tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012396847767716392024-03-18T21:54:30.595+00:00Bangor to BobbioSince we are travellers and pilgrims in the world, let us ever ponder on the end of the road, that is of our life, for the end of our roadway is our home (St Columban, 8th sermon).Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.comBlogger1789125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-44609552381524788582024-03-15T20:10:00.000+00:002024-03-15T20:10:57.626+00:00'And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.' Sunday Reflections, 5th Sunday of Lent, Year B<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2645911398349631966" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkj61e9-kp03t2ujZNLzw4H6nIDfHXGO9whkfOCxQ6do0jGpTXs9CkK4flkZN1H4BFQyXRhnbd9BWvQ_1isaqeplqQBUNxahmcGQM_DI-85FLKeASaP1uz4zEbu-fLt2z0BprEaQL19o/s1300/Van+Gogh%252C+Sheaves+of+Wheat%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="948" height="743" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkj61e9-kp03t2ujZNLzw4H6nIDfHXGO9whkfOCxQ6do0jGpTXs9CkK4flkZN1H4BFQyXRhnbd9BWvQ_1isaqeplqQBUNxahmcGQM_DI-85FLKeASaP1uz4zEbu-fLt2z0BprEaQL19o/w542-h743/Van+Gogh%252C+Sheaves+of+Wheat%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="542" /></a></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2645911398349631966" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sheaves of Wheat</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Vincent van Gogh [<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3501239684776771639/2645911398349631966" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 14.95px;">T</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">ruly, truly, I say to you, </span>unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (John 12:24).</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="color: red; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In Ireland the Solemnity of St Patrick is celebrated this Sunday, with everything from the Mass for that feast including the Gloria. However, the readings are those of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B.</span></b></i></p></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240317/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings </a></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031724-YearB.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A20-33+&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background: white;">John 12:20-33</span><span lang="EN-GB"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US">Now among
those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-26590">So these came
to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish
to see Jesus.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-26591">Philip
went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-26592">And Jesus answered them, </span><span class="woj">“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26593">Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a
grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies,
it bears much fruit.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26594">Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates
his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26595">If anyone serves me, he must follow me;
and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves
me, the Father will honour him.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span id="en-ESVUK-26596">“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have
come to this hour.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26597">Father, glorify your name.”</span><span class="text"> Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and
I will glorify it again.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-26598">The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had
thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-26599">Jesus answered, </span><span class="woj">“This
voice has come for your sake, not mine.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26600">Now is the judgement of this world; now will the ruler
of this world be cast out.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26601">And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will
draw all people to myself.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-26602">He said this to show by what kind of death he was going
to die.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span></span></span></i></b></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vu_OSDKnnnRiZYjLhe4jCvDO5n71PagSGTWMDFeJwPaPYQMtg-9e09zVbXwrE72bXbvygIvvKZc5vqUOMxgk4j7d7NHKf16fUo_IMFOSPTMTOIuGxczjGeidDqsh0fEv-F7GH0LpYK8/s900/El+Greco%252C+Christ+in+Agony+on+the+Cross%252C+1600s%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="524" height="845" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vu_OSDKnnnRiZYjLhe4jCvDO5n71PagSGTWMDFeJwPaPYQMtg-9e09zVbXwrE72bXbvygIvvKZc5vqUOMxgk4j7d7NHKf16fUo_IMFOSPTMTOIuGxczjGeidDqsh0fEv-F7GH0LpYK8/w491-h845/El+Greco%252C+Christ+in+Agony+on+the+Cross%252C+1600s%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="491" /></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><i><b><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christ in Agony on the Cross</span></span></i></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><i><i><u1:p><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">El Greco [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g/greco_el/19/1902grec.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></u1:p></i></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><i><i><u1:p><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></u1:p></i></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself </i>(John 12:32; Gospel).</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">+++</span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>I am using here what I posted in 2012 on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B, with some modifications.</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When Fr Patrick Sheehy died suddenly at the age of 80 in the Columban retirement home in Ireland eight days before Christmas 1999 people began to notice that certain things weren’t being done anymore, simple things such as newspapers and letters being brought to men who weren’t very mobile.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Father Pat, from Union Hall, in west Cork, one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland, if not the world, was ordained in 1944 and went to China in 1946. He was expelled from there in 1951 and moved to Japan, where he was to spend the next 38 years, apart from a two-year break for health reasons. When he retired to Ireland ‘he quietly kept busy at many corporal works of mercy until his sudden death, as <i>Those Who Journeyed With Us</i>, the Columban book of brief obituaries, puts it.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <i><br /></i></span></div><div class="feed" style="background: white;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">When I read in today’s Gospel, <i>And I, when</i></span><i><span lang="EN"> I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself</span></i><span lang="EN">, I thought of Father Pat. He didn’t do anything to draw attention to himself. But in his death he drew the attention of those around him to the simple ways in which the Lord had been present through him in his thoughtful acts.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN"><div class="feed" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Talbot.jpg/200px-Talbot.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uYnjZju1xlOx6f8XDBVx28kuYGTVyVnfk2_JJzLjQd4hoIte2yp7tYuZMqChadrjO2CmGR77r2yUMs3KFxO5n8w3WLxi3ruedudPjyXHB24ja7R-lXFNv5vKs3bsLm6LW5-dni5XfTrDfZjQwnd6xNyGO4S25y5w=s0-d" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>The Venerable Matt Talbot (2 May 1856 - 7 June 1925)</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>This is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Talbot" target="_blank">the only known photo of Matt Talbot</a>, taken near the end of his life</i>.