Compendium Series: creation and redemption

65. What is the relationship between the work of creation and work of redemption? (CCC345-349)

Compendium states:
The work of creation culminates in the still greater work of redemption which in fact gives rise to a new creation in which everything will recover its true meaning and fulfilment.

What does this mean for me?

1. I can thank God for His amazing plan- the work of creation, the greater work of redemption and the new creation in which everything will recover its true meaning and fulfilment.

Questions to consider:

1. Why does the work of creation culminate in the still greater work of redemption?
2. Why does redemption give rise to a new creation?
3. Where is the work of creation, redemption and new creation working in my life?
4. What scripture supports this relationship between the work of creation and redemption? (Romans 8:18-23).

 

About the Mass: Opening Prayer Solemnity of Christ the King Year A

The Opening Prayer for the Solemnity of Christ the King reads as follows:

Let us pray,

(that all people will acclaim Jesus as Lord)

Almighty and merciful God,

You break the power of evil

and make all things new

in Your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe.

May all in Heaven and earth acclaim Your glory

and never cease to praise You. 

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

1. How do I acclaim Jesus as Lord in my life?
2. How do I encourage others to acclaim Jesus as Lord in their lives?
3. Name one area of my life which I will endeavour to place Jesus as Lord during this coming week?
4. What does it mean to me to acclaim the glory of Christ?
5. How can I never cease to praise You in my life this coming week?

In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us the blueprint for what we should do and why we should do it in order to be placed on His right at the end of time.  Jesus makes it clear that our motivation for helping others is not self gratification or feeling good about ourselves.  No, the purpose of our action is to remember that when we help others, we are to see the face of Christ in those we help, and our actions therefore is done out of love for Christ.

We may think that we do not have opportunities to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick or imprisoned. In fact we do have many opportunites given to us provided we are alert enough and willing to act upon it.  For example, we may think that we cannot help others who are suffering from some natural diaster because we are not physically present to them.  However, we can pray for these people and also provide according to our means, financial assistance.

We may be able to clothe the naked very well if we 

• look into our wardropes and choose outfits that we like to give to charity.  
• choose to buy a simple new outfit to give to charity.

We may feed the hungry when if we:

• prepare soup/casserole/dessert to a family who is grieving in our parish.
• make a cake/slice for a parish cake stall in aid of charity.
• give appropriate advice to someone confused and worried.
• give a hug to someone in need of love and support.
• Help brainstorm with a work colleague on their new project.

Likewise when we visit the sick or imprisoned, we may not be able to visit those in hospital or in prison as such, but there are many in our communities that are sick or imprisoned in some way.

This gospel therefore is one of action, but unless we have first contemplated the face of Christ, we will fail to see the face of Christ in our brothers/sisters- those whom Jesus says are the 'least of my brothers''.

As we come to the end of this liturgical year, we may wish to reflect on how we have grown  spiritually and what areas of our lives need further growth.  We may wish to consider carefully this week devising a plan for the coming liturgical year and set some simple and achievable goals.  As we look back on the year, we may become discouraged in what we have not done or achieved this year.  We can ask God's forgiveness and  make amends where possible. Let us not waste this precious week.  Let us sing in our hearts this coming week:

''Whatsoever you do to the least of my people,

that you do unto ME. ''

About the Mass Series: 33rd Sunday of Year A

The Opening Prayer for the 33rd Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

Let us pray

(that God will help us to be faithful)

Father of all that is good,

keep us faithful in serving You

for to serve You is our lasting joy.

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

1. What is being faithful to God?
2. What is being faithful to God in my life this coming week?
3. Name one area that I will endeavour to be faithful to God this coming week?
4. What does it mean to serve God?
5. How can I serve God in my life this coming week?
6. What does it mean to me 'for to serve You is our lasting joy'?

