Collect Series; Collect for Solemnity of Ascension Year C

 COLLECT SERIES

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD.

 

 

The Collect for the Ascension of the Lord in Year C is as follows:

 

Gladden us with holy joys, Almighty God,

and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,

for the Ascension of Christ Your Son is our exaltation,

and where the Head has gone before in glory,

the Body is called to follow in hope. 

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. Why am I asking God to gladden me with holy joys?
2. Why should I rejoice with devout thanksgiving on this Solemnity?
3. What does the Solemnity of the feast of the Ascension mean to me?
4. How will this Solemnity affect this coming week in my life?
5. How will I prepare my spiritual plan for this coming week?
6. How might I live in the glory and hope of the Ascension this week? 

WHY IS THE ASCENSION SO IMPORTANT TO US?.

The Ascension of Our Lord is essentially a feast of hope since we can look forward to eternal life. We must however not sit on our hands and wait. Christ has given us His command and we need to live lives worthily, so that we can enter through the narrow gate.

The other beautiful aspect of the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord is that Christ goes back to Heaven.  We feel His absence and yet, He lives on here on earth in the presence of each of us.

 Are we always aware of His presence to us?  How are we going to make His presence known to others?

 

THE FOUR-FOLD COMMAND OF CHRIST

 

The four-fold command of Christ to His disciples is a command to us and gives us a mission- a focus.

• Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations,
• Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
• Teach them to observe all the commands I gave you
• Know that I am with you until the end of time.

So how can we make disciples of all the nations? We need to be ready with our answer should someone asks us for our reason for our belief. 

 Most of us can evangelise others by not even saying a word- it is by the example of our lives we lead.

Evangelization does not have to be difficult.  If we are trying our best to live good Christian lives, other people will be attracted to it. Then when a casual question or conversation occurs, it may be our time to speak.  More importantly it is a time to listen, since it is the question of the enquirer that is important.  As the journey unfolds, then there will be a time for them to want to be baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit.  This will be God's timing, not ours, since it is God who is leading the person to Himself.  Then as their journey continues, it is time for learning and teaching (RCIA for example is part of the process), and as catholic pilgrims on the journey, we need to remember and encourage each other in our struggles knowing that Jesus is with us always.

 

So yes, the feast of the Ascension is a feast of hope of future glory. We need to have this hope in our hearts and try to live our lives now with this future glory in mind.

The Ascension of the Lord

 GOSPEL REFLECTION

Gospel Reflection on Luke 24:50–53

The Ascension Through Luke’s Eyes: A Departure That Blesses

In this short but rich passage, Luke offers a distinct portrayal of the Ascension not found in the same form in the other Gospels. While Mark (briefly) mentions the Ascension (Mark 16:19) and Matthew concludes with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20), only Luke gives us this tender, priestly image: Jesus lifting His hands and blessing them as He departs.

1. Jesus Blesses As He Leaves:

Luke alone presents this extraordinary detail: “While he was blessing them, he withdrew.”
This means the last physical act of Jesus on earth was to bless. Unlike earthly goodbyes that are often marked by sorrow or anxiety, Jesus’ farewell is bathed in divine peace. It is not a break in relationship but a deepening of it. He is not turning His back to them, but extending grace as He goes. His priestly gesture—hands raised in blessing—is reminiscent of Aaronic blessings (Numbers 6:24–26), yet here, it is Jesus as eternal High Priest.

Spiritual insight:
The Christian life begins and ends with blessing. Jesus leaves blessing behind, and this becomes the lens through which the disciples see His departure—not as loss, but as gift. Perhaps our own leavings and transitions can become occasions of blessing when lived in Him.

2. Great Joy Instead of Grief:

Another uniquely Lukan detail: “They returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”
At first glance, this is odd. Shouldn't they be sad? Their beloved Master is gone. But Luke frames the Ascension as a moment of joy, because the disciples now fully understand who Jesus is. His presence is not ended, but transformed. Their joy springs from the Spirit-filled anticipation of what is to come—Pentecost, mission, the birth of the Church.

