Collect for 23rd Sunday of Year A

The Collect for the 23rd Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

 

O God, in whom we are redeemed and receive adoption,

look graciously upon your sons and daughters

that those who believe in Christ

may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance.

 

 

Ín  making this prayer tangible for this coming week, the following reflection questions have emerged:

 

1. What does it mean to me to be redeemed by God?

 

2. What does it mean to me to receive adoption from God?

 

3. What does it mean to me a son/daughter of God?

 

4. What difference will being a son/daughter of God make in my life this week?

 

5. What would it mean to me to receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance.

 

6. what areas of my life are a hindrance to true freedom and how might I move towards freeing these areas in order to receive true freedom from God?

 

7. What one change will I make in my life  this coming week to be a better disciple/ a better person to my family, friends, work colleagues, parishioner, a stranger and to anyone I meet?

 

 

Today's gospel provides us with a model for approaching reconciliation.  Obviously the three fold model is not something that occurs, one after the other in a short space of time- no, there is genuine effort, sincerity of heart and allowance of time that can heal ( not always) in between different phases of the reconciliation process.

 

I think it also needs to be pointed out here that when there has been significant hurt/distress that the process of reconciliation will take longer. Our hearts do not run to a timetable.  Some hurts/distress may end up being forgiven but not necessarily  seeing the person who was involved in the hurt.  We may find our own way to be at peace through prayer and kindly thoughts towards that person without actually reopening the relationship. In some cases, reopening the relationship may indeed to be to our own detriment of well being. It does not mean that we have not forgiven the person. In fact, it may be the most loving thing to do for our own well being and for theirs as well. 

 

 

The important thing from this Gospel today is Jesus invites us to think about process in reconciliation- to realise that reconciliation needs the initial heart to heart with only the people concerned and then if that is not able to be resolved, then mediation involving others may be required.

 

This topic is close to my heart this week- I have a family member who has not contacted me in 6 years. The phone call came out of the blue so I am shocked and stunned.  I have not rushed to answer the request to meet.  I am still shocked- the past re-emerges and it is difficult not to play the tapes of the past in my mind. Is it the loving thing to do to meet?  Some people would say yes and some no and some perhaps would say a yes and a no.  There is a case for a yes and a case for the no and I wish for wisdom to know what to do- what is the most loving thing to do for both parties.   There are just so many questions and thoughts.  I ask you to pray for me so I do get the wisdom to know what is the best thing to do. What is God requiring of me in this situation?

 

Reconciliation is definitely a process but at the basis of it needs to be a sense of trust and respect for both parties.  Where is trust and respect, people can have differing opinions and still be friends. We do not have to be the same as the world would want us to believe. Where trust and respect is present in a relationship, both parties can make mistakes, perhaps even hurt the other party by their behaviour/actions but even though trust and respect may be dinted/damaged, their friendship will likely to endure.  Take the trust and respect for granted- then it is likely to be a different story.

 

As we listen to this week's gospel, we might like to think about all our relationships- what makes them a good relationship, what can be improved or in my case with my estranged family member, do some more thinking/ take action to pick up the phone. We can appreciate the relationships that are working well and nurture them more by thanking God for His blessing on them.  We can ask for assistance in the relationships that need improvement and where relationships are irrevocably damaged, ask for the grace to leave them (if that is required) but with a loving attitude.

 

May this week's gospel challenge you to think about all your relationships and their quality including your relationship with God.

 

 

 

 



 



Collect for 22nd Sunday Year A

The Collect for the 22nd Sunday of the Year A reads as follows:

 

God of might, giver of every good gift,

put into our hearts the love of Your name,

so that, by deepening our sense of reverence,

You may nurture what is in us as good

and by Your watchful care,

keep safe what You have nurtured.

 



 

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

 

 

1. What are the good gifts God has given me in my life?

2. What good gifts do I ask for and wish to receive from God?

3. What does God's name mean to me?

4. How do I react when others misuse it?

5. What can I do to heighten other people's awareness of when they misuse God's name?

6. What does it mean to me to be nurtured by God in my life/this week?

 

On a personal note, I wish to share with you an experience I had with a friend who is not a Christian.  When I first met her, she used to use God's name in conversation a lot.  As I did not know her very well, I kept quiet and did not say anything. Then one day not long later I had had enough of it, I decided that it had nothing to do with not knowing her well, but everything to do with God's name being misused. So I asked her politely to stop using God's name in that way as it is offensive to Him and to myself who honours His name as a Christian.  She apologized and said it was a bad habit she had got into and had wanted to get out of it but did not know how.  So I suggested she come up with a range of expressions she could use instead. Then that way, she would have a choice of expressions to use.

 

The point of my sharing with you this experience is that we, as Christians often put up with all sorts of things thinking that we are tolerant to others, but in fact no helping them appreciate our faith.  In Australia  ''Oh my God or OMG is used so frequently-  when I hear it said now, I just say ''that's great to hear you are praying''- it soon stops it. Hopefully it makes people think. 

Perhaps you can do the same in your circle of friends and acquaintances.

 

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we have to, as disciples deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him.  We may wish to think about:

• What does denying ourselves mean- what areas in my life could I make a start. Motive is key here- we are denying ourselves out of love for God and in the process, God will make something good for us out of our love of Him expressed through your denial/fasting. 
• What is/are the cross/es in our lives that God has given us to take up daily?  Remember, even though at times it feels like the cross is too heavy and we cannot go on, God gives us a cross that we have the strength to carry- He never gives us the cross without the graces to manage the cross. We need to ask for those graces and ask Jesus to carry the cross with us- He always carries the heavy end.
• How do I follow Jesus- what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? The 4 keys are prayer, fasting and receiving the Sacraments regularly ( receive Communion at Mass as often we can and ensure regular/monthly (as Pope Francis recommends)  attendance at Sacrament of Reconciliation.

We cannot hope to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him if our motive is not love for God.  We have to have some type of relationship with Him. Our motive of love of God is key.

If we have forgotten this,  then start small. One small act of denial done with love in our hearts for God is worth everything to God. Yes, even that second piece of cake that you would love to eat- gone without for love of God is worth everything to God because, in His eyes, YOU are worth everything to HIM.  Motive is the key and keeping it in the forefront of my mind, helps me significantly, especially when I am tired/exhausted or feel it is all too much.

Starting small but working it into our day gets us into the habit of it and soon, it becomes part of our own nature. One small act one day becomes 7 small acts in a week, and 365 in a year.   Remember motive is key- love for God.

 

We may not understand the cross that God has given you- but we do know that God gives us a cross that we can manage- He never crushes our spirit beyond what He knows we can do.  Sometimes, we give up long before our God given strength.  Have you ever looked back on part of your life when the cross was incredibly heavy to carry and thanked God for carrying it with you.  Perhaps you wondered how you got through that phase of your life.  I know I have and have been slow to realise God's nurturing through it.   Today's Collect is a reminder of the loving caring and nurturing God we serve.

 

Finally let us remember this week that the purpose for our lives is essentially ''to know, love and serve God here on earth and be happy with Him for ever''.  ( Catechism of Catholic Church).

 

Let us be the best disciples we can this coming week.

 

 

 

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