About the Mass Series: Invitation to Communion Part 15

 ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2

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‘INVITATION TO COMMUNION’ Part 15
 

After the private preparation of the priest and people, the priest genuflects and shows the Host to the congregation (known as the second elevation- the first being at the consecration.  This is different and quite distinct from the raising of the host on the paten and the chalice at the Doxology-(Through Him with Him, in Him), which is the only liturgically correct and theologically sound action at that time.

As the host is elevated, he says:

 ‘This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  Happy are those who are called to His supper’. Both statements are taken from Scripture- the first from John 1:29 and the second from Revelation 19:9. Some priests introduce the invitation with other prayers relevant to the Sunday Gospel or their own congregation but will complete their own prayer as they elevate the host with the words mentioned above.

 Before 1969, the response was ‘Lord I am not worthy to receive Thee under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed’.  This was repeated three times.  This too is taken from Scripture-the words of the centurion (Mt 8:9). 

 In the current translation of the Mass since 2010, this is what we pray at this time. We pray it once only.  It is important that we are focused at this time especially so that we can pray these words as our own and can pray them with humility and genuineness of heart.

 

In the previous translation of the Mass post Vatican 2,  we used to respond ‘Lord I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word, and I shall be healed’.

 We may have our personal preference here- some would say by using the word I, rather than my soul that we are including our complete self –body, mind and spirit. Others prefer the concept of ‘my roof’ and all that it entails.  Whatever our personal preference may be, it is wonderful, and yet, humbling to remember that it is only through the Lord’s word that we shall be healed. The text as it presently stands aims to strike a balance between worthiness rooted in Baptism (I am a child of God), and the humility possessed by the centurion, which we are invited to imitate. It is a response of humility and awe. No other gift can compare to this, and it is God’s invitation, which makes us worthy to receive it. 

 

What does such an invitation evoke in You?

Collect Series: Collect for Second Sunday Ordinary Time.

 COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT 

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

Almighty ever-living God,

Who governs all things, both in heaven and on earth,

Mercifully hear the pleading of Your people

And bestow Your peace on our times.

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 my relationship with God as Creator?
2. Does my life exemplify myself as the Creator in the way of live or does it exemplify God as Creator- is God first in my life?
3. What are my pleading for Your people?  Do I intercede for the Church and for His people?
4. What does God’s peace mean to me?
5. What areas in my life need God’s peace?
6. What steps can I take this coming week to experience God’s peace in my life and in the lives of those whom I meet, work, parishioners, family, friends?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Gospel for today is from Jn 1:35-42, which gives us the calling of the first four apostles. You will notice the steps involved in the calling.

Step 1:  The first 2 apostles listen to John the Baptist. His statement " There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" made an impression on them and they left John to follow Jesus.  This is reminiscent of the Epiphany which we celebrated last week. Herod tried to hold onto power whilst the wise men from the East sought the Lord of Lords to be their King.  John the Baptist does not try to hold on to his power or hold them back but lets them go. He releases them knowing that he was to point the way to Jesus.  Are we able to point others to Jesus and release them in their journey. 

Step 2: The 2 disciples stay with Jesus for the day.  Imagine what they would have talked about during that day- the questions, the curiosity they would have had about Jesus. They wanted to get to know Jesus, so they spent time with Him.  Do we want to get to know Jesus? Do we spend time with Him to get to know Him more?  Do we set aside time for retreat to have a day with the Lord? Why not look at your diary this coming week and lock in a retreat before the diary gets filled with other things.  If we are not able to spend a day with Him, why not commit to one hour regular adoration either online or in person. It is a wonderful way to get to know Jesus and to get to know ourselves before Him. 

 Step 3: Andrew finds his brother and tells him about Jesus.  You will notice that from his own experience of Jesus, he tells Peter about Jesus. Andrew realises that they have found the Messiah.  Because he has spent time with Him, he is able to say that they had found the Messiah.  What experience have we had that we can share with others about Jesus so that we can say like Andrew ' We have found the Messiah'.  Personal testimony is very powerful.

 Step 4: Andrew brings Simon Peter to Jesus.  The Gospel does not tell us whether Peter came to Jesus because of his brother’s testimony only or whether from his testimony, his own heart was sparked. What is important though is that Peter came to  see Jesus.  What does this mean for us?  When people come to the church, they may be coming for a whole range of reasons which may/may not be initially helpful to their faith journey. When they encounter Jesus, these reasons will find their own place and their faith journey with Jesus begins. It is not the initial motives that are important since these can be purified along the way, rather it is for those of us who know Jesus to introduce Him to other people. What are we doing to bring other people to Jesus? What commitment will I make this coming year to bring other people to Jesus? eg invite people to Alpha course in your parish or set up an Alpha course in your parish or simply ask someone to come to Mass with you.