Spiritual insight:
The Christian view of absence is always shadowed by presence. Just as Jesus was known in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:35), so now He is known in the broken moments of life. The joy of the disciples is a prophetic joy—anticipating union without visibility. This is Eucharistic living: encountering Christ in mystery.

3. Continuity With the Temple:

Luke also mentions that “they were continually in the temple blessing God.”
This echoes the start of the Gospel, which opens with Zechariah in the temple (Luke 1:8–9), and Simeon and Anna waiting in the temple (Luke 2:27, 37). Now, Luke ends Volume I (the Gospel) where it began—in the temple, but with a transformed people. Their worship is no longer a longing for redemption, but a response to its fulfilment.

Spiritual insight:
Worship is the natural response to revelation. Jesus has ascended, but worship keeps the heart tethered to heaven. The Church is born in praise, not in fear. Worship is no longer confined to a place, but begins in the temple and spills into the world. Luke sets the stage for this in Acts, where the Spirit will come and the Church will move from temple to every nation.

  Luke’s Gospel doesn’t end with a curtain falling. It ends with uplifted hands, open hearts, and a Church in praise. The Ascension isn't a retreat—it’s a launch. Jesus ascends, not to be absent, but to be present in a new way: in the Spirit, in the Word, in the Eucharist, in the community that worships and waits.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, may your final blessing over your disciples extend to us today.  

Help us to live in the joy of your presence, even when unseen.

May our lives be a temple of praise,

and our witness a continuation of your blessing to the world. Amen.

 

Next week, it will be Pentecost Sunday.   However, in the light of today's Solemnity, we can start to get ready this week with hope in our hearts and future glory in mind and examine our lives right now. We can then decide and prepare our own personal spiritual plan for the remainder of the year.

 

What will we do with Christ's 4-fold command this coming week in our family, parish, workplace and neighbourhood?

 

Collect Series: Collect for 4th Sunday Lent Laetare Sunday.

 COLLECT SERIES

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Collect

The Collect for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) is as follows:

O God, who through Your Word

reconcile the human race to Yourself in a wonderful way,

grant, we pray,

that with prompt devotion and eager faith

the Christian people may hasten

 toward the solemn celebrations to come. 

                                          

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

1. What value do I place in my life of Christ's death and resurrection?

2. What does it mean to me to be a catholic/ Christian?

3.  What is my level of devotion and faith? How will I improve it this coming week?

4.  How will I celebrate the solemn celebrations this year?

5.  Am I eager to celebrate resurrection at Easter or do I think of it as just another feast?

6.  What steps will I take to be reconciled to God this week ( eg Sacrament of Reconciliation).

Gospel Reflection

 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32) is indeed one of the most familiar, but that makes it ripe for fresh reflection, especially for the 4th Sunday of Lent, Year C (Laetare Sunday, the “Rejoice!” Sunday). Here are a few deeper or lesser-highlighted angles to consider:

 1. The Father Was Watching — Not Waiting

Many interpret the father's running as a sign of joy. But the fact that the father sees the son while he is still far off (Luke 15:20) suggests a daily longing, a scanning of the horizon. He wasn't just waiting — he was actively watching.

This kind of watching speaks of hopeful love that refuses to give up. It’s a powerful image of God’s proactive mercy, not just passive acceptance.

 

 2. The Son’s Confession is Interrupted

The younger son rehearses his apology:

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” (v. 18–19)

But when he actually gets home, he never gets to finish it:

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." (v. 21)

He doesn’t get to offer himself as a servant — the father cuts him off with hugs, a robe, and a feast. God’s mercy doesn't negotiate terms. He restores sonship before the son can even ask for less.

 

 3. The Elder Son is Also Lost — but at Home

The Prodigal Son Parable.

This parable is just as much about the elder son, who refuses to enter the house. Despite being "faithful" on the outside, he harbours resentment, entitlement, and self-righteousness.

He says, “This son of yours…” not “my brother.” His relationship with the father is transactional: “I never disobeyed you, yet you never gave me…”

We can overlook that the elder son is also invited — the father comes out to him, just as he ran to the younger one. The invitation is to joy, not just duty. We’re all invited to the feast — the question is, will we come in?

