Collect for Feast of Holy Family Year C

 COLLECT SERIES

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

COLLECT 

 

The Collect for the Feast of the Holy Family Year C reads as follows:

 

O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family,

graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life

and in the bonds of charity,

and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

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

 

What does the feast of the Holy Family mean to me?

What is the shining example of the Holy Family?

What virtues of family life and bonds of charity will my family practice this coming year?

How will my family celebrate this great feast?

How will my parish family acknowledge and celebrate this great feast?

 

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

 

ABOUT THE FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY

 The devotion to the Holy Family was born in Bethlehem, together with the Baby Jesus. The shepherds went to adore the Child and, at the same time, they gave honour to His family. Later, in a similar way, the three wise men came from the East to adore and give honour to the newborn King with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that would be safeguarded by His family.

We can go further to affirm that in a certain sense Christ, Himself, was the first devotee of His family. He showed His devotion to His mother and foster father by submitting Himself, with infinite humility, to the duty of filial obedience towards them. This is what St Bernard of Clairvaux said in this regard, ‘God, to whom angels submit themselves and who principalities and powers obey, was subject to Mary; and not only to Mary but Joseph also for Mary’s sake [….]. God obeyed a human creature; this is humility without precedent. A human creature commands God; it is sublime beyond measure.’ (First Homily on the ‘Missus Est’).

Today’s celebration demonstrates Christ’s humility and obedience with respect to the fourth commandment, whilst also highlighting the loving care that His parents exercised in His keeping. The servant of God, Pope John Paul II, in 1989, entitled his Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Redemptoris Custos’ (Guardian of the Redeemer) which was dedicated to the person and the mission of Saint Joseph in the life of Christ and of the Church. After exactly a century, he resumed the teaching of Pope Leo XIII, for who Saint Joseph ‘...shines among all mankind by the most august dignity, since by divine will, he was the guardian of the Son of God and reputed as His father among men’ (Encyclical Quamquam Pluries [1889] n. 3). Pope Leo XIII continued,‘... Joseph became the guardian, the administrator, and the legal defender of the divine house whose chief he was.[…] It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.’ Not many years before, blessed Pope Pius IX had proclaimed Saint Joseph, ‘Patron of the Catholic Church’ (1870)

Almost intuitively, one can recognize that the mysterious, exemplary, guardianship enacted by Joseph was conducted firstly, in a yet more intimate way, by Mary. Consequently, the liturgical feast of the Holy Family speaks to us of the fond and loving care that we must render to the Body of Christ. We can understand this in a mystical sense, as guardians of the Church, and also in the Eucharistic sense. Mary and Joseph took great care of Jesus’ physical body. Following their example, we can and must take great care of His Mystical Body, the Church, and the Eucharist which He has entrusted to us. If Mary was, in some way, ‘the first tabernacle in history’ (John Paul II Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n. 55) then we the Tabernacle in which Our Lord chose to reside in person, in His Real Presence, was also entrusted to us. We can learn from Mary and Joseph! What would they ever have overlooked in the care of Jesus’ physical body? Is there something, therefore, that we can withhold for the right and adoring care of His Eucharistic Body? No amount of attention, no sane act of love and adoring respect will ever be too much! On the contrary, our adoration and respect will always be inferior to the great gift that comes to us in the Holy Eucharist.

Looking at the Holy Family, we see the love, the protection, and the diligent care that they gave to the Redeemer. We can not fail to feel uneasiness, perhaps a shameful thought, for the times in which we have not rendered the appropriate care and attention to the Blessed Eucharist. We can only ask for forgiveness and do penance for all the sacrilegious acts and the lack of respect that are committed in front of the Blessed Eucharist. We can only ask the Lord, through the intersession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, for a greater love for their Son Incarnate, who has decided to remain here on earth with us every day until the end of time.

Taken from www.catholicculture.org

 

 

Happy Christmas.

 

Happy Christmas to all my readers. 

I hope that you receive all the blessings that God has in store for you 

during this blessed season of Christmas- Christmastide.

There is a lot of ponder and contemplate during the Christmas season which starts today on Christmas Day and ends liturgically on Presentation of the Lord ( February 2).  However, most churches end the Christmas season on either solemnity of Epiphany ( when the crib goes away for another year back into storage) or some continue on for another week for Baptism of Our Lord.

Like Advent, Christmastide is a relatively short season.  It can pass with a blink of an eye. 

