Collect Series: Collect for 33rd Sunday Year A

 

COLLECT SERIES

 

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

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

The Prodigal Son: Forgiveness Series Icon

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

 

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

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.