</div></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 18.4px;">I thought of the <a href="https://ballinteerparish.ie/matt-talbot-story.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Venerable Matt Talbot</a>, - ‘The Workers’ Saint’ </span><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 18.4px;">- whose sudden death in Granby Lane, behind the Dominican church in Dublin, where he was on his way to Mass on Trinity Sunday, 7 June 1925, led to the discovery of the extraordinarily ascetical life he had led for 41 years after giving up the alcohol to which he had been addicted. A penitential chain was found on his body. All the evidence later discovered pointed to the fact that this was something he wore only occasionally and with the permission of his spiritual director. But without that chain nobody would have known anything about this extraordinary man, with little formal education, living a profound life of penance and prayer while working as a labourer on the docks of Dublin and sharing the little money he had with those poorer than himself.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN">And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself</span></i><span lang="EN">. Again, Matt Talbot never sought any attention for himself. As a poor, working man, he would have got little attention anyway. But in his death he brought many closer to the Jesus he loved, especially alcoholics like himself. He had to decide each day to live soberly. He had to decide each day to pray, to attend Mass, to fast, to give himself to his work, to give away what he earned.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Father Pat Sheehy had to give up his dream of spending all his life in China when, with so many others, he was expelled. He had to let go of Japan for two years in the mid-1950s because of poor health, though the Lord brought him back there. When retired he had to decide each day to do each act of kindness that he did quietly, many of which weren’t clearly seen until he died.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">Each decision we make to die to self in some way is a living out of the words of Jesus today: </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit</span></i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Very often it is others who reap this rich harvest.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="449" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IT1Yw8J07Rc" width="540" youtube-src-id="IT1Yw8J07Rc"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Matt Talbot Servant of God Part 1</i></b><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1985 the late Fr Desmond Forristal, a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin, wrote the script for a video showing the life of Matt Talbot. It used the device of having Matt himself, played by <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/seamus-forde-dies-aged-77-1.160420" target="_blank">Seamus Forde</a>, walking through the streets of Dublin 60 years after his death and telling his own story. For me this device works marvellously well. The two videos above and below form a unit and last less than 30 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I was growing up in Dublin in the 1940s and 1950s Matt Talbot was a household name. I don't think it is now. In Matt's time alcoholism was a scourge. It still is for many. But today the use of illegal drugs is an even greater scourge, accompanied by violent crime that is an international business causing countless deaths.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="463" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_vJ76HEUr3s" width="558" youtube-src-id="_vJ76HEUr3s"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Matt Talbot Servant of God Part 2</i></b><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><a href="https://ballinteerparish.ie/matt-talbot-prayer.htm" target="_blank">Prayer for the Canonisation of Matt Talbot</a></b></span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Lord, in your servant, Matt Talbot</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">you have given us a wonderful example</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">of triumph over addiction, of devotion
to duty, </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">and of lifelong reverence for the Most
Holy Sacrament.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">May his life of prayer and penance give
us courage</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">to take up our crosses and follow in
the footsteps</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Father, if it be your will that your
beloved servant</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">should be glorified by your Church,</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">make known by your heavenly favours</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">the power he enjoys in your sight.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We ask this through the same Jesus
Christ Our Lord. Amen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p></div></span></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><p style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Passion Sunday</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 03-17-2024 if necessary).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+9%3A11-15&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Hebrews 9:11-15</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A46-59&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=ESVUK" style="font-family: georgia; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> John 8:46-59. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJPRRR6faVKxHa04HNlMlT2wstPpkSd-40jycOW2aFSjpAB9IsU6xjCjfyxfSXB2Erpvjna3hkZFMulKmPDkvtf8ba1I061-2KfR0vW87UhLrrArqrx5kQZmT8H9FTltFxQGWMlAl5XO8GULnip0iOzfQAoKIhnc79AntwcWoSu8747JleUIoSBd4j_s/s936/Rembrandt,%20Young%20Jew%20as%20Christ,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="816" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJPRRR6faVKxHa04HNlMlT2wstPpkSd-40jycOW2aFSjpAB9IsU6xjCjfyxfSXB2Erpvjna3hkZFMulKmPDkvtf8ba1I061-2KfR0vW87UhLrrArqrx5kQZmT8H9FTltFxQGWMlAl5XO8GULnip0iOzfQAoKIhnc79AntwcWoSu8747JleUIoSBd4j_s/w530-h608/Rembrandt,%20Young%20Jew%20as%20Christ,%20WGA.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Young Jew as Christ</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rembrandt [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/r/rembrand/23portra/74portra.html&find=Portrait+of+Christ" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Whoever is from God hears the words of God</i> (John 8:47; Gospel). </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-54687708288868396012024-03-08T19:35:00.002+00:002024-03-13T11:25:34.819+00:00'I thought it would be better if I died instead of many people.' Sunday Reflections, 4th Sunday of Lent, Year B<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2zuK8sM8Zjs2-FPH40O1aHCT750ViaPilFvw8N41e6C0R_FvSpOodSUyPXGyzPPF7uudZSB2AN9bsS2OeY1AraV3wyVpsG3mheCG90wEHE4F5-PZv46GTqIPKfK_kRP5hvlRpJtJMmc2_d3n-lWJwK1sOQlBt_NPvuYJfT7lREk2SXXwkd_qJSjTvvU/s1144/Fra%20Angelico,%20Entombment,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1144" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2zuK8sM8Zjs2-FPH40O1aHCT750ViaPilFvw8N41e6C0R_FvSpOodSUyPXGyzPPF7uudZSB2AN9bsS2OeY1AraV3wyVpsG3mheCG90wEHE4F5-PZv46GTqIPKfK_kRP5hvlRpJtJMmc2_d3n-lWJwK1sOQlBt_NPvuYJfT7lREk2SXXwkd_qJSjTvvU/w552-h434/Fra%20Angelico,%20Entombment,%20WGA.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Entombment</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blessed Fra Angelico [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/a/angelico/07/marco_p5.html&find=Nicodemus" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Nicodemus is supporting the body of Jesus in the painting.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">Readings </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240310/mass.htm">https://www.universalis.com/20240310/mass.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031024-YearB.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A14-21&version=ESVUK " target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">John 3:14-21</span><span lang="EN-GB"> (<i>English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus said to