Why not decide to review your advent goals spiritually and see if any of them need tweeking or decide on a new plan for Christmastide.  In making goals of course, they need to be achievable, so sometimes setting one goal  or perhaps two and working with those goals can be a better course of action.  What ever works for you  in your own unique circumstances is the best course of action.

So perhaps before you go to Mass today or you make some time today plan your Christmastide goals spiritually.   It is such a lovely season and it is this solemnity that we need to hold in our hearts all the year.

My heart goes out to those people in countries where Christmas is not going to be celebrated because of restrictions.  I remembered you in my prayers at Mass today.  I feel your pain.  I remember how I felt when we were in lockdown and could not attend the triduum in person.  It was so very painful spiritually.  I can feel that pain for you not being able attend  Christmas Masses or celebrate Christmas in the way you wish.  

Perhaps for those of us who can celebrate make an effort to do something for our fellow readers who cannot attend church or celebrate at this time.
Suggestions might include:  

• Attend Masses during Christmastide for them.
• Make A visit to Church and pray in front of the crib for them.
• Say a rosary each day in Christmastide.
• Compose a family prayer and say it before meals or sometime during the day with the family to remember people in other countries.  This would be especially important to help children understand that not all children will be playing with toys and having as much fun.  Creating this awareness and helping them think of other people in the world is a great lesson to teach.
• Do something that you wish to do.  

Whether we are near or far, we can always help others in some way.  We all loved to be remembered, to be though of  and be supported.  We can do something for our fellow pilgrims to let them know that God loves them and although they may not be able to celebrate as they wish, we are praying for them and thinking of them.

Personally it was a busy Christmas as I was singing at 3 Masses. It is exhausting too and physically taxing and I felt it a little more this year because my country has had extended lockdown throughout the year.  Obviously I practise regularly singing but it is not quite the same as singing regularly in church every Sunday and attending choir rehearsal weekly.
The voice stays in trim.  However I woke with my usual Christmas eve sore throat.  I was prepared as this happens to me most years.  It makes for a committed effort especially as I was singing O Holy Night as well as a solo.

Anyway,  although the congregation had to wear masks again after a short period of being free of them, it was still good to sing the carols.

May your Christmastide season be truly blessed and 

may we all grow in holiness and love of God who was born for us to save us.

Collect for Fourth Sunday Advent Year C

COLLECT SERIES

 

Advent wreath: Fourth Sunday Advent.

COLLECT

 

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday Advent Year C reads as follows:

 

O God, who through the child-bearing of the holy Virgin

graciously revealed the radiance of your glory to the world,

grant, we pray, that we may venerate with integrity of faith

the mystery of so wondrous an Incarnation

 and always celebrate it with due reverence.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

 God, for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged.

 

1.What is my relationship with Mary as mother?

2. What does the Incarnation- the birth of Christ mean to me this Christmas?

3. How do my celebrations of Christmas exhibit due reverence?

4. How can I prepare spiritually for Christmas during this last week of Advent?

5. Make a review of Advent and make a spiritual resolve for Christmastide season.  Remember that Christmastide is a quick season from Christmas Day to Epiphany (about 12 days approx.).  Make Christmastide season count.

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION.

This Gospel from St Luke 1:39-44 highlights Elizabeth (cousin of Mary) and St John the Baptist (in the womb) recognising the Messiah whom Mary was carrying as an expectant mother.  It also highlights Elizabeth’s due reverence and faith and shows her gratitude to Mary for accepting the role of being the ‘mother of my Lord’.

The longer version of the Gospel gives Mary’s response to Elizabeth in the form of Magnificat.  However, it is as though the Church wants our attention to focus on Elizabeth- she was initially barren- something which was a huge disappointment in those days not to be able to have a child.

Then even though she was past child bearing years, she was able to conceive.  Her husband Zechariah doubted and was silence by archangel Gabriel. So Elizabeth had to deal with not only being pregnant in advanced years but her husband being struck dumb for the whole pregnancy.

She also recognises in this encounter how John the Baptist in the womb leapt for joy also.  This is a meeting of John and Jesus in utero for the first time and even at 6 months in utero, John was able to recognise the Messiah- perhaps the  words’ Look there is the lamb of God’ which he said later were formed at that moment in the womb too.

 

The question we need to ask ourselves too I think is how do we react to meeting Christ.and/or Mary?  We can speak with them anytime 24/7 in any place.  We meet Christ in the eucharist- He is truly present.  Do we spend those precious moments at communion time being in communion? Are we like John the Baptist and our souls leap for joy.

Every time we pray we are communing with Jesus and/or with Mary.  We especially speak with her through the Rosary.  Do we talk with our mother every day either in a formal prayer ( such as the Rosary) or spontaneously as son/daughter to our spiritual mother.

 

During this week in the busyness of our preparations for this great feast, why not try to spend a few moments each day reflecting on this Gospel.  There is a lot to offer in this Gospel especially if we sit with it.

 

Collect for First Sunday Advent Year C

 COLLECT SERIES

the Mass; Collect Series Icon.

The Collect for the First Sunday of Advent Year C reads as follows:

 

Grant your faithful, we pray, Almighty God,

the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ

with righteous deeds at his coming,

so that, gathered at his right hand,

they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

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

 

1. As we begin Advent, what is my resolve spiritually?

2. How do we intend to carry out my resolve during Advent- what is my plan?

3. How do I want to meet Christ at Christmas in a different way than last year?

4. Take time to make a spiritual stock take and consider my current level of spirituality and what areas I need to address?

5. What righteous deeds might I carry out this coming week that will be pleasing to God?

 

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

 

The First Sunday of Advent marks the new Liturgical Year, and the Church shifts into a new Lectionary Cycle for Sundays, with 2021-22 from Year C, the Gospel of St. Luke. In the Sunday Gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36) Jesus invites us to recognize the signs of the last days. We are reminded therefore that  Advent not only looks back at the first coming of Christ at Christmas, but our it is our opportunity for our own personal preparation for His Second Coming: "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."

The traditional Collect of the last Sunday of the Church year began "Stir up the wills of Thy faithful people, we beseech Thee, O Lord..." With this request to God to "stir up" our wills, this day was traditionally called Stir-Up Sunday.
"Stir-Up Sunday" can now be the First Sunday of Advent. The traditional Collect of the First Sunday is asking God to stir up His might: "Stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come."  Our updated Collect invites us to have the resolve- again stirring us into action.

Many families create a traditional plum pudding or fruit cake or some other recipe that all the family and guests can "stir-up." This activity of stirring-up the ingredients is symbolic of our hearts that must be stirred in preparation for Christ's birth.

What needs stirring in my heart this Advent?  How will I stand ready and stay awake?

 

Happy New Year- Year C

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Advent Wreath.

 

It is the start of the new liturgical year - Year C and it is time to enter into more deeply the season of Advent.  Advent recalls the waiting for the Messiah of course, but it is also about the second coming of Christ in all His glory at the end of time.

 

I especially like Advent because it gives me a chance to review my life and make a plan, set goals and have a very good stocktake of myself.   I especially love Year C of Advent because it gives me the opportunity to review the goals I set  at the beginning of Advent last year and see what progress I have made through God’s help during the year.    How many times when you go to an interview is the question asked ''Where do you want to be in 5 years’ time?  I like to ask myself that same question using the 3 year cycle instead.

 

It is always good to acknowledge growth because it can motivate us to know that good has occurred. Reviewing my life is good because it helps me to refocus my attention to what matters.  Setting goals and making an effort to implement them keeps me on track to further progress. Using these tools for my spiritual growth seems an obvious extension.

 

So I ask myself

1. What areas of my life do I want to be different this time next year/ 2 /3 years time?
2. What areas do I want to work on specifically in Advent?
3. Do I need someone else to journey with me to encourage me on my journey- a spiritual director, a Christian counsellor, a spiritual mentor - if so, who might that be?
4. What goals will I set and how will I implement them- in other words I set the goals and then break the goals down into manageable bite size pieces- putting a general time line on these goals is important b/c it keeps me motivated.  However, there is always more with God and His timeline may be different from mine.  So I keep this point firmly in mind- not as an excuse to fail but as a realistic factor in the journey of faith.

Advent too is a penitential season. We are reminded of it with the violet vestments that the priest wears.  Leading up to Christmas can be difficult with various parties to include some fasting.  However, with intention to include it as part of your advent journey, it can be achieved. 

Start small- maybe you fancy another mince pie.  They are a real weakness of mine.!!!!

Going without a second, third or fourth one is a starting point.  Remember though your motive.  Is your motive God related or weight related?  Do you have a tendency towards greed or lack of temperance in food/drink? If so, then start small and make a start to change this vice towards a grace/virtue. We need to stay awake and be on our guard as the Gospel reminds us.

This way you can enjoy celebrating with your family/friends but you can also celebrate your own spiritual growth.

