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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