Nicodemus:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US">As Moses lifted up the serpent in
the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26125">that
whoever believes in him may have eternal life.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span id="en-ESVUK-26126">“For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but
have eternal life.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26127">For God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved
through him.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26128">Whoever
believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned
already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26129">And this is the judgement: the light has
come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light
because their works were evil.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26130">For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does
not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-26131">But whoever does what is true comes
to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried
out in God.”</span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="woj"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; tab-stops: 243.0pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzCX2Iq4YxObKMhFzBI1w4WdIyOXfUq-_be0IL1SDhFmPjx5cny-WEaFKx3g7xKqLa0oukBcrlQ7cauiFsjJm5CWC2NzK_BddMFUfa1c4t9vxQ-j329qxzfntQXPFmcMO0YKRapVTpvM/s2048/Stefano+Moderno%252C+Nicodeumus+with+the+Body+of+Christ%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1125" height="860" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzCX2Iq4YxObKMhFzBI1w4WdIyOXfUq-_be0IL1SDhFmPjx5cny-WEaFKx3g7xKqLa0oukBcrlQ7cauiFsjJm5CWC2NzK_BddMFUfa1c4t9vxQ-j329qxzfntQXPFmcMO0YKRapVTpvM/w474-h860/Stefano+Moderno%252C+Nicodeumus+with+the+Body+of+Christ%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="474" /></a></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nicodemus with the Body of Christ</span></span></i></b></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stefano Maderno [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/m/maderno/pieta2.html&find=Nicodemus" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></i></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">The Pharisees generally have a bad name and the adjective 'pharisaical' is defined in Merriam-Webster as <i>marked by hypocritical censorious self-righteousness</i>. Those words could certainly describe most of the Pharisees we meet in the gospels. But they do not apply to Nicodemus. He was patently a good man who said to Jesus when he met him at night, <i>Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him (John 3:2)</i>. He was also with Jesus at the end helping to prepare for the burial. <i>Nicodemus, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight (John 19:39)</i>.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">This good Pharisee can help us <i>come to the light</i>, especially when that involves walking through the darkness. Physical darkness is part of the reality that God has given us and can protect us <i>against</i> <i>the cosmic powers over this present darkness (Ephesians 6:12)</i>, as it did Nicodemus when he came by night to visit Jesus.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">God has given us many examples of persons willing to confront <i>the cosmic powers over this present darkness</i> even at the risk of their lives. One such person is Sister </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ann Roza Nu Tawng in Myitkyina ['mitchinAH'], the capital of the Kachin State, a mountainous area a little larger than Ireland and a little smaller than Mindanao in the far north of Myanmar. Three years ago this week she <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/youll-have-to-come-through-me-nun-tries-to-protect-myanmar-protesters-as-two-killed-12239838" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">knelt in front of armed police</a> pleading with them not to harm protesters. In an interview shown in the Sky News video below Sister Ann Roza said, <i>And I thought today is the day I will die. I decided to die . . . I thought it would be better if I died instead of many people</i>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="447" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R9WAo420hoE" style="display: inline;" width="537" youtube-src-id="R9WAo420hoE"></iframe></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Ann Roza's actions and words reflect those of the assassinated Pakistani politician Shahbaz Bhatti about whom I wrote for the last two Sundays: <i>I'm living for my community and suffering people and I will die to defend their rights</i>. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Catholic Christians like Sister Ann Roza and Shahbaz Bhatti show that our Christian faith </span>is a way of life in following Jesus, living every moment according to the Gospel, bringing the values of Jesus into every human situation. In the words of St Paul in today's <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A+4-10&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Second Reading</a>: <i>For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)</i>. [The Jerusalem Bible translation reads: <i>We are God’s work of art, created . . .</i>].</span></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Persons such as Shahbaz Bhatti and Sister Ann Roza are the true face of the Church. They come from two Asian countries, Pakistan and Myanmar, where Christians are a small minority. Their witness to Jesus and the Gospel brings us the light of hope and proves the truth of his words today, <i>For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him</i>. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSLH1tBZqe8XAYdUEbBtL7cuvTctJOp4bMwEGtO5Am9Nyad2CKa_ia_OjxKTWCMe6ah2DN_UWC7kXj55SzfEhy32j8eCWXUit6sRr0laGCM7KvhKTRcel6Q35lzJ4DYHgGha2dfGqgfI/s2048/St+Columban%2527s+Cathedral%252C+Myitkyina%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSLH1tBZqe8XAYdUEbBtL7cuvTctJOp4bMwEGtO5Am9Nyad2CKa_ia_OjxKTWCMe6ah2DN_UWC7kXj55SzfEhy32j8eCWXUit6sRr0laGCM7KvhKTRcel6Q35lzJ4DYHgGha2dfGqgfI/w557-h368/St+Columban%2527s+Cathedral%252C+Myitkyina%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">St Columban's Catholic Cathedral, Myitkyina</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kachin_State" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, by <a href="https://bangortobobbio.blogspot.com/2021/03/By%20Sam%20Cooley%20-%20Own%20work,%20CC%20BY-SA%204.0,%20https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55336831" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sam Cooley</a>]</span></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><p style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Fourth Sunday in Lent</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 03-10-2024 if necessary).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+4%3A22-31&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Galat</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">ians 4:22-31</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A1-15&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=ESVUK" style="font-family: georgia; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> John 6:1-15. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTr__cHcstxiRr_dhQjpxMA7tcTxwQgH167oLRyGoarlI7-lOJD4wqEM-wwiJeS2u3FSYDBScwZzeg0orNN5hILveSmgi4OKTXMUs4OXd-elXsJSNu8U5DgCXPfWb2PHOMuHP8m6VSFm1JgHZ5uxwY1dTyjsdaIULzmyTjcCvvgqpLg4924XHSwlFOHM/s996/Giovanni%20Lanfranco,%20Miracle%20of%20the%20Bread%20and%20Fish,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="996" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTr__cHcstxiRr_dhQjpxMA7tcTxwQgH167oLRyGoarlI7-lOJD4wqEM-wwiJeS2u3FSYDBScwZzeg0orNN5hILveSmgi4OKTXMUs4OXd-elXsJSNu8U5DgCXPfWb2PHOMuHP8m6VSFm1JgHZ5uxwY1dTyjsdaIULzmyTjcCvvgqpLg4924XHSwlFOHM/w549-h289/Giovanni%20Lanfranco,%20Miracle%20of%20the%20Bread%20and%20Fish,%20WGA.jpg" width="549" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Miracle of the Bread and Fish</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Giovanni Lanfranco [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/l/lanfranc/1/miracle.html&find=bread+and+fish" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></span></i></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?”</i> (John 6:5; Gospel).</span></p></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-24928105225146026552024-03-01T16:32:00.001+00:002024-03-02T11:11:10.923+00:00'The Risen Christ was not an abstraction, or mere theological doctrine, to Shahbaz Bhatti.' Sunday Reflections, 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year B<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m1UFG5qjM10bmQcTzA4e4D3OxV4UQ5wXR4vH__bYvmDIB4gJZ5l87lOUq78-vI2oRcGPZGrAf5FYqMrSSfchIiDZCR6H6Cx4XVxE2TvOD9Obo_z4OdCoyBEwbyG106HbkmJ8P4-qFXm02oCPkYj3QzdRAH1GxFEsU2RPL1bADIM14XKmwVWAR4T-rJc/s1038/Luca%20Giordano,%20Christ%20Cleansing%20the%20Temple,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1038" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m1UFG5qjM10bmQcTzA4e4D3OxV4UQ5wXR4vH__bYvmDIB4gJZ5l87lOUq78-vI2oRcGPZGrAf5FYqMrSSfchIiDZCR6H6Cx4XVxE2TvOD9Obo_z4OdCoyBEwbyG106HbkmJ8P4-qFXm02oCPkYj3QzdRAH1GxFEsU2RPL1bADIM14XKmwVWAR4T-rJc/w552-h388/Luca%20Giordano,%20Christ%20Cleansing%20the%20Temple,%20WGA.jpg" width="552" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Christ Cleansing the Temple</i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Luca Giordano [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/giordano/1/cleansin.html&find=Christ+Cleansing+the+Temple" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple</i> (John 2:15; Gospel).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240303/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030324.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A13-25&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">John 2:13-25</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> (<i>English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In
the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the
money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them
all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of
the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold
the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a
house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal
for your house will consume me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus
answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise
it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this
temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking
about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the
dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they
believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><br /></span></i></b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18peNHhRmhOM6GD9VAc3-Vno-9_2wwM42_-o1u5SKVjVvSAjVKLXPSB508sJO0SeafBA_BS0ZKqy7Uljgnxuoh_kwHWdhjJyOg4Q25eZ4NL2rjTPLQC3eD99EnuQfzYha78MvDjghbxZ8ZtrzhH0sXL3mAI8B9TiI7l6L4xrX69XUiBUuNiG61nanc1c/s900/El%20Greco,%20Christ%20in%20Agony%20on%20the%20Cross,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="524" height="951" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18peNHhRmhOM6GD9VAc3-Vno-9_2wwM42_-o1u5SKVjVvSAjVKLXPSB508sJO0SeafBA_BS0ZKqy7Uljgnxuoh_kwHWdhjJyOg4Q25eZ4NL2rjTPLQC3eD99EnuQfzYha78MvDjghbxZ8ZtrzhH0sXL3mAI8B9TiI7l6L4xrX69XUiBUuNiG61nanc1c/w552-h951/El%20Greco,%20Christ%20in%20Agony%20on%20the%20Cross,%20WGA.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Christ in Agony on the Cross</i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">El Greco [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/greco_el/19/1902grec.html&find=Christ+on+the+Cross" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">Since I was a child, I was accustomed to going to church and finding profound inspiration in the teachings, the sacrifice, and the crucifixion of Jesus. It was his love that led me to offer my service to the Church </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">(Shahbas Bhatti).</span></span></span></span></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;">Last week I focused on the life and death of Shahbaz Bhatti, assassinated in Pakistan on </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;">2 March 2011. I want to do the same this week as I think that this man exemplifies what being a follower of Jesus is.</span> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here are two quotations from him. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The <a href="https://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1347491bdc4.html?eng=y" target="_blank">first</a>:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">I have been asked to put an end to my battle, but I have always refused, even at the risk of my own life. My response has always been the same. I do not want popularity, I do not want positions of power. I only want a place at the feet of Jesus. I want my life, my character, my actions to speak of me and say that I am following Jesus Christ</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">The <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/behold-a-martyr-for-religious-freedom/" target="_blank">second</a>:</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #212529; line-height: 20.7px;">I, as a humble servant of Jesus Christ, will continue to serve the suffering, victimised and persecuted communities, and am ready to even sacrifice my life to defend the principles of religious freedom, human equality and the rights of minorities</span></i><span style="color: #212529; line-height: 20.7px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These quotations are from a politician who was a Catholic and the only Christian in the cabinet of the national government in Pakistan. Not long after he spoke those latter words he was assassinated on 2 March 2011. His name was Clement Shahbaz Bhatti. He was 42.