Compendium Series: Why did God create man and woman?

 67. For what purpose did God create man and woman? (CCC358-359,380-381)

Compendium states:

God has created everything for them but he has created them to know, serve and love, God, to offer all of creation in this world in thanksgiving back to him and to be raised up to life with him in heaven. Only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of the human person come into true light.  Man and woman are predestined to reproduce the image of the Son of God made Man, who is the perfect image of the invisible God

(Colossians 1:15).

What does this mean for me?

1. I can choose to live according to God’s plan each day- to know, love and serve him and to offer all of creation in this world in thanksgiving back to him.
2. I can thank God that He desires me to reach heaven and live with Him for ever.

Questions to consider:

1. How do I reproduce the image of the Son of God in my life?

2. What is my attitude towards creation, and how does the knowledge that God created everything for me alter it?

3. What is my attitude to human life and how might I choose to be pro life according to Gospel values?

About the Mass Series: Communion Rite Part 22 - Purification of the Vessels.

‘PURIFICATION OF THE VESSELS’.

After communion, the priest purifies the vessels. In the 4^th century, St John Chrysostom (345-407) advocated that his priests take a little water or eat a piece of bread so that nothing of the sacred species remain in the mouth after communion.  Ordinary wine was used for this purpose, and this custom remained until late middle Ages. 

From the 7^th century onward, there gradually appeared the custom of washing the cup, originally done after the liturgy and the cleansing of the priest’s fingers. Originally, this was done in silence, however, by 1570, two obligatory prayers were included in this ritual.

Today, the Order of the Mass has simplified this action. If a deacon or Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are present, he/they takes the vessels to the credence table (side table on the sanctuary) where they are purified. When there is no deacon, the priest returns to the altar from distributing communion and collects any remaining particles on the paten. He then purifies the paten or ciborium over the chalice, then purifies the chalice, and dries it with a purificator. Then they are covered with the pall cloth (which is in the same colour as the vestments). The priest then gives it to the altar servers who then carry it to the credence table.

While this is happening, the congregation are engaged in prayer either silently or a hymn of praise. It is a time that should be conducive to prayer and as a congregation; we can help each other by making it so.

When he is ready, the priest returns to the presidential chair and sits down. Originally, priests made their thanksgiving after Mass, but today this silent time especially when it is sufficient in length helps to nourish prayer. Then the prayer after communion serves to sum up the unspoken sentiments of the entire congregation.   

                            

Compendium Series: Bond of created things

64. What kind of bond exists between created things? (CCC342, 354)

Compendium states:

There exists interdependence and a hierarchy among creatures as willed by God.  At the same time, there is also a unity and solidarity amongst creatures since all have the same Creator, are loved by him and are ordered to his glory.  Respecting the laws inscribed in creation and the relations which derive from the nature of things is, therefore a principle of wisdom and a foundation for morality.

What does this mean for me?

1. I can thank God for the interdependence and hierarchy that exists amongst creatures as willed by Him.
2. I can appreciate the unity and solidarity amongst creatures since they all have the same Creator and are loved by him and are ordered by Him.
3. I can take a walk and view creation around me in the light of the bond which exists between created things.

Questions to consider:

1. How do I maintain a unity and solidarity amongst creatures- with myself and with other fellow human beings?
2. How do I respect the laws inscribed in creation?
3. How can I contribute to the unity, solidarity, love and order which God has created in creation?

About the Mass series: Communion Rite Part 21

‘COMMUNION ANTIPHON -COMMUNION HYMN ’

From at least the time of St Augustine (354-430) it was customary to sing a psalm during the procession of the communicants, particularly Psalm 34 due to its ninth verse ‘Taste and see how good the Lord is’. In Rome, and later elsewhere, the choir and subdeacons sang in alternation the sequence of the Psalter.

With the growing length of the sung Agnus Dei and the decline of number of communicants, the verses became omitted, and the antiphon alone was sung after the communion.

The Order of the Mass restored this ancient chant as an accompaniment to the reception of the Eucharist.  Since the communion of priest and people forms a single rite, the communion antiphon begins when the priest receives the sacrament and continues through the communion hymn.  When there is no singing, the communion antiphon is recited by the congregation and reader as the priest receives from the chalice.

During the reception of communion, a communion hymn is sung.  Its function is to express outwardly the communicants’ union in spirit by means of the unity of their voices, to give evidence of joy of heart, and to make the procession to receive Christ’s body more fully an act of community. However, during the important Church year seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, specific guidelines recommend a communion hymn, which is seasonal in nature. 

St Augustine reminds us that ‘to sing is to pray twice’.  Of course, there may be many valid reasons why we may feel reluctant to sing at Mass- but perhaps, we can make an extra effort as a congregation, to join our hearts and voice together in praise of God.

Let us keep up the well established tradition and sing to God as one voice.       

Happy Father's Day

What does Father's Day mean to you?

Although Father's Day is a 'commercial day', it can be an opportune time to give time and gratitude to our Fathers whether they be

• supernatural: God the Father.
• natural/stepfathers who are living.
• natural/stepfathers who may be deceased
• Spiritual- Our priests who look after our spiritual needs and whom we call 'Father'.

It is an opportune time to reflect on my relationship with my Father in Heaven- God the Father. We may wish to think about what God as Father means to me and what scripture tells us about God the Father. An excellent book which may assist us further develop my relationship with Father God is The Father Heart of God by Floyd McClung.

Then we may wish to spend some time today thinking about our natural/stepfathers who are living or deceased.  Sometimes, we may feel that we did not get a chance to have an ideal father relationship. Fathers are human and can and do make mistakes both big and small. 

Today is a day to think of both the positive and negative qualities of our fathers. Thank God for their good qualities since these reflect something of God the Father. When we think of the more human side of our fathers, let us try and be kindly and forgive the hurts we may have had. Our Fathers were doing their best. It may even be a time to let go of past resentments or unforgiveness for something that our father did to us.  When we reflect on this, let us be fair and open minded.

Today is also a day to remember our spiritual fathers- our priests.  They gave up the right to be a father to children of their own but chose to be a father to the children of God.  Let us reflect on what our spiritual father means to us- it may be our parish priest or a priest friend that we have or our spiritual director. Whoever it may be, pray for him on this day and if it is appropriate, perhaps send a card, give a gift or get a Mass offered for him. Let him know that you appreciate him being your 'spiritual father'.

Opening Prayer Series: 23rd Sunday of Year A

The Opening Prayer for the Twenty Third Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

Let us pray

(that we may realise the freedom God has given us

in making us His sons and daughters) 

God Our Father,

You redeem us and make us Your Children in Christ,

Look upon us,

give us true freedom

and bring us to the inheritance You promised.

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

1. What is the freedom that God has given me?
2. What does it mean to me to be a son/daughter of God?
3. What does it mean to me to be redeemed by God?
4. What is the true freedom that God is offering me?
5.  What is hindering me from experiencing God's true freedom in my life?
6. How will I experience God's freedom in my life this coming week?
7. Am I ready to receive the inheritance God has promised me? What do I need to change to be ready?

Reflection and Prayer Series: God of Love

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 post is called:

GOD OF LOVE. 

God of Love...

To the lonely, He offers comfort.
To the frightened, He offers faith.
To the outcoast, He offers refuge.
To the desperate He offers hope.

During this coming week, may my prayer be

Lord, let my word be building blocks 
rather than stumbling blocks.