No 99 In what sense is Mary ever virgin?

COMPENDIUM SERIES.

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No 99 In what sense is Mary ever Virgin? (499- 507, 510-511)

WHAT DOES THE COMPENDIUM SAY?

Compendium states: 

Mary is ever virgin in the sense that she ‘’remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to Him, a virgin in carrying Him a virgin in nursing Him at her breast, always a virgin’’. (Saint Augustine).

PERSONAL RESPONSE

What does this mean for me?

• I can thank God constantly for His love for giving Mary to me as my heavenly mother.
• I can be thankful that Mary agreed to God’s plan and consented to the virginal birth of Jesus. 
• I can pray and ask Mary for all mothers who are pregnant and are giving birth today.
• I can pray to Mary to give my yes to God in all my undertakings in my life.

Questions to consider.

1.   What impact does Mary being a virgin mean to me?
   
2.  How would I explain the virginal birth of Jesus in Mary so that it would have an impact on the life of the other person to whom the on explaining them?
   
3. What steps can I take to preserve this tenant of our faith and not have it rubbished in the media? (e.g. write a letter, make a phone call)? Do I just let it go and allow the catholic Church’s teaching to be ridiculed? 
   
4.  What benefit does it have to me knowing that Mary cooperated with the divine will of salvation? 
   
5.   When I think of Mary, does it inspire me to say yes to God and allow Him to govern it.? 
   
6.  How can I incorporate praying to Mary (e.g. saying the rosary) into my life each day?

The Homily

ABOUT THE MASS SERIES.

THE MASS: ABOUT THE MASS SERIES ICON.

THE HOMILY

And now we sit for the Homily. It has always been part of the Liturgy of the Word.  In the Jewish tradition, the readings from the Law and the Prophets were concluded by an explanation, and in the early writings about the Mass, St Justin instructed his congregation to imitate the things they have heard in the readings and by applying them to their concrete life situations. 

The homily in the Mass today is still an integral part of the liturgy. The homily is essential for the nurturing of our Christian life. The priest develops aspects of the sacred readings and explains the feast of the Day, so that our faith may be strengthened. The priest’s words are Christ speaking to us and through his words, Christ invites in us further faith and conversion.

Perhaps, you remember a homily (or hopefully many) that did just that in your life.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF HOMILY 

From a personal perspective I have to say that being in a Dominican order parish, we have a variety of homilies from the friars who say Mass. As I sing in the choir at one Mass and also play/sing at another, I get to hear at least 2 homilies each week  on the same readings. Sometimes it is like 2 views of God as I wonder whether they gave the homily on the same readings. Still, it is very enriching.

More recently we have a new parish priest with a Vietnamese accent and a speech impediment.  Even after 18 months of trying hard to listen and being attentive during the homily, it is still very hard to understand most of what he is saying.  I adopted the method of recording him on my phone and listening to it 7 times during the week  to get an idea of what he had been saying in his homily.  Parishioners say that if you read his front page of the notices before he starts Mass, then it gives them some idea of what he is going to say.  One parishioner I know asks the priest for his homily notes.  I have  to say that last week was the first time I heard him quite clearly. i was so pleased. I was sitting in a different position in the church.

I encourage you if you have a priest whose delivery of the homily is wanting in some way for you to find a way for it to work for you. From time to time, I have put some of the homilies on the blog under the category of Homilies. If all else fails and you have made a sincere effort, then seek out other reflections on the internet. However, it is the spoken word that is important in the homily since it is meant to be Christ speaking to us. Still, it is better to nourish our souls with something than allow our souls to be starved. If you are in this position, then ask Jesus to speak to you as you read a reflection from the internet.  

Of course there was always the standard catholic joke of working out your shopping list during the homily.  It can be very easy to complain and not take positive action.  If you are in a diocesan parish and you have the same priest week in and week out, then you may need to nourish your soul with alternative options if your soul is not being nourished.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

·               Do you remember what the homily was about when you go home?

·               Do you ever think to show your appreciation when you hear a ‘good homily’? 

·             Why not encourage your priest who is Jesus for us in our midst. He is human too and your words of encouragement can offer him further food for his soul.

·               How do YOU sit during the homily? Are you really listening with body mind and spirit?

·           If we are going to hear Christ speak to us, we need to be truly listening, and so our body posture can be a great help. 

So next time you hear a homily, (afterwards of course) why not take a piece of paper and write down all the ways Christ spoke to you during the homily.

You may be quite surprised to find that Christ has a lot to say to YOU

The image on a coin Mk 12:13-17

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

THE BIBLE: GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES ICON.

 

During 2019, 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. If you are following this series for the first time, you will find this series under Scripture- New Testament- Gospel of Mark. 

Click here to read the first post in the series. I have written this series in different years (2012, 2015, 2018) with some irregularity, but am determined to complete this series this year since I am more than half way through this Gospel.

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 12:13-17 which is called The image on a coin.

THE IMAGE ON A COIN.

