Collect Series: Collect Feast of Holy Family Year B

 

Collect for Feast of the Holy Family.

 

COLLECT SERIES.

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COLLECT 

The Collect for the Feast of the Holy Family Year B 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:

1. How is the Holy Family a shining example to me?

1. How will the Holy Family be a shining example in my family this coming week?

1. What are the virtues of family life?

1. What do the bonds of charity mean to me and how might I strengthen these bonds?

1. What is my response when I think and ponder the joy Hoof Your House?

1. Name at least one area I will change/start to change with God’s help this coming week to refocus on Heaven- my eternal reward?  

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

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 new born 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 cannot 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.

 

Collect Series Year B Second Sunday Advent

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT 

 

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Year B reads as follows:

 

Let us pray

Almighty and merciful God,

May no earthly undertaking hinder those who set in haste to meet Your Son,

But may our learning of Heaven’s wisdom

gain us admittance to His company.

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.

 

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

1.    1. How can our earthly undertakings (e.g. our work) hinder us from Christ?

2.    What steps will I take this week to prepare a way for the Lord?
3.    What is heaven’s wisdom?
4.    How does my understanding of Heaven’s wisdom affect my life?
5.    How will you set out to meet Christ this coming week?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

In the second week of advent we meet John the Baptist who exhorts us to prepare a way for the Lord, to make His paths straight and to fill in the valleys and the plains.  What are the valleys and plains in our lives?  How can I prepare a way for the Lord this advent?

 

Advent is a time of hope but it is also a penitential season. The priest’s chasuble that he wears is purple- meaning penitential.  We need to prepare by some form of penance, prayer and doing works of charity.  In this time we can always provide hope for others in need  by picking up the phone, doing a zoom or skype or facetime call.

We can also set aside some time each day to read the Gospel of the day and to meditate upon it. We can see how the Lord speaks to us through His Gospel of the day.  You might like to also visit my Gospel Acclamation series to help you also in your advent journey.

 

We need to set aside some penitential.   It might be holding back a word or two when we are tempted to make an unkind comment.  In some families they have the tradition of every time someone in the family does something positive, something worthwhile spiritually, they add a piece of straw to their cradle so that when Jesus comes at Christmas, the cradle will be full of straw on which He can rest.

 

Some families and schools have what they call the Advent promises where each family member commit to doing something during advent.  I heard some lovely commitments last week at Mass.  One grade 1 child promised to feed the dog during Advent instead of dad doing it.  Of course, the dog needs feeding and walking every day but promising to give Dad a break from feeding and walking the dog during Advent shows some responsibility and also some respect for dad out of love for Jesus. It shows that the child thought about what he was going to do-something practical.

Perhaps it may be worth thinking of your own promises. It is not too late to start.

 

The most important thing is that we use this time of advent, this season of hope to grow closer to Jesus and to want Him to really come to us not only at Christmas but into our hearts in a new and deeper way.  We need to long for Him and to really desire Him to come.  We can get caught up with family traditions and getting ready for Christmas but if we do these without considering the spiritual side of the season, we are definitely missing out.

 

Use these weeks wisely and grow closer to Jesus.  Come Lord Jesus and help me to prepare a way for You.

You may find this homily inspirational to your Advent journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mps7yfhUMIU  or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T49_XSnJhAQ

 

You may also like to buy my Advent scripture journal from Amazon. It is called The Season of Advent Scripture Journal 

Amazon.com.au    https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CPSBDXH3

Amazon.com         https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPSBDXH3

Amazon.uk           https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CPSBDXH3

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Collect Series: First Sunday Advent Year B

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT 

The  Collect  for the First Sunday of Year B reads as follows:
Let us pray
(that we may take Christ's coming seriously)
All powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at His coming
and call us to His side in the Kingdom of Heaven
where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit
one God for ever and ever.

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

1. How will I take Christ's coming seriously this coming week?

1. In taking Christ's coming seriously, what changes will I make to my life?

1. Examine my will for doing good right now and decide what steps will I take to increase its strength?

1. How will I make best use of this season of Advent to give Christ an eager welcome at Christmas?

1.  What gift will I give Christ at Christmas this year?

1. What short term, medium and long term goals do I wish to achieve this liturgical year?

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

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Today begins the start of a new liturgical Year.  We may be inclined to say hurray.  2020 has been difficult for us all and still proves to be a challenge health wise and with many restrictions including church, we may indeed be glad especially those countries where we are able to worship again even though with restricted numbers.  For those countries who are yet to be able to worship even in restricted numbers, let me say that our thoughts and prayers and communions are being offered for you.
Today's Gospel message is very clear "Stay awake! You never know when the Lord will come''.  This should give us all a knock out of our seats in Church.  However, let us consider it further. 

