Want to find Jesus

 

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 Scripture reflection is 

 

''The Lord was not in the wind…The Lord was not in the earthquake.

The Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper”’   

(I Kings 19:11-12)

 

Christ The Redeemer.

 

 

My post is called:

 

Want to find Jesus.

We find God more readily

in the silence of surrendered heart

than in the whirlwind of busy world.

 

No 128 Why is the Resurrection at the same time a transcendent occurrence? (CCC647, 656-657)

 

COMPENDIUM SERIES

JESUS THE TEACHER:  Compendium Series Icon.

No 128.  Why is the Resurrection at the same time a transcendent occurrence? (CCC647, 656-657)

 

WHAT DOES THE COMPENDIUM SAY?

Compendium states:

Whilst being a historical event, verified and attested by signs and testimonies, the Resurrection insofar as it is the entry of Christ’s humanity into the glory of God, transcends and surpasses history as a mystery of faith.  For this reason, the risen Christ did not manifest himself to the world, but to his disciples, making them His witnesses to the people.

What does this mean for me?

1.I can thank God daily for His Resurrection since it opened up the opportunity for my Resurrection as well.

2. As a disciple of Jesus, I also need to be a witness to Christ in my life.

Questions to consider.

 1. How do I witness to the risen Christ in my life?

2. What does the Resurrection of Jesus mean for me at this current moment of my life?

3. Why is important to grasp that the risen Christ manifested Himself to the disciples not the world?

4. How does the risen Christ manifest Himself to me?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Words of Institution- Consecration at Mass.

 ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2.

The Mass at Nazareth:
About the Mass Vol 2 Series Icon.

2. ‘Words of Institution-Consecration’.

Christ is truly present to us in the Mass in at least four ways at Mass. They are:

1. In the Consecrated bread and wine.

2. In the presence of the priest representing Christ in our midst.

3. In the Proclamation of the Scripture.

4.  In the presence of each of us as the congregation.

 

Each of these 4 ways are important, as they are the means by which Christ nourishes his Church and gives us food for the journey here on earth.  He provides the means for his people. 

 

When the priest says the words of institution-consecration ‘This is my Body’ and ‘This is my Blood’, the bread and wine are transformed and Christ is truly present, yet under the form of bread and wine.  In other words, we are provided with food for the journey, so that we can be fed, nourished and strengthened by Christ himself. This transformation is a mystery, yet in our beliefs, it is not an optional extra.  It is a core Catholic belief.  Christ is truly present, yet under the form of bread and wine.  Naturally it follows then that when the new English translation of the Mass was introduced in 2010, there were changes in some texts as we have been discussing, but when it came to the words of institution-consecration, the words were not as they cannot be changed since Jesus Himself said them.

 

During this crucial part of the Mass   Christ becomes truly present to us.  It is not a symbol or a re- representation of the Last Supper. The bells being rung alert us to the importance of this moment in the Mass. It is a wonderful opportunity to focus again on what is really happening at Mass and to pray with our whole hearts, souls and minds with gratitude.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) says:

 

‘It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood that Christ becomes present in his sacrament.  The Church Fathers strongly affirmed the faith of the Church in the efficacy of the Word of Christ and of the action of the Holy Spirit to bring about this conversion.  St John Chrysostom declares: It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but he who was crucified for us, Christ himself.  The priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their power and grace are God’s.  This is my body, he says. This word transforms the things offered’. (Para 1375 p. 346)

 

The Catechism goes on to comment:

‘The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures at long the Eucharistic species subsist.  Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ’. (Para 1377 p.347)

How do we welcome Christ truly present at Mass?   

 

Collect for Second Sunday Eastertide- Mercy Sunday.

COLLECT SERIES

 

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

COLLECT

 

The Collect for Second Sunday of Eastertide (Mercy Sunday) Year B reads as follows:

God of everlasting mercy,

Who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast

Kindle the faith of the people You have made Your own,

Increase, we pray the grace You have bestowed,

That all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed,

By whose Spirit they have been reborn,

By whose Blood they have been redeemed.

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 do I understand God as a God of mercy in my life?
2. How can I kindle my faith this week/month/year?
3. What graces has God bestowed on me over my life?
4. What graces do I wish to receive from God?
5. How important is my relationship with God- do I grasp and understand the meaning for my life the value of Baptism throughout my whole life?
6. How will I thank God this coming week for His redemption for me?

