About the Mass Series: Communion Rite Part 12 -Our Father- Deliverance Prayer.

 ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2

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‘DELIVERANCE PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY’ (for the Kingdom)

 

Perhaps you may have wondered why when the Our Father is recited at Mass we do not say Amen, yet at other times in private recitation we do.  This is because at Mass the Our Father leads straight into another prayer. 

 

A literary development from a text is called ‘embolism’ from the Greek meaning ‘piece added to the garment’. The embolism used here is ‘Deliver us, Lord from every evil…’ This Deliverance prayer, as it is sometimes called, goes back to the time of St Gregory the Great (6^th century). We are waiting in joyful hope for the coming in glory of Jesus.  We can wait in hope because we know that Christ has not left us orphans, and through the Church in the Mass and the Sacraments we are able to meet the Risen Christ in our midst.

In waiting in joyful hope therefore, we can indeed be delivered from every evil and be protected from all anxiety because in faith we know that the risen Christ does indeed offer us peace and mercy.

 

When the priest says this prayer, his hands are extended; it is an invitation to pray and also a visual sign to us of Christ.  Christ, through the priest invites us to pray for deliverance of every evil, all anxieties, temptations and he extends to us the gifts of peace and mercy.

 

Our response to this wonderful prayer is ‘For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever’. This is known as the Doxology, and by including it in the Mass, we are also showing some unity with other Christian brothers and sisters. 

It also expresses the reality that Christ is the alpha and omega and is ‘on the throne’ in our heart.

 

It should be noted that this is a concluding Doxology but should not be confused with the Great Doxology which occurred at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer: Through Him, With Him and In Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is Yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever.

St Teresa of Avila A beacon of Spiritual Light to God

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ST TERESA OF AVILA

St. Teresa of Avila, also known as St. Teresa of Jesus, was a remarkable figure in the history of Christian mysticism and spirituality. Born in 1515 in Gotarrendura, Spain, she went on to become a Carmelite nun, a prolific writer, and a renowned mystic. St. Teresa's life and works have left an indelible mark on Christian theology and continue to inspire seekers of spiritual truth and enlightenment. In this blog post, we will delve into the life, spirituality, and enduring legacy of this extraordinary woman.

Early Life and Conversion

Teresa was born into a noble family, but her early years were marked by illness and hardship. Despite her upbringing, she developed a deep sense of piety from a young age. As a teenager, she entered the Carmelite convent of the Incarnation in Avila, Spain, which marked the beginning of her lifelong spiritual journey.

It was during her time at the convent that Teresa experienced a profound spiritual transformation. She had a series of mystical experiences and encounters with God that would shape the rest of her life. Her mystical awakening led her to seek a more contemplative and ascetic life, which led to her eventual reform of the Carmelite order.

The Reform of the Carmelite Order

St. Teresa of Avila is perhaps best known for her role in reforming the Carmelite order. She believed that the Carmelite community had strayed from its original commitment to a life of simplicity, poverty, and deep prayer. In response, she embarked on a mission to restore the order to its roots.

With the support of St. John of the Cross, another influential Carmelite mystic, Teresa founded the Discalced Carmelites, a reform branch of the order. The "Discalced" or "Shoeless" Carmelites embraced a more austere and contemplative way of life, focusing on prayer and spiritual growth. St. Teresa's efforts were not without opposition and challenges, but her determination and faith persevered.

The Interior Castle: A Spiritual Masterpiece

One of St. Teresa's most famous works is "The Interior Castle" (El Castillo Interior), a spiritual masterpiece that continues to inspire readers to this day. In this book, she describes the soul's journey toward union with God using the metaphor of a castle with seven chambers. Each chamber represents a stage of spiritual development, with the innermost chamber symbolizing the soul's ultimate union with the Divine.

Throughout "The Interior Castle," St. Teresa emphasizes the importance of prayer, self-awareness, and surrender to God's will. She offers guidance on overcoming obstacles in the spiritual journey and provides valuable insights into the nature of divine love.

Legacy and Canonization

St. Teresa of Avila's influence on Christian spirituality cannot be overstated. Her writings have had a profound impact on countless individuals seeking a deeper connection with God. She is considered one of the great mystics of the Church and was the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church, a title bestowed upon those whose theological writings are particularly significant.

St. Teresa's legacy endures not only through her writings but also through the countless monasteries and communities of Discalced Carmelites that continue her work and teachings. Her feast day is celebrated on October 15th, commemorating her enduring impact on the Catholic Church and the world of Christian mysticism.

