27th April, 2008 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A
(updated for Sunday Masses 27-4-08).
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‘The world cannot receive the “Spirit of Truth” because it neither knows or sees it!’ So goes the gospel this weekend. Jesus’ truth is a divine truth, and it is clear that it is very different from what the world sees as “TRUTH”.
I heard on the news the other day that a recent study showed a significant percentage of young people would prefer to be either hit by a bus….. or be blind or have three years taken off their lives, or have a limb missing than to be considered “fat”. How has our society gotten to this? What levels of distortion of truth can we be subjected?? Instead. Jesus’ Gospel calls us to see our true self as utterly loved by God….as we are, as well as we are called to be. One aspect of ourselves does not define the whole. If we look inside ourselves and see our faults and weaknesses… the Gospel calls us to gently trust in God’s love and grace, not for us to descend into self-loathing.
The gospel of Jesus is doing the opposite… fostering love of self and of others…… seeing ourselves as loved and worthy of respect and kindness and giving that out to everyone we meet too… but just what messages have we been bombarded with to have these other serious distortions become a notable mindset….
This weekend’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles shows us an early follower of Jesus helping others. But it uses images that seem foreign and confusing for us today…. the reading speaks of “casting out evil spirits.” ….. However, even in modern secular vocabulary we speak of a ‘spirit of negativity’ in a group, a ‘spirit of desctructiveness’. We can still attitudes and values in our lives that can corrode our sense of peace and worth…… What are the negative spirits of today?..... …….. The spirit of self-loathing….. the spirit negative self worth……. Anger, hatred and possessiveness in our own time! If only we can cast out these destructive and imprisoning conditions…… And we can if we believe and start with ourselves.
Jesus is offering us a very, very different definition of concepts such as “LOVE”, “POWER”, “SUCCESS” or “priorities of life.” He invites us to be utterly transformed by HIS TRUTH of these concepts; if we dare to allow Jesus to teach us.
The message of Jesus…. the Christian message… is the road less travelled…… it is a school of Love…. where we are all fellow students with Jesus as our teacher. In this church community we are constantly learning, a process that could well take a lifetime, how to LIVE Jesus’ understanding of LOVE and TRUTH. Jesus wants his followers to take on his worldview which is radically different….. and centred on being people of truth… and love…. as revealed by Jesus… who saw the truth of all those he met //…..and related to them with the most profound reverence and love….. because that was what he was seeing when he looked inside their hearts….. that is what he sees when he looks inside your heart! …
To be baptized, to be confirmed.. to share in Eucharistic communion with the Christian community…. that is saying a profound and absolute YES to being connected to Jesus who is LOVE and TRUTH… and allowing God’s Spirit to guide our minds, our hearts and our actions and choices by that truth and love…… May God who has begun this good work in us… bring it to perfection….
++++(thoughts from Saturday night’s homily) :
Love! So often when the word “love” is mentioned, it is often defined in terms of a “feeling” rather than a decision (an engagement of both head and heart) to make another person more important than we are in our daily lives. Love is when we decide that the good of another person is more important than our own good, or at least just as important as our own, no less important than our needs.. That is not always an easy decision to make. It seems that the basic instincts always tell us that our own good is more important than the good of anyone else.
Jesus gives us teachings like the beatitudes or like the parable of the Good Samaritan, in which someone goes out of his way to help another person who belongs to a group of people rejected by his own social group. Who is our neighbour: the one who has compassion on us. And the one on whom we have compassion.
The second reading, from the First Letter of Saint Peter, tells us that we should always speak to others about our faith (and in fact about everything) with gentleness and reverence. This is wonderful advice for anyone who wants to preach Jesus Christ! Jesus is telling us how to live out His commandment of love.
(source: Paul Kelly and also thoughts and words of the “Abbott, Monastery of Christ in the Desert, internet site”. )
Saturday, April 26, 2008
6th Sunday of Easter, Year A
Thursday, April 24, 2008
ANZAC DAY 25TH APRIL, 2008
ANZAC DAY
We hear from the Lord’s own lips, “No one has greater love, says the Lord, than those who lay down their lives for their friends, “ and today re commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of those who served in times of war… and those who risked life and limb for those they loved…..
and also our prayer to the lord is this “Give peace, Lord, to those who wait for you. Listen to the prayers of your servants, and guide us in the way of justice”
(Lord have Mercy) (plainchant)
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray
Lord our God, boundless provider,
source of peace that the world cannot give,
kindly hear our constant prayer
for those who bore witness to your own fidelity
by giving their lives for those they loved.