Consider for a moment when we are sleepy and tired. We are not physically, emotionally, spiritually switched on. We are tired, even exhausted, our capacity to make well informed decisions is greatly impaired since our capacity to concentrate is shot. It is so hard to stay awake when we are tired. We also need to think about why we are tired. Perhaps we have been burning the midnight oil or just so tired that our bodies cannot sleep.
The Church commands us to stay awake. To be awake implies that we are conscious at least- hopefully physically, emotionally and spiritually in good condition. Our senses are on heightened alert. Why do we need to remain in peak condition?  Today's gospel tells us 'You never know when the Lord will come''.

We may all had the experience of someone we love dying suddenly. For those left behind, it is a tragedy and great shock because they were not expecting it. I had this experience with the sudden death of my mother..  Thankfully mum was ready to meet her Lord.
The season of Advent gives us time to prepare spiritually for the coming of Christmas. If we only make physical preparations such as the meal, the cleaning, the Christmas tree and crib, then we  will lose the benefit of this season. We are to prepare spiritually for the coming of the Lord, not only at Christmas, but for our own meeting with Him when He calls us home. We need to be like the five sensible bridesmaids who have enough oil for their lamps so that when the bridegroom comes at any hour of day or night, we are ready to trim our lamps.
Advent too is a time to ponder His second coming.  Advent is a season of hope.  Scripture is quite clear about this also.  Scripture tells us that we do not know the hour or the day of the Lord's second coming. The Church in this season of Advent invites us to be ready for the Lord's coming and look forward to it with hope.

Advent is a short liturgical season but it is an opportunity to get our liturgical year going on the front foot.  We can let the season fly by and not gain from it at all or we can focus our attention on our spiritual goals that we set today and move towards them as best we can.  We need to really desire that Jesus is the Lord of our lives, our focus, our one true love. Let us then enter into  Advent wholeheartedly and lean into all the graces available in this season.

 

Collect Series: Collect for 33rd Sunday Year A

 

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COLLECT

 

The Collect for the 33rd Sunday of the Year reads as follows:

 

The Collect for the 33rd Sunday of the Year 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 is good.

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. Reflect on God as the author of all good. How has the author of all good written my life and how has the author of all good written straight with the crooked lines I have drawn?

2.Reflect on my current attitude of being devoted to God and the constant glasses it provides.

3. What areas in my life are not aligned to being devoted to God?

4.What step/s will I take this coming week to bring these areas into alignment with God’s will for me?

5. How will I be constant in serving God this coming week?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION Mt 25:14-30

The passage from Matthew 25:14-30, often referred to as the Parable of the Talents, is a significant teaching in Catholic theology. This parable, told by Jesus, speaks of a man who, before going on a journey, entrusts his property to his servants. The amount given to each servant varies, with one receiving five talents, another two, and another one. Upon the master's return, he assesses what each servant has done with the talents. The servants who received five and two talents have doubled their amount, and they are praised by the master. However, the servant who received one talent, fearful of losing it, buried it and thus did not generate any additional value. The master reprimands this servant for his inaction.

This parable is often interpreted as a teaching about the responsible use of one's gifts and resources. It's not just about financial or material wealth, but about all the gifts and blessings one receives from God, including talents, time, and opportunities. The key lessons from this perspective include:

1. Stewardship of Gifts: Catholics believe that all talents and gifts come from God, and they are to be used for the greater glory of God and the good of others. This parable encourages believers to actively engage and develop their God-given talents, not to hide or waste them.

     2.  Accountability: The parable underlines the idea of being accountable for the gifts God has given. It suggests that how one uses their talents and resources is a matter of moral responsibility and will be subject to divine scrutiny.

    3. The Danger of Fear and Inaction: The servant who buries his talent is often seen as a warning against fear and inaction. Catholics are encouraged to take risks for the sake of goodness and to avoid the paralysis of fear, trusting in God’s providence.