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The first quotation is from a testament published a few days after his death in <i>La Civiltà Cattolica</i>, the weekly magazine published in the Vatican, and also <b><a href="http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1347491bdc4.html?eng=y" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></b>. The second is <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/behold-a-martyr-for-religious-freedom/" target="_blank">what he said to the media </a>after being re-appointed to the cabinet as Minister for Minorities’ Affairs on 11 February 2011, less that two weeks before his death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Today’s First Reading from the Book of Exodus is the proclamation of the Ten Commandments, beginning with <i>I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The first three commandments have to do with our relationship with God, the other seven with our relationships to one another. Shahbaz Bhatti’s vision embraced both kinds of relationships. <a href="https://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1347491bdc4.html?eng=y" target="_blank">In his testimony he wrote</a>: <i>My name is Shahbaz Bhatti. I was born into a Catholic family. My father, a retired teacher, and my mother, a housewife, raised me according to Christian values and the teachings of the Bible, which influenced my childhood. Since I was a child, I was accustomed to going to church and finding profound inspiration in the teachings, the sacrifice, and the crucifixion of Jesus. It was his love that led me to offer my service to the Church. The frightening conditions into which the Christians of Pakistan had fallen disturbed me. I remember one Good Friday when I was just thirteen years old: I heard a homily on the sacrifice of Jesus for our redemption and for the salvation of the world. And I thought of responding to his love by giving love to my brothers and sisters, placing myself at the service of Christians, especially of the poor, the needy, and the persecuted who live in this Islamic country</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Shahbaz Bhatti had a profound sense of vocation as a follower of Jesus Christ serving the poorest. Jesus was at the heart of his life. <i>I only want a place at the feet of Jesus</i>. He uses this image again in the last paragraph of his testimony: <i>I believe that the needy, the poor, the orphans, whatever their religion, must be considered above all as human beings. I think that these persons are part of my body in Christ, that they are the persecuted and needy part of the body of Christ. If we bring this mission to its conclusion, then we will have won a place at the feet of Jesus, and I will be able to look at him without feeling shame</i>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">That evokes the words of Jesus to St Martha after she asked him to rebuke her sister Mary: </span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; line-height: 20.7px;">It is Mary who has chosen the good portion, which will not to be taken from her</span></span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; line-height: 20.7px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It also expresses a deep sense of the Mystical Body of Christ, as does the previous paragraph of his testimony: <i>I say that, as long as I am alive, until the last breath, I will continue to serve Jesus and this poor, suffering humanity, the Christians, the needy, the poor. I believe that the Christians of the world who have reached out to the Muslims hit by the tragedy of the earthquake of 2005 have built bridges of solidarity, of love, of comprehension, and of tolerance between the two religion</i>s.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; line-height: 20.7px;">Shahbaz Bhatti lived out the Ten Commandments as a follower of Jesus in the mission our Saviour proclaimed at the beginning of his public life:</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> </span><span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,</span></i></span><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> </span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">because he has anointed me</span></i></span><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> <span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">to proclaim good news to the poor.</span></span></span> <span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives</span></span> <span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,</span> to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour</span></i><span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.</span></span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of Shahbaz Bhatti’s closest friends, a Muslim and a member of the same political party, was assassinated on 4 January 2011, Governor Salman Taseer of Punjab, murdered by one of his own bodyguards. These two politicians and friends opposed the blasphemy laws and asked for the release of Asia Bibi, the Christian woman falsely accused of breaking the blasphemy laws and sentenced to death. Her long ordeal ended only in 2019 when she was allowed to go to Canada. The following year she moved to France.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmjwmCvB45bEhEjPeGLcnkBlhyphenhyphenpNEPVZ7FEgf5o7Ym0albsEPHt6Vsn8HyuQMsFLZzIw2QlnVNtULxI3-bPISkUhOCqGAccM44GOUZ4PlGGVFOC1gZ_I_P5Rfh15ELBWrD0OnP7IObM0/s515/Shahbaz+Bhatti%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="400" height="631" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmjwmCvB45bEhEjPeGLcnkBlhyphenhyphenpNEPVZ7FEgf5o7Ym0albsEPHt6Vsn8HyuQMsFLZzIw2QlnVNtULxI3-bPISkUhOCqGAccM44GOUZ4PlGGVFOC1gZ_I_P5Rfh15ELBWrD0OnP7IObM0/w491-h631/Shahbaz+Bhatti%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="491" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Servant of God Clement Shahbaz Bhatti</span></i></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> [<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahbaz_Bhatti" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>]</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(9 September 1968 - 2 March 2011)</span></i><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></i></span></div></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246114/catholics-remember-shahbaz-bhatti-10-years-after-his-assassination-in-pakistan#:~:text=Following%20his%20death%2C%20Catholic%20bishops%20in%20Pakistan%20called,opened%20Bhatti%27s%20cause%20for%20beatification%20in%20March%202016." target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">opened the cause for the beatification of Shahbaz Bhatti</span> </a>on the fifth anniversary of his death.</span></span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; line-height: 20.7px;">St Paul tells us in the Second Reading: <i>For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified</i>. In a video interview with the BBC four months before his death, to be broadcast in the event of his death, Shahbaz Bhatti said: </span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">I want to share that I believe in Jesus Christ who has given his own life for us. I know what is the meaning of [the] Cross and I am following of the Cross and I am ready to die for a cause. I’m living for my community and suffering people and I will die to defend their rights</span></span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">El Greco's painting above shows the Crucifixion rooted in Toledo, the Spanish city <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Greco" target="_blank">where he spent the second half of his life</a>. Jesus became one of us: <i>The Word became flesh and dwelt among us </i>(John 1:14) and died for us. Shahbaz Bhatti's words are a reflection of the truth that El Greco expresses in his painting: </span></span><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">I’m living for my community and suffering people and I will die to defend their rights</span></span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 20.7px;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The possibility of his being assassinated was something he spoke about a number of times. But he was ready to accept it because of his deep faith in Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us on the Cross.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the Gospel today Jesus drives the people engaged in commerce out of the Temple telling them: <i>Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.