Resurrect them in our true homeland
and perfect that peace for which they longed and died.
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
The people that walked in darkness
has seen as great light;
on those who lived in a land of deep shadow
a light has shone.
You have made their gladness greater,
you have made their joy increase;
they rejoice in your presence
as men rejoice at harvest time,
as men are happy when they are dividing up the spoils.
For the yoke that was weighing on him,
the bar across his shoulders,
the rod of his oppressor,
these you break as on the day of Midian.
For all the footgear of battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
is burnt
and consumed by fire.
For there is a child born for us,
a son given to us
and dominion is laid on his shoulders;
and this is the name they give him:
Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God,
Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.
Wide is his dominion
in a peace that has no end,
for the throne of David
and for his royal power,
which he establishes and makes secure
in justice and integrity.
From this time onwards and for ever,
the jealous love of the Lord of hosts will do this.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord
in the land of the living.
O God give your judgement to the king,
to a king’s son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgement. R.
May the mountains bring forth peace for the people
and the hills, justice.
May he defend the poor of the people
and save the children of the needy. R.
In his days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the
SECOND
A reading from the letter of
In Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. For he is the peace between us, and had made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. This was to create one single New Man in himself out of the two of them and by restoring peace through the cross, to unite them both in a single Body and reconcile them with God. In his own person he killed the hostility. Later he came to bring the good news of peace, peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near at hand. Through him, both of us have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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Alleluia, alleluia!
· Happy are those who have died --/in the Lord;
· let them rest from their labours, for their good deeds --//go with them.
Alleluia.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him
and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you
while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
Peace I bequeath to you,
my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say:
I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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homily:
today, we remember the ultimate sacrifice made by the men and women who fought and died in times of war. We also remember those who served during the war and returned home forever changed by their unimaginable experiences.
“No one has greater love, says the Lord, than those who lay down their lives for their friends.”
The church continues to pray “for those who bore witness to God’s own fidelity by giving their lives for those they loved.”
I return to that extraordinary poem of which a paragraph has become immortalized as THE ODE…. the poem, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 captures the importance of remembering and commemorating as day such as Anzac day….
elsewhere in that same poem he writes a passage that echoes our belief that those who have made sacrifices in the service of others remain not only in our hearts and memories… but, although hidden from sight… live on…. in the everlasting life of God’s kingdom where there is true peace… no more suffering, no war… no pain…. our constant prayer is that God’s Kingdom Come, not only in heaven, but that the peace and justice of God’s Kingdom will take hold and express itself more and more on earth…. and that the freedoms and values that our past generations have sacrificed everything for …. will be assured for all… and forever……
“Where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
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Let us pray for peace in our world, and in our hearts and homes. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for all the service men and women, who served our nation with bravery and honour. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for those men and women who died in time of war, defending the freedom and people they loved. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for all those who have been injured or in any way physically or emotionally affected by war. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for those who presently serve in armed forces, that they may be protected and strengthened. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray that the ANZAC spirit of self-sacrifice, bravery and support may always live in the memories and hearts of all Australians. Lord Hear Us.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Father, first giver of life,
in this holy exchange of gifts
give us the body and blood of your Son
to transform the lives of all
who give themselves wholly for others.
Preface for Anzac Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He chose to die
that he might free all men from dying.
He gave his life
that we might live to you alone for ever.
In our joy we sing to your glory
with all the choirs of angels:
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Father, source and lover of peace,
feed the flame in human hearts
so that those who have feasted
on the body and blood of the risen Son
may look forward to the lasting banquet
in our final home.
****ODE - RECITED BY MICHAEL -
LAST POST/ REVEILLE)
SOLEMN BLESSING:
The Father of mercies has given us an example of unselfish love
in the sufferings of his only Son.
Through your service of God and neighbour
may you receive his countless blessings.
Amen.
You believe that by his dying
Christ destroyed death forever.
May he give you everlasting life.
Amen.
Peace is God's gift to the world:
May the Holy Spirit be the breath of life
to those who labour in its cause.