   4.Diverse Distribution of Gifts: The different amounts of talents given to each servant highlight that not everyone receives the same gifts or capacities. This diversity calls for a recognition of the unique role each person has in the community and the Church. Therefore, there is no need for people to be jealous of other people’s gifts since God gave them to these people. There is no room for competition and human power when serving in a parish.

 5. The Expectation of Growth: The master in the parable expects his servants to generate growth from what they were given. This is seen as a metaphor for spiritual and moral growth, where Catholics are expected to nurture and develop their faith and virtues.

  6. The Final Judgment: This parable is also interpreted in the context of the final judgment, where individuals will be accountable to God for how they used their gifts and lived their lives.

Overall, the Parable of the Talents is seen as a call to active and responsible discipleship, emphasizing the importance of using one’s gifts in service to God and others. It's a reminder that faith is not just a matter of belief, but also of action and service.

 

 

Forgiveness series; Cultivating Healthy Self Love.

 FORGIVENESS SERIES

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STEPS TO SELF FORGIVENESS

Forgiving oneself and cultivating a healthy self-love from a Catholic perspective can be deeply rooted in the teachings and traditions of the Church. Here are some practical steps that can be taken within this framework:

1. Confession and Reconciliation: One of the sacraments of the Catholic Church is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession. By confessing your sins to a priest, you receive absolution and are forgiven in the eyes of God. This can be a significant step towards forgiving yourself.
   If you have not been to this Sacrament for a while, then seek out a priest whom you feel comfortable, ask for an appointment and talk to him about your situation.  A priest will only be too happy to guide you through the sacrament so there is no need to feel embarrassed or nervous about it.   
   
   
2. Prayer and Meditation: Dedicate time to prayer. Through prayers like the "Act of Contrition," you can express sorrow for sins and seek God's forgiveness. Meditation on the Scriptures, particularly passages about God's mercy and love, can offer solace and perspective.
   An excellent book on God's Mercy is called  His Name Is Mercy by Fr Ken Barker MGL or Our Father By Ken Barker MGL
   
   
3. Understand God's Infinite Mercy: The Catholic faith emphasizes the infinite mercy of God. Understand that if God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, can forgive you, then you owe it to yourself to forgive as well. Reflect on the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) to see how God welcomes back sinners with open arms.
   
   
4. Spiritual Direction: Consider seeking the guidance of a spiritual director, a person (often a priest or religious) who is trained to help guide others in their spiritual journey. They can offer advice, prayerful support, and perspective as you work towards self-forgiveness.
   
   
5. Community Support: Engaging with a supportive faith community can be healing. Share your feelings with trusted members and allow them to be sources of encouragement and affirmation.
   
   
6. Acts of Reparation: If your lack of self-forgiveness  can stem from harm you've caused to others, consider ways you can make amends or do acts of charity as a form of reparation. This can be a step towards healing and self-forgiveness. 
   
   
7. Cultivate Virtue: Focus on cultivating virtues like humility, patience, and charity. When you actively work towards being a better person, it can help mitigate feelings of guilt or self-condemnation.
   
   
8. Remember Your Worth: The Catholic faith teaches that every individual is made in the image and likeness of God. This intrinsic value means that no matter your past, you are deserving of love and respect, both from others and from yourself.
   
   
9. Seek Counselling: If feelings of guilt, shame, or low self-worth persist, consider seeking professional counselling. Many Catholic therapists and counselling centres offer services that integrate psychological principles with the spiritual teachings of the Church.
   
   
10. Regular Participation in the Sacraments: Besides Reconciliation, regularly partake in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a source of grace and can strengthen you in your journey toward self-love and self-forgiveness. Get to know what each part of the Mass is truly about so that you can enter into it more fully.   My series on About the Mass Vol 2 could be a great start to appreciating the Mass more fully.

Remember that the path to self-forgiveness and self-love is often a journey rather than a destination. It can take time, but with consistent effort and the support of our loving God, the Catholic faith and community, healing and growth are possible.

 

Collect Series; Collect for 31st Sunday Year A

 

COLLECT SERIES

 

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COLLECT

 

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

Almighty and merciful God,

By whose gift Your faithful offer You right and praiseworthy service,

grant, we pray that we may hasten without stumbling

to receive the things You have promised.

