Collect for Feast of Mary Mother of God

COLLECT SERIES.

 

THE MASS: COLLECT SERIES ICON

COLLECT

The Collect for the Feast of Mary Mother of God reads as follows:

O God, through the fruitful virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation,

grant, we pray,

that we may experience the intercession of her,

to whom we were found worthy

to receive the author of life, Your Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.



REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1.            What is my spiritual connection with the Blessed Virgin Mary?

2.            How might Mary assist my spiritual growth?

3.            During this Christmastide, how will I show gratitude to Mary for bearing
           Christ?

4.            How might I experience Mary's intercession?

5.            What difference does Christ's birth make to my life today?

6.            How can I keep the message of Christmas throughout the whole year-
          what action/steps/thoughts might I explore to make my world a   better
          place?

7.            If God is the author of life in my life, how might I respond more fully to God in my life?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Luke's Gospel has 3 important statements for us to consider

1. When the 8 days came, they named Him Jesus.
2. The shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in the manger....
3. As for Mary, she treasured all these things in her heart.

In these short phrases, there is a wealth of learning for us.
1. The angel at the annunciation tells Mary about Christ- the child will be great... He also says that ''you must name Him Jesus...'‘,
2. Mary is a young woman- she would have thought about what to name the child just as an any pregnant woman does. Likewise, Joseph would have had his thoughts.  In those days, it was tradition to name your first son after his father.  Mary would have been aware of her cousin's Elizabeth's experience with Zechariah when naming their child John, not Zechariah after his father.
3. The other thing to take into account to with this phrase is that it is now 9 months later.  Both Joseph and Mary not only took into account what the angel had told Mary 9 months before but now, obeyed God through the angel's message.   What about us?  Do we obey what God has asked us to do (straightaway or when required by God?

4. The shepherds always make for interesting meditation during Christmastide.  They were out in the fields doing their job when they received the good news. ‘’They went to see and found everything that they had been told by the angel the scripture says" exactly as they been told''. They gave their homage to the Infant and went back praising God for that they had seen and heard.  

What thoughts do you have when you think of the shepherds?  Are we like the shepherds and step out of our own comfort zone to explore possibilities- to evangelise perhaps?  Do we praise God for all that we have seen and heard in our faith?  How can we learn from the shepherds and take them as a guide for the year?

Finally, Mary herself- scripture says that she pondered these things and treasured them in her heart.

So, what do we ponder and treasure?  How do we hold Jesus in our hearts for the year?  Will you ponder more this coming year your faith and treasure it as you learn/appreciate/value it?  How will you be like Mary as she pondered.  Think about what we do when we ponder- mull over, consider things from different perspectives, think over again and again, analyse in our minds... then from all of these thoughts may come some conclusions.  What might be treasure in our hearts this coming year?  Is there something from 2016 that we wish to ponder more and treasure it in our hearts? 

From these phrases from the Gospel we can learn a lot and can make it our own for our lives.

Happy New Year to my readers.  May God bless you abundantly.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas

THE MANGER AT BETHLEHEM.

Happy Christmas to my readers. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy all the blessings that this Christmastide has to offer.

So what might this Christmastide got to offer you?  Opportunity.

Give to your enemy forgiveness,

To your opponent tolerance,

To your friend your heart,

To all people charity,

To every child a good example,

and to yourself—respect.

Other options to explore are outlined in this poem:

This Christmas, mend a quarrel.

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

Write a letter.

Give a soft answer.

Encourage youth.

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise.

Forgo a grudge.

Forgive an enemy.

Apologise.

Try to understand.

Examine your demands on others.

Think first of someone else.

Be kind.

Be gentle.

Laugh a little more.

Express your gratitude.

Welcome a stranger.

Gladden the heart of a child.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Speak your love and then speak it again.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION.

We may not be able to do all of this during the next 12 days of Christmastide, but we do have all the year to explore the possibilities, since Emmanuel means God with us.  However, there are 22 lines in this poem.  We could 

• take the sentiment and apply each line for a week.  
• add 4 lines of your own to the poem. This would make half the year.  
• start again for the remainder of the year.  Imagine the growth in us by next Christmas.!!! 
•  Alternatively, you could take each line for a month, making 11 months and consolidate it in December.  After all, it does take 21 days to start to change a habit. The important thing of course is to start.