Amen.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Friday, April 18, 2008
5th Sunday of Easter, Year A
20th April, 2008 5th Sunday of Easter, Year A
(P Save a tree. Don't print this e-mail unless it's really necessary)
****(At this point I will ask our collectors to please take up the ordinary first collection for support of the Priests of the Archdiocese. The special Archbishop's appeal will be at the 'preparation of the gifts' time). ****
As this first collection is being taken up I will say a few words about the appeal and the scriptures today…. which are very fitting, especially the first reading. In the "Acts of the apostles," we see that the early Christian community becomes aware of its need to offer practical assistance to people in need…. to help those who are struggling… so they established the ministry of deacons to help the poor and the widows and the orphans… the church has continued to set up organisations and resources so at to meet its practical needs of people – and in this archdiocese one of these 'arms of the local church's ministry of service and assistance' are the Centacare ministries…..
hence, this weekend's "Archbishop's centacare appeal." There are four official archdiocesan appeals in a year, and this is the first of them for a major outreach arm of the archdiocese – Centacare ministries. There are seven Centacare Pastoral Ministries that offer faithful and faith filled services to a wide range of disadvantaged and marginalised people across the Brisbane Archdiocese. Your contributions to the Archbishop's Centacare Appeal enable these ministries to continue meeting the needs of our community. In the most down to earth settings, from hospital wards to prison cells, in Indigenous communities and aboard ships, in Catholic, Private & Independent schools and the courts, growing numbers of people in desperate need, are served by Centacare's Seven Pastoral Ministries. Every year over 150,000 individuals and families are assisted by Centacare. Financial support is provided by several Government agencies but more and more the gap between what is provided from Government sources and what is needed is widening. In following Catholic social teaching, Centacare continues to provide support for individuals or families who need assistance irrespective of social, religious or financial background. Centacare reflects the face of Jesus in today's world. Centacare cares for those people in our community that are suffering the effects of youth homelessness, poverty, depression, family breakdowns, unemployment, drug and alcohol addictions, child abuse, loneliness and many other social evils that are all too common in our world today. No one is refused assistance!
In 2007 the Archbishop's Centacare Appeal raised $441,287 but the constant and increasing demand for the services provided by these seven ministries means that expenditure for the next 12 months is going to be well in excess of this amount.
- there are envelopes in the pews for you to use, donations $2 or more are tax deductible. IF you like, you are invited to take an envelope home and bring it back with you next week if you aren't able to donate this week.
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The second reading and the gospel speak about HOUSES… but these are not houses built in dead stone…. but we are called to be living stones, built up into a spiritual house….. built upon Jesus Christ who is the living stone that the builders rejected. Wonderful images….. elsewhere in the scriptures we are reminded that "in vain does the labourer toil if it is not God that does the building."
We are called to be built up into a Spiritual house… and God gives us very special gifts, spiritual materials in order to become living stones, building up God's house…. Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit who gives life and effectiveness to everything we do….. and this Spirit gives us special gifts to help us to achieve what God is wanting to build in our lives and our world.
In our sacraments, there is a special sign of the giving and descending of the Spirit upon us and that is the sign of the 'laying of hands.' where the priest or bishop holds his hands over the person or object to be blessed and prays that the Spirit may come down upon them to give them the effectiveness to do what they need to do, the become what they are called to be….
Each sacrament of the church has this sign of the 'laying of hands, and the calling down of the spirit, and I do invite the young people to watch for when these signs occur in our prayers…. in confirmation, Bishop Finnigan will place his hands on your head… and pray that the Holy Spirit be poured down upon you, and give you special gifts… spiritual building blocks to help you live as good disciples of Jesus…. traditionally, the church sees that there are seven gifts of the holy spirit, and the young ones preparing for confirmation and first holy communion are learning about them:
the spirit gives the gift of :
wisdom - the gift of being able to see things the way God sees them. To accept my life from God and be able to learn and grow through all that happens to me.
understanding - the gift of being able to capture the meaning of God's message. To listen, to think things through and to be able to put myself in others' shoes
right judgement - the ability to see what to do in a given situation. to be able to choose and act for what is right and good and true.
courage - the ability to be able to keep doing something we know to be right and good even when it is difficult. to accept difficulties and challenges in my life cheerfully and firmly and strongly.
knowledge - the gift of knowing that God is the Father and that Jesus is his son, and knowing about what God teaches us. to willingly learn about and develop my relationship with God and other people.
reverence - a deep respect, gentleness and care shown towards God, God's creation and people.. To have respect and care for myself, all people and all things of our world.
wonder and awe in God's presence. Gift of being able to appreciate and enjoy and be aware of all the amazing beauty that is in our world and the ability to see that God is at work still in our world.. to be deeply impressed and in amazement about all the wonders God has done for me, and for others and for the world and for the things that happen in life, big and small.
