New Year 2021

In the first twelve chapters of the book of Genesis we have accounts of God bringing down in humiliation the efforts of mankind to act independently of God. There is Adam and Eve and their fall; Cain killing his brother Able and being exiled; Noa and the great flood; the stopping of the construction of the tower of Babel. In all these cases the sin of all sin, PRIDE, is at work, the same sin that caused the Fallen Angels to be expelled from the glory of Heaven. At the centre of pride is the assumption of equality with and independence from God. Throughout history this pattern of the rise and fall of humankind has prevailed. This present age has once again manifested this prideful mentality with its embrace of Atheistic Secularism. God has been relegated to the status of superstition. But in this year 2020 a little microscopic virus has brought the whole world to its knees. Millions of people have perished and what was held up with pride as normal is no more. Vaccines are in the works as a solution. But a even greater remedy is available, one that has been there from the beginning of time  - acceptance and humble surrender to the will of God. Will 2021 be the beginning of the acceptance of this remedy?

Feast of the Holy Family

Christmas Link

Holy Family Link

Christmas - 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent - 2020

This generation takes great pride in its individuality, sometimes called the “Me” generation. It’s my life, I decide for myself what is truth what’s best for me, what morals will guide me etc. This past week, in our gospel readings, we explored the lives of Mary & Joseph and events leading up to birth of Jesus. I doubt that they would ever think like the “Me” generation – but they were making plans for a life together. Joseph as a carpenter, Mary as wife, caring for the family home.  Little did they know that Another was making plans for their lives, plans they could never have imagined. It’s Matthew & Luke who give us the details of these events and how they unfolded. Because of the extraordinary nature of these plans it was necessary for God to send his angel to announce them. And so now we take these stories up once again to meditate and explore the wonder that they are. But, might we, in our meditation, entertain the question – does God have special plans for life? We do talk about vocations – vocation to the priesthood, deaconate & religious life – vocations to marriage and family life.  But within these vocations we’ve chosen might the Lord have further plans for our lives; to be a special caregiver to some in need, to join with others in special projects such as charities addressing contemporary needs, evangelization work, social justice action projects, working in projects directed to today’s youth, being a visitor, a shopper, a contact to the isolated. Many of the classic Christmas stories describe people being awaken to new vocations, expanded vocations, to bring the presence of Christ to the world. And age is no obstacle to new vocation from God. Remember Zechariah, when told he was to be the father of great prophet John, “…  said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” Covid-19 has had a great impact on our Christmas celebrations. Let us realize, that these days are not just meant to be a reason for exchanging sentimental images on Christmas cards. They are meant to be real for us; to accept Christ in new ways, to open our hearts with new expectation to the call of Jesus to serve Him in most unexpected ways.

The "O" Antiphons

Beginning today the Church recites or chants the "O" Antiphons. They are the seven antiphons that precede the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours, and are the words of the gospel acclamation for the daily liturgy of the Word at Mass. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil. For a detailed look into these Antiphons go to this LINK >>>.
December 17 O Sapientia: O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.	December 18 O Adonai: O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
December 19 O Radix Jesse: O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.	December 20 O Clavis David: O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
December 21 O Oriens: O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.	December 22 O Rex Gentium: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
December 23 O Emmanuel: O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Saviour of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

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Third Sunday of Advent- 2020

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally referred to as “Gaudete Sunday”. The name comes from the first word spoken in the liturgy for this day, in the Entrance Antiphon: (Gaudete in Latin): Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. There is a similar theme that recurs in Lent, in the fourth Sunday of Lent, traditionally called “Laetare Sunday” again taken from the first word of the entrance antiphon: (Laetare in Latin) Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. The first words of the Third Sunday of Advent are the words of St. Paul found in the fourth chapter of the Letter to the Philippians, vs. 4-5. So why Gaudete, why Rejoice? The answer is found in the words of the prophet Isaiah. The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will REJOICE and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and REJOICE with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened:  Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Isaiah 35:  Israel has been conquered and its people have been living in exile for many years. But now the prophets are telling the people that soon their exile will come to an end, and they will be returning to their homeland. They believed that God was punishing them for their sins by letting their enemies conquer and enslave them. But now, what is this they hear? Believers of every generation, at various times, have found their hearts and hope shattered; believing they have been abandoned by God, left alone with no hope. So, the Church returns each year in Advent, to address this ancient problem, the Problem of Evil, to gather all who are wounded, to hear once again these words of truth and healing and restoration: “Rejoice, the Lord is near”!  You will notice that all the serious Christmas stories that we read all have this same theme running through them. In the darkest night, when all seems lost, hope is restored. Now the true spirit of Advent has a penitential character to it, where we examine our lives to root out our own causes for our downfalls and miseries. Then, the candle of the Advent Wreath, lighted on this day, the Third Sunday of Advent, rose colored, with the name “Joy”, raises up our spirits at the prospect of the new coming of mercy into our lives. This Christmas finds us confined by a world wide pandemic. We too have been taken captive and long to be set free. Perhaps this will help us to better identify with the words of the prophets in these Advent Readings. So where does this Gaudete Sunday find you? Are you one who is carrying heavy burdens – be they burdens brought on by your own faults and failures, or has human frailty and the faults of others beset you, or Covid-19 caused you distress? If so, the grace offered on this Sunday is meant for you.  The Grace of Gaudete Sunday is the grace of a clear sense of Presence. I am not alone, the Lord is here, with me now. The Lord comes bearing gifts, the gift is the Gift of Hope. What ever the details of my deliverance are to be, will be revealed in the days to come. But first, a broken heart must be healed and given the eyes of hopefulness with which to see - to begin to see how the Lord's plan is to unfold. For me, now, it is to turn my face eastward, to look forward in hope for His coming. Hear again these words of the prophet: "Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication;  with divine recompense he comes to save you."

