The Lord is truly risen alleluia.

                                               

The Lord is truly risen alleluia.

                                               HAPPY EASTER TO ALL MY READERS.

I hope you have had a wonderful spiritual Lent and are/have been involved spiritually with the 3 day Iridium in your parish or your spiritual home.

                                                                 ALLELUIA TO YOU ALL.

Before lent becomes a distant memory quickly, may I suggest to you that you spend some time in reflection about how your lent was for you.  Ask yourself”

• What worked for you?    
• What did not?
•  What could have done to tweak your Lent. to make it more effective?

Make a note of these things in your journal and keep it so that you have some reminders for next year.

HOW TO GROW DURING EASTERTIDE?

Why... don't wait for next year in Lent... we have 6 weeks of Eastertide and joy and lots of alleluias.  This is wonderful since Easter is the most important sacred feast in the church's calendar.   So, enjoy and rejoice.

So why do i say don't wait for next year... I like to use Eastertide to help me to grow-
that if I have made some progress during Lent in one area of my life that I like to continue it on during Eastertide.  It helps me to link the 2 seasons and explore further in a lighter mood of Eastertide.  It helps too to cement the habit and help the change to be further part of my life.

If I have not made progress in an area of my life that I intended during Lent ( which is often the case) I take Eastertide as an opportunity to try and make some progress so that once Eastertide is complete, I can continue it on during Ordinary Time.

My point is- let us not stop now just because Lent is over.  Yes, we are in a season of rejoicing- sing as many alleluias as you like and more.. enjoy the lighter vestments, the flowers on the sanctuary, the statues back in the church, the beauty of the Pascal Candle which represents Christ in our midst, the happier sounding hymns.  All this is as it should be.  We are an alleluia people.  We are filled with joy that Christ is risen.

However Eastertide also gives us an opportunity for further growth- to cement the good we have achieved through God's grace and to rectify our slowness to change.

Have you started the Divine Mercy novena yet.. if not, make a start and prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday next week.

Enjoy your Easter day in whatever way you celebrate this solemnity  along with enjoying a chocolate egg or two.!!!  Remember those eggs represent new life so eat them with this sentiment. Let it be new life for your spiritual well being.

May the blessings and the joy of Easter fill your heart to overflowing.

Alleluia.  The Lord is truly Risen.

5th week of Lent before Holy week begins.

5th week of Lent before Holy week begins.

 Lent finishes at 12 noon on Holy Thursday. Today is the 5th Sunday of Lent and next week we begin Holy Week.

So how has your Lent gone?  Has it been great or a mixed bag( like mine) or perhaps you had great intentions and they all disappeared along the way.

Whatever the case, take a stock take today.  Why do I say this?

It is 5th week and we have the opportunity to start again or tweak or perhaps even start our Lenten journey again.  Never too late to start again.  Perhaps the penance you chose has not really worked for you.  Well, perhaps try something different, or if it is not working well for you, then work out why and change what needs to be changed.

There is a reading from Romans which reminds us of  the race and how they go into training to win the wreath.  It is not the start of the race that hurts but near the end when the finish line is in sight.

This is why we must keep going and run the race to the finish this Lent.

Perhaps if we have been slack or less than enthusiastic in our efforts, we might need to pick up the pace and sprint to the finish line. If we have been steady and solid in our journey, then we need to keep that pace going.  Whatever our circumstances, God knows and sees our efforts.

I have to say that I will probably need to sprint yet again to the finish line and make up for lost time.
Yet again I have to say to God- give me another year..

Yet this week we celebrate the feast of St Joseph which is a day off from Lent.

Perhaps we could ask St Joseph to journey with us through the rest of Lent together.  After all, he was foster father of Jesus, would have taught him his trade as a carpenter and cared for both Mary and Jesus.
So why not ask him to take us into his care as we journey through the rest of Lent.

Keep your faith alive with enthusiasm and burn with love for Jesus this coming week.

Laetare Sunday- Rejoice.

Laetare Sunday- Rejoice.

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

It is also known as 'Mothering Sunday', coming from the ancient Roman tradition, when a festival of motherhood and fertility was held at this time. It was linked to the fact that the whole earth seemed to be fertile at this time. (Spring).   This festival was also known 'Matronalia,' and was celebrated by making cakes out of grains of cereal or pounded almonds.  Simmel cake and the creamy egg custard pudding were traditional menu items.

The Church took over these festivals and gave them new meaning by highlighting the dignity of women and motherhood through the image of Mary.  Through Mary, the dignity and status of Christian mothers was 'iced on the Catholic menu'.