The other aspect is that the Father listens to the elder son's feelings.  He lets him air his grievance to him.  He hears the resentment, the anger and the frustration and how he feels that the Father is unjustly treating him.  However the Father reassures him 'all I have is yours'. He reassures him that his inheritance is assured. He does not go back on dividing the property between the two sons.  He does not take away our identity either in Him.

 

 4. The Parable Ends Without a Resolution

We don’t find out what the elder son decides. This open ending forces us to insert ourselves into the story. Will we enter the feast of mercy and joy? Or will we remain outside, holding onto our grudges and pride?

It's a brilliant literary device: it calls the reader — especially the Pharisees and scribes Jesus was addressing — to respond.

 

5. The Scandal of the Father’s Behaviour

In Middle Eastern patriarchal culture, running was undignified for an elder man. But the father runs, embraces, and kisses the wayward son. He even gives him:

• A robe — dignity
• A ring — authority (possibly the family signet ring!)
• Sandals — a mark of freedom (slaves went barefoot)

It’s not just forgiveness — it’s full restoration, a public statement of love and honor. This would have scandalized Jesus' audience — and beautifully shows the radical nature of God's grace.

 

The Father running is one of the most radical and culturally shocking elements of the parable, and it’s often overlooked because we hear it through modern ears.

In Jesus’ time, a Middle Eastern patriarch simply did not run. It was considered deeply undignified. Here's why this matters so much:

 

 Running = Loss of Dignity

For a man of stature — especially the head of a household — running would involve:

• Lifting his robes (exposing his legs, which was shameful)
• Breaking composure in front of others
• Acting in a way associated with children or servants, not with noblemen

So, when Jesus says, “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran to his son…” (Luke 15:20), it would have caused a gasp among listeners.

Why would a dignified man humiliate himself like that?

Because love overrules protocol.

 

Public Affection Was Not Common for Men

The father doesn’t just run — he:

• Throws his arms around his son
• Kisses him

This public, emotional display is more than paternal warmth. It’s a declaration to the community:

“This is my son. I love him. I am not ashamed of him. I am restoring him publicly, and no one is to shame him.”

The affection is loud and visible. In a shame-honour culture, the father is absorbing the shame that should’ve fallen on the son — much like Christ does on the cross.

 

Echoes of the Cross

Some scholars see this moment as foreshadowing the Gospel:

• The father humiliates himself to reconcile with the son
• He does not let the son bear the shame alone
• He acts first, before the son can say a word

This is what St. Paul meant when he wrote:

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

The running father is the scandal of grace — the same scandal Jesus embodied.

 

Laetare Sunday How is your Lenten journey progressing?  Are you feeling weary and ready for a little break?

 

In Lent, we have the tradition to have a mid-Lent break, (the half way point of Lent), which is known as Laetare Sunday derived from the latin 'to rejoice'. Liturgically we break away from the Lenten penitential spirit of the purple vestments to the wearing of rose-coloured vestments by the priest and/or deacon.  These rose-coloured vestments are only worn twice a year, so from a practical perspective, some parishes do not have a set, but use lighter purple vestments.

 The fourth Sunday of Lent is also known as 'let up Sunday' because we 'let up' on our Lenten penance. It can be a timely reminder for those of us who may have struggled through Lent so far.  I remember thinking during one of my disastrous Lents that  we had reached the midpoint, and I had not got started. I remember another Lent going well up to Laetare Sunday- I had a break on that day and could not get started again. 

  It is an excellent time to review how our Lenten journey and tweak it accordingly.  Never too late to start and/or start again.

 Anyway, enjoy Laetare Sunday- we can all do with a break but for people like myself, do remember to get started again afterwards!!!!  We can run to the Father and ask His mercy aand start again.

 

 

 

Collect for Palm Sunday and Holy Week

COLLECT SERIES

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 Almighty ever-living God,

who as an example of humility for the human race to follow,

caused our Saviour to take flesh and submit to the Cross,

graciously grant that we may heed His lesson of patient suffering,

and so merit a share in His resurrection.