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Advent - 2020

Advent / Christmas 2020 will be like no other we have experience. So, does this mean that they are lost to us? From the spiritual side of things, this time can be an even deeper experience. How? TIME: Because we will find ourselves with more time on our hands because of the COVID-19 restrictions, we have more time to concentrate, meditate and pray on the scriptures. Think of Joseph and Mary – what disruption to their lives they had to suffer because of census imposed on the people by Caesar Augustus:   “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.” Reflect over the trials this would have caused Joseph and Mary, she now advanced in her pregnancy with Jesus. There is so much to take in here. Our various trials cause by this pandemic give us a sensitive, internal identification with what they must have been feeling. Do not miss this opportunity to send time with these scriptures in these days before us. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++  Jesus Christ is the joy and happiness of all who look forward to his coming.  Let us call upon him and say:  Come, Lord, and do not delay!  In joy, we wait for your coming;  — come, Lord Jesus.  Come, Lord, and do not delay!  Before time began, you shared life with the Father;  — come now and save us.  Come, Lord, and do not delay!  You created the world and all who live in it;  — come to redeem the work of your hands.  Come, Lord, and do not delay!  You did not hesitate to become man, subject to death;  — come to free us from the power of death.  Come, Lord, and do not delay!  You came to give us life to the full;  — come and give us your unending life.  Come, Lord, and do not delay!  You desire all people to live in love in your kingdom;  — come and bring together those who long to see you face to face.  Come, Lord, and do not delay!  Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,  the resolve to run forth  to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming,  so that, gathered at his right hand,  they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.  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.  — Amen.

A You Tube video:         . . . LINK . . .

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Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe - 2020

No doubt, everyone has faced that dreaded “0-hour”. Usually our first experience with “0-hour” is exam time in school. And finally, the teacher says, “students, put down your pens, time is up”. Some of you may have done so with a confident smile, but the rest of us where in a panic. “Oh no! Why did I not take more time to study? I knew better, but just had to go out and party the night before”. And so it goes, many, many time through life. Even when you finally become seniors you have to pass that testing to renew your drivers license. Well the liturgy, today is meant to be a day of examination. Not a final exam however, more like a midterm – thank God. Today the liturgical year ends with this glorious feast of Jesus Christ the King. The gospel passage for this year A presents us with an image of Judgement Day. We hear Jesus describing how the standard of our accounting is to be measured by the Works of Mercy.     “For I was hungry and you gave me food, <> I was thirsty and you gave me drink, <> a stranger and you welcomed me, <> naked and you clothed me, <> ill and you cared for me, <> in prison and you visited me”. From this the Church has derive the Corporal Works of Mercy and with these we are most familiar. But to these has been added the Spiritual Works of Mercy; also seven in number, compiled from Jesus teachings found throughout the gospels. They are no less important:      To counsel the doubtful <> instruct the ignorant <> admonish the sinner<> comfort the afflicted <> forgive offences willingly <> bear wrongs patiently <> pray for the living and the dead. In Matthew’s account of the Corporal Works, we see how people are surprised by how they are judged, asking: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?” It is even more surprising when we are held up to the standard of the Spiritual Works. But these are no less important. Our Holy Father, in Misericordiae Vultus, the Vatican document which announced the Year of Mercy, described the Spiritual Works this way:     Our Holy Father writes, “We will be asked if we have helped others to escape the doubt that causes them to fall into despair and which is often a source of loneliness; if we have helped to overcome the ignorance in which millions of people live, especially children deprived of the necessary means to free them from the bonds of poverty; if we have been close to the lonely and afflicted; if we have forgiven those who have offended us and have rejected all forms of anger and hate that lead to violence; if we have had the kind of patience shown by God, who is so patient with us; and if we have commended our brothers and sisters to the Lord in prayer." Holy Father ends with: "Let us not forget the words of St. John of the Cross: ‘As we prepare to leave this life, we will be judged on the basis of love,’ on how concretely we showed love to others — both those in need spiritually and those with physical needs”. Advent begins next Sunday – a new gift of time, a time to prepare, a time to examine our lives, a time to resolve to get down to work in all seriousness. Yes, there really is a day of accounting – and the standard of judgment is the standard of love.