 

Many of us do a good spring clean before Christmas before family and friends come.  What about a spiritual spring clean?  What will do about your soul this advent? Find time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

I encourage you to not let Advent pass you by spiritually.  It is a very quick season liturgically speaking but we are meant to be in an attitude of waiting- waiting expectantly. We need to stay awake and be on our guard.

 

I hope you wait expectantly and with hope during this season of Advent.

 

Happy New Year.

 

Collect for Solemnity of Christ The King

 

COLLECT

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

The Collect for the Feast of Christ the King reads as follows:

Almighty ever-living God,

whose will is to restore all things

in Your Beloved Son, the King of the Universe,

grant, we pray,

that the whole creation, set free from slavery,

may render your majesty service

and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1.  Is Christ, the King of the Universe, the King of my heart?
2.  What areas in my life need to surrender to Christ the King?
3. How can I work with Christ the King to set the whole world free from slavery?
4. What does rendering majestic service mean to me?  How will I render it this coming week?
5.  How will proclaim ceaselessly praise to Christ the King this coming week?
6.  How will this feast make a difference in my life?

7. How has my relationship with Christ grown this year?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical Year as next week we begin with First Sunday of Advent which is the start of liturgical year.  Let us not get ahead of ourselves. 
Today is the Feast of Christ the King and is celebrated not only as a feast, but a Solemnity because it is about Christ Himself.

During Mass, you may wish to think about the year and how you have grown spiritually.  During Mass we may wish to spend some time in prayer thanking Christ the King for all these blessings
 ( and many more we don't recall).

Perhaps as we think about the liturgical year, we may realise that our growth has not been as it needed to be.  I know as i write this post, a number of areas in my life are coming to mind.
Think about the reasons for that- not to blame but to acknowledge our part for our lack of growth and ask God for His forgiveness.  Added to that, we also need to have a firm resolve to do better.  So instead of  naming many areas- we may decide to commit to one or two areas in our lives that we commit to improve for the coming liturgical Year.  God expects us to do our best.  He does for us.

Perhaps you wonder why we have this Feast at all?   Click on the link to read my post on this Feast of Christ the King  that I wrote back in 2010.  It is still as relevant now as it was then.

Christ should be King of our hearts and minds in every area of our lives.  With a strong resolve and commitment and with God's grace, we can make sure that Christ is King of the Universe- our universe- our hearts.

As we celebrate this feast you may wish to listen to some uplifting music such as

Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah by Handel or

Lord every nation on earth shall adore You by Talbot.

Majesty .

How will YOU celebrate this Solemnity of Christ the King?

 

 

Solemnity of Christ The King.

 

Why have the Feast of Christ the King?

Why have the Feast of Christ the King?

Pope Pius XI universally instituted The Feast of Christ the King in 1925 in his encyclical Quas Primas. Pius XI, and the rest of the Christian world, witnessed the rise of dictatorships in Europe, and saw Catholics being taken in by these earthly leaders. Pope Pius connected the denial of Christ as king to the rise of secularism, since at the time of Quas Primas, secularism was on the rise, and many Christians, even Catholics, were doubting Christ's authority, as well as the Church's, and even doubting Christ's existence. 

It is interesting to observe that just as the Feast of Corpus Christi was instituted when devotion to the Eucharist was at a low point, the Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was waning, when the feast was most needed. In fact, it is still needed today, as these problems have not vanished, but instead have worsened.

Pope Pius hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:

1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (Quas Primas, 32).
2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (Quas Primas, 31).
3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies (Quas Primas, 33).

Today, the same distrust of authority exists, although the problem has gotten worse. Individualism has been embraced to such an extreme, that for many, the only authority is the individual self. The idea of Christ as ruler is rejected in such a strongly individualistic system. Also, many balk at the idea of kings and queens, believing them to be oppressive. Some even reject the titles of "lord" and "king" for Christ because they believe that such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government. However true these statements might be (some kings have been oppressive), these individuals miss the point: Christ's kingship is one of humility and service. The following two scripture quotes support this view.  Jesus said:

'You know that those who are recognised as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45, NAB).
and also:
'Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"... Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world,to testify to the truth (John 18:33b, 36-37).

Jesus knew the oppressive nature of secular kings, and in contrast to them, He connected His role as king to humble service, and commanded His followers to be servants as well. In other passages of Scripture, His kingdom is tied to His suffering and death. While Christ is coming to judge the nations, His teachings spell out a kingdom of justice and judgment balanced with radical love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness. 