May we all be open to the gifts of the Holy spirit, and say 'yes' to God building us up into living stones in God's house of kindness, practical action and love…
****(Distribute sashes to the Young people who are preparing for their Confirmation, First Holy Communion). ****
(Description of the seven gifts of the Spirit, adapted from a couple of different sources).
WEEKDAY REFLECTIONS:
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Fifth Sunday of Easter
The view from here
People say the darnedest things when someone dies. They say, "God took him from us" or "God must've had a reason." But according to our faith, Jesus promised to rescue us from death. When, because of age or illness or injury, our mortal bodies can no longer sustain God's precious gift of life, Jesus promised to "come again" and snatch us from the jaws of death. The Bible says, "In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died" (Wisdom 3:2). God had a reason for giving us life. And Jesus has a reason for saving us from death. Death is not part of God's plan for us. Only life.
Today's
"I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also."
Monday, April 21
Easter weekday; Feast of Anselm, bishop, doctor of the church
Faith seeking understanding
Anselm of Canterbury, one of the few to be called a doctor of the church, was influential in rejuvenating the philosophical rigor of Catholic thought in the Middle Ages. Though Anselm's scholastic approach toward Christianity suffered criticism from those who felt he tried to replace faith with reason, the bishop always held that his inquiries into the nature of God sprung from an abiding love and desire for God. Anselm said, "I do not seek to understand in order that I might believe, but seek to understand because I believe." That's what people in love do. They ponder all the rare and unique qualities of their love for the sheer joy of the exercise. Follow Anselm's lead and devote your thoughts to God today.
Today's
"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send, will teach you everything."
21: ANSELM
On a day the readings speak of manifestations of God and Jesus' dwelling with those who believe in him, the church celebrates Saint Anselm, the medieval archbishop of Canterbury and theologian, who wrote, "Lord, I do not presume to fathom the depths of your truths, for my understanding is not equal to the task. Nevertheless, I desire to learn your truths in some measure—those truths that I believe and love. I do not seek to gain knowledge so that I can believe; rather, I believe so that I may gain knowledge."
Apr. 21 Isn't it lovely?
(285) Acts 14:5-18; John 14:21-26
LOVE IS THE BEST and only genuine catalyst for faithfulness, whether to another person, a cause, or a set of beliefs. No other motive will see us through for the long haul. In Jesus' final meal with his disciples, he talks at length about love. "Those who love me will keep my word," he says matter-of-factly. Love has a power to inspire a level of faithfulness that coercion or mandates never could. We comply and fulfill what is asked of us by the Lord not because we are forced to but because we want to, with all our hearts. Such is the power of love and why it is at the center of the two greatest commandments, to love our God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Tuesday, April 22
Easter weekday
Look for the open door
Today's
"Paul and Barnabas called the church together and related how God had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles."
Apr. 22 A new policy
(286) Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31a
WE TAKE OUT insurance policies on everything from cars to homes to our livelihoods because everything in this world is at risk. Anything we possess can be stolen. Anything we buy can be repossessed. Anything given to us can be lost. So it goes with the treasures of this world but not with the gifts of God. "I do not give as the world gives," Jesus promises, assuring us that the peace he gives will not be stolen, lost, or repossessed. When it comes to interior peace, Jesus' Word is all the assurance—or insurance—we need.
Wednesday, April 23
Feast of George, martyr
The original dragon-slayer
Old maps would indicate the end of the known world with the phrase, "There be dragons here." It was a way of saying, "It's probably not a good idea to go there." In a legend of Saint George, he did not shy away from doing battle with a dragon. In the only story of a canonized saint fighting such a creature, he not only killed this menacing animal an army could not slay but also saved a princess, preached to the grateful people, distributed his reward money to the poor, and went on his way. Not a bad day's work.
What dragons of the unknown—of ignorance and the fear that accompanies it—can you slay? What good word or gift can you pass along as you go your way?
Today's
"Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."
23: GEORGE; ADALBERT
Saint Adalbert became bishop of
While much of the story of the fourth-century Saint George is from legend, he did exist, and the Greek church venerates him as the greatest of martyrs.
