You, Lord have mercy’.

All: 'Lord have mercy’.

Priest: ‘Lord, show us Your mercy and love’.

All: ‘And grant us Your salvation’.

Rite 3: In this rite, the Priest has a number of options to choose from, but the Rite is in dialogue form and includes the complete Lord have mercy (Kyrie).  

When a commentator is present, he/she may read the Penitential Rite, which has been prepared by a Liturgy Preparation team. The dialogue form and Kyrie is still included. 

If Rite 2 or 3 is used, the Kyrie (as shown previously) is omitted.

Then a precious and vital moment can escape us if our minds and hearts have wandered.  The priest, in the name of Christ prays:

‘May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life’.

This does not replace the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation, but it is a wonderful opportunity not only to accept His pardon, but to recommit our lives to God, and to endeavour to live by the Gospel standard during the coming week.  

The Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water (Asperges) may replace the Penitential Rite and Kyrie.   The Priest uses a Holy Water Vessel and Aspergillum (holy water sprinkler) to carry the holy water which is sprinkled over the congregation. The sprinkling of the water reminds us of how we accepted the Lord at Baptism, turning away from sin. 

As part of your preparation for Mass, why not reflect on the words used in these three Rites? 

Each encapsulates some aspect of God’s mercy to YOU.  

                     

The Virtue Series: Love Part 3

The Virtue Series:

 Love Part 3

WOMAN OF LOVE-MARY, MOTHER OF GOD.

In the last two posts, we have considered what love is, and how we are able to use this virtue in our lives.  We examined the commandment to love- love of God, love of neighbour and love of self. We explored the problems that occur when this virtue of love is inoperative in our lives and considered scripture passages which highlight these above-mentioned aspects.

In this final post of this series, let us examine someone whom we can emulate- Mary as a woman of love.

The late Pope John Paul 11 in his letter on the Dignity and Vocation of Women stated:

" From the first moment of her divine motherhood, of her union with the Son whom 'the Father sent into the world, that the world might be saved through him' (cf Jn 3:17), Mary takes her place within Christ's messianic service".

Luke 1:26-40 highlights a stellar example of human love. and the love story of Mary our mother. We are wise to imitate her example.  Mary's response to the angel Gabriel, also known as her fiat (yes to God) shows us her faith, hope and love by:

·                     believes God's words are true.

·                     hopes to see their fulfillment

·                     loves God enough to overcome her fear

·                     does what is sacrificial and difficult.

Mary makes sacrifices to become the Mother of God in the following ways:

1.            She risks her marriage to Joseph and possible death, if he did not believe her that the baby is from God.

2.            She is promised that a sword would pierce her heart (Lk 2:35). This became a reality as she watched her beloved Son Jesus unjustly condemned, suffer and die on the Cross.

Mary is rewarded by God by becoming the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven and Earth. 

Real love is always about service and sacrifice.  God is love and He is always serving and sacrificing for us through Christ.  John 13:15 tells us 'He has given us the example for us to follow'.

During the week, we may wish to ponder how how God might be calling you to imitate Mary more fully in  our lives. Ephesians 5:2 may give us some food for thought.

"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, 

a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God".

 This is the last post in this series 'The Virtues'.  I hope you have enjoyed and benefited spiritually from this series and found it helpful for your spiritual journey. 

Let us continue to ask God to help us to grow in them and use them daily in our lives.

Next week, I  will commence a series called 'World Youth Day'.  

Having been a pilgrim to two World Youth Days in Rome in 2000 and Sydney 2008, I may be able to provide food for thought for potential pilgrims, and for all of us who desire to support them.  Stay tuned.

Genesis Series: Chapter 29

EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES.

 

THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES.

Chapter 29

At Hsran, Jacob falls in love with attractive daughter of his uncle Laban.  He asks for her in marriage, but his cunning uncle stipulates that he should work seven years for the hand of his daughter.  After seven years he is obliged to take first of all the elder sister of Rachel for his wife, since according to Aramaic custom the younger daughter cannot be married before the eider.  Laban makes Jacob work seven more years in his service. Jacob’s motivation and true love for Rachel is clear, despite being deceived … ‘they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her” (vs 20).

What lessons can we learn from this chapter?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

·                     How could we be reunited/reconciled with   close or extended family members ?