In today's Gospel, Jesus requires His disciples to use the talents that He has given to each of us.  Jesus makes it quite clear in the parable that the master gave the servants talents 'each in proportion to his ability'.  Jesus does not expect to be better than what we are- in the sense of expecting us to do better than our ability. However, when much is given, much is expected and as faithful servants we are required not to be lazy like the servant who had one talent and buried it out of fear.  Jesus, in the parable explained to him that he could have deposited in the bank and gained interest given the fact that he was afraid- at least the master would have gained interest.

So what about us?  What is our talent/s?  How do we build up the kingdom of God according to our talent and ability?  As we approach the end of the liturgical year, let us reflect on how we have built up the kingdom during this yea.  After all, we should not emulate the good for nothing servant. If we have buried our talent, let us make a concious effort to unearth it and use it according to our ability whilst there is still time.

Opening Prayer Series: Thirty Second Sunday Year A

The Opening Prayer for the 32nd Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

Let us pray

(for health of mind and body)

God of power and mercy,

protect us from all harm.

Give us freedom of spirit

and health in mind and body 

to do Your work on earth

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

1. Why should I pray to God for health and mind and body?
2. What sorts of harm in my life do I need God's protection?
3. What does freedom of spirit mean to me?
4. How do I relate to a person who has a mental illness or is elderely with some form of dementia?
5. What is God's work on earth for me-what is my calling/vocation?
6. How have I grown spiritually during this last week and how might I continue this growth this coming week- what is my plan?

As we get closer to the end of the liturgical year, the focus shifts to the end times and we are invited to consider to think about our own mortality. The Church is not asking us to think of it in a morbid manner- no, but to ignore that death is a reality for us is like the foolish bridesmaids who were not ready.We need to live our life in readiness, since we do not know the hour or the day.  It might be useful to

• consider and discuss your wishes with family about arrangements or desires that you may have about your death and keep them updated of any changes.
• prepare the readings and hymns that you might like is a great help to family members.
• think about tying up any loose ends financially for the family.
• consider making a will or revisiting your current one.
• consider a pre-paid funeral plan.

However, apart from the practicalities, the liturgy is really asking us to consider our readiness spiritually. Remember people in your life who have died suddenly either through accident or through sudden illness. Remember how you felt when you heard of their passing.Perhaps you remember what others said at that time in their surprise or shock.

We have to live each day and do our best since God may decide to call us home today.

If you died in your sleep today or were in a tragic accident, are you ready to go home to God? 

Let us prepare physically, emotionally, spiritually and be ready when we get the call.

About the Mass Series: Concluding Rite part 3.

CONCLUDING RITE PART 3

‘DISMISSAL’.

The word Blessing has many meanings. In Scripture it is used to mean: (a) praise, (b) divine favour, (c) a prayer that God shall be with a certain person or thing, (d) the dedication of person or thing to a sacred purpose.

The priest’s greeting and blessing is important. By raising his hand and making the sign of the Cross, he calls down God’s help upon the congregation. The priest then dismisses the congregation with one of the three invocations: 

1. ‘God in the peace of Christ’;

 2. The Mass is ended, go in peace;

 3. Go in the peace to love and serve the Lord.

The congregation respond ‘Thanks be to God’.

From the fourth century, the dismissal statement was ‘Ite missa est’, since the word ‘Missa’ comes from ‘mittere’ which means to send. 

‘Ite missa est’ means simply ‘Go, this is the dismissal’. However, the dismissal formulae which are used today are inspired by the formula of Eastern Syria, and in doing so the East and Rome are united by it.

The priest venerates the altar one last time by kissing it as a sign of reverence to Christ, since on the altar His sacrifice on Calvary is made present to us.    The kiss of farewell at the end of the Mass mirrors the kiss whereby the altar is greeted at the beginning of Mass. Both are gestures venerating the altar as the symbol of Christ.  

Engraved in the marble altar are five crosses, which represent the five wounds of Christ.  In every altar, there are relics of saints placed in it. The farewell kiss looks back to the Eucharist, which has just concluded, and anticipates the next occasion when the congregation will assemble again.

