Good Friday 2015

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The Voice of Guilt is one of the most powerful influences the human mind and heart we can ever experience. True Guilt arises when we realize that what is said of us, our wrong doing, is both fact and belonging to what is evil. Our accusers can be others who know of our actions, or just ourselves when we measure our deeds against what is truth. 

But there is one Accuser who's voice can lock up our hearts with unbreakable chains of guilt, it is Satan. Satan knows what deeds belong to evil, for he is the father of evil. He also knows the intimate details and motives of our actions. With the full force of an attorney for the prosecution, he lays out his case for our guilt with the full wait of irrefutable evidence. We may employ the services of psychology to explain away your actions but we are no celestial attorneys and no match for Satan.

Our sentence is inescapable, banishment to utter desolation. As the shackles of guilt are fasten tightly around our soul, the darkness of despair engulfs us, our sentence is pronounced. 

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown out: the one who accuses them before our God day and night. Rev. 12:10

FORGIVEN! Satan's case against us has been thrown out. "I forgive you. Go in peace."  It is God's plan that we should abide in truth and experience the peace that flows from it. Evil wars against that plan and its weapons are sin and guilt. Our only hope is not our self-righteousness, rather, it rests solely in forgiveness. The Roman cross was the ultimate sentence of punishment and death. Satan used it to destroy God's only Son, and thus bring down God's wrath on all humanity. But from the cross His Voice is heard. "Father, forgive them." 

 St Ignatius described a soul in the grip of darkness as one in "Desolation," He defined it as the "darkness of the soul, turmoil of the mind, inclination to low and earthly things, restlessness resulting from many disturbances and temptations which lead to loss of faith, loss of hope, and loss of love. It is also desolation when a soul finds itself completely apathetic, tepid, sad, and separated as it were, from its Creator and Lord" (Spiritual Exercises, p. 130). 

When we are overtaken by such desolation, cling to the Cross, confess your sin and let Forgiveness set you free.

SHROUD OF TURIN the Face of Jesus (video link)

The VOICE of Jesus from the Cross

 Of the many voices we hear on Good Friday, the Seven Last Words of Jesus, spoken from the Cross, enter most deeply into our hearts. Here is a link to an inspirational reflection on these words. LINK

Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) 2015

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TEXTS and PRAYERS FROM THE SACRED LITURGY Collect O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love, grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of life. 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. The Liturgy of the Eucharist At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, there may be a procession of the faithful in which gifts for the poor may be presented with the bread and wine while the following, chant is sung. Ant. Where true charity is dwelling, God is present there. V. By the love of Christ we have been brought together: V. let us find in him our gladness and our pleasure; V. may we love him and revere him, God the living, V. and in love respect each other with sincere hearts. Ant. Where true charity is dwelling, God is present there. V. So when we as one are gathered all together, V. let us strive to keep our minds free of division; V. may there be an end to malice, strife and quarrels, V. and let Christ our God be dwelling here among us. Ant. Where true charity is dwelling, God is present there. V. May your face thus be our vision, bright in glory, V. Christ our God, with all the blessed Saints in heaven: V. such delight is pure and faultless, joy unbounded, V. which endures through countless ages world without end. Amen. Prayer over the Offerings Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord. Prayer after Communion Grant, almighty God, that, just as we are renewed by the Supper of your Son in this present age, so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever

Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) 2015

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Word AMONG Us has the following guide to preparing for the sacrament of confession. LINK

Holy Tuesday 2015

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THE PRAYER OF EXAMINE

Holy Week is a valuable time to begin or expand your practice of the “Prayer of Examine”. This prayer approach to self-examination of the state of one’s heart and soul comes from St. Ignatius.

Step 1: BECOME AWARE OF GOD'S PRESENCE

First, ‘become aware of God’s presence’ - take some time to remember that God is present with us in our everyday lives. He has been near to you and with you throughout the events of your day. Perhaps take an icon or a cross or image to remind you of His presence with you.

Step 2: REVIEW THE DAY WITH GRATITUDE

Second, out of this awareness of God having been present with you, ‘review the day with gratitude’. What are you thankful for? What were the gifts of the day? What did you receive from others? What did you give to others? How has God been at work? Where was God? In conversations? In the actions of others? in the events of the day? In nature? Was He speaking? Perhaps He was shouting out His goodness in the morning sunrise? Or perhaps you saw Him in the kind actions of a friend?

Step 3: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EMOTIONS

After reviewing your day and noticing where God was at work with gratitude, ‘pay attention to your emotions’ St. Ignatius emphasised how through the movements of our emotions we can detect the presence of God. Reflect upon the emotions you felt throughout the day: anger? jealousy? compassion? boredom? joy? What might God be saying to you through these emotions? 

Perhaps there’s an area where you need to seek forgiveness. Maybe you were you frustrated by an unwanted interruption? or responded in anger? perhaps you resisted God’s nudging to offer someone help. Is there a way you could reach out to that person today?

Step 4: CHOOSE ONE THING TO PRAY FOR

Next ‘Choose one feature from the day and pray for it’. Maybe there’s something that particularly stands out to you? It may be a particular conversation or event, or an emotion you felt. Pray about it.

Step 5: LOOK TO TOMORROW

Lastly, 'look forward to tomorrow’. How do you want to live differently? How can you become more aware of God’s presence and promptings and the gifts of the day. Perhaps carry something with you throughout the day to remind you of God’s presence with you.