 

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

This Sunday is popularly known as Mercy of God Sunday. Between 1930 and 1938 Christ appeared to Sister Faustina, a Sister of Mercy in Poland who initiated the Divine Mercy devotion. She was canonized on April 30, 2000, the Sunday after Easter, the Feast of Divine Mercy. On Good Friday, 1937, Jesus requested that Blessed Faustina make a special novena before the Feast of Mercy, from Good Friday through the following Saturday. Jesus also asked that a picture be painted according to the vision of Himself as the fountain of mercy. He gave her a chaplet to be recited and said that it was appropriate to pray the chaplet at three o'clock each afternoon (the Hour of Great Mercy).

 
Jesus to Sr. Faustina

On one occasion, I heard these words: "My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners.

On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.

On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.

"[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice.

"From all My wounds, like from streams, mercy flows for souls, but the wound in My Heart is the fountain of unfathomable mercy. From this fountain spring all graces for souls. The flames of compassion burn Me. I desire greatly to pour them out upon souls. Speak to the whole world about My mercy."

Excerpted from Diary of Sr. M. Faustina Kowalska.

 

It should be noted that the Church permits that where it is not possible to go to confession on Mercy Sunday itself, the same Divine Mercy promise applies provided the penitent receives the sacrament within a week of the Feast either before the feast or after the feast.

 

There are many countries who are still suffering because of the restrictions of Covid 19. Attending a Divine Mercy Celebration therefore is not possible in person.  However, do not let this stop you from celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday.  Where possible,

·         find a Divine Mercy Celebration online and/or

·         venerate the Divine Mercy Image yourself at home. 

·         Everyone can say the chaplet of Divine Mercy personally or with other family members.

·         Say the 3 O Clock prayer.

 

On a personal note, I booked in online for a Divine Mercy Celebration and was able to get the last place.  I was delighted.  However, this morning I have a sore throat and although I have no temperature, I think attending a Divine Mercy celebration with a sore throat would be, at least very inconsiderate.  I am so disappointed.  So I will be trying to make the best of the situation and implementing the suggestions I have made above. 

The important thing is that under whatever circumstances you find yourself, do your best to honour Jesus as Divine Mercy.  Contemplate His mercy in our lives as well and express our gratitude to Jesus for His great Mercy.

 

My Jesus died for me so I can live.

 

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 Scripture reflection is 

 

''He commands the wind and the seas to obey Him”’   

(Lk 8:25)

 

Christ the Redeemer: Reflection and Prayer Series Icon.

 

 

My post is called:

 

My Jesus died for me so I can live.

What keeps me from self-pity

In life’s storms, and helps me stand

is a faith that keeps me clinging to

The Saviour’s nail-scarred hand.

No 127 What are the signs that bear witness to the Resurrection of Jesus?

 

COMPENDIUM SERIES

 

Jesus the Teacher: Compendium Series Icon.

  

No 127.  What are the signs that bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus? (CCC639-644)

 

WHAT DOES THE COMPENDIUM SAY?

Compendium states:

Along with the essential sign of the empty tomb, the Resurrection of Jesus is witnessed to by the women who first encountered Christ and acclaimed Him to the apostles.  Jesus then appeared to ‘Cephas’ (Peter) and then the Twelve.  Following that, Jesus appeared to more than five hundred of the brethren at one time (I Cor 15:5-6) and to the others as well.  The apostles could not have invented the story of the Resurrection as it seemed impossible to them.  As a matter of fact, Jesus upbraided them for their unbelief.

What does this mean for me?

1. I can thank God for redeeming me and all humanity  through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, His only Son.
2. I can live as a Catholic convinced of the power of the Risen Lord in my life and share it with other people too.

 

Questions to consider.

1. What are the signs in my life which exemplify the Resurrection of Jesus.
2. What areas of my life still need to be taken out of the enclosed tomb? 
3. How can I take steps to resurrect these areas and allow them to come to life?
4. What areas of my life show the empty tomb?
5. How do I show witness to Jesus in my life?

 

 

Eucharistic Prayer Part 2.

 

ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2.

The Mass at Nazareth.

 

Eucharistic Prayer: Part 2

 

1’Call on the Spirit’

 

In the Eucharistic prayers, there is a call on the Spirit to come on the community and upon the bread and wine. Such an invocation is called an ‘epiclesis’, that is ‘a calling upon’, ‘a calling over here’.  The Father is requested to send the Holy Spirit, who brings about such fruits of the Eucharist as unity and love among the faithful gathered, and there is a request that the Spirit bless, sanctify and transform the bread and the wine.