·                     Are we patient when our plans are thwarted by others?

·                     What behaviours do we use to deceive others?

·                     Do we put others on the spot inappropriately like Laban?

·                     Are we able to respond appropriately despite our emotions, when we are put on the spot?

·                     Are we able to communicate assertively not aggressively at times of conflict and disappointment?

·                     Are we able to listen effectively to another person's  point of view, especially when cultural sensitively is required?

·                     How important is physical vs spiritual beauty in relationships?

·                     Are we like Leah and use a gift (children) as a ‘bargaining chip’ with our husband/wife.?

Opening Prayer Series:17th Sunday of Year C

OPENING PRAYER SERIES

 

THE MASS : OPENING PRAYER SERIES ICON.

ALTERNATIVE OPENING PRAYER FOR 17TH SUNDAY OF YEAR.

Usually in this Opening Prayer series, I do not write a post on the alternative Opening Prayer. However, at the Mass I attended, the alternative Opening Prayer was read. I felt that providing the alternative Opening Prayer may be another way to assist your spirituality in action during the week.

The alternative Opening Prayer reads as follows:

Let us pray

(for the faith to recognise God's presence in our world). 

God our Father,

open our eyes to see Your hand at work 

in the splendour of creation,

in the beauty of human life.

Touched by Your hand our world is holy.

Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, 

to share Your blessing with our brothers and sisters 

and to experience the joy of life in Your presence.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How does having faith assist me in recognising God's presence in our world?

2. Where are the blind spots in my life where I fail to see Your hand at work?

3. How will I open my eyes to see Your hand at work in the splendour of creation? (eg take a walk, look at the wonder of the flowers).

4. How will I see Your hand at work in the beauty of human life- in my family, colleagues at work, parishioners, shop assistant, stranger and yes, even the person who deliberately takes my parking spot?

5.What are the gifts that surround me and how might I cherish them this week?

6. How will I share Your blessings this week?

7. How will I experience the joy of life in Your presence this week? 

Let us pray for the faith to recognize God's presence in our world 

and thank God for all the blessings He gives us this week

Opening Prayer Series: 17th Sunday of the Year

OPENING PRAYER SERIES:

Saying Mass: Opening Prayer Series.

OPENING PRAYER

The Opening Prayer of the Mass for the 17th Sunday of the Year reads as follows:

Let us pray 

(that we will make good use of the gifts that God has given us)

God our Father, and protector, 
without You, nothing is holy, 
nothing has value. 
Guide us to everlasting life  
by helping us to use widely 
the blessings You have given to the world.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1. What are the gifts God has given me?

2. How do I presently/recent past been using these gifts?

3. How will make better use of the gifts God has given me?

4. How can I recommit to God being no1 in my life?

5. How might I use widely the blessings God has given to the world this week in my life?

6. How is being guided to everlasting life and using God's gifts connected?

7. What will I do differently this week as a result of attending Mass?

GOSPEL REFLECTIONS

In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us ' The Lord's Prayer' which is a model for how we are meant to pray. There are many commentaries on 'the Lord's Prayer', but suffice to say it is important when we pray to put God first, before we ask for what we need. In other words, think of the giver (God) not the gift, since the gift is a privilege to receive not a right.  The exchange attitude that often prevails in society at Christmas is not appropriate.

In this Gospel we are told 'Ask and it will be given to you'.  Sometimes we might feel that this has not been true in our lives- we have asked and not received.  However, God always hears our prayers and gives us what is best.  I have to admit that it is sometimes in retrospect that I can acknowledge it.  It is often a cause of relief and joy that God did not give me what I truly thought was best for me at the time.

Let us recommit to placing God as no 1 in our lives, be in relationship with Him (prayer) and placing our trust in Him as we ask for what we need , knowing that He gives what is best and always hears and answers our prayer.

During this coming week, may we experience afresh

 'Lord, on the day I called for help, You answered me'.

.

I belong to God

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES

 

Christ the Redeemer

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.

My post is called:

I BELONG TO GOD

I will cling to You alone

Though the world may try to hold me

I will lean upon Your love 

As Your sheltering arms enfold me.

The future holds no fear for me

I belong God 

and so does my destiny.

May you feel the sheltering arms of God

and belong to Him throughout this coming week.