Opening Prayer Series: 31 Sunday of Year C

OPENING PRAYER SERIES

THE MASS: OPENING PRAYER SERIES ICON.

OPENING PRAYER

The Opening Prayer for the 31st Sunday of the Year reads as follows:

Let us pray
(that our lives will reflect our faith)
God of power and mercy,
only with Your help can we offer You fitting service and praise,
May we live the faith we profess 
and trust Your promise of eternal life. 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1.            What is faith and how might I ask God to increase it during this
          coming week? 

2.            Name the areas of my life that reflect my faith?

3.            Name the areas of my life that need adjustment to reflect my faith?

4.            How can God help me this coming week to offer Him fitting service
         and praise?

5.            What does it mean to me to live the faith I profess?

6.            Do I know my faith- how might I educate myself more in my faith
          this coming week/month?

7.            Why do I need to trust God's promise of eternal life?

GOSPEL REFLECTION.

 In today's Gospel, we meet the lovely Zacchaeus. I have to say that I have a soft spot for Zacchaeus because I can identify with his shortness of stature and appreciate the frustration of not being able to see clearly in a crowd and at times even at Mass. Anyway, I will get off my hobby horse before I go any further.

Still shortness of stature did not hinder Zacchaeus because we are told that he was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was.  He climbs the sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus.  Thankfully, Jesus notices him up the sycamore tree and invites himself to the house of Zacchaeus.  Then Zacchaeus is able to stand his ground after the crowd complain, and acknowledge his failures and wrongdoing.  Indeed, salvation came to his house that day.

What about us- are we anxious to see who Jesus is? Do our shortcomings hinder us, or are we prepared, like Zacchaeus, to think outside the square to catch a glimpse of Jesus?  Are we able to stand our ground when we are ridiculed in a crowd? Are we able to acknowledge our own shortcomings to Jesus and accept the salvation He offers us (through the sacrament of reconciliation)?

During this coming week let us catch a glimpse of Jesus by not allowing our weakness and shortcomings to hinder us from receiving the salvation Jesus wishes to offer us.

Reflection and Prayer Series:God 's comfort for us

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES:

CHRIST THE REDEEMER: REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES.ICON.

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

GOD'S COMFORT FOR US.

God comforts us in the valley of our despair,
He rejoices with us on the heights of our celebration,
And through it all, 
He delights in our unfaltering faith and praise.  


During this coming week, may God turn your mourning into gladness,
and give you comfort and joy instead of sorrow (based on Jer 31:13).

How can the Christian experience Divine Guidance and test voices that come?

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY.

How can the Christian experience Divine Guidance and test voices that come?

God speaks through many forms, but particularly through Scripture, through prayer, in advice given by others (positive and negative) in teaching, in prophecy.  In fact, God is not limited to the ways He speaks to us.  However, we as Christians are limited in our capacity to LISTEN.

Conditions necessary for hearing God’s voice include:

1.      Be humble in the sight of God.

2.      Having an earnest desire to want God’s will for one’s life.

3.      Faith.

4.      A clean heart in the sight of God.

It is important however that we as Christians test the voices, which can come from three sources namely

• God.
• Ourselves.
• Satan- the Evil One.

When we test the voice, we need to ask:

• Does it glorify Christ? (Or myself)
• Is it in accord with Scripture?
• Am I at peace in my own spirit with it or am I anxious/restless or still unsure?
• Are other spiritual people who know me at peace about it?

Other considerations in testing the voice include:

1. Asking the Lord for guidance for His will for you.
2. Allowing God in His time to convince you rather than trying to convince God.
3. Seeking prayer from others- in prayer the way may be made clearer through a prophecy or image.
4. Looking for a third alternative.
5. Using the gift of common sense that God gave us.
6. Considering the circumstances- are doors opening/closing for me?

   

 It is wonderful that we have the opportunity to be in relationship with Christ- like any relationship, it needs to be nurtured and the ability to listen to Him is vital to hearing His voice.

The difficulty that I think many Christians experience when needing divine guidance is one of time. Often, our decision needs to be made quickly, (or we think it needs to be made quickly), so allowing God to speak in HIS time can be frustrating and some of us give up asking and testing the voice.

If we seek God’s will for our lives each day, and try to listen to God’s voice daily, then when important decisions need addressing, we are more open to hearing God’s voice speak.  We are in relationship with Christ, and as Scripture says:

‘We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,

who have been called according to His purpose’.(Romans 8:28).

Compendium Series:Scripture-its unity and its role in the life of the church

Compendium Series: 

JESUS THE TEACHER: COMPENDIUM SERIES ICON.

Scripture-its unity and its role in the life of the church 

 Again, this week, we focus on Scripture-the last two questions in this section on this topic. Both are important to understand within themselves, but vital to our understanding and faith nurturing in our spiritual journey.  So what does the Compendium have to say on these vital aspects on Scripture this week?

