19th Sunday of Year Collect

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

The Collect for the 19th Sunday of Year B reads as follows:

Almighty and ever-living God,

whom, taught by the Holy Spirit,

we dare to call God our Father,

bring, we pray, to perfection to our hearts,

the spirit of adoption as Your sons and daughters,

that we may merit to enter into the inheritance 

which you have promised.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this Collect Prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

1.What does calling God our Father mean to me?

2.Why do I want to pray for the spirit of adoption as God's children?

3. What does it mean to me to be a son or daughter of God? What difference will it make in my life this coming week?

4.Why do I want to merit Heaven as the inheritance to which I have been promised?

5. What area in my life will I change this week with God's help ? How I will be a better person by next Sunday?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Today's readings are very helpful to us.  In the first reading, Elijah had reached his limit. He had had enough and told God so. He just wanted to die.  I dont know about you, but there are plenty of times in my life where i have said almost those same words "God, I have had enough". I may not have voiced the second phrase, but there are times when dying would have been a great way out at the time.

However, as we see in the reading, and hopefully in our lives as well, that God provides for our weakness, provides us with strength and courage to continue when things are tough and at times places the right person in our path to help us. We need to be faithful and persevere and know that God is with us in every moment of every day. We are a child of God who has been promised the inheritance.  Are we going to merit it or give up?

We don’t need to give up or lose courage.  Jesus tells us in the Gospel today, that He is the bread of life.  In other words, Jesus provides us with food for the journey- not just any food but Himself under the appearance of bread and wine.  We can go to Mass daily or as often as we can to hear the word of God and to receive Him in communion.

At Mass, the readings provide the word of how we are to live. Take for instance the second reading today. It is quite clear that we are not meant to call each other names or be jealous. No, we are to walk in love with Jesus by our side.  We do not need to be afraid, lose heart, lack courage as Jesus loves us and, as His children God will provide for all our needs.  Not only, that, when we receive Jesus in communion, we are together with Him - in union.  If we are in union with God every time,we receive Eucharist at Mass, then all of our weaknesses, flaws, anxieties, fears etc can be given to Him.  We can walk in courage and faith knowing in hope that Jesus is there always.  

So put Jesus first place in your life every day.  Make Jesus your no 1 of your heart and mind.

May you continue to walk the journey in love and when discouragement and problems come, call out to God, knowing that He will give your courage and encouragement. God will provide.

May you have a blessed week

14th Sunday Collect Year B

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

The Collect of the 14th Sunday Year B reads as follows

O God, who in the abasement of Your Son,

have raised up a fallen world,

fill Your faithful with holy joy,

for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin

you bestow eternal gladness.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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

1. What does the obedience of Christ as Son mean for my life this week?

2. How will I co-operate with Christ by raising my fallen world this week?

3.  What are the areas of my life that are fallen and need to be raised by Christ?

4. What are the areas of darkness from which I need Christ to free me?

5. How will I live from the freedom of sin? What steps will I take this week?

6. How can I bring the joy that last fro ever into my internal and external world this week.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Today's Gospel of Mark 1-6, reminds us that a prophet is despised only in his own country. Click on the link to read more about today's Gospel.  The crowds key questioning in their hearts related to the source of His teaching for they saw Him grow up in their own town and to the nature of His wisdom for it comes with a divine power to heal and re-create.

Let us think of ourselves for a moment.  Is there someone perhaps in a work situation or parish situation who is wise and forward thinking and has many great ideas?  What happens?  Instead of the group embracing the wisdom, jealousy and power play take over and inevitably the person is cast out like a leper from the group.  I know, I have had this experience often enough and have tried to stop others from experiencing it.

People generally have a perception of another person and have them in a box. It makes them feel safe and they know how to relate to them.  To a certain extent, this is healthy as we need some boundaries.   Where it becomes a problem is when people do not allow others to grow and blossom. They often do not want to grow themselves out of fear but for the person who steps out and does do the emotional and spiritual work, they may even admire the change but are not prepared to acknowledge it in a crowd situation. They fear that they may lose their status in the group. Sometimes they oppose what they themselves would actually like to do.  For some people, it is easier to tear down than build up.