Another important tradition of the Mothering Sunday is to to honour 'Mother Church'.  We can do this simply by visiting the cathedral (Mother Church of the diocese) on this day (or if not, sometime during this week). By doing this, we can gain a greater understanding of the great reality of the Church as our Mother and Bride of Christ.

Let us rejoice as we universally celebrate 'Laetare' Sunday.

Collect First Sunday Lent Yr B

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

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

Let us pray,

Grant almighty God,
through the yearly observances of holy Lent, 

that we may grow in understanding

 of the riches hidden in Christ

 and by worthy conduct pursue their effect.

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.            What is our attitude towards the season of Lent?

2.            What are the riches hidden in Christ?

3.            How may I grow in understanding of these riches hidden in Christ?

4.            What are the effects of the riches hidden in Christ?

5.            What areas of my life are not completely worthy conduct?

6.            What is my spiritual goal for this Lenten season and how will I achieve
           this goal?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

In the northern hemisphere, Lent coincides with springtime and in fact, the word itself probably came from the old English lencten meaning the lengthening of the days that occur in spring. Spring offers the possibility of new life and when hearts lift from the dreariness of the winter season. Lent offers the opportunity to renew and reawaken the life of the spirit, which can make it a season of joy, despite the penitential nature of Lent.

Those of us who live in the southern hemisphere do not have the advantage of the season of spring to accompany us on our journey have a different season- late summer going into autumn. Autumn is a season of a change of colour, where the trees lose their green leaves and turn all sorts of beautiful colours. It is also a time when we can have cool nights so we can sleep better and be refreshed.  

Therefore, autumn to me, is an ideal time for Lent as I like to think of Lent as a season to change colour. It is a season to change from mediocrity in our spiritual lives to bursting forth with a change of colour (change of heart) to be the beautiful colour God has instilled in us.  It is a time to lose our leaves (sins and bad habits) and allow the grace of God turn our leaves (souls) into something beautiful to behold. It is a time to sleep well at night and allow God's grace to refresh our whole being.

In today's Gospel of Mark, his writing is succinct regarding the Temptations as compared to Matthew or Luke.  He refers to them as Temptations rather than being specific.  This is useful for us as it covers all the temptations we encounter.  The other interesting phrase not to overlook is '' and the angels looked after Him"'. Why is this phrase important?  It means that as Jesus was tempted, He was looked after by the angels.  It is also interesting to note that both at the beginning of Jesus Ministry and at the end of HIs ministry in the agony of the garden, He is looked after by the angels. 
What is important for us is that when we are tempted that we can call on our guardian angel to help us in our time of temptation.  We are not alone since Jesus is there with us in our time of temptation. We can call on the angels to assist us.  We need to place our trust in God.

So whether we live in the northern or southern hemisphere, the message of Jesus is still the same which we hear in today's Gospel "Repent and believe the Good News". 

May we all move into the First Week of Lent with renewed effort to change our hearts.

Thinking about Lent Part 2: Prayer

Thinking about Lent Part 2: Prayer

As you know there are 2 types of Prayer: Personal and Community based.
Within these types of prayer we also have 2 distinct styles: Vocal and Contemplative.

Perhaps you might even be wondering What is Prayer anyway?

Before I consider this, let's explore what happens in a conversation:

1.    Usually there are 2 or more people involved. when one person is talking, the other is listening.  Next time you are with a group of people, look at this and see that even when there is more than 2 people, inevitably there will be 2 people engaged in these roles of talking and listening.

2. When the person is listening, he/she needs to be fully engaged in the conversation.  Have you ever had a conversation with a person whose listening skills were limited or perhaps they were not even listening at all- just waiting for a moment to jump in and talk?

3.   There is a rhythm to the conversation- what we talk about is usually what we or our friends are interested in, talk over a concern, problem in the world that saddens us or an exciting event in our lives.

4.     We need time: sometimes with friends, we are able to pick up where we left off. However, when we see/contact friends on a regular basis, we deepen the relationship. As we deepen the relationship, we are able to be together and be comfortable without either speaking.

The same happens when we pray.  We are conversing with God and God is conversing with us.  Just like a normal conversation, we need to share as we speak but also listen with our heart. You know the old saying"' God gave us one mouth but 2 ears''.  We need to be listening to God as He speaks to us in our heart and with regular meeting, we can be at one with Him without the need to speak. We are in His presence and He is in ours.