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 does it mean to me to offer God praiseworthy service?
2. What are the things in our lives which may cause us to stumble?
3. What will I do about these stumbles this coming week? (receive Sacrament of Reconciliation)
4. What are the things that our merciful God has promised?
5. How much do I desire the things that God has promised?
6. How will I increase my desire for the things God has promised?

 

 GOSPEL REFLECTION Mt 23:1-12

 

In this passage, Jesus offers a poignant critique of the religious leaders of His time, specifically the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. He points out the disparity between their words and their actions. While they might offer sound teaching from the Scriptures (since they "sit in Moses’ seat"), their lives do not reflect the values they preach. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of authentic and genuine faith. It is insufficient to merely speak about principles of righteousness; one must also live them out.

Jesus highlights the outward show of piety by these leaders. Their widening of phylacteries (small leather boxes containing Scripture) and lengthening of tassels were attempts to outwardly display righteousness. Their seeking of recognition, honour, and titles showed a desire for human praise rather than genuine service to God.

Furthermore, Jesus teaches about the dangers of pride and the pursuit of human titles and recognition. He urges His followers to avoid elevating themselves or seeking lofty titles. Instead, they should see each other as equals, brothers in faith, emphasizing the principle of humility. He reinforces this by stating that the true measure of greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is servanthood.

In our current lives, this passage challenges us to examine our motivations. Are we seeking to genuinely serve others and God, or are we more interested in the praise and recognition from those around us? It's a call to prioritize internal transformation over external appearances and to value humility and service over pride and self-promotion.

 

In essence, this passage is a call to genuine humility, authentic faith, and service. It is a reminder to all believers to be wary of religious hypocrisy and to seek a heart that truly aligns with God's will and commands. The exhortation to humble oneself and to serve others is a central theme of Jesus' teachings, and this passage encapsulates that message powerfully.

Collect Series; Collect for 30th Sunday Year A

 

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COLLECT

 

The Collect for the 30^th Sunday of the Year reads as follows:

Almighty ever-living God,

Increase our faith, hope and charity,

and make us love what You command,

So that we may merit what You promise. 

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. Take a stocktake of my faith, hope and charity at this point in my life. Make a list of how these virtues need to increase.
2. Do I have a full understanding of these virtues of faith, hope and love. Read something about them to understand further.  You may wish to read my Virtue series as a starting point.
3. Make a decision to pray for an increase in faith, hope and charity each day as part of your morning prayer.
4. What does God command? 
5. How will l love what God commands this coming week? What step/s will I take?
6. Reflect on what God promises?  What do I need to change in me ( behaviour/attitude) to reflect God within me to the world. (my family, work colleagues, parish family, stranger or someone in the supermarket).

GOSPEL REFLECTION Mt 22:34-40

1. Love as the Foundation of the Law 

Jesus distils the entire Mosaic Law into two primary commandments, both centring on love. From a Catholic perspective, love is the essence of God (1 John 4:8). Every other commandment and directive in the Scriptures can be traced back to this foundational truth. In highlighting these two commandments, Jesus emphasizes the interconnectedness of love for God and love for our neighbours.

2. Love God Wholeheartedly

The first commandment that Jesus underscores isn't just about loving God but loving Him with our entire being -our heart, soul, and mind. This comprehensive love involves our emotions (heart), our spiritual essence (soul), and our intellect (mind). For Catholics, this means that faith isn't just about feelings or rituals; it encompasses every facet of human experience and understanding.

3. Love for Neighbour as an Extension of Divine Love Jesus proclaims that the second commandment is akin to the first. In the Catholic worldview, every human being is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, to love our neighbour is, in essence, to recognize and love. God present in each person. It also emphasizes the importance of seeing others as we see ourselves, recognizing our shared humanity and dignity.

4. The Unity of the Scriptures

By stating that "the whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments," Jesus affirms the continuity and unity of God's revelation. For Catholics, this demonstrates that both the Old and New Testaments, while different in their historical and cultural contexts, speak of the same divine truth centered on love.

In summary, this passage from Matthew, when viewed from a Catholic perspective, emphasizes the central role of love in our relationship with God and with others. It calls every believer to a holistic and encompassing love that transcends ritualistic observance and touches the very core of human existence. The essence of the Gospel, and indeed the entirety of the Christian life, is encapsulated in these two profound commandments.