So how much more would Jesus received this resistance and opposition?   Being different and having this wisdom which had a divine power to heal and recreate would have been a real struggle for people to accept especially when it was in the confines of a box of their making, from which they were not prepared to allow Jesus to emerge.

Perhaps we resist and oppose God in our relationship with Him.  He wants us to be the best version of ourselves- the person He created us to be.  Yet, we through Luke warmness, fear and resistance, bumble along without any signs of real growth in our relationship with God and with others.

So as we hear this gospel today,  let us decide on one area of our lives where we know needs change and ask God to help us not resist or fear the work required to make the change. Ask Jesus to help  us  and to let down our guards.  Give us strength to blossom forth and tap into His divine power to heal and recreate.

We may also resolve to encourage others instead of resisting and opposing them in a group. It takes courage to stand up and be counted but this is what is really required.  Let us check our emotions for negativity, jealousy and power play  and resolve to be what God intends for us.

13th Sunday of Year: Collect

COLLECT SERIES

 

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

COLLECT

The Collect for the 13th Sunday of Year B reads as follows:

O God, who through the grace of adoption

chose us to be children of light

Grant we pray,

that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this Collect tangible for our lives this coming week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What does it mean to me to be a child of God?

2. What is the grace of adoption?

3. What does it mean for me to a child of light?  

4. How will being a child of light be evident in my life this week?

5. Think of a present before it is opened. It may please the receiver with its pretty paper and bow. However, inside the gift itself is wrapped (covered) and as such is in the dark.  

How is my gift of myself right now?

6. What areas of darkness of error do I tend to fall into regularly. What will I do about it/them?

7. Receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation restores us to a child of light.  Why not use the sacrament this coming week. Be a child of light this week.

 GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Gospel from Mark chapter 5 has a lot to offer us.  Why not read this post.

However the key to both stories which Mark weaves in so well is ultimately of faith- faith in the face of adversity.  In relation to the woman who suffered the haemorrhage for 12 years, Mark tells us that her condition was getting worse and she had spent all she had trying different treatments. She told herself that if she could just touch his hem of his cloak, she would be healed.  She was brave because with her condition at that time, blood was a sacred thing- life giving and only meant for the temple.  She was not only putting herself at risk of exclusion but also Jesus.

We can relate to the hope-disappointment and desperation cycle of this woman.  Anyone who has a condition which has no known cure is willing to try something new and with that comes hope. Then the treatment/cream or tablets after some time of diligence on our part does not make the condition any better, perhaps slightly, but definitely not the cure we hoped. Here comes the disappointment.

Rounds and Rounds of this leads to desperation.  This woman had a haemorrhage for 12 years. If you were in her shoes, would you have risked everything for that final hope of healing through Jesus?

The other question of thought that I would like to consider as we hear this gospel is for us to consider what our illness is.  It may not be physical but it may be mental/emotional or spiritual.  Why not write a list of areas in your life that need urgent attention?   Are you willing to risk everything to take this list to Jesus and reach out for healing- will you touch His hem of His garment this week?
None of us are perfect and as the Collect says wrapped in error.

We may not be able to physically touch His garment but Jesus, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation gives us that opportunity to reach out in faith and be healed.  In this sacrament we are no longer wrapped in error but become clothed as children of light.
If you have not received the sacrament for a long time, do not worry or be anxious. Tell the priest your circumstances, make an appointment so you do not feel worried that you are taking too long and others may be waiting.  Reach out to Jesus and touch His hem this week.

If you receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly, then keep receiving it. It builds up grace within us and helps us to be a child of light.  When temptations come, those same sins/faults etc that keep coming up, we are able to keep working on them, whilst acknowledging the grace that Jesus gives us.  Have you ever noticed that a particular fault/sin becomes less... perhaps it is a sharp word withheld that would have previously been said. It is in that moment that you realise the grace of the sacrament working in you.  Thank God for it.  You have touched His hem in that moment.

Walk as a child of light this week and let that light shine

Birth of John the Baptist

COLLECT SERIES

The Mass: Collect series icon.

COLLECT

The Collect (Mass during the day) for the Nativity of St John the Baptist reads as follows:

O God who raised up St John the Baptist,

to make ready a nation fit for Christ Our Lord,

give Your people we pray,

the grace of spiritual joys,

and direct the hearts of all the faithful

into the way of salvation and peace.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

who lives 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 does the Church celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist?