PRESENT DAY.

 Christ the King Sunday used to be celebrated on the last Sunday of October, but since the calendar reforms of 1969, the feast falls on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, which is the Sunday before Advent. It is fitting that the feast celebrating Christ's kingship is observed right before Advent, when we liturgically wait for the promised Messiah (King).

As we celebrate this solemnity, we may thank God that Pope Pius XI' instituted this  feast of Christ the King because it reminds us that our allegiance is to our spiritual ruler in heaven as opposed to earthly supremacy in whatever form it takes in our lives.

When we celebrate Christ as King, we are not celebrating an oppressive ruler, but one willing to die for humanity and whose "loving-kindness endures forever." Christ is the king that gives us true freedom, freedom in Him. Christ radically redefined and transformed the concept of Kingship.

Collect for Thirty Third Sunday of Year B

 

COLLECT SERIES

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

 

COLLECT 

The Collect for the Thirty Third Year B reads as follows:

 

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God,

the constant gladness of being devoted to You,

for it is full and lasting happiness

to serve with constancy the author of all that is good.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1. How devoted am I to God and the things of God?

2. What change/s will I commit to this coming week to become more devoted to God?

3. How have I served God with constancy and the author of all that is good in my life?

4. How will I serve God with constancy this coming week?

5. Do I truly believe that God is the author of all that is good and provides His goodness to me each day for my life?

6. When life is difficult, sickness, unemployment, problems of every kind showing up in my life, do I still believe in God-the author of all that is good?

 

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

 The Gospel is from St Mark 13:24-32. This Gospel teaches us:

1. To accept that the Father is the only one who knows the end of time.  To speculate, to listen to those who ‘know that we are in end times’ can be tempting but we do not need to fall for this trap. Today’s Gospel is quite clear- it is the Father alone who knows and not even His Son or the angels know.

2.  To know how to live our lives each day- to recognise the signs that God provides in the natural and to act upon them in faith where it is necessary.

3.To be ready to meet God whenever He calls us to Himself.  We need to live our lives each day as though it is our last.  We do not know when God will call us to Himself. We can try our best to please God each day by being in relationship with Him every day, by living our lives according to the Gospel values and asking forgiveness when we fail through the sacrament of Reconciliation. 

 

Are we ready to be called God’s chosen?   In the month of November, we remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory.  God in His great love knows that we are not perfect and when we leave this earth that most of us will need some purification, some cleansing and healing before we can be truly called God’s chosen.  We would not want to stand in the presence of God not purified since God is goodness itself.

 

Many people are frightened of the concept of Purgatory. There is no need to be afraid.  It is a place that God provides to help us to be truly read and to be our best selves in His Presence.  It is a beautiful gift God provides us after death to help us on our way to Him.  However, we do not need or should not wait until then to turn towards God.  God provides us with our lives here and now on earth to know, love and serve Him.  Yes, we will fail many times a day, but that should only encourage us to try again, to move forward and to give our best every day.  We do not need to be depressed when we fail.  We turn to Him and ask forgiveness and we can start again.

The Holy Souls in Purgatory can pray for us.  We can ask loved ones who have passed to help us.  The Church teaches us that these Holy Souls can pray for us but they are not able to pray for themselves.  They rely on our prayers, our sacrifices, our efforts to help them.  In November, the Catholic Church remembers them in a special way.  However, we need to keep them in our prayers, our actions and sufferings of the day every day.

There are many Holy Souls who have no one to pray for them or they have been forgotten. Are we going to forget these people too?  For example: if we have a particular fault, tendency to a particular sin, wny not ask the Holy Souls to pray for you. Why not ask the Holy Souls who had that particular difficulty or that tendency to that sin to pray for you and unite yourself with those people through prayer for them.  They need to atone for these sins but your prayer for them, your work for them will make all the difference. They will have a greater understanding of your difficulty/ your tendency to that sin, since they had it in varying degrees themselves whilst on earth.  They will pray for you to overcome but you can pray and offer your day for them so they may be healed and cleansed too.

November Is almost half way through but start today and pray for our loved ones who have passed but also for those we do not know personally but are in need of our prayers and our day to help them.  Include the Holy Souls in your day every day.  Why not start today at Mass, start today with a kind word, or withholding an unkind word, start today with a fault, a tendency to sin and ask the Holy Souls to help you. 

Let us help the Holy Souls every day not just in November.  They need us and we need them. Let us be united in our efforts to be called by God His Chosen in Heaven.