St. Teresa of Avila's life and teachings are a testament to the power of faith, prayer, and spiritual transformation. Her mystical experiences and writings continue to guide and inspire seekers on their own spiritual journeys. As we reflect on the life of this extraordinary woman, we can draw valuable lessons about the importance of inner contemplation, simplicity, and surrender in our pursuit of a deeper connection with the Divine. St. Teresa of Avila remains a beacon of spiritual light, illuminating the path to a more profound and meaningful relationship with God.

As her feast falls on a Sunday, she is not celebrated this year liturgically. he is a Spanish Carmelite nun, reformer and Doctor of the Church. She is also the patron of Spain, the sick, religious and lace makers.

About the Mass series Vol 2: Communion Rite Part 11: Deliver us from evil

 ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2.

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About the Mass Series: Communion Rite Part 11- Our Father

9. ‘But deliver us from evil’

In this petition we pray to be kept safe from the power of Satan, the Evil One, and all that he stands for.  We pray that God will overcome evil in our lives.  In other words, we pray that evil will not hold sway in our lives and that we keep ever close to God’s heart.

 

Jesus also included this in his prayer to His Father.  ‘I am not asking you to take them out of the world but ask you to protect them from the evil one’ (Jn 17:15) 

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) says:

‘When we ask to be delivered from the Evil One, we pray as well to be freed from all evils, present, past and future, and as a Church community we bring before our Father all the distress of the world that overwhelms humanity.  We are also praying for peace and the grace of perseverance in expectation of Christ’s return’. (Para 2854 p. 686)

 

Before we can adequately pray this petition, we need to be aware of the evil in our lives, both on a personal and community level.  We need to acknowledge that the power of the Evil One is real, and surrender to the power of Jesus, otherwise why would we ask to be delivered from evil in this petition.

Each year at Easter, we renew our baptismal promises.  In those renewal prayers we reject Satan, and all his works and all his empty promises. 

 Each day it is a wonderful opportunity to pray with more urgency to be delivered from evil, and to surrender totally to Jesus and to the power of His Spirit.  When tempted, we can choose to take a particular action which will drive the devil away from us and deliver us from evil. Four powerful ways we can be delivered from temptation and evil are:

1. .  .   Make the sign of the cross and say the words aloud (if possible). Saying the words aloud whilst blessing ourselves helps us to remember that we are children of God through the power of cross. When we cannot say the words aloud, then making the sign of the cross will still be powerful to be delivered from evil.
2. .     Tell the devil to ‘go back to hell or go back to where you belong. I am a child of God and coheir to the kingdom with Jesus.’
3. .    . Laugh at the devil and his temptation.  The devil does not like to be laughed at.
4. .    Say the name of Jesus slowly and reverently over and over again until the temptation passes.

 

May the Holy Spirit give us a new birth, strengthen us and fill us with His light.

May we be open to receive afresh the Spirit’s flame.

 

Collect for Twenty Seventh Sunday Year A

 

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT

Almighty ever-living God,

who in the abundance of Your Kindness

surpass the merits and desires of those who entreat You,

Pour out Your mercy upon us to pardon what conscience dreads

and to give what prayer does not dare to ask.

Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible this coming week the following reflection questions emerged:

1. How has God shown me abundance in my life?
2. How do I see myself in relation to God as Father?
3. What is my relationship with God the Father like? What steps will I take this week to improve this relationship?
4. What is it that my conscience dreads?  Seek the sacrament of Reconciliation this coming week?
5. What prayer do I not dare to ask but desire from God?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Mt 21:33-43: The Parable of Tenants in the Vineyard.

The Gospel of Matthew offers us a parable in Chapter 21, verses 33-43, that is both a cautionary tale and a prophecy. Known as the Parable of the Tenants, it serves as a profound teaching about God’s generosity, humanity’s accountability, and the consequences of refusing to recognize and accept God's messengers, especially His Prophets and Jesus His own Son.

1. The Vineyard as a Symbol of God’s Kingdom and Generosity

The vineyard is a familiar biblical symbol for the people of Israel (see Isaiah 5:1-7), and by extension, it represents the Kingdom of God. God, the landowner, plants this vineyard, equipping it with all that it needs to bear fruit. Just as He has given the Israelites the law, the prophets, and a land flowing with milk and honey, God is generous and provides abundantly.

2. The Tenants as a Representation of Israel's Leaders

The tenants to whom the vineyard is entrusted are symbolic of the religious leaders of Israel. Over the ages, God has sent prophets to guide His people and to call them back to righteousness whenever they strayed. However, many of these prophets were mistreated or even killed. The parable reflects this reality. When the landowner sends his servants to gather the fruits, the tenants beat, kill, and stone them.

3. The Son as the Final Messenger

The climax of the parable comes when the landowner sends his son, thinking, "They will respect my son." This is a direct foreshadowing of God sending His only Son, Jesus, to the people of Israel. Tragically, like the tenants in the parable, the leaders of Israel do not recognize the Son's authority and plot to kill Him, thinking it would secure their position and power.

4. The Stone the Builders Rejected

Jesus concludes the parable by quoting Psalm 118:22-23: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This serves as a prophecy of His own death and resurrection. Jesus, though rejected and crucified, becomes the cornerstone of the Church, the foundation of our faith.

5. A Call to Self-examination

While it’s easy to point fingers at the chief priests and Pharisees, as Catholics, the parable also invites us to a personal reflection. How often have we, too, ignored the "servants" God has sent into our lives—whether they be His teachings, the promptings of the Holy Spirit, or the guidance of the Church? Have we sometimes been like the wicked tenants, seeking our own interests over the will of the Divine Landowner?

6. The Universality of the Kingdom

Finally, the parable ends with a reminder that the Kingdom of God is not limited to one group. If those originally entrusted with the Kingdom reject it, the Kingdom will be given to others who will produce its fruit. This foreshadows the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles and underscores the universality of the Catholic Church.

In conclusion, the Parable of the Tenants is a potent reminder of God’s immense love and patience, the responsibility we have in bearing fruit for the Kingdom, and the grave consequences of rejecting the Son. It beckons us to constantly align our lives with God’s will and to be fruitful stewards of the faith we’ve been entrusted with.

Forgiveness series: A time to Forgive: Emotional and Catholic Perspective.

 FORGIVENESS SERIES

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Why do some people take longer to accept an apology from emotional and Catholic perspective

Both emotional and Spiritual perspectives can shed light on why some individuals may take longer to accept an apology:

1.  Emotional Perspective.

a. Depth of Hurt: The deeper the emotional hurt, the longer it may take to process and heal. If trust was significantly breached, rebuilding it can take time. Emotional pain and feelings of betrayal can create barriers to forgiveness, and the person may need time to process their feelings and assess whether the apology is sincere. Some transgressions strike at the core of a person's values, trust, or self-worth.

b. Processing Time: Everyone processes emotions at their own pace. For some, understanding and coming to terms with a situation can be instantaneous, while others might need more time to reflect. Some individuals may need more time to understand their feelings and decide whether to forgive. if someone is hurt deeply, it may take more time for them to heal and to trust the person who hurt them again. Emotional pain and feelings of betrayal can create barriers to forgiveness, and the person may need time to process their feelings and assess whether the apology is sincere.

c. Past Experiences: Past traumas or betrayals can influence one's readiness to accept an apology. If someone has been hurt in a similar way before, they might be more guarded.  If trust has been broken in the past, or if a person has experienced repeated betrayals, they may be more guarded and less willing to accept an apology quickly.

d. Fear of Reoccurrence: The individual might be hesitant to accept the apology out of fear that the behaviour will happen again. They might wait to see if the apologizing party's behaviour changes over time.

2. Catholic Perspective:

People think that because a person is a Catholic or a Christian that they should forgive automatically.  Catholics and Christians suffer similar emotional responses as other people do.  However, if the person is truly sincere about his/her relationship with God, then he/she is likely to take his/her struggle to God in prayer.

a. Concept of Sin and Repentance: In Catholic theology, when one commits a sin, true repentance is necessary for forgiveness. This means genuine sorrow for the wrongdoing and an intent not to commit it again. If the person receiving the apology perceives that the offender isn't truly repentant, they may be hesitant to forgive. This is when the emotional aspect overrides the spiritual perspective.  Our emotional response is powerful, but with time and effort we can align both what God asks of us in regard to forgiveness with our emotional response.

Nature of Sin: Catholicism categorizes sins in various ways, such as venial (less serious) and mortal (very serious). A more grievous sin might take longer to forgive because of the deep impact it has on the soul.

b. Forgiveness is a Virtue: Catholic teaching emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, citing Jesus' teachings and the Lord's Prayer ("forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"). However, understanding and living this teaching in real life can be challenging and may take time. True repentance is essential in Catholicism. If the person apologizing doesn't show genuine remorse or a commitment to avoiding the sin in the future, it might be harder for the injured party to accept the apology.

c. Emulating Christ's Mercy: While Catholics are taught to emulate Christ's mercy and unconditional love, human emotions and past experiences can make this challenging. Just as it might take time for a person to seek God's forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it might take time for individuals to offer human forgiveness.

d Role of Confession: Catholics believe in the sacrament of confession, where sins are confessed to Jesus through a priest. The act of confession doesn't necessarily mean the injured party will instantly forgive, but it's a step toward reconciliation with God. Interpersonal forgiveness might still take time. It also helps the person who has committed the offence since grace is received which, in time will help the person who has committed the offence to want to forgive and to take steps towards it.

e Call to Forgive: Catholic teachings emphasize the importance of forgiveness, drawing from Christ's teachings and examples. However, understanding this obligation doesn't necessarily make the act of forgiveness immediate or easy.

f. Community and Counselling: The Catholic Church often emphasizes the role of the community and counselling. Seeking guidance from spiritual leaders, confessors, or fellow believers can help process feelings so as to lead the person towards the true forgiveness.  It is the decision solely of the person not of the community or counsellor.

In both perspectives, it's evident that the act of forgiving and accepting an apology isn't just about the words spoken but involves a deeper internal process. It's crucial to give individuals the time and space they need to come to a decision about forgiveness.

 

From a Catholic perspective, forgiveness is a crucial tenet, emphasizing compassion, reconciliation, and love for one another. However, Catholic teachings also recognize the complexity of human emotions and relationships. The process of reconciliation might be slow due to the need for genuine repentance, making amends, and assurance that the harmful behaviour will not be repeated. Catholics are taught to seek and grant forgiveness, but genuine contrition and acts of penance on the part of the wrongdoer can be important in facilitating forgiveness.

In both cases, the process can be slow and complex, as it often involves navigating intense emotions and moral values. From both an emotional and a Catholic perspective, the process of accepting an apology can be complex. In both perspectives, it's crucial to understand that forgiveness is a journey. While some people might forgive quickly, others need time to process, heal, and come to a place of genuine forgiveness. It's essential to respect each individual's timeline and emotions in this process.

 

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Collect Series: Collect for 26th Sunday Year A

 COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Collect for 26th Sunday Ordinary Time reads as follows

O God, who manifest Your almighty power above all

by pardoning and showing mercy,

Bestow, we pray Your grace abundantly upon us

And make those hastening to attain Your promises

heirs to the treasures of Heaven.

Though our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, 

who lives and reigns through the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

• How have I experienced the mercy of God?
• How might I experience the mercy of God this coming week?
• What hinders us from desiring the promises of Heaven right now? (attitudes/behaviours)?
• How can I re-educate myself on the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
• How will I express my gratitude for God’s mercy and pardon in my life this coming week?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION   Mt 21;28-32

In the Gospel of Matthew,  Jesus often employs parables as a way to illustrate profound truths about the Kingdom of God. Among these is the Parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21:28-32. At a glance, it may seem like a simple story about the dynamics of obedience and disobedience, but beneath its surface lies a powerful lesson about repentance, actions, and the Kingdom of Heaven from a Catholic perspective.

The story begins with a man with two sons. He goes to the first and says, “‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went." The man then goes to the second son with the same instruction, to which he replies, “‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.”

When asked which of the two sons did the father's will, the chief priests and elders, to whom Jesus was speaking, responded, "The first." Jesus then draws a parallel between this parable and the conversion of sinners, stating that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before the self-righteous religious leaders.

The essence of this parable can be distilled into a few key lessons:

1.    Genuine Repentance: The first son, despite initially refusing the request of his father, undergoes a change of heart and ultimately obeys. This mirrors the path of sinners who, despite their initial refusal to follow God's ways, undergo conversion and genuinely seek to do His will.

2.    Actions Speak Louder: The second son, despite assuring his father he would do the task, fails to follow through. This reflects the hollow nature of mere verbal commitments without the intent or effort to act on them.

3.    The Unexpected in the Kingdom: Jesus, throughout His ministry, challenged societal norms and expectations. Here, He highlights that those deemed the "worst" by societal standards—tax collectors and prostitutes—through genuine repentance and acts, are closer to the Kingdom of Heaven than the religious leaders who professed righteousness but lacked authenticity in their commitment.

 

This parable is a call to self-examination and authenticity.  We may ask ourselves:

·         How often have we made promises in our prayer lives only to falter in our actions?

·        How often have we judged others for their past while priding ourselves on our supposed righteousness?

This Gospel passage reminds us of the significance of genuine conversion and the authenticity of our actions. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, so integral to Catholic life, is not merely about confessing sins but genuinely turning back to God with a renewed commitment.

The Ever-Open Doors of the Kingdom

Jesus' message is clear: the doors of the Kingdom are open to everyone, even those who have strayed far away. But entry requires more than mere words—it necessitates an authentic change of heart and commitment to God's will.

Let’s reflect upon our own lives in the light of this parable.

·  Are we the first son, who, despite our shortcomings, genuinely seeks to align our actions with God's will? Or

·      Are we the second, who makes empty promises and lacks the commitment to actualize our faith?

The beauty of our faith lies in the mercy and love of God, who continuously invites us to return, to repent, and to truly live out the Gospel in our lives.

 Let's ensure our words and deeds align, echoing the genuine commitment of the first son, as we strive to journey closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.