The priests, scribes, and elders failed in their attach on Jesus (11:27-33), so they send some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him and discredit him before the people.  The Pharisees were zealous for the strict observance of the law of Moses that was adapted to their own times.  The Herodians were political nationalists, supports of Herod Antipas.  Both groups seemed to show tolerance towards the presence in Israel of the Roman occupying power.  Neither was actively rebellious against Roman occupation as the zealots were.

Their flattery of Jesus, as one who teaches faithfully ‘the way of God’, may reflect the popular estimation of him, at least among those coming from Galilee.

The question about taxes is an attempt to upset Jesus.  If he answers yes, the people of Jerusalem will reject him as a collaborator with the Romans.  If he answers no, the Roman authorities in Jerusalem will take action again him.  As before with the Jerusalem leaders, He answers by putting His own question, asking whose image is on the money they use in Jerusalem.

On a silver Roman denarius at the time was the image of the Roman Emperor Tiberius (4-37 AD) and the words, ‘Tiberius Caesar, son the divine Augustus, the high priest.  These were blasphemous words for a Jew.  Nevertheless, the Jews used Roman coins, thereby admitting Roman authority, even though they changed the foreign money into Jewish coins for their temple offerings.

Without directly answering their questions, Jesus makes His teaching clear. Since the image of Caesar is on the coins then in some way it belongs to Him, so give it back to Him.  The just demands of secular authority are to be respected. Since men and women are made in the image of God, as every Jew believed, then each one belongs to God and is called to give oneself back to God.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

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 disciples- What do you see and hear and feel. What can I learn from this?

• Imagine being Jesus telling the disciples and the and knowing that they did not understand- what would you have felt?  

• What is reading the Gospel passage with the eyes and ears of disciple mean to me?

• How does Jesus make clear His teaching to me in this passage?
  
• Consider a situation in your life today where the parable of Jesus about the image on a coin might have a meaning for you.
  
  
• Pray for people called to be God’s servants and messengers in places and situations where they are treated badly. Is there a situation or a person in your parish who is treated badly for doing the right thing?
  
• Consider how much my faith gives a special ‘taste’ to my day to day living as a Christian, that is, one who follows Jesus as the Christ?
  
• What are the areas in my life I need to bring to Jesus in the light of this parable? What questions do I want to ask Him?

• Am I willing to look into myself with honesty and ask how much do I grasp what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus in the light of this teaching? 

• Is my faith in the divine power of Christ, whom we follow, large enough to make us ready to follow the teachings of Jesus?

Quick to care

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES.

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 Scripture reflection is 

“Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy’’
(Matthew 5:7)

Christ the Redeemer  Reflection and Prayer Series Icon

My post is called:

QUICK TO CARE

Because I do not know the pain or loss that others bear,

Let me, Lord, be slow to judge,

But quick to show I care.''.

5th Promise I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

THE PROMISES OF THE SACRED HEART.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS:

PROMISES OF THE SACRED HEART SERIES ICON.

THE PROMISES OF OUR LORD.

"I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace nor without receiving the sacraments; my divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in that last moment." 

FIFTH PROMISE I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
 

Today is the first Friday in May.  Let us consider this fifth promise by Jesus and make it our intention during May.’’

In the fifth promise, Jesus says that He will console us in all our troubles.  This is a beautiful blessing to make our own.  However, Jesus wants to be with us in all our undertakings- in every moment of every day.  This means then that Jesus not only shares our sorrows, difficulties and pain but all our joyous moments big and small as well. In fact, as the promise says ‘’ I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings’’.

Sadly, but often true, we bring our sorrows, pains, difficulties and annoyances to God in prayer and we ask His guidance and help, which of course God is willing to do, if it is in our best interest.

However, I don’t know about you, but sometimes we can forget to share our joys with Him and say thank you. Thank you are 2 small words but so important if we are in relationship with God and with one another. Sometimes too we can share our joys with others around us and then they say something negative and the cold water is poured on our joy. Jesus would only be too happy to share in our joy because He gave it to us in the first place.

He not only wants to give us blessings but abundant blessings.  Scripture says’’ in your lap, pressed down and flowing over’’. 

WHAT DOES ABUNDANCE MEAN?

What does abundance mean to you?

Abundant synonyms can include: Plentiful, copious, rich, ample and lavish.

Do we ask in prayer for those abundant blessings or do we think we are not entitled to them? We are entitled to these abundant blessings because we are made in the image and likeness of God and we are sons/daughters of the Highest God. We are heirs to the Kingdom.  Naturally being heirs, we are entitled to receive them in that sense because it is our birthright. We need to claim our birthright and the abundant blessings we can receive by being a child of God.

Naturally we are not ‘’entitled’’ in the sense of being blaze about them as that is taking God and His generosity for granted.

Have you ever given a gift to someone and they either never said thank you or just assumed you would give it to them because you have in previous years?  Sadly, they have not thought of your generosity and/or sacrifice as well and taken you and your gift for granted. When you have had this happen to you a number of times, you will really appreciate my point of how it makes a person feels.  And yet, we can do exactly the same with God- the rule of the universe who has given us everything. We wake up in the morning because God allows it. We breathe because God allows it.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How might we apply this promise this month in our own personal life, in our family and in our parish?   One simple way is to recall  at least one blessing you have received from God each day during the month. The second thing is to say a prayer of thanks to God and third thing we can do is ask forgiveness for all the blessings He has given us that we ignored or did not acknowledge.