23. What is the unity that exists between the Old and New Testaments? (CCC126-130,140)

Compendium states:

Scripture is one insofar as the Word of God is one.  God’s plan of salvation is one and the divine inspiration of both Testaments is one.  The Old Testament prepares for the New and the New Testament fulfils the Old, the two shed light on each other.

What does this mean for me?

Since there is a oneness between both Old and New Testaments, I am able to become more aware of it and appreciate it more fully.

Questions to consider:

1.            How does the Old Testament prepare for the New and the New
           Testament fulfil the Old?

2.            Reading both Old and New Testaments, how do the passages shed light
           on each other?

3.            How important is reading the Scripture in my daily. life?

24. What role does Sacred Scripture play in the life of the Church? (CCC 132-133,141-142)

Compendium states:

Sacred Scripture gives support and vigour to the life of the Church. For the children of the Church it is a confirmation of the faith, food for the soul and the fount of the spiritual life.  Sacred Scripture is the soul and theology and of pastoral preaching.  The Psalmist says that it is “a lamp to my feet and light to my path” (Psalm 119-105).  The Church therefore exhorts all to read Sacred scripture frequently because ‘ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Christ”. (Saint Jerome.

What does this mean for me?

1.  I commit myself to read the Scripture frequently because I do want to be ignorant of Christ who is my Saviour.

2.     I need to read Scripture so that my soul is fed.

 Questions to consider:

1.            Why does Sacred Scripture give support and vigour to the life of the
           Church?

2.            Is Sacred Scripture a confirmation of the faith, food for the soul and a
            fount of the spiritual life for me? Why/why not?

3.            How is Sacred Scripture a lamp to my feet and a light to my path?

4.            How can I educate myself to understand Sacred Scripture?

5.            Am I willing to choose to read Scripture in greater depth- eg choose a book to study during Advent, Christmastide, Lent, Eastertide and Ordinary seasons?

So, to complete this section on Scripture, why not revise during the week what we have already discovered from previous weeks including this week's post and implement our own spiritual learning into our faith journey.

Helping others to go to WYD

Helping others to go to WYD

 

WORLD YOUTH DAY CROSS AND ICON.

We are all familiar with the concept of sponsorship with sports elite and the like. 

Have you thought about sponsorship for a WYD pilgrim? Here are some reasons to consider:

·                     Scripture tells us that 'the Lord loves a cheerful giver'. Helping to sponsor a pilgrim to WYD Madrid or any WYD is a great opportunity, not only for the recipient but also for the giver since the Lord blesses both the giver and the recipient.

·                     Sponsorship of a pilgrim helps the donor to spiritually walk the pilgrimage with the pilgrim as well as materially providing at some level for his/her financial needs.

·                     Sponsorship of a pilgrim brings a community together for a worthy cause.  For example, if the cost of the pilgrimage is divided by a number of people (like a syndicate), then the financial burden is lessened and a pilgrim is able to benefit from attending WYD.

·                     When fund raising functions are initiated, many people are made aware of WYD and a community can be brought together for a common cause.

In the past, I have contributed to sponsorship of WYD pilgrims in a more traditional manner and received many blessings including the opportunity to attend WYD in Sydney. However, since my blog has its initial roots from my WYD experience in Sydney, I wish to explore an internet friendly alternative.  On my blog you will notice a donate widget on the right of the post.  I hope that through your generosity that my Newhorizons blog will be able to sponsor a well deserving pilgrim whom I have in mind.  If you are able to assist with a donation, small, medium or large, you can click on the widget and pay safely with paypal. Your donation will be gratefully received and I will pray that the Lord will shower His blessings upon you.

There are many ways to raise funds and help sponsor a pilgrim. Ways to Sponsoring a pilgrim has endless possibilities, but here are a few tried and tested suggestions from other pilgrims who have either raised the money through fund raising or have been assisted in sponsorship. I heard of a pilgrim who raised  the fare to WYD  solely through a chocolate drive.

If you are in the position to assist a pilgrim attend WYD, then you are helping them not only financially, but benefit from a life changing experience.  Wouldn't you like to do that for one other fellow human being?

Why not consider it, and if you choose please consider helping New Horizons send a well deserving student attend WYD. Your donation will bring me incredible joy and see my WYD dream from Sydney 2008 realised.

Let's do it- Let New Horizons send a pilgrim to WYD Madrid.

About the Mass: Liturgy of the Word: Profession of Faith Part 2

ABOUT THE MASS

THE MASS: ABOUT THE MASS ICON.

Liturgy of the Word: Profession of Faith Part 2

The Profession of Faith serves as a way for us to respond, and to give our assent to the Word of God heard in the readings and the homily, and for us to recall the truths of faith before we continue with the celebration of the Eucharist- the great mystery of faith.