</i> The whole thrust of Shahbaz Bhatti’s life from his student days was to resist and oppose false values that held people in servitude in Pakistan. This was his ways of <i>making a whip out of cords </i>and driving <i>them all out of the temple</i>. He did this with a deep sense of vocation, awakened in him by his parents and especially by the Good Friday homily he heard when he was 13. The sacrifice of Jesus was perhaps the deepest formative influence in his life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Gospel today also speaks of the Resurrection: <i>Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up . . . and when therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken</i>. The response to today’s Psalm is <i>You, Lord, have the message of eternal life</i>. Shahbaz Bhatti lived out of his faith in the Resurrection: <i>I only want a place at the feet of Jesus . . . If we bring this mission to its conclusion, then we will have won a place at the feet of Jesus, and I will be able to look at him without feeling shame</i>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">Fr Raymond de Souza, a Canadian priest, said <a href="https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2011/03/a-martyr-in-parliament" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">in a homily in Ottawa a few days after the killing of Shahbaz Bhatti</a>: </span><i><span style="background: rgb(252, 252, 252); line-height: 20.7px;">In the face of death the Christian proclaims the truth of the Risen Christ. The Risen Christ was not an abstraction, or mere theological doctrine, to Shahbaz Bhatti. He knew that the Lord Jesus was at work in his life. He had a personal relationship with Him. He believed that his life was proceeding under the Lord’s Providence. He knew that the Risen Christ is the Lord of History. He knew that the time of his departure was close at hand; he knew that he had fought the good fight; he knew that his race was almost finished</span></i><span style="background: rgb(252, 252, 252); line-height: 20.7px;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 27px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background: rgb(252, 252, 252); line-height: 20.7px;">This sense that our true home is in heaven, when </span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">we will have won a place at the feet of Jesus</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">, has become obscured and forgotten to a large degree today. Shahbaz Bhatti was probably not familiar with the 8th Sermon of St Columban, the great Irish missionary saint (c.540 - 625), but understood what he said there: <i>Since we are travellers and pilgrims in the world, let us ever ponder on the end of the road, that is of our life, for the end of our roadway is our home</i>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="474" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xQR5JpDiKy0" width="569" youtube-src-id="xQR5JpDiKy0"></iframe></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #373737; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Pope Benedict's Angelus Talk, 7 March 2011</b></span></span></span></i></div></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #373737; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">Pope Benedict speaking about Shahbaz Bhatti five days after his assassination.</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><p style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Third Sunday in Lent</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 03-03-2024 if necessary).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A1-9&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Ephes</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">ians 5:1-9</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11%3A14-28&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=ESVUK" style="font-family: georgia; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Luke 11:14-28. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNqQInWwuMJCdHseFZi2z_fDnzKFAdJy5oaMgDxF3txhOCPK9xga3cV4RwJGTlTBJ1LnXlXRMAW4zi5nHEHfw_CJXc9ydw4L04xcNWGEc2NTI9hVz4XlCUqqTirbsmI4X45YOrQaLHOU1_tfAkVE2U4xz25sE4kawEF0sOk8SQrnL1Zq1JeMk3Z9_JeU/s1043/Vincent%20van%20Gogh,%20A%20Pair%20of%20Boots,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1043" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNqQInWwuMJCdHseFZi2z_fDnzKFAdJy5oaMgDxF3txhOCPK9xga3cV4RwJGTlTBJ1LnXlXRMAW4zi5nHEHfw_CJXc9ydw4L04xcNWGEc2NTI9hVz4XlCUqqTirbsmI4X45YOrQaLHOU1_tfAkVE2U4xz25sE4kawEF0sOk8SQrnL1Zq1JeMk3Z9_JeU/w553-h452/Vincent%20van%20Gogh,%20A%20Pair%20of%20Boots,%20WGA.jpg" width="553" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i>A Pair of Boots</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Vincent van Gogh [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/gogh_van/05/still04.html&find=A+Pair+of+Shoes" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us</i> (Ephesians 5:2; Epistle).</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-14929010992866327492024-02-23T11:11:00.000+00:002024-02-23T11:11:16.018+00:00'I just want a place at the feet of Jesus.' Sunday Reflections, 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year B<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="post-header" style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3567421671216812778" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-SpL3cHw98Dntcrc5d2Msk5P-IxG4RlBpGZCreo6Rcm_RRY57bhEkhVmHj7pEdz1eMj2uhZRsiOpduXAcc4YoSQMIXmyvHGIP8sGpKlUnD0fDdVYqyNokR8buUkXoul0qu2vMy6CcxM/s1200/Fra+Angelico%252C+Transfiguration%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1022" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-SpL3cHw98Dntcrc5d2Msk5P-IxG4RlBpGZCreo6Rcm_RRY57bhEkhVmHj7pEdz1eMj2uhZRsiOpduXAcc4YoSQMIXmyvHGIP8sGpKlUnD0fDdVYqyNokR8buUkXoul0qu2vMy6CcxM/w521-h610/Fra+Angelico%252C+Transfiguration%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="521" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Transfiguration</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessed Fra Angelico [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/a/angelico/09/cells/06_trans.html&find=The+Transfiguration+of+Christ" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodcatholic.com/blessed-fra-angelico-a-life-of-beauty-and-devotion/" target="_blank">Fra Angelico</a> (c.1395 - 18 February 1455) was an Italian Dominican friar. He was beatified by Pope St John Paul 11 on 3 October 1992 and his feast day is observed on 18 February.</span></span></i></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></p></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240225/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A2-10&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">Mark 9:2-10</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">
(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">English Standard Version Anglicised,
India)</i></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured
before them,</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24537">and his clothes became radiant,
intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24538">And there appeared to them Elijah with
Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24539">And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we
are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one
for Elijah.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24540">For he
did not know what to say, for they were terrified.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24541">And a cloud overshadowed them,
and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son;<sup data-fn="#fen-ESVUK-24541c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESVUK-24541c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A2-10&version=ESVUK#fen-ESVUK-24541c" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">c</span></a>]</sup> listen to him.<b><sup> </sup></b>And
suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to
tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the
dead.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24544">So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning
what this rising from the dead might mean.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span class="text"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span class="text"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span></span></i></b></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span class="text"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span lang="EN-PH"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i></i></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="481" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WZSqYK04YKI" width="578" youtube-src-id="WZSqYK04YKI"></iframe><i style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Assumpsit Iesus Petrum</span></b></i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><i style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sebastián de Vivanco (Ávila, 1551 - Salamanca, 1622)</span></i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Música Reservata de Barcelona directed by Bruno Turner</i></i></div><p></p><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i style="text-align: center;">Assumpsit Iesus Petrum, et Iacobum et Ioannem fratrem eius, et duxit eos in montem excelsum seorsum, et transfiguratus est ante eos.</i>
</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;">Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.</span>
</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Et ecce vox de nube dicens: His est Filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi bene complauci, ipsum audite.</span></i>
</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;">And a voice came out of the cloud,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> "This is my beloved Son; listen to him" (Mark 10: 2,7).</span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmjwmCvB45bEhEjPeGLcnkBlhyphenhyphenpNEPVZ7FEgf5o7Ym0albsEPHt6Vsn8HyuQMsFLZzIw2QlnVNtULxI3-bPISkUhOCqGAccM44GOUZ4PlGGVFOC1gZ_I_P5Rfh15ELBWrD0OnP7IObM0/s515/Shahbaz+Bhatti%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="400" height="631" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmjwmCvB45bEhEjPeGLcnkBlhyphenhyphenpNEPVZ7FEgf5o7Ym0albsEPHt6Vsn8HyuQMsFLZzIw2QlnVNtULxI3-bPISkUhOCqGAccM44GOUZ4PlGGVFOC1gZ_I_P5Rfh15ELBWrD0OnP7IObM0/w491-h631/Shahbaz+Bhatti%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="491" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Servant of God Clement Shahbaz Bhatti</span></i></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> [<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahbaz_Bhatti" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>]</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(9 September 1968 - 2 March 2011)</span></i><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></i></span></div></span></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">In today's first reading God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son 'on a height that I will point out to you'. We can only imagine the heartbreak of Abraham being asked by God to give offer his only son by Sarah his wife, born when both of them were very old. But God wasn't looking for the life of Isaac but for Abraham to submit himself to God's will, no matter the consequences. Abraham's sacrifice of his own will made him <i>our Father in faith</i>, as the Roman Canon says, the Father of countless Jews and Christians. Muslims also venerate him.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From the time of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, down to our own day, God has been calling certain individuals to give up everything that is precious to them, including life itself, for the sake of others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The struggle of Abraham is a sign of the struggle that Jesus would have to go through. Last Sunday we got a glimpse of his struggle in the desert where he was tempted by Satan, basically to abandon the mission the Father had given him. During Holy Week we will see his awful struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane and his cry from the Cross, <i>My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each of us in some way has to share in that struggle, to let go of our own will in something big or small for the sake of others and to do what God want us to do.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Shahbaz Bhatti was living in a situation where he knew that God might ask him to give up his own life. Less than two months before his death Governor Salmaan Taseer of Punjab, a Muslim, was murdered by one of his own security guards because of his opposition to Pakistan's Blasphemy Law.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Mr Bhatti was deeply committed to working for groups discriminated against, including the Christian minority in Pakistan. He gave as the reason for his commitment, <i><a href="http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1347491bdc4.html?eng=y" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">I only want a place at the feet of Jesus</a>. I want my life, my character, my actions to speak for me and say that I am following Jesus Christ</i>. (These words were <a href="https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2015/documents/ns_lit_doc_20150403_via-crucis-meditazioni_en.html" target="_blank">quoted in the reflection</a> on the Second Station of the Cross in the Colosseum in Rome led by Pope Francis on Good Friday 2015.) He was gunned down on 2 March 2011 in Islamabad, just after leaving his mother's home.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the video below Shahbaz Bhatti speaks about the possibility of his death. A note with the video says :</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Bhatti's close colleague shared the video with Al Jazeera saying that Bhatti had requested him to do so in the eventuality of his assassination because 'it is with the Muslim world I want to share the message of love. That is the only message that can bring the Muslim world out of the circle of hate and killings'.</i></span></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Al Jazeera is not responsible for the content of this video.</i></span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #030303; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #030303; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>[Update: Benedict Rogers, a close friend of Shahbaz Bhatti, in <a href="https://www.ucanews.com/news/shahbaz-bhatti-the-legacy-of-pakistans-modern-day-martyr/91595" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">an article published on 2 March 2021</a> writes about this interview: </i></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2e2e2e;">Four months before his murder, he recorded </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9LyJ-ltEJo" style="border: 0px; color: #00aeef; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">an interview with the BBC</a><span style="color: #2e2e2e;"> for broadcast in the event of his death.<i>]</i></span></span><span style="color: #030303; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Below the video is a transcript of what Mr Bhatti said.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="471" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oBTBqUJomRE" style="display: inline;" width="567" youtube-src-id="oBTBqUJomRE"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Minister Bhatti, you forgot one question in the interview. Your life is threatened by whom and what sort of threats are you receiving?</span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 20.7px;">The forces of violence, militant banned organizations, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda, they want to impose their radical philosophy on Pakistan. And whoever stands against their radical philosophy that threatens them, when I’m leading this campaign against the Sharia Law, for the abolishment [abolition] of [the] Blasphemy Law, and speaking for the oppressed and marginalized, persecuted Christian and other minorities, these Taliban threaten me.