God is not afraid of our prayers so be bold as we ask for these abundant blessings. He has a treasure of plentiful, rich and lavish gifts to give. Do you want to receive them?  I know I do. What about you and your family and parish.

Imagine if in a parish, we had a book for the Month of May ( or throughout the year) where parishioners could write down the abundant blessings received from God.  The priest could choose some of them and read them out each Sunday for the month and then as a parish, say a prayer of thanks to God for these abundant, rich and lavish blessings.

You could do the same thing yourself personally if you live on your own like I do.  I have a book and I jot down the blessings of the day.  It is particularly useful if I am feeling down or low. I can look at my blessing book and be uplifted very quickly as I am reminded of the goodness of God.  It is also a fabulous reminder on New Years Eve of all the blessings I have received throughout the year.  I know some years can be tougher than others for people but in that tough spot, they often forget the blessings received too.  Having a blessing book to review as a reminder can be a helpful support. 

 A family can do the same thing too as a family.Imagine if each member writes something down every day ( age appropriate). God would not be fuddy duddy or boring nor would Mass either. Young people would start to see and feel that God loves them very much.

Whatever you choose to do in May, be ready to receive and thank God for the abundant blessings He is ready to pour in our laps, pressed down and flowing over.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

1.    Bring the family together for a meeting in how each individual and as a family may put this into practical application for this month.

2.    Remember to get each member to be specific so that the process of practical application is viable and able to be managed.

3.    Think about how you might apply this promise not only In your own life and family but in your parish and extended world.

No 98 What does the virginal conception of Jesus mean?

COMPENDIUM SERIES

JESUS THE TEACHER: COMPENDIUM SERIES ICON.

 

No 98 What does the virginal conception of Jesus mean? (496- 498, 502)

WHAT DOES THE COMPENDIUM SAY?

Compendium states: 

The virginal conception of Jesus means that Jesus was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary soley by the power of the Holy Spirit without the intervention of a man.  He is the Son of the Heavenly Father according to the divine nature and the Son of Mary according to His human nature.  He is however truly the Son of God in both natures since in Him there is only one Person who is divine

PERSONAL RESPONSE

What does this mean for me?

• I can thank God constantly for His love for giving Mary to me as my heavenly mother.
• I can be thankful that Mary agreed to God’s plan and consented to the virginal birth of Jesus. 
• I can pray and ask Mary for all mothers who are pregnant and are giving birth today.
• I can ask St Joseph to accept and believe my faith more fully.
• I can pray to Mary to give my yes to God in all my undertakings in my life.

 Questions to consider.

• How would I explain the virginal birth of Jesus in Mary so that  it would have  an impact on the life of the other person to whom the on explaining them?
• What benefit does it have to me knowing that Mary cooperated with the divine will of salvation?
•  When I think of Mary, does it inspire me to say yes to God  and allow Him to govern it.? 
•  How can I incorporate praying to Mary (e.g. saying the rosary) into my life each day?
• What steps can I take to preserve this tenant of our faith and not have it rubbished in the media? ( eg write a letter, make a phone call)? Do I just let it go and allow the catholic Church’s teaching to be ridicule

The Gospel

ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2

THE MASS: ABOUT THE MASS VOL 2 ICON.

THE GOSPEL

The proclamation of the Gospel is considered the summit of the Liturgy of the Word as it is Christ who speaks to us, and it is a celebration of Christ. Remember those precious words: ‘the Lord be with you’ and we reply ‘and also with you’.   The priest invites us to listen to Him in His Word according to Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.   

It is Christ whom we acclaim, and not the book when we say during this Gospel dialogue ‘Glory to You Lord’, and after the Gospel is read ‘Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ’. The making of the small signs of the cross on the book (priest), and on our foreheads, mouths and hearts is seen as expressing our readiness to open our minds to the Word, to confess it with the mouth, and to safeguard it in the heart.  

Notice too, after the Gospel is proclaimed, how the priest venerates the Gospel book by kissing it. Christ is being ‘hugged’ in our midst. Then he says quietly on our behalf ‘May the reading of this Holy Gospel wipe away our sins’.

Why is the Gospel so important?

The Gospel is the Good News of salvation, a living word, is proclaimed as the Risen Lord. It is Christ present among us and He continues to speak to us as he calls us to faith and conversion.

·                     Does a phrase, a line speak to your heart when it is read each week?

·                     Do we hear the Gospel read and reflect on what it means for my life right now?

·                     What do you take away from the Liturgy of the Word for during the week?  Christ wants to stir up our faith and speak to each of us.

Let us continually ask the Spirit to renew us in body mind and spirit.

May the Spirit pour into our hearts a greater love for the Mass, and rekindle the fire so that we may all be bearers of the Good News.