NB this is the Collect for the Mass.  There is also a Collect during the Procession of the Palms. 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1.  What does it mean to me to be humble?

2.  How does my level of humility reflect the humility of Christ?

3.  How do I respond to suffering? 

4.  What does it take for me to heed His lesson of patient suffering?

5.  How will enter into Holy Week this year? 

6.  How will it be different than previous years?

7.  How will my Lenten journey so far be intensified during Holy Week?

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay 

SYMBOLS OF PALM SUNDAY.

Did you know that every donkey has a cross marked on its back?  It is there clearly marked in the fur.  Tradition says that this is because of the donkey that carried the Lord on that first Palm Sunday.  

On Palm Sunday the palms that are blessed are given out at Mass.  Usually there is a procession, either in the shorter or longer form depending on pastoral considerations.  Where there is the traditional procession, the reading of the Gospel for Palm Sunday is read outside. During that time, palm branches are held to recall the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem. The hymn 'all glory, praise and honour to Christ Redeemer King is traditionally sung during the procession.

When we take the palms home, it is important to remember that they have been blessed, and therefore should be treated as holy objects. Some palms can be created into crosses, and these are excellent for using as a book mark in the missal or our bibles.  It is a timely reminder for the whole year of the start of the Church's holiest of weeks- Holy Week which commemorates the great events of Christ's passion, death and resurrection.

 PASSION READING

During Mass, the reading of the Passion is read according to the appropriate yearly cycle, whereas on Good Friday, the reading of the passion according to St John is read.  When the passion is read, the whole triumphant mood is changed.  It signifies also the fickleness of the crowd towards Jesus- they were crying out ' Hosanna to the Son of David' and later on Good Friday- 'crucify Him'.

There are many aspects of today's gospel which could be spoken about.  However,  I will not present a gospel reflection on this Sunday, but suggest that during this week, that we spend some time re-reading and reflecting on the passion of Christ presented in today's Gospel of Luke. Enter into the characters and their motivations and put ourselves into it. Whose character/s resonates with us? Perhaps there will be a phrase or line of the Gospel that will speak to you this Palm Sunday.

JOURNEY OF HOLY WEEK

With the end of Lent, we are now about to embark on the holiest days of our journey, Holy Week, culminating in the greatest event in history, Christ’s Resurrection on Easter. .

Together with the faithful we remain united to the suffering Christ in prayer and praise during Holy Week. We seek the hope of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing for all of our own suffering and for those we love. as we look to Jesus during these holy days.

May we also remember at Masses during Holy Week those who are unable to attend Holy Week Ceremonies because, like Jesus they were accused and framed for a crime they did not commit and as a result, they are in jail.  There are prisoners too who are in prison because they committed a horrible crime. We need to pray for them for the grace to repent and to desire to be like the good thief.  We also need to remember those who are unable to celebrate their faith in their country with freedom.

I have a very busy schedule for Holy Week singing and/or playing from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday Night.  It is always a very special time but I hope that my voice holds out the distance.  However, on  Palm Sunday, I  wont be reading the Narrator’s part at one of the Masses. I am disappointed because I felt it was both a huge responsibility and such a privilege to read the Passion in this way.

I also look forward each year to Tenebrae on Good Friday and Holy Saturday morning with the Dominican Friars and my very special delight is always Easter Sunday Vespers.

May you enter into this greatest week of the Church's calendar -Holy week-

with great spiritual enthusiasm.

10th Sunday of Year B Collect Series.

COLLECT SERIES

The Mass Collect series icon.

COLLECT

The Collect of the 10th Sunday of Year B reads as follows:

O God, from whom all good things come,

grant that we, when we call on You in our need,

may at Your prompting discern what is right

and by Your guidance do it.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1. How often do we acknowledge all that God gives us?

2. How might I express gratitude to God and others during this week?

3. What is my prayer life like?  Do I only call on God when I am in need?

4. How does God help us discern what is right?  

5. How does God guide us in doing what is right?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

WHAT IS ORDINARY TIME?