Apr. 23 Branch out
(287) Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8
THERE IS NO WAY around it: Spiritual growth is often painful. It involves a process of letting go, particularly of those aspects of our life and personality that hold us back—the attitudes, behaviors, and habits that are less than wholesome. These are the "branches" that bear no fruit and must be pruned away in order for us to grow and flourish and bear good fruit. Though the process is painful, we have a gardener we can trust. And if we are attentive to the words and ways of Jesus, maybe some of our less-than-healthy branches will fall off of their own accord.
Thursday, April 24
Feast of Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest, martyr
A bono idea
Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622) was martyred during a time of great strife between Calvinists and Catholics in
Today's
"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love."
24: FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN
Turning from being a tutor of nobility and a law career, in which he gained a reputation as an advocate of the poor, Saint Fidelis joined his brother in the Capuchin Franciscan community. He preached in
(288) Acts 15:7-21; John 15:9-11
ABIDE" IS A LOVELY VERB, filled with warmth, comfort, trust. It is the perfect word to describe the kind of love Jesus shared with his disciples, and it perfectly describes God's constant, loving presence in each of our lives. Abiding in God's love is like having a warm and secure dwelling place prepared for us wherever we go in this world. God's love is a shelter from every storm, and there is room at every inn, no matter where our life journey takes us. A room has already been prepared for each of us, the door stands open—we simply need to enter.
Friday, April 25 (Australians and New zealanders remember the ultimate sacrifice of our servicemen and women on this anzac day).
No Greater love has a person than to lay down their life for a friend.
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Saturday, April 26
No worries
Worry: It's one of the hallmarks of the human condition. We worry about money and our jobs and whether our children will grow up to be happy, faith-filled adults. Or maybe we're anxious about a war, or the economy, or what's happening in the developing world. We know worry never helped a thing. It has never changed the course of events or averted a disaster or benefited our children. Why do we bother? "Habit" is one answer. "If we don't, who will?" is another.
We have to admit that there really are no good reasons to worry. Today, let's consider Peter's suggestion to "Cast all your worries upon [God] because he cares for you." Hmm. What would our day be like if we did just that?
Today's
"Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you."
Apr. 25 Be creative
(555) 1 Pet. 5:5b-14; Mark 16:15-20
PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS to the whole creation," we hear in today's gospel. In a literal sense, our call to witness to the good news extends beyond the human community to all of creation. In practical terms, we might ask how we are supposed to proclaim the gospel to other creatures. We can begin by ensuring that they have the means and the habitat they need in order to survive and thrive. As species disappear at an alarming rate and global warming threatens the very future of life on the planet, being good stewards of creation is indeed a gospel value.
Popularity can be fatal
While it's nice to hear that this country is a Christian country, for Jesus' face to be on the cover of Time or Newsweek occasionally, for a film about his passion to be a hit—all of these things are ultimately superficial. For a while the crowds pursued Jesus like we pursue rock stars today, but religious and political intrigue and jealousy turned that same popularity against him. Jesus says the world will hate us, too, if we are clearly his disciples who take the part of the excluded, challenging power, speaking out against violence, and standing with those who have no one to speak for them. Feeling a little too much love? Maybe I'm headed in the wrong direction.
Today's
"If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you."
Apr. 26 Enthusiastic support
(290) Acts 16:1-10; John 15:18-21
WHAT DOES IT MEAN for the world to "hate" you? Does it mean you can expect a streak of really bad luck or perhaps public flogging and humiliation? More likely Jesus is referring to the vague sensation most of us feel of not quite belonging, fitting in, feeling at home. We turn on the evening news or pick up the daily paper and the world seems mostly to be filled with violence, betrayal, greed. Of course there is more, but it can make us a bit world-weary. Fortunately, we have another source to turn to, one who brings hope, energy, and enthusiasm—the last word literally meaning "in God." Whenever the affairs of the world leave you weary, turn to the Source for regeneration.
©2008 by TrueQuest Communications, L.L.C. Phone: 800-942-2811; e-mail: mail@takefiveforfaith.com; website: www.TakeFiveForFaith.com. Licensed for noncommercial use. All rights reserved. Scripture quotes come from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
Contributors: Father Paul Boudreau, Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, Ann O'Connor, Sean Reynolds, Joel Schorn, and Patrice J. Tuohy