Over the centuries, like the other parts of the Mass, music has been composed for the Nicene Creed, such as, the ‘Mass in B Minor’ by J.S. Bach or ‘Mass in C’ by L. van Beethoven. These composers took a particular line of text and created a composition around it. So their Creeds were made of many sections.  We can learn from this method ourselves. Actually, this is a great way for us to reflect on the words of the Creed. Why not take a line or two and mull over it?

SINCE VATICAN 2. 

However, since Vatican 11, it is preferred that the Creed is not sung, rather that it is proclaimed together, giving voice to our beliefs and responding to the Word of God.   

If it is sung, as a rule the congregation is meant to sing it together or in alternation.  The musical style is meant to be declamatory in style, rather than an extensive and involved musical structure.

A good example of our heritage can be found in the Catholic Worship Book (1985) ‘Credo in Unum Deum’ (No 541. This is in plainchant, and can be sung either together (as it is often sung at the Vatican) or in alternation.  

Perhaps our younger members of the congregation find the recitation of the Profession of Faith difficult to remember.  You will find it if you ask at Catholic bookshop.  It can also be found in Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) p.49-50.  

In some parishes, the Profession of Faith is presented on the overhead projector to help the congregation to focus on what they are professing.  After all, our Faith is very special and we need every voice to say with our hearts ‘We believe’.

Chapter 43 Joseph and the meal with his siblings.

EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES.

THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS  SERIES ICON.

Chapter 43

Then came the years of famine, and from over the entire land people came to Egypt to buy corn from Joseph.  Jacob too sends his sons. When the brothers present themselves to him, Joseph does not let himself be recognised and gives him corm on the condition that Benjamin who was not with them, should be presented to him. Jacob finally accept that the fact that Benjamin has to go and the brothers present themselves again to him. 

Joseph does not reveal his identity to them yet but suffers his grief alone. When he had composed himself, he provides them a meal. The brothers are amazed at his generosity since they do not know his real identity.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

1. What do we do for those in the world who experience famine- physical and spiritual famine?
2. Are we able, even in times of difficulty, to be generous with our own resources (like Jacob)?
3. Are we able to let go of something or someone in times of necessity for the greater good?
4. How well do we prepare our emotional being for reconciliation?
5. Are we able to share our grief with others or do we have to mask it and suffer alone?
6. Are we able to give to those who have hurt us?
7. How do you think you would feel if you were in Joseph’s shoes?
8. What qualities do you admire in Joseph and how might these assist you to be a better person?
9. What stops us from recognising our brothers/sisters?
10. Do you allow your generosity with others to go unnoticed?
11. What prevents us from revealing our real identity to others?

Opening Prayer Series: 30th Sunday of Year

OPENING PRAYER SERIES:
 

THE MASS: OPENING PRAYER SERIES ICON.

OPENING PRAYER

The Opening Prayer for the 30th Sunday of the Year reads as follows:

Let us pray

(for the strength to do God's will)

Almighty and ever-living God,

strengthen our faith, hope and love,

May we do with loving hearts what You ask of us 

and come share tho life You promise. 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

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

1.            What is God's will for me?

2.            What is strength and why is it important for doing God's will?

3.            What do I understand about the virtues of faith, hope and love? (My
           virtue series may be a helpful resource)

4.            What hinders me from doing with a loving heart what God asks of me?

5.            What am I prepared to do to change these hindrances this week? How
            will I go about making these changes?

6.            How can I share in the life You promise this coming week?

7.            What is the life that God has promised me?

GOSPEL REFLECTION’

As we hear today's gospel of the publican and the pharisee, to whom do we identify? It seems to me that we are neither all publican nor all pharisee. Rather we are more likely to hold in our personalities both publican and pharisee. The message of the parable is quite clear from the outset when it says ' Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else'.

I do not wish to give the publican bad press.  From his own words to himself we are told that he was not grasping, adulterous, fast  twice a week, payed tithes on all he got. Some might consider that he had a very strong self-esteem and a good bloke. Unfortunately, he seems to suffer from the sin of pride and from a judgmental attitude towards humanity. In his eyes, he is the greatest. His sin of pride has blinded him to his own weakness and sinfulness.

The pharisee however prayed to God, not to himself, with a beautiful simple prayer 'Be merciful to me a sinner'.  Some might consider him to have low self-esteem since he was humble. Being humble in the presence of God is being realistic- God is the creator and we are the creatures that God lovingly made from nothing. Jesus too humbled himself to become man and die on the cross. We are not greater than our Master.

So during this coming week, let us find the balance between the publican and pharisee in us. It is fine to acknowledge our giftedness comes from God and be grateful for it.  We need to be realistic to know that we are not yet perfect, so we need to be humble enough to do this in God's presence and when we tend to be judgmental or prideful, we need to acknowledge our sinfulness. 

Do you not want to go home at rights with God?