Ascension of Our Lord

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD.

Where He has gone, We Hope to follow.

COLLECT 

The Collect for the Ascension of the Lord in Year B 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.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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? 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Ascension of The Lord is essentially a feast of Hope since we can look forward to eternal life.  We Music 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 to His disciples is a command to us and gives us a mission- a focus. 

• Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations,
• baptize 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 evangelize others by not even saying a word- it is by example of the 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. 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?

Dangers from Religion and Politics: Gospel of Mark series

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

Welcome again to my Gospel of Mark Series. 

I have not written for this series since January 2015, but as I am half way through Mark’s Gospel, I am determined to recommit to this series, and in the process gain a fuller understanding of Mark's Gospel. So why recommit to the writing of this series now you might wonder?  

I was at Mass during the week and it was the feast day of St Mark.  During Mass, my mind wandered for a few moments and wondered about this series.  I knew I had not finished it completely. I committed myself during Mass to complete it.  The second reason also occurred to me in Mass.  We are also liturgically in Year B on Sundays- the Year of Mark.  More importantly, my purpose is not only share my study of Mark, but to invite us to read a personal meaning into it from the situation of one's own lives.  

 So, with these reasons in mind, let us begin again with the Gospel of Mark Series.

During the remainder of 2018, each week, I will write a weekly Tuesday post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark.  I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post, we explore chapter 8: 14-21 which is called Dangers from Religion and Politics.

DANGER FROM RELIGION AND POLITICS.

It is not only the Pharisees who fail to understand (8:11-13). The disciples too, who are with Jesus always in journey and observe all He does and says, do not yet understand who Jesus is and what is the power He brings into the world.

In this passage, Jesus points to the lack of understanding in his disciples.  They fail to grasp the real meaning of His words and actions as they travel with Him in His journeys.  The disciples need to guard themselves against the same evil motives and dispositions, or 'leaven', which Jesus sees in the Pharisees and the Herodians.

The leaven of the Pharisees is contentment with their limited interpretation of God's law and their narrow religious practices, and so they fail to see the power God in the works and words of Jesus. The leaven of the Herodians is probably their abuse of political power, failing to respect the dignity of people and the justice due to others.

The dispositions and motivations for their lives, which Jesus desires for his disciples, will be very different, neither trusting in limiting views of God's law and religious practice as the Pharisees do, nor becomes slaves to selfish ambitiousness for political power, like the Herodians.

When Jesus crossed the lake after the first meal in the desert, there was an argument with the Pharisees (7:1-23) and a discussion about bread ( 7:24-30).  Likewise, when He crosses the lake after the second meal, there is again an argument with the Pharisees (8:11-13) and now in in this passage a discussion about bread (8:14-21).

Jesus challenges his uncomprehending disciples to a deeper level of faith in His person with one question after another.  The bread that they really need is what Jesus offers in all he does and says.  It is the power of God to gives live and freedom to people.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

·         Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?

·         Imagine that you are one of the Pharisees and or one of the Herodians.
What do you see and hear and feel. What can I learn from this?

·         How do the questions of Jesus in this passage resonate with you? 

·         How would you respond to Jesus regarding his questions?

·         Reflect on my relationship with Jesus and this teaching in the light of this gospel passage. 

·         What impact does Jesus’ teaching have on you (8:14-21).

·         How has this passage spoken to you- what does it say to you personally. 

·         If you were to meet a fellow parishioner who was interested in reading gospel of Mark, what would you say to him/her about this passage?

·         If a fellow parishioner had read this passage, what might he/she say about this passage?

Second Sunday of Easter Mercy Sunday

Second Sunday of Easter Mercy Sunday 

Divine Mercy Image

On the Second Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates 'Divine Mercy Sunday''- a feast instituted by the late Pope John Paul 11.Mercy Sunday is a beautiful feast to contemplate- it is not magic as some may think, but a chance for those who have been away from the church to find their way back, for those who have let the sacrament of Reconciliation slip from their spiritual lives to be renewed, and for all Catholics to receive the wonderful graces God is offering.

In Today's Gospel, we are also confronted with doubting Thomas- a persona we can all take on at some point in our spiritual lives. However, like St Thomas we need to be able to say from our hearts ' My Lord and My God'.

On this second Sunday of Easter, ''Mercy Sunday'', the gospel gives a clear description of the institution of the  sacrament of Reconciliation- Jesus giving His disciples to forgive sins in His name. Obviously, every priest who hears confession gives the sign and the words of absolution, but it is Christ Himself hidden in the priest who hears our sins and gives us absolution.  

As we celebrate Mercy Sunday, let us give thanks to the Lord for his goodness and everlasting love.

On this Mercy Sunday, let us take the opportunity given us by the Church to receive a plenary indulgence by receiving communion at Mass, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (ideally on the day, but can be within a week before or after the feast) and say the prayers for the Holy Father. 

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.