COMMUNITY BASED

Prayer in this type is community based- it is a prayer where people are gathered.  Examples of this include:
(a) Holy Mass.
(b) Office of the Church: where people gather to say morning, evening or night prayer/
(c) Stations of the Cross:  This is a meditation that can be said personally or community based. Often it is community based and used during Lent.
(d) Paraliturgy:  A school group may meet together to have a Para liturgy to highlight a particular feast or season of the year.
(e)Rosary: This can be both personal or community based.  Some parishes have the rosary recited before or after daily Mass.
(f) exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

In all of these community-based prayers mentioned you will note that the elements of conversation are present.  In each of these prayer types, although vocal, there is time within them for silence and for listening.  The challenge with community based prayer is for us to add that extra dimension of community and still be focused within ourselves to God.

PERSONAL PRAYER

Personal Prayer then is a conversation with God.  We talk with Him as our best friend.  We talk about what is going well in our lives and give Him thanks.  We talk with Him about our weaknesses/fault/failures and ask for strength and commitment to improve in these areas.   We share our concerns about our family, parish, friends and world. There may be people in our circle who have asked for our prayers.  In personal prayer, we may pray for them.
Sometimes our prayer will be spontaneous such as when we are driving along in our car and of course a regular time of prayer each day at the beginning and/or end of the day.

Other times, we will use formal prayers such as Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be- formal because they are structured and already composed as distinct from our own prayer with God that comes from our own heart.  When we know these prayers well, there can be a tendency to rush them and not think about what we are saying.  One Father or Glory be said slowly thinking about the words and with a good intention of heart is possibly better in God's sight than 5 glory be's  rushed and no thought to it.

So now the question arises: What about my prayer life during Lent.  The church encourages to focus on prayer during Lent along with fasting and almsgiving.

Questions to consider in reviewing our prayer lives?
1. How do I see prayer in relation to my relationship with God- who is God for me?
2.What is going well in my prayer life- do I have a regular time/place for my prayer time?
3.Are there times in the day that I could refocus my attention to God and say hello again as a friend?
4. Have I always prayed the same way for years- is there another form of prayer to explore this Lent?
5. How much of my prayer time is talking and how much is listening to God?
6. How will I focus more on prayer this Lent?
7. What excuses do I use/have used  not to pray- what are the hindrances and what can I do to overcome them?

There are many fine books on prayer to read. Many explore types to explore such as contemplative prayer, centering prayer, meditative prayer.  Perhaps reading a book in relation to a different style of prayer might be helpful too. Remember reading about something is not the same as doing. So explore a different style and practise it.

I have to say that prayer for me has changed over the years.  As I live on my own, I tend to incorporate community based prayer such as Office  as I am praying in community.  This helps to balance my personal prayer life.  Years ago, I craved to have my own personal prayer time but my circumstances limited me to what I craved.  Now I am on my own, I do have plenty of opportunities for personal prayer.  I have to say though, I don't always take up all the opportunities given.  Switching off the TV and having some prayer time instead is a decision and an action of turning it off.  I am trying to do more of it in Lent.

May this blessed time of Lent help our prayer lives grow.

Thinking about Lent part 1

Thinking about Lent part 1  

Thinking about Lent:

As you know, Lent for this year is fast approaching. In fact, Ash Wednesday will be this coming week.

Normally I am fast asleep at the time, but tonight I am wide awake.  I am thinking about Lent since there are only 3 days to go.

The Church puts  before us 3 areas  to consider during Lent: Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving.

Before I think about these areas, I have to say that over the years I have struggled with the Lenten season.  I have had some terrible lent's where I struggled so much and then gave up, some Lents which, with all the best of intentions started well, and gave up in the 4th week, and worse, and yes, even a lent that I never got started. So as you can see, I am no expert on Lent.!!!

So I am thinking about Lent right now so I can come up with a manageable plan of action for me
Maybe this might help you in some way.

1. Firstly, I  ask God and myself through prayer: what is the goal for Lent this year.: Lent means a change of heart. What needs to change in my heart this year?

2. Secondly I make a list of what is working well in my spiritual life and what needs to change. If the list gets longer than expected, then great- I have more to work on the whole year.

3.Then from there I think about the areas of Fastings, Prayer and Almsgiving.  Let's start to think about Fasting in this post.