 

Step 5: When encountering Jesus, Simon’s name was changed to Peter.  He received the call. What do we do to encourage vocations?  Do we pray for vocations sincerely? Do we walk alongside those studying for priesthood and give them support?
Changing a name is significant. It is giving a person a new identity-a new role, a new mission.  When we encounter Jesus, are we given a new identity, a new role or a new mission.  How are we changed when we encounter Jesus?

 

This Gospel therefore provides us with much food for thought and food for action as well. What difference will this Gospel make to our lives this coming week/this coming year.

 

Collect Series: Collect for Solemnity of Epiphany

 COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT PRAYER

The Collect for the Solemnity of Epiphany Year B reads as follows:

 

O God, who on this day 

revealed Your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, 

grant in Your mercy, that we who know You already by faith, 

may be brought to behold the beauty your subline glory. 

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. How has God revealed Himself to You in your life?
2. How will God be King of my heart this coming week?
3. How will Jesus shine brightly in my life this coming year?
4. What are the shadows of my world which I need to address this coming year
5. How can I reach the brightness of Heaven this coming week? 
6. What steps will I take to start the process/start again?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

 Today’s Gospel is from Mt 2:1-12.  In this Gospel we hear a distinct contrast in the way  the 3 Wise men from the East and Herod reacted to the news of the birth of Jesus.  The Wise men did homage and then opened their gifts, whilst Herod, fearful  of losing power and status was insincere in his intention of doing homage but wanted to kill the baby.  He perceived the birth of Jesus as a threat to his power whereas the Wise men accepted the prophecies from Scripture  and wanted to genuinely find this new born King.

We may wish to ask ourselves as we ponder this Gospel which character do we identify most in our lives. Are we fearful and territorial at work fearing that someone else may be promoted and not us?  Do we know how to give Jesus homage and worship Him?  Do we spend any time in our prayer adoring the Lord or are our prayers focused on our needs or needs of others?  Intercessory prayer is good but are we only asking God for our needs – in a sense using Him rather than being in relationship with Him.  I am sure we have all had relationships where we have felt used rather than appreciated, loved and respected.  What about God- do we adore and give Him full attention at Mass and in our prayer time?

Many parishes still have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  It is a wonderful opportunity to spend time worshiping and praising Jesus in this way. Even if your parish does not have adoration, do not let that stop you from incorporating adoration of the Blessed Sacrament into our prayer and spiritual lives.  We can still gain the benefit of it if we approach it with faith. Nothing is impossible with God.  Jesus will know our desire to spend time with Him and will come to us via online adoration.

On the Solemnity of Epiphany, we can review our spiritual lives and ask ourselves which star are we following?  Are we following Jesus, the light of the world who will shine in our darkness/sin and help us or are we following the star of fame, fortune and power like Herod? 

If you have not made adoration of the Blessed Sacrament part of your prayer life up to this point, why not review your prayer life and commitments and make adoring the Lord a priority in your week either in person in your parish or another parish or online. 

You may wish to  sing today The First Nowell 

About The Mass Series; Communion Rite Part 14 Breaking of the Bread

 

About the Mass Series: Communion Rite Part 14

‘THE RITE OF BREAKING OF THE BREAD’.

From the historical perspective, conforming to the rite of Passover meal, Christ took bread into his hands, pronounced the prayer of praise and then broke the bread.  The Classical explanation of the breaking and sharing of the one bread is given by St. Paul: 

‘The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (I Corinthians 10:16-7).  

Because the loaf of bread is one, we though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf’. In other words, Christ gives to all the one bread, which is His body. Just as this bread has become the body of Christ, so those who share this one bread, whatever be their diversity, becomes one body in Christ.

You will remember when I wrote about the Presentation of the Gifts previously, that the people provided the bread and wine and also at times oil, candles, wheat, grapes and other items of precious value to them for the Eucharist. It was carried to the altar by the deacons and presented to the bishop.  So the Rite of the breaking of the Bread became quite elaborate as the number of Christians increased. 

With the adoption of the unleavened bread and the small hosts in the 12^th century, the rite of the breaking of the bread became more symbolic. The priest breaks the bread over the paten, ensuring that at least some of the people receive portions from the large host broken at this time.  However, even when a smaller priest size host is used, the host is still broken to represent that Christ was broken for us through His death. We must always remember that the Mass is a re-presentation of Christ's death.

Breaking of the bread before Mass destroys the significance of the symbolic gesture and is liturgically incorrect. The breaking of the bread must always be done reverently, because the bread is at this stage of the Mass already consecrated- it really is Christ (body, blood, soul and divinity).

  

Collect Series: Collect Feast of Holy Family Year B

 

Collect for Feast of the Holy Family.

 

COLLECT SERIES.