2.            How can I make myself ready for Christ this coming week?

3.            How can I bring another person to Christ?

4.            Why should I pray for the grace of spiritual joys?

5.            What is the way of salvation and peace?

6.            How can I be led into the way of salvation and peace this coming week?

7.            What is my personal plan in this Year of Grace for this coming week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION.

The Church celebrates 3 birthdays throughout the Year- Birth of Christ (holy day of obligation), Birthday of Mary (8 September) and Birth of John the Baptist. Both Mary and John the Baptist are significant in our faith for the Birth of Christ. Mary, of course is Mother of Jesus and John the Baptist is the last prophet who announces Christ to his followers. After that, he steps away and allows Christ to continue the ministry to which He had been called.   He is also a relative of Jesus as well. 

In today's Collect, it says that God raised up St John the Baptist to make ready a nation fit for Christ the Lord.  In today's Gospel, which is Luke's account of the Nativity of John the Baptist, we sense the neighbours joy for Elizabeth and Zechariah, since having children was considered a blessing and to give birth to a child late in life raised the stakes of interest even further amongst the neighbours.

These neighbours would have remembered what they have been told about Zechariah when the angel appeared to him nine months before the baby's birth, (Lk 15:23) and now when the child is to be named, there is a break from tradition and he is called John, which his father communicated by writing. Then his power of speech returns and he praises God.  St Luke creates the awe and wonder experienced by the neighbours so well.  A birth of a child always creates interest from loved ones, friends and neighbours. But how much more interested would these neighbours been as they watched St John the Baptist grow and mature.

So, we are not Zechariah and Elizabeth's neighbours.  How does this gospel scene speak to us?

This gospel passage may encourage us to:

·     Be aware of the presence of God in our lives and the lives of others and in experiencing        it, express our gratitude to God.

·       Appreciate the gift of new life in a birth of a child and experience and share the joy
    with the new parents.

·       Pray for the new born child asking God to help him/ her to grow with His blessing.

·     Understand that the naming of a child is important as it often indicates personality traits and future career path. If you are expecting a child, you may wish to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the naming of your child.

·    Remain faithful to what we believe to be true especially if we have had some spiritual confirmation/experience.

May the celebration of the nativity of St John the Baptist 

give you encouragement to bring others to Christ 

and to be faithful to your vocation to which God has called you.

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.

The Blind Man at Bethsaida

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

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During the remainder of 2018, each week, I will write a weekly 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: 22-2 which is called The Blind Man at Bethsaida.

THE BLIND MAN AT BETHSAIDA
The people ask Jesus to touch a blind man.  He does this, but secretly and in three stages, putting saliva on his eyes, laying hands on him, and laying hands on his eyes again.  Only after the third touch does the blinds man see clearly.

By this story at Bethsaida Mark leads towards the conclusion of the missionary journeys of Jesus (6:6-30), and prepares us for the central episdoe of his Gospel, which immediately follows., on the true identity of Jesus.

The healing of a deaf and dumb man ( 7:31-37) reminds us that to share as disciples in the mission of Jesus we need to hear what Jesus really says and share it with others.  The healing of this blind man tell us that true disciples need to see the divine power that Jesus bring to the world, and to see this not in a confused way but clearly.

Mark uses this story of the blind man to introduce the theme of blindness in the disciples, as Jesus forms them with difficulty in this ways, a formation that comes to a climax with the dramatic cure of another blind man, Bartimaeus at Jericho (10:46-52).

The healing of the  blind man is a stranger story because Jesus cures his blinds in three stages.  The apparent lack of power in Jesus may be why the other Gospels omit this story.

The blind man's two stages of seeing, however, prepare us for the two ways of naming Jesus in the following passage (8:27-30).  The three touches by Jesus anticipate his repeated efforts to enlighten his disciples and form them as disciples by three passion prophecies in the part of Mark's Gospel (8:31-10:52).

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 the blindman of Bethsaida.  What do you see and hear and 
      feel?   What can I learn from this?

·          How does the question of Jesus in this passage resonate with you? 

      What would you  say?

·          How would we respond to Jesus regarding our blindness and sight?

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

      passage. 

·         What impact does Jesus’ teaching have on you (8:22-26)?

·          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?