FASTING What does the Church mean by fasting?   The Church's expectation of fasting means to eat much less than would normally be eaten on these 2 days specifically, by eating one main meal and two light snacks. A traditional main meal dish on Good Friday is either fish  or vegetable casserole. Hot Cross buns are usually served as the light snack.  It is highly recommended that we maintain fasting by not eating between these snacks and main meal on these two days.  Abstinence requires that we abstain from all meat and meat products.  This is the bare minimum that the Church requires.
However the Church specifies that the age group required to fast is from 14-65.  However if you are over 65 and still able to fast without due effects to your health, then it is penitential to do so and can help those who are physically unable to fast.

However, regardless of age, we are meant to be doing some sort of penance during Lent and especially on Fridays in Lent.  Fasting from food may be one option.

 As I was thinking about this and how I feel about fasting, I have to say that I really struggle with it. When I try, I get massive headaches during Lent.  I have tried different ways to fast such as not watching my favourite TV programme/s and using that time in prayer.

For many years I struggle with the fasting element of Lent. Last year I was slightly more successful in this area when I realised that every time fasting was mentioned, it caused something in my brain to translate it as '' to eat more''.  So, I translated the word fasting as eating (reverse psychology). This actually stopped the negative feedback my brain was providing.

You may find this post interesting to read as part of your preparation for Lent in relation to fasting

Earlier in the year, I heard a priest in his homily refer to the phrase ''glorify God in your body''. It captured my attention like no other.  I wondered whether this might be the answer I have been looking for to help me with fasting in Lent.  He was talking about something else. However, I thought this might be a great aid for me.  So, I decided to try it out.

I hope that this year that I will glorify God in my body, mind and spirit as I attempt to fast. This will be my chant  when I am tempted to see what is in the pantry or fridge. I have tried this phrase a few time now and it seems to stop me and helps me close the door of the pantry and fridge  I have also tried singing a verse of a hymn. Keep you posted of the idea.

What is important as you think about fasting and Lent is what works for you.  and that what you choose is either sustainable for Lent or that you have a some other ideas ready if your first idea is not working well.  I hope not to give up this lent.

A  successful lent is difficult to measure, since only God and You know what you have achieved or not and what your motivation was.

For me, I know I need to prepare and have a plan of action to follow.  I can adjust the plan, but if I do not have a plan I waste lent.  I have had too many lents that have been wasted and disastrous. I hope they one will be different. and that you indeed have a wonderful lent too. Let us keep in other in prayer.

Feast of Epiphany: Collect Year B

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Opening Prayer of the Feast of the Epiphany Year B reads as follows:

Let us pray

(that we will be guided by the light of faith)

Father,

You revealed Your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star,

Lead us to Your glory in Heaven by the light of faith.

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged.

1.            What does it mean for me to be guided by the light of faith?

2.            What is the light of faith?

3.            Is the star of Christ burning brightly enough in me to draw others to
           Christ?

4.            How can I reveal Your Son to others this week/month/year?

5.            Why is it important for me to desire the glory of Heaven?

6.            What difference does the feast of the Epiphany have in my life?

For the alternative opening prayer and reflection questions, refer to my post of the Epiphany 3 January 09.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Magi were most likely wise men from Arabia who made a special study of astrology. Due to this they were believed to have knowledge beyond that of humans. Later, they became portrayed as Kings. In the adoration of the Magi, the prophecies foretelling the honour which the people would give to the God of Israel were fulfilled. In the Magi, the Fathers of the Church saw in their gifts symbols of Christ's royalty Gold, Incense-divinity and Myrrh- Passion. The Feast of the Epiphany is the manifestation of the Son of God made man.

Unlike Herod, the Magi however stayed focused on what they came to seek- they were guided by the star, which filled them with delight because it helped them find what they came to seek- Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the manger. They were able to do him homage and offer their gifts.

The Epiphany is the first of seven solemnities of the Lord. It celebrates the revelation of God to all the world. May we encourage others during this week and throughout the year to have a Magi experience, so that we may all say in in voice:

We have seen His star in the east and have come to adore the Lord.

The star guided the 3 Wise Men from the East to Jesus and as both scripture and the carols say

'stopped right over the place where Jesus lay'.  

The 3 wise men did Him homage. These wise men were highly intelligent and knew from their studies about astronomy and stars.  They knew that this star was different- important and special. We too need to be aware of the signs given in our life. Are we aware of them?

We might like to offer the following prayer or a spontaneous one of our own on the theme of the star of Bethlehem

Jesus, in this season of Christmastide, help us to be a star- 

a light shining the way to You for others in our family, friends,
neighbourhood and parish. 

Help us to be like the Wise men of the East 

and give You fitting homage.