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COLLECT 

The Collect for the Feast of the Holy Family Year B reads as follows:

 

O God, who were pleased to give us

the shining example of the Holy Family,

graciously grant that we may imitate them

in practicing the virtues of family life

and in the bonds of charity,

and so, in the joy of your house,

delight one day in eternal rewards.

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. How is the Holy Family a shining example to me?

1. How will the Holy Family be a shining example in my family this coming week?

1. What are the virtues of family life?

1. What do the bonds of charity mean to me and how might I strengthen these bonds?

1. What is my response when I think and ponder the joy Hoof Your House?

1. Name at least one area I will change/start to change with God’s help this coming week to refocus on Heaven- my eternal reward?  

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The devotion to the Holy Family was born in Bethlehem, together with the Baby Jesus. The shepherds went to adore the Child and, at the same time, they gave honour to His family. Later, in a similar way, the three wise men came from the East to adore and give honour to the new born King with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that would be safeguarded by His family.

We can go further to affirm that in a certain sense Christ, Himself, was the first devotee of His family. He showed His devotion to His mother and foster father by submitting Himself, with infinite humility, to the duty of filial obedience towards them. This is what St Bernard of Clairvaux said in this regard, ‘God, to whom angels submit themselves and who principalities and powers obey, was subject to Mary; and not only to Mary but Joseph also for Mary’s sake [….]. God obeyed a human creature; this is humility without precedent. A human creature commands God; it is sublime beyond measure.’ (First Homily on the ‘Missus Est’).

Today’s celebration demonstrates Christ’s humility and obedience with respect to the fourth commandment, whilst also highlighting the loving care that His parents exercised in His keeping. The servant of God, Pope John Paul II, in 1989, entitled his Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Redemptoris Custos’ (Guardian of the Redeemer) which was dedicated to the person and the mission of Saint Joseph in the life of Christ and of the Church. After exactly a century, he resumed the teaching of Pope Leo XIII, for who Saint Joseph ‘.. shines among all mankind by the most august dignity, since by divine will, he was the guardian of the Son of God and reputed as His father among men’ (Encyclical Quamquam Pluries [1889] n. 3). Pope Leo XIII continued, ‘.. Joseph became the guardian, the administrator, and the legal defender of the divine house whose chief he was.[…] It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.’ Not many years before, blessed Pope Pius IX had proclaimed Saint Joseph, ‘Patron of the Catholic Church’ (1870)

Almost intuitively, one can recognize that the mysterious, exemplary, guardianship enacted by Joseph was conducted firstly, in a yet more intimate way, by Mary. Consequently, the liturgical feast of the Holy Family speaks to us of the fond and loving care that we must render to the Body of Christ. We can understand this in a mystical sense, as guardians of the Church, and also in the Eucharistic sense. Mary and Joseph took great care of Jesus’ physical body. Following their example, we can and must take great care of His Mystical Body, the Church, and the Eucharist which He has entrusted to us. If Mary was, in some way, ‘the first tabernacle in history’ (John Paul II Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n. 55) then we the Tabernacle in which Our Lord chose to reside in person, in His Real Presence, was also entrusted to us. We can learn from Mary and Joseph! What would they ever have overlooked in the care of Jesus’ physical body? Is there something, therefore, that we can withhold for the right and adoring care of His Eucharistic Body? No amount of attention, no sane act of love and adoring respect will ever be too much! On the contrary, our adoration and respect will always be inferior to the great gift that comes to us in the Holy Eucharist.

Looking at the Holy Family, we see the love, the protection, and the diligent care that they gave to the Redeemer. We cannot fail to feel uneasiness, perhaps a shameful thought, for the times in which we have not rendered the appropriate care and attention to the Blessed Eucharist. We can only ask for forgiveness and do penance for all the sacrilegious acts and the lack of respect that are committed in front of the Blessed Eucharist. We can only ask the Lord, through the intersession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, for a greater love for their Son Incarnate, who has decided to remain here on earth with us every day until the end of time.

 

Collect Series Year B Second Sunday Advent

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT 

 

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

 

Let us pray

Almighty and merciful God,

May no earthly undertaking hinder those who set in haste to meet Your Son,

But may our learning of Heaven’s wisdom

gain us admittance to His company.

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.

 

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.    1. How can our earthly undertakings (e.g. our work) hinder us from Christ?

2.    What steps will I take this week to prepare a way for the Lord?
3.    What is heaven’s wisdom?
4.    How does my understanding of Heaven’s wisdom affect my life?
5.    How will you set out to meet Christ this coming week?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

In the second week of advent we meet John the Baptist who exhorts us to prepare a way for the Lord, to make His paths straight and to fill in the valleys and the plains.  What are the valleys and plains in our lives?  How can I prepare a way for the Lord this advent?

 

Advent is a time of hope but it is also a penitential season. The priest’s chasuble that he wears is purple- meaning penitential.  We need to prepare by some form of penance, prayer and doing works of charity.  In this time we can always provide hope for others in need  by picking up the phone, doing a zoom or skype or facetime call.