I remember a family who used to discuss and pledge to each other how they could grow together at Christmas Day celebration.  Each member would nominate an area of growth they intend to work on for the following year. Then as a family, they would collect their ideas and write it so that all family members had a copy.  Then they would also nominate one area for the family to work on together.  This related to how they were with each other during the year.  

Throughout the year, they would support each other in these areas, both as individuals in the family and as a family. They used to make their goals simple enough to be realised and yet, challenging enough to encourage personal and family growth.

Perhaps it might be something you might to add to the tradition of your family at Christmas.

So now that the cash registers are quiet and the shops are closed, take some time today to think of the wonderment of the Incarnation of Jesus- God coming to our world as a baby- one like us in all things except sin.

How will Jesus be born again in YOUR life this Christmastide?

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Collects Year A

COLLECT SERIES

 

THE MANGER AT BETHLEHEM.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Collects Year A

The Church provides texts for Christmas Vigil, Midnight and Christmas Day.  So, I have provided the Collects texts for these Masses with some reflection questions. 

Collect for Christmas Eve:

O God, who gladdens us year by year,

as we await in hope for our redemption,

grant that, just as we joyfully welcome our Redeemer,

we may also merit to face him confidently

when he comes again as our judge.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1.Am I gladdened more this year than previous years about my faith?  If not, why might that be?
2. What might I do this coming year to increase my gladness and hope in my redemption?
3. How might the hope of Advent be carried forward into the Christmas season?
4. How do I welcome my Redeemer?
5. What gift will I give to Jesus at the crib this year?
6. Will you experience Jesus as a merciful judge in Reconciliation this Christmastide?
7. How do I feel about meeting Jesus as my judge? Can I meet Him confidently?

MASS DURING THE NIGHT

O God who has made this most sacred night

radiant of the splendour of the true light

grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of His light on earth,

may also delight in His gladness in heaven.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1.  What makes this night so sacred? Reflect on this sacredness and the meaning of Christmas.
2. How can I reflect the radiance of the splendour of God as a child of God in my life?
3. Why do you think that the Collect refers to light at this time when the symbol of Easter is Christ as light?  What is the connection?
4. What is my image/thoughts about Heaven and meeting Christ face to face?

MASS AT DAWN

COLLECT

Grant we pray almighty God,

that as we are bathed in the new radiance of Your Incarnate Word

the light of faith, which illumines our minds

may also shine through in our deeds.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1. What does it mean to me to be bathed in the new radiance of Your Incarnate Word?
2. How might this bathing be shown in my life?
3. What fogs/darkness of my mind need the light of faith?
4.  What images come to mind with the phrases of bathed, light, shine. How might I connect them in my life?
5.  What deed/s might I engage in this Christmastide which reflects the message of Christmas?

MASS DURING THE DAY

COLLECT

O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature,

and still more wonderfully restored it,

grant we pray, that we may share in the divinity of Christ,

who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1. Many people have self-esteem issues of one kind of another.  Pray for these people at Christmas that they come to know their dignity before God.
2. How do I feel about my dignity in being a child of God?
3. How might I treasure my dignity as a child of God more fully in my life?
4. Embrace the opportunity this Christmas to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation where Christ, through the priest, restores our dignity as children of God?
5. Dwell on the awesome thought of God becoming a baby before the crib- to share in our humanity.

May all my readers be blessed by God this Christmas.

Collect for 4th Sunday of Advent

COLLECT SERIES 

THE MASS: COLLECT SERIES ICON.

COLLECT

The Collect for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year A reads as follows:

Pour forth we beseech you O Lord your grace into our hearts

 that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Your Son 

was made known by the message of an Angel 

may by this passion and cross 

be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.

We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ

who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit, 

one God for ever and ever.

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1. What are the graces that I long for from the Lord?
2. What message of the angel do I bring to other people?
3. How can I reflect during this week on the Incarnation of Christ?
4. Why do you think this familiar prayer is chosen for this 4th Sunday of Advent?
5. How will you make the most of this final week of Advent spiritually?

GOSPEL REFLECTION
I don't know whether it is this time of the year, but I love to hear todays Gospel from Matthew.  There is always something comforting and reassuring to me about Joseph's obedience to the angel. What if he had wiped it off and said '' oh it is just a dream'' or worse still had forgotten the dream when he woke up.   Thankfully, Joseph was tuned in to God, and through his dream was able to communicate what Joseph he had to do, and he obeyed the angel. He had enough faith to realise that the angel's message was from God.