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Thirty-third Sunday - 2020

Today we move another week closer to end of the Liturgical Year, and each liturgical year brings us closer to the end of our own personal faith journey . This has been Year A, of the three-year cycle in which the main gospel source has been Matthew. Last week we began chapter 23, the last chapter before the passion narrative of Matthew begins. Matthew concludes Jesus teachings with two parables – last week the parable of the Ten Virgins, and today the Master’s Slaves and the Talents. The lesson taught in this chapter is clear, the time is now – prepare for the Day of Accounting when we must all stand before the Lord. So next Sunday the liturgical year ends with the glorious feast of Christ the King. In its gospel, Jesus reveals how the standard to be used for the accounting of our life is to be measured by the Works of Mercy. As we listen to Jesus speak to us, the lesson Jesus gives is clear – don’t be a fool – time is precious and short – use it wisely. Next Sunday’s gospel gives us a picture of that Day of Accounting: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, <> I was thirsty and you gave me drink, <> a stranger and you welcomed me, <> naked and you clothed me, <> ill and you cared for me, <> in prison and you visited me”. From this text the Church has derived the Corporal Works of Mercy and with these we are most familiar. But to these has be added the Spiritual Works of Mercy, also seven in number, compiled from Jesus teaching found throughout the gospels. They are no less important: To counsel the doubtful <> instruct the ignorant <> admonish the sinner<> comfort the afflicted <> forgive offences willingly <> bear wrongs patiently <> pray for the living and the dead. In Matthew’s account of the corporal works, we see how people are surprised by how they are judged asking: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?” It is even more surprising when we are held up to the standard of the Spiritual Works. Our Holy Father, in Misericordiae Vultus, the Vatican document which announced the Year of Mercy, had this to say: “We will be asked if we have helped others to escape the doubt that causes them to fall into despair and which is often a source of loneliness; if we have helped to overcome the ignorance in which millions of people live, especially children deprived of the necessary means to free them from the bonds of poverty; if we have been close to the lonely and afflicted; if we have forgiven those who have offended us and have rejected all forms of anger and hate that lead to violence; if we have had the kind of patience shown by God, who is so patient with us; and if we have commended our brothers and sisters to the Lord in prayer. In each of these “little ones,” Christ himself is present. The Holy Father ends with: “Let us not forget the words of St. John of the Cross: ‘As we prepare to leave this life, we will be judged on the basis of love,’ on how concretely we showed love to others — both those in need spiritually and those with physical needs”. The time is NOW, the time is measured, let us determine to use wisely each moment that remains for us. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. 1Thes. 5:

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Thirty-second Sunday - 2020

Commentary by  Dr. Brant Pitre "To be sure, works are important, we have to do the will of God, but we have to do the will of God through his grace in a relationship with him, where we know him as savior and bridegroom.  And these five foolish virgins have obviously not carried that out.  They have fallen away." . . . . . . LINK . . . . . .

Solemnity of All Saints

“First, notice John begins by affirming our identity as children of God. And if you look at John’s Gospel—for example, chapter 3—the way a person becomes a child of God is not simply by being created but by being born again or born anew through water and spirit in Baptism. So he’s referring here to the divine Sonship, the adoptive divine Sonship, that we receive through grace in the waters of Baptism.” LINK