In each of the Eucharistic prayers there is a petition that the Father send the Holy Spirit. Even though the wording of the prayers is different, both aspects of the petition is inherent in these prayers.  Eucharistic Prayer 1 says:

…‘Bless and approve our offering; make it acceptable to you an offering in spirit and in truth.  Let is become for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ, your only Son, our Lord’.

 

Eucharistic Prayer 11 says:

‘Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy so that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ’

 

Eucharistic Prayer 111 says:

‘And so, Father, we bring you these gifts.  We ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit, that they may become the body and blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate this Eucharist’.  

 

Eucharistic Prayer 1V says:

‘Father, may this Holy Spirit sanctify these offerings.  Let them become the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord as we celebrate the great mystery which he left us an everlasting covenant’. 

 

As the priest makes this petition, he extends his hands over the bread and wine in the ancient gesture signifying the giving of the Spirit.

This is a very special invocation that the Church makes each time Mass is celebrated around the world. 

HOW TO CONNECT THE MASS WITH OUR LIVES.

1. .Become familiar with these invocations and use them as a prayer during the week. For example, you are about to start a task at home/work. Offer it to Our Father in Heaven and ask Him to bless our efforts through Jesus, and with the power of the Holy Spirit. 
   
   
2. Use these prayers to bless your colleagues at work especially those who we might find difficult with which to get along.  Over time with consistent prayer for our work colleagues, we can change a work environment with God’s help.
   
   
3. Use your hands as a gesture to signify the Holy Spirit either subtly and/or in our minds whilst in a team meeting or with family especially if the meeting is getting bogged down or power play is present.
   
   
4. 
   
5. Find our own ways to make this very important moment of the Mass to be a reality in our lives during the week by bringing the Mass into our lives and not just left at Church.  Remember when you do see or experience change through consistently praying these prayers in our lives to give God our heartfelt thanks.

May the power of the Spirit transform, complete and bring to fullness our lives.

 

Collect for Easter Sunday Year B.

 

COLLECT SERIES

 

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

COLLECT

 

The Collect for Easter Sunday Year B reads as follows:

O God who on this day,

through Your Only Begotton Son have conquered death, 

and unlocked for us the path to eternity,

 grant, we pray, that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord's Resurrection 

may through the renewal brought by Your Spirit,

 rise up in the light of life 

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. What does it mean to me that God, through His Son, Jesus has conquered death?
2. How would I explain the presence of death when Christian say that Christ has conquered it?
3. What does it mean to me to have the path of eternity unlocked for me?
4. How am I renewed by the Holy Spirit?
5. What does the Solemnity of Easter day mean and the 50 days of Eastertide?
6. What spiritual plan will I implement for Eastertide?
7. How have my Lenten penances helped me and how will these penances continue to make spiritual progress during Eastertide?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Jesus is Risen Alleluia.

The Women went to the tomb in grief and yet, they wanted to honour Jesus and give his body a proper burial by anointing with the spices.  They were also practical because in Mark’s Gospel they ask each other ‘who is going to roll the stone away for us’. We would probably have thought the same thing if we were in their shoes.

When they get there, they see an angel who tells them that Christ is Risen and that He would go before them to Galilee.  The Angel also commands them to go and tell the disciples. 

They were stunned and probably shock had set in as well. Remember they were already grieving. So, they were frightened and in Mark’s account did not go and tell the disciples immediately as the angel commanded.

 

What does this Gospel say to us.  When Jesus gives us a mission, a command or a purpose in our lives, do we follow it out immediately or do we dismiss it as our own thoughts, desires or ego.  Do we ignore Jesus when He speaks to us through the angels in our lives.?  They probably thought that the disciples would not believe them.  Even though the disciples except John had all run away at the crucifixion, they would have known that Jesus was crucified. So, if the women had come to them and said that Jesus is alive and has risen would the disciples believed them?  The disciples would have also considered that the women were in grief and although probably not psychologically aware as we are in 2021, they probably had an innate sense of reactions to grief.   After all, what would we have thought in the same situation?  Thankfully we have faith and the Gospel to hear the Good News.  However, the same demand is made- we need to make a choice to believe.

 

 

 

May the blessings and joy of Easter be with you today

and throughout the whole of the next 50 days of Eastertide.

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL.