Trust in His Love.

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 those who keep my ways”’ 
(Isaiah 8:17)

Christ The Redeemer.

My post is called:

                                                              Trust in His Love.

Life’s struggles won’t impede God’s stream of mercy

If we trust His love to always make a way,

And His Spirit will flow out from us to others

If we keep our eyes on Jesus day by day.

No 103 What does the Gospel teach about the mysteries of the birth and infancy of Jesus

COMPENDIUM SERIES 

JESUS THE TEACHER.=COMPENDIUM SERIES ICON.

No 103 What does the Gospel teach us about the birth and infancy of Jesus? (525- 530,563-564)

WHAT DOES THE COMPENDIUM SAY?

Compendium states: 

At Christmas, the glory Heaven is shown forth in the weakness of a baby; the circumcision of Jesus is a sign of His belonging to the Hebrew people and  is a prefiguration of our Baptism; the Epiphany is the manifestation of the Messiah King of Israel to all the nations; at the presentation in the temple, Simeon and Anna symbolise all the anticipation of Israel  awaiting to encounter their Saviour, the flight into Egypt and the massacre of the innocents proclaim that the entire life of Christ will be under the sign of persecution; the departure from Egypt recall the exodus and presents Jesus as the new Moses and the true and definite liberator.

PERSONAL RESPONSE

What does this mean for me?

• I can thank God constantly for each ‘’event’’ from His life described in the Gospels and appreciate the mystery more.
• I can try to prepare for Christmas not just in a waiting mode but with a greater understanding of the mystery of Christ’s birth   
• I can ponder carefully the role of each of these events in the life of Jesus and connect their mystery to my own life.
• I can consider carefully how I share these mysteries to other people to help them gain a greater appreciation and understanding.

Questions to consider.

1. What impact does God preparing the world for the mystery of His Son have for my life?
2. How would I explain how God prepared the world for the mystery of His Son so it would have an impact on the life of the other person to whom I am explaining it to them?
3. What steps can I take to embrace reliving this expectancy in my life?
4.   What benefit do the prophets of the Old Testament have?

General Intercessions Part 1

ABOUT THE MASS SERIES

THE MASS: ABOUT THE MASS SERIES.

LITURGY OF THE WORD- 

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS. (PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL)

Historically, General Intercessions have been part of the Liturgy of the Word. In the Synagogue Liturgy, there was a series of 18 blessings containing requests for individuals and universal needs.

By the second century a similar prayer became a fixed part of eastern and western liturgies. Writings of St. Justin the martyr at this time describe the celebration of Baptism, and included ‘the offering of prayers in common for ourselves, for him who had just been enlightened and for people everywhere’. Interestingly, these prayers were considered so significant that the catechumens (those preparing for Baptism) could not be present for them and were dismissed beforehand. 

Although these prayers are properly called the ‘General Intercessions’ since they extend beyond the needs and concerns of the local congregation, they are frequently called ‘Prayers of the Faithful’, since historically the catechumens were dismissed. In our Liturgy today, the remnant of the ancient form of this prayer at Rome is still found in the Solemn Prayers of Good Friday.  

 The General Intercessions are an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word. In the Liturgy of the Word, we as a congregation present our face to God, and allow the features of the divine message to be drawn there, as in a mirror.  However, in the General Intercessions, we present to God this face marked by the Word we have heard.

We know in faith that God always hears our prayers, so we can be confident to pray for the needs and concerns of the world and the Church, as we respond from our hearts ‘Lord hear our prayer’.

The Widow's Offering Mk 12:41-44

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

The Bible Gospel of Mark 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 12:41 -44 which is called The Widow’s Offering

THE WIDOW’S OFFERING.

The section of Mark’s Gospel (11:1-12:14) which describes the teaching of Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem, concludes with the brief story of a poor widow.  What adds to its human appeal is the scene of Jesus sitting silently in one of the temple courts, observing how the different people come to throw their money into one of the trumpet shaped chests placed along the walls to receive the offerings.

The widow is poor, one of the common people who welcome Jesus with delight (12:17). The contrast between her humble gesture and the behaviour of the scribes in the previous story is stark.  Their actions were seen by Jesu to be proud and hypocritical. The widow’s action is sincere, and her offering to God is total.

The two little copper coins may have been ‘lepta’, the smallest coins in circulation at Jerusalem. Tow of them would add to more than one cent.  Her gift in itself is practically valueless.

Jesu emphasises the importance of what he says by the characteristic expression, ‘’truly I say to you’. How Jesus comes to know all about the widow does not interest Mark.

He does not necessarily suggest that the knowledge of Jesus is supernatural.  He surprises his disciples by saying that the poor widow has given more than all the others.  Jesus hold up her action as model of the total giving of one to God which he asks of His disciples.

This is the last of all the teachings of Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem. Mark places it here as kind of climax to all that Jesus has taught in the temple. In fact, to all his teaching for the disciples about his way, since the times of Caesarea Philippi (8:31).  It sump up His teaching on the need in true disciples for total surrender. The widow offers all she has 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 the widow- What do you see and hear and feel. What can I learn from this?
• Imagine being the one of the people observing the action of the widow and listening to the comment of Jesus about her offering.
• What inconsistencies in myself do I want to bring to Jesus? 

• 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 teaching of Jesus needs to be applied. Why is it difficult to be challenged on a long-held view and be open to viewing it differently? 

•       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 and therefore is not loved by parishioners in accordance with this commandment of love?

• Consider how much my faith and love 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? 

Collect for Trinity Sunday Year C

COLLECT SERIES.

TRINITY SUNDAY

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

COLLECT 

The Collect of the Mass for Trinity Sunday reads as follows:

Let us pray 

You sent Your Word to bring us truth
and Your Spirit to make us holy 
Through them we come to know the mystery of your life 
Help us to worship You, one God in three Persons,
by proclaiming and living our faith in You.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

In making this prayer tangible for my life during this week, the following reflection questions emerged: 

1. How does the Trinity work in my life?

2. How do I know the mystery of Your life through the Trinity this week?

3. What commitment am I prepared to make to know one God yet three persons in my life?

4. How I do worship the One True God yet Three Persons?

6. What relationship do I have with each of the Three Persons of the One God?

7. How might I proclaim and live my faith in the mystery of the Trinity? 

GOSPEL REFLECTION.

This Solemnity highlights the relationship nature of God in that there is Fatherhood, Sonship and from that love issues the Holy Spirit. We can spend time trying to explain it, as St Patrick did, using the shamrock and many others since, but in essence it is a mystery that we will never truly understand until we reach Heaven.  However, we do not need to wait until then to develop a relationship with each Person of the Blessed Trinity- we are still praying to God, but each Person of the Trinity can help us as we draw close in our lives.

The Last Supper (Image by "https://pixabay.com/)

Today's Gospel is short because it is an excerpt of the discourse farewell of Jesus to His disciples at the night of the Last Supper.  It is meditative in quality and is reassuring the disciples of His talk of leaving-that He would have the Holy Spirit to guide them and keep them in the fullness of the truth.

Seeing that this is an excerpt of the farewell discourse from the Last Supper, we too need to hear Jesus speaking these words to us as we listen to the Gospel being read at Mass. Hopefully, it will read in a meditative, thoughtful manner. However, regardless of how it is read, we can put ourselves there in the Upper Room and listen to Jesus speak to us with this Gospel. 

Unlike the disciples, we have not just the promise of the Holy Spirit, but have the Holy Spirit living in us (especially if we are confirmed). Nevertheless, there is always more with God. We can listen and ask Him for more- to be more aware and thankful of the Holy Spirit and what He does for us every day. Listen to this Gospel and hear Jesus speak these words to us individually.  Read this Gospel again during the week to hear Jesus speak these words intimately to you.

 At  Mass this morning, the homily was given by Deacon Carter (Dominican Friar in Melbourne).His explanation of the mystery of the Trinity was very moving.  He had a whole discourse about it of course, but towards the end of his homily on the Trinity his explanation moved and touched me. As I remember it, he said 

''The Trinity is a family of love.  

The Father provides Providence, 

the Son-friendship 

and the Holy Spirit- Inspiration for us''

  How beautiful is that to encapsulate the Trinity in this way. 

 After Mass, I went and spoke with him to make sure I had remembered it correctly both for myself to ponder during the week and for you too so that I could share it with you and we can ponder it together for our daily lives.

May we come to worship a Trinity of Persons, one eternal God in our prayer and in our lives.

PRACTICAL SIGN AND PRAYER TO TRINITY.

What ever you do this Trinity Sunday just take an extra moment as you bless yourself with the sign of the Cross

                                      In the name of the Father

                                     And of the Son

                                     and of the Holy Spirit.

and think about it as you do it.  

Let it be one of your prayer of Praise for the Trinity today.

Trust in the Lord

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 

''I will wait for the Lord

I will put my trust in Him”’ 
(Isaiah 8:17)

Christ The Redeemer.

My post is called:

                                                               Trust in the Lord.

Fretting and fussing only lead to frustration.

Trust in the Lord and be at peace.

No 102 How did God prepare the world for the mystery of Christ

COMPENDIUM SERIES

 

Christ the Teacher: Compendium Series Icon.

No 102 How did God prepare the world for the mystery of Christ? (522- 524,)

WHAT DOES THE COMPENDIUM SAY?

Compendium states: 

God prepared for the coming of His Son over the centuries. He awakened in the heart of the pagans a dim expectation of this coming and He prepared for it specifically through the Old Testament culminating with John the Baptist who was the last and greatest of the prophets.  We relive this long period of expectancy in the annual liturgical celebration of the season of Advent.

PERSONAL RESPONSE

What does this mean for me?

• I can thank God constantly for preparing the world for His Son.
• I can try to understand the Old Testament more in the light of this preparation of Christ. 
• I can ponder carefully the role of the prophets and appreciate the role of John the Baptist as the greatest of the prophets.
• I can consider carefully how I relive this expectancy in my life every day and especially during Advent.

Questions to consider.

1.      What impact does God preparing the world for the mystery of His Son have for my life?

2.      How would I explain how God prepared the world for the mystery of His Son so it would have an impact on the life of the other person to whom I am explaining it to them?

3.      What steps can I take to embrace reliving this expectancy in my life?

4.       What benefit do the prophets of the Old Testament have?

5.      Who are the modern day prophets in my life? 

6.      How does celebrating advent affect the way I live my life each day?