We have heard God’s Word and have been nourished by eating Christ’s body.  Now it is the time for us to leave, to do good works, to praise and bless the Lord in our daily lives. We too then can throughout the week or until the next time we come to Mass say ‘thanks be to God’.

   

Opening Prayer Series: 30th Sunday of Year A

The Opening Prayer for the 30th Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

Let us pray,

(for the strength to do God's will)

Almighty and ever-living God,

strengthen our faith, hope and love.

May we do with loving hearts, 

what you ask of us 

and come to share the life You promise.

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged

1. What is God's will?
2. What is God's will for me?
3. What changes do I need to make to live according to God's will for me?
4. How can I strengthen my faith, hope and love during this coming week?
5. What does God ask of me?
6. What are the areas of my heart that need more of God's love?
7. What changes will I make to these areas of my heart?
8. What is the life God promises me?

In today's Gospel, the following aspects caught my attention.  Firstly, both the Pharisees and the Sadducees  were out to get Jesus at any cost.  They banded together to bring Jesus down, even though each group disliked each other. The common thread of motive here seems to be power and revenge, and if each group had to 'sacrifice' a certain amount of pride to get the job done, then it seemed to them that the outcome would be worth it, especially as they had safety in numbers.  This to me is a Gospel example of our modern day work place bullying of employer vs employee and/or employer vs trade union members. The same motive is at work even if the method is more seemingly sophisticated. Unfortunately, the same method is being used by young children at primary school when they bully another child in their class.

The reply Jesus gave them outwitted them because He reminded them of the commandment of love which they would have been familiar from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19.18. In essence, He reminded them to love God first and then to love God by loving one's neighbour. Throughout the Gospel we hear the commandment to love, and in the Church we hear many homilies exhorting us to do that. 

However, it seems to me that often a vital ingredient of this commandment is overlooked or downplayed- the commandment to love God by loving ourselves in a healthy manner. If we do not love ourselves appropriately, then it is difficult to love our neighbour, because we cannot give what we do not have on our own.  With the help of God , we can all learn to love ourselves in a healthy manner. God will provide the missing elements especially when we ask Him in prayer.

The Pharisees and Sadducees most likely missed the point of the reply of Jesus.  In essence Jesus is saying to love God with your whole heart, soul and mind  and to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself out of love for God. Therefore, loving God also means to love yourself out of love for God, since it God who created you out of love, and then out of love for God, you will love your neighbour.

Let's see what we can do to put this commandment into practice this coming week in our family, workplace and parish.

About the Mass Series: Concluding Rite Part 2

‘FINAL BLESSING-SOLEMN BLESSING’.

The Concluding Rite consists of: (a) the priests greeting ( the Lord be with you etc), (b) the blessing, which on certain days or feast days is expanded (c ) the dismissal which sends the congregation back to doing good works while praising and blessing the Lord and(d) recessional hymn.

Before sending his disciples into the world to bear witness to His resurrection before all the nations, we are told in Scripture that ‘Jesus lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he was taken up into heaven’. (Luke 24:50-51).

Before sending the congregation back into the world to announce the Good News to others, the priest likewise lifts up his hands over us, and marks us with the sign of the cross, and invokes the blessing Father, Son and Holy Spirit upon us.

On certain feast days such as Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and other important liturgical moments, the priest uses a more solemn form of blessing known as the solemn blessing.  First he invites us to ‘bow our heads and pray for God’s blessing’.  Then there are usually three invocations to which the congregation reply AMEN. Then the priest gives the blessing as he blesses us with the sign of the cross.

It is important to note that as he gives the blessing, he is representing Christ in our midst and he is bringing us the blessing on the part of God by marking us with the cross of Christ. In this sense, he does not bless himself. He does not say ‘may almighty God bless US’. The words therefore ‘May almighty God bless YOU are significant’. It also expresses something of the humility of the ordained priestly ministry.