God can communicate with us awake or asleep, and like Joseph, when the message is more than our conscious could bear, can communicate to us in our subconscious- when we are relaxed and receptive to Him.  However, Joseph made a conscious decision to follow the angel's message.  The scripture says '' He got up.....''  .

From a psychological standpoint, we all do dream.  Whether we remember our dreams or not is another matter. God is always longing to communicate with us and is always kind because He knows how much we can bear.  However, we need to be relaxed and receptive to His message to us, whether awake or asleep.

The other aspect of Joseph's response was he acted upon the message.  He obeyed, because in his heart he knew it was a message from God.  Can we say the same?  Do we act upon the messages we receive in many forms knowing that they are from God? It is all very well to listen and be receptive to the message- this is a very important first step.  However, if that is all it is, a first step and it goes nowhere then, it remains a message that God will provide in another form.  God does not give up with us.   However, why not listen receptively whether awake or asleep and answer God with our obedience with the faith of Joseph.

So as we prepare for Christmas during this final week of Advent,  we  may wish to revise our spiritual plans that we set up at the beginning of Advent and see how we are travelling.  We may also wish to consider our receptivity and obedience to God in our lives. 

What must we do this week to become more receptive to God and to obey His word to us?

The O Antiphons

O ANTIPHONS OF ADVENT.

 

ADVENT WREATH- SYMBOL OF ADVENT.

An Antiphon is a song, prayer or psalm chanted in responsorial fashion. 

The O Antiphons, also known as ‘’The great Os’’ are Magnificat antiphons used at Vespers of the last seven days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. They are also used as the alleluia verses on the same days in the Catholic Mass.  The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.

The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil.

Hear how the seven O Antiphons of Advent summarize the hopes of the people in the old Testament who waiting for the coming of the Messiah:

• O Come O Wisdom
• O Come O Lord of Might
• O Come O Rod of Jesse's Stem
• O Come O Key of David,
• O Come O Dayspring,
• O Come Desire of Nations,
• O Come O Emmanuel ( God with us).

" O Come O Wisdom..." comes from Book of Sirach chapter 24, which speaks of Wisdom as coming from God and foreshadowing the Divine Word : Jesus.

" O Come O Lord of Might..."'  The Messiah would be the powerful Lord.  In previous times this powerful Lord was hidden but now his power and his person will be seen clearly.

''O Come O Rod of Jesse's Stem..."This refers to Jesus' relationship to David.  Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, was a descendent of the line of David.

'' O come O Key of David..." David and his descendants Joseph and Jesus would hold the key that would unlock heaven.

''O come O Dayspring...'' The Messiah will be like the dawn bringing the hope of a new day.  even death will not stand in his way.

'' O come O Desire of Nations..."' The Messiah will not be Saviour just for the house of Israel, but all nations will be ruled by this prince of Peace.

'' O come O Emmanuel." Emmanuel means 'God-with-us "and is a term that applied to Jesus in the gospel (Mt 1:23).

ORIGIN OF O ANTIPHONS.

The exact origin of the ‘’O Antiphons’’ is not known. Boethius (c. 480-524) made a slight reference to them, thereby suggesting their presence at that time. At the Benedictine abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they are in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome. The usage of the O Antiphons was so prevalent in monasteries that the phrases, Keep your O and The Great O Antiphons were common parlance. One may thereby conclude that in some fashion the O Antiphons have been part of our liturgical tradition since the very early Church.

IMPORTANCE OF THE O ANTIPHONS.

The importance of O Antiphons is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah. Let’s now look at each antiphon with just a sample of Isaiah’s related prophecies :

O Sapientia: O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. Isaiah had prophesied, the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2-3), and Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom. (Isaiah 28:29).

O Adonai: O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Isaiah had prophesied, But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the lands afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. (Isaiah 11:4-5); and Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us. (Isaiah 33:22).

O Radix Jesse: O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. Isaiah had prophesied, But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. (Isaiah 11:1), and A On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).

O Clavis David: O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open. (Isaiah 22:22), and His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. (Isaiah 9:6).

O Oriens: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Isaiah had prophesied, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown. (Isaiah 9:1).

O Rex Gentium: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. Isaiah had prophesied, For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counsellor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:5), and He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. (Isaiah 2:4) .

O Emmanuel: O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Saviour of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. Isaiah had prophesied, The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. (Isaiah 7:14). Remember Emmanuel means God is with us.

According to Professor Robert Greenberg of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one - Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia - the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, Tomorrow, I will come. Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, Tomorrow, I will come.

So, the O Antiphons not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.