Thirtieth Sunday - 2020

This month our Gospel readings are taken from chapter 22 of Matthew’s gospel account. In it, Jesus is being challenged by his three main opponents. They are the Herodians, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. We began reading this chapter two weeks ago. It begins with Jesus crafting the parable about a King’s grand wedding feast for his son, but the King is stiffed by all the invited guest. The King in turn rejects them and invites whoever will accept. The three antagonists arguing with Jesus come to realize that Jesus meant this parable to be about them; that they are the rejected by God; they will be excluded from God’s Kingdom. Normally these parties are fighting among themselves, but now they are collaborating in a united effort to discredit Jesus. First the Herodians challenge Jesus. These are the political sellouts among the Jews. They are aligned with King Herod, who is helping the Romans occupy and control the population, and collect a census tax from the people. They try trapping Jesus with a political question about whether the people should pay the tax or not. Next the Sadducees have a go at Jesus. They are the Temple people, the priestly class, scholars of Law of Moses. They accept only the first five books of the Old Testament, demanding that they be followed scrupulously and to the letter. They reject the belief in the resurrection i.e. as prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel. They construct an argument around a law of Moses that declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. They create an argument around seven brothers, all marrying the same wife after each brother had died. “In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? For all of them were married to her.” Finally, the Pharisees take their turn, raising a disputed question of the day about which of the 613 commandments of the law is the most important or are all of equal importance. The Problem in all of this is not that questions do arise and look for answers, the problem is that ridged factions form around the questions, and instead of being open to discovering the best answers to the questions they are used to divide and separate people. These factions are more intent on dominating the others rather than getting to the truth. We are all familiar with the saying, “divide and conquer”. Jesus knows well that this is Satan’s strategy against the gospel message which he is announcing and it will continue on as the life of the Church begins to unfold. St. Paul describes it in 1 Cor. 12; “What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Paul goes on in chapter 12 to use the analogy of the human body with its many parts all working in harmony to describe how the Church and its many members are to unify. Then in chapter 13, he gives that beautiful teaching on the unifying principal of love – which flows from Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel, the primacy of Love, the greatest Commandment. Just look around our society today. Have we ever seen such division, contentedness, animosity and argument among people? We must not let ourselves to be drawn into it. As Christians formed in the gospel, our calling is to bring the healing and unifying message of the Gospel of Love to a divide world.

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Twenty-ninth Sunday - 2020

"For this Sunday we are looking at not a parable of Jesus, but a riddle of Jesus.  You could call this the riddle of Caesar and the coin.  It's the famous story of the coin that Jesus is presented with, and he is asked whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not, and then gives his response.  So for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A, we are going to be looking at Mt. 22:15-22:"         . . . LINK . . . .

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At the time Jesus formed this parable, people would be familiar with the custom for a great king, hosting the wedding of his son, to provide all the wedding guests with elaborate wedding garments so the whole affair would look spectacular. Not to accept and wearing these garments would be a great insult, provoking the king’s anger. Jesus forms this, parable, using the symbolism of a king’s wedding for his son, to convey a real and serious lessons to people at that time, and to all of us today. This parable encapsulates a short history of salvation. Looking at its components we are to understand that: +  The great King is the Lord God, his Son is Jesus. +  The wedding feast is that of the Lamb of God, with the saints assembling with him in heaven. +   Those first invited to the wedding are the people of the O.T. +   The servants sent out with the invitation are the prophets of the O.T. who were ignored, abused, and murdered. +   The army sent to punish those who did this is the Roman army, who destroyed Israel. +   The new servants with a new invitation are the evangelist of the gospel. +   The newly invited, “both good or bad”, are the peoples of all the world – including us. +   The wedding garment provided is the garment of mercy and salvation, covering all unworthiness. +   Wearing it is a life of holiness – not wearing it a life of un-repentant sinfulness. Through this parable Jesus teaches that there is only one true King, the Lord God, >   only one divine Son, Jesus, >   only one wedding feast, eternal life of heaven, >   only one invitation, the gospel, >  only one body of servants sent out to invite, the Church, united in the Holy Spirit. This parable of Jesus is as fresh and relevant for us today as it was to those who first heard it. As it was then, so it is now, the invitation continues to go out and the invitation today is receiving the same mixed results. Two questions remain: ?   Have I accepted the invitation, embracing it unconditionally? ?   Am I putting on the garment of a truly holy life?

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Twenty-seventh Sunday - 2020

These days, as we look out on the world around us, we see many troubling and disturbing realities looming before us. Over the whole world the dark pall of Covid-19 hangs, bring with so much suffering and death. Were this not trials enough, there is so much discontent everywhere, so much acrimony, harsh judging, and condemnation, so much that seems to be dividing peoples and groups and even nations. The words of St. Paul in today's Second Reading will be a guiding light for us showing how we should approach these troubling times. Remember, Paul is writing these words from prison – his very life hangs in the balance. Yet out of this ominous darkness, he sends this remedy, this recipe for dealing with darkness. Listen again to his words: Brothers and sisters: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,  will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Worry leading to panic, leading to loss of peace cannot lead to solutions to the darkness. So how then should we deal with the threats that surround us and trouble us? Paul goes on to offer this guiding light of wisdom:  Whatever is true: “. . . only Truth can make you free” – Jesus’ words. We must find truth and listen for those voices who speak real truth, not fake truth.    Whatever is honourable: look to those who rise above the chaos, those who’s words and deeds have bourn the test of time, who by their legacy of goodness have given us an example to follow.  Whatever is just: which works that people undertake bring suffering, which bring peace? Blessed are the peacemakers.  Whatever is pure: can a bad tree produce good fruit - by their fruits you know them.  Whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness - Blessed are the merciful - Blessed are the pure of heart -  Finally Paul concludes:  If there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise: Think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.