We can also set aside some time each day to read the Gospel of the day and to meditate upon it. We can see how the Lord speaks to us through His Gospel of the day.  You might like to also visit my Gospel Acclamation series to help you also in your advent journey.

 

We need to set aside some penitential.   It might be holding back a word or two when we are tempted to make an unkind comment.  In some families they have the tradition of every time someone in the family does something positive, something worthwhile spiritually, they add a piece of straw to their cradle so that when Jesus comes at Christmas, the cradle will be full of straw on which He can rest.

 

Some families and schools have what they call the Advent promises where each family member commit to doing something during advent.  I heard some lovely commitments last week at Mass.  One grade 1 child promised to feed the dog during Advent instead of dad doing it.  Of course, the dog needs feeding and walking every day but promising to give Dad a break from feeding and walking the dog during Advent shows some responsibility and also some respect for dad out of love for Jesus. It shows that the child thought about what he was going to do-something practical.

Perhaps it may be worth thinking of your own promises. It is not too late to start.

 

The most important thing is that we use this time of advent, this season of hope to grow closer to Jesus and to want Him to really come to us not only at Christmas but into our hearts in a new and deeper way.  We need to long for Him and to really desire Him to come.  We can get caught up with family traditions and getting ready for Christmas but if we do these without considering the spiritual side of the season, we are definitely missing out.

 

Use these weeks wisely and grow closer to Jesus.  Come Lord Jesus and help me to prepare a way for You.

You may find this homily inspirational to your Advent journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mps7yfhUMIU  or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T49_XSnJhAQ

 

You may also like to buy my Advent scripture journal from Amazon. It is called The Season of Advent Scripture Journal 

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Collect Series: First Sunday Advent Year B

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT 

The  Collect  for the First Sunday of Year B reads as follows:
Let us pray
(that we may take Christ's coming seriously)
All powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at His coming
and call us to His side in the Kingdom of Heaven
where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit
one God for ever and ever.

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. How will I take Christ's coming seriously this coming week?

1. In taking Christ's coming seriously, what changes will I make to my life?

1. Examine my will for doing good right now and decide what steps will I take to increase its strength?

1. How will I make best use of this season of Advent to give Christ an eager welcome at Christmas?

1.  What gift will I give Christ at Christmas this year?

1. What short term, medium and long term goals do I wish to achieve this liturgical year?

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

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Today begins the start of a new liturgical Year.  We may be inclined to say hurray.  2020 has been difficult for us all and still proves to be a challenge health wise and with many restrictions including church, we may indeed be glad especially those countries where we are able to worship again even though with restricted numbers.  For those countries who are yet to be able to worship even in restricted numbers, let me say that our thoughts and prayers and communions are being offered for you.
Today's Gospel message is very clear "Stay awake! You never know when the Lord will come''.  This should give us all a knock out of our seats in Church.  However, let us consider it further. 

Consider for a moment when we are sleepy and tired. We are not physically, emotionally, spiritually switched on. We are tired, even exhausted, our capacity to make well informed decisions is greatly impaired since our capacity to concentrate is shot. It is so hard to stay awake when we are tired. We also need to think about why we are tired. Perhaps we have been burning the midnight oil or just so tired that our bodies cannot sleep.
The Church commands us to stay awake. To be awake implies that we are conscious at least- hopefully physically, emotionally and spiritually in good condition. Our senses are on heightened alert. Why do we need to remain in peak condition?  Today's gospel tells us 'You never know when the Lord will come''.

We may all had the experience of someone we love dying suddenly. For those left behind, it is a tragedy and great shock because they were not expecting it. I had this experience with the sudden death of my mother..  Thankfully mum was ready to meet her Lord.
The season of Advent gives us time to prepare spiritually for the coming of Christmas. If we only make physical preparations such as the meal, the cleaning, the Christmas tree and crib, then we  will lose the benefit of this season. We are to prepare spiritually for the coming of the Lord, not only at Christmas, but for our own meeting with Him when He calls us home. We need to be like the five sensible bridesmaids who have enough oil for their lamps so that when the bridegroom comes at any hour of day or night, we are ready to trim our lamps.
Advent too is a time to ponder His second coming.  Advent is a season of hope.  Scripture is quite clear about this also.  Scripture tells us that we do not know the hour or the day of the Lord's second coming. The Church in this season of Advent invites us to be ready for the Lord's coming and look forward to it with hope.

Advent is a short liturgical season but it is an opportunity to get our liturgical year going on the front foot.  We can let the season fly by and not gain from it at all or we can focus our attention on our spiritual goals that we set today and move towards them as best we can.  We need to really desire that Jesus is the Lord of our lives, our focus, our one true love. Let us then enter into  Advent wholeheartedly and lean into all the graces available in this season.