Now that we have completed Christmas, Lent and Eastertide seasons, we start again now into the Ordinary Season of the Year. Of course, Ordinary does not mean it has to be ordinary. We want this Ordinary season to be extraordinary.  What is Ordinary time?

Ordinary Time, or the season in the liturgical calendar outside of Advent, Lent, Christmas and Easter Seasons, is a time when the church focuses on the life and ministry of Jesus.  The season celebrates the mysteries of Christ's life and death and looks to the salvation and eternal life that He brings.

Green represents hope-like the hop we feel when we see the first buds in springtime- and it is fitting that green is the liturgical colour that marks this season.

In the earliest church, most priests probably wore white. The original vesture for Mass in the West was simply the formal attire of Roman gentlemen, which was white. As time went on and Christianity spread, the vestments worn by priests gradually grew more elaborate. The liturgical year developed, and colours came to be associated with different feasts and seasons. These colours varied, however, based on culture, the availability of coloured dyes, and local traditions.

It wasn’t until the early 13th century that Pope Innocent III established four official liturgical colours: green, white, red, and black. Rose and violet (purple) were added in the 16th century, after the Council of Trent. These decrees affirmed colours that were already in use, and probably excluded others that regional churches or dioceses had been using. After the Second Vatican Council, these same colours were kept.  A few countries have additional approved colours due to their own ancient traditions. (Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches, for example, are two churches that have their own traditions and colours.)

We will be reading from Mark for the remainder of Ordinary time, although on occasional Sundays, we hear the Gospel of John. Today's Gospel is from Mark3:20-35.   Follow the link to read a reflection on today's Gospel. It is not an easy Gospel to understand in isolation. Reading the section before and after this section gives us the message that there is growing opposition to Jesus from the Pharisees and Sadducees as their power and authority is being perceived by them as being threatened by Jesus. Jesus is not there to threaten their power but to give salvation to all.  May we hear His message as we hear the Gospel read today.

The psalm is also a very well-known one and can be used at any time we wish to pray it.   However, as we pray it, feel the intensity and the mood.  Do we pray with this intensity at all times or only when we need something for ourselves or loved ones?   I particularly love the line: Lord hear my voice.  Sometimes when I am praying for something/someone, there can be moments where i wonder whether God is even hearing me.  This line and the remainder of the verse is always reassuring. Oh let your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleading.

As we begin again Ordinary Time, it is always a good idea to have a stocktake of our spiritual lives.  What is working well and what part of your spiritual life needs urgent attention?  Let us set out your goals and desires through the discernment of Jesus (as our Collect prayer suggests) and let us, through God's guidance do it.

Suggested reflection questions to springboard your thoughts/actions towards a renewed spiritual life during Ordinary time.

1. Review our spiritual life: e.g. prayer life. are we a regular at prayer or only when our need something or are worried?

(b) if we are regular at prayer. then has our prayer become routine.. how will we freshen it and give it new life?  (e.g. change style of prayer/ experiment with different types of prayer styles)

2.What about our sacramental life?  Are we regular in attending Sunday Mass?  What is our attitude when we are at Mass? Are we there because of obligation or because we love Jesus and want to grow in His grace?
(b) are we able to attend weekday Mass at least once during the week?
(c) are we able to attend exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during the week/month? Even if it is not in your parish, it may be held in a parish near you?
(d) What about receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month?

3. What help can we provide to those in our family, parish, neighbourhood that are less fortunate than we may be?  How can we share the good that God has given us?
(b) What can we do to encourage our young people to think of others and to share the good God has given them?  (e.g have a family discussion of what they are prepared to do to express their love for God).

We can only change ourselves with the grace of God not others so we need to put our own house in order.  However, in the process of doing that, it does not mean we cannot encourage others as well to try as well.  Every one's journey is different.  Encouragement needs careful, thoughtful words so do think about what and how you encourage another person before doing it as unhelpful words can move a person further away. We can ask Jesus to give us the right words and the right timing for the person we are thinking about, and should the occasion arise naturally, we may have the courage to encourage.

Let us make this Season of Ordinary Time extraordinary.