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">But I want to share that I believe in Jesus Christ who has given his own life for us. I know what is the meaning of [the] Cross and I am following of the Cross and I am ready to die for a cause. I’m living for my community and suffering people and I will die to defend their rights. So these threats and these warnings cannot change my opinion and principles. I will prefer to die for my principle and for the justice of my community rather [than] to compromise on these threats</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sts Peter, James and John, as they came down the mountain after having seen the Transfigured Jesus, wondered what 'risen from the dead' meant. A few weeks after the assassination of Clement Shahbaz Bhatti the bishops of Pakistan petitioned the Holy See to declare him a martyr. Bishop Andrew Francis of Multan, who drafted the petition, said, <i>We Christians in Pakistan want to transform the death of Shahbaz Bhatti into a prophecy of the Resurrection</i>. It was only after the Crucifixion that the Resurrection could occur and it was only after Easter Sunday that the Apostles found the answer to their question. On 2 March 2016, the fifth anniversary of his death, the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi began collecting testimonies about Shahbaz Bhatti <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pakistani-diocese-opens-cause-for-shahbaz-bhatti-to-be-declared-a-martyr-84438" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">to inquire into his martyrdom and sanctity</span></a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">May each of us pray for the grace to make these words of Shahbaz Bhatti our own: <b><i>I just want a place at the feet of Jesus. I want my life, my character, my actions to speak for me and say that I am following Jesus Christ</i></b>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnjaFXNjnOWHjmaQxzoet6Mmq7w7R1wsHOBW4nJfYnsFjb5zWX9CIbZMCgqf_K3MExaiFPwvJTGiMyQ-kwqlqo_aZmkghfhynlHKv7JgeN22bcfeDZ4LS3OszOk-HuS7YrLQeOmUvo3o/s946/Vel%25C3%25A1zquez%252C+Christ+in+the+Hosue+of+Mary+and+Martha%252C+detail%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="900" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnjaFXNjnOWHjmaQxzoet6Mmq7w7R1wsHOBW4nJfYnsFjb5zWX9CIbZMCgqf_K3MExaiFPwvJTGiMyQ-kwqlqo_aZmkghfhynlHKv7JgeN22bcfeDZ4LS3OszOk-HuS7YrLQeOmUvo3o/w538-h566/Vel%25C3%25A1zquez%252C+Christ+in+the+Hosue+of+Mary+and+Martha%252C+detail%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="538" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christ in the House of Mary and Martha (detail)</span></span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Velázquez [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/v/velazque/01/0109vela.html&find=Christ+in+the+House+of+Mary+and+Martha" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></span></i></div><p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">Martha </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching </i></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><span class="woj">(Luke 10:39).</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>I just want a place at the feet of Jesus</b> (Shahbaz Bhatti).</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">+++</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On 18 February <i>The Catholic Herald </i>(England) posted this story on their website: <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/eight-thousand-nigerian-christians-murdered-in-worst-single-year-for-islamist-attacks-says-report/ " target="_blank"><i>Report: 8,000 Christians murdered in worst year for Islamist
attack</i>s</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><p style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Second Sunday in Lent</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 2-25-2024 if necessary).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+4%3A1-7&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: 1</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Thessalonians 4:1-7</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17%3A1-9&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospe</a>l</b></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=ESVUK" style="font-family: georgia; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Matthew 17:1-9. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFeQGfGZu1IWmoulGUICXUmYRyBflCQeAxOjPQ9U7derQARm4YhOQHEA5uTc5bVSquFH_ToSWDDOQB4VV6YhEREs-QLFoGt7U65xmSnLyfLfuclOVoKQCoc1q7nNxwukhxOAEXthD8oldb_NCuYbITgkp-SQUOwTZUB-Pn3fm6s6ukGRMzpF4NoMEIp0/s1000/Marco%20Benefial,%20Transfiguration,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="693" height="714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFeQGfGZu1IWmoulGUICXUmYRyBflCQeAxOjPQ9U7derQARm4YhOQHEA5uTc5bVSquFH_ToSWDDOQB4VV6YhEREs-QLFoGt7U65xmSnLyfLfuclOVoKQCoc1q7nNxwukhxOAEXthD8oldb_NCuYbITgkp-SQUOwTZUB-Pn3fm6s6ukGRMzpF4NoMEIp0/w495-h714/Marco%20Benefial,%20Transfiguration,%20WGA.jpg" width="495" /></a></div></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Transfiguration</span></span></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Marco Benefial [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/b/benefial/transfig.html&find=Transfiguration" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart</i> (Matthew 17:1; Gospel).</span></p></div><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; tab-stops: 243.0pt;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt; tab-stops: 243.0pt;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></p><br /><p></p>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-49952393378014533382024-02-16T16:01:00.001+00:002024-02-16T19:47:55.781+00:00Their only words were: 'Jesus, help me!' Sunday Reflections, 1st Sunday of Lent, Year B<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SSktorFOomACCPL9D-jRh8lJ4iUP4u7ZGKew3J3t67hOvxEKpoqmLgZhyphenhyphenTiHtEr-qyt-aYx2FlPTKOmEfFHzXc7zqiU39AQxJ_ShSKbPIdB6bCOSrz4zp3Y2rgDUXAWTOIGUV8F7Lp0sA-prRJC50Z0CtjWN_e-dA7kIQk4ztMW13bG4n5SAK5HnYkU/s1038/El%20Greco,%20The%20Repentant%20Peter,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="822" height="681" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SSktorFOomACCPL9D-jRh8lJ4iUP4u7ZGKew3J3t67hOvxEKpoqmLgZhyphenhyphenTiHtEr-qyt-aYx2FlPTKOmEfFHzXc7zqiU39AQxJ_ShSKbPIdB6bCOSrz4zp3Y2rgDUXAWTOIGUV8F7Lp0sA-prRJC50Z0CtjWN_e-dA7kIQk4ztMW13bG4n5SAK5HnYkU/w539-h681/El%20Greco,%20The%20Repentant%20Peter,%20WGA.jpg" width="539" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Repentant Peter</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">El Greco [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/greco_el/14/1407grec.html&find=Repent" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>'Repent and believe in the gospel' </i>(Mark 1:16; Gospel).</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240218/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021824.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A12-15&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background: white; color: black;">Mark 1:12-15</span><span lang="EN-GB"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">The Spirit immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24225">And he
was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was
with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><span id="en-ESVUK-24226">Now after John was arrested,
Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24227">and
saying, </span><span class="woj">“The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-PH"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span></span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy27TUIqk4fj1IJORu2yBI5Gqktft_i8Ccz5l8zsMJYJCyjhFWl1ib7VWNzPZsp4gpIfMdVBZsoWYSlcvYSpfmHjAzJJu3AZB24-YMYCen6ARn9l41qgDXdeiLiCaGAZA7u-g02iH5488/s1050/Cupola+decoration%252C+Early+Coptic+Painter%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1050" height="521" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy27TUIqk4fj1IJORu2yBI5Gqktft_i8Ccz5l8zsMJYJCyjhFWl1ib7VWNzPZsp4gpIfMdVBZsoWYSlcvYSpfmHjAzJJu3AZB24-YMYCen6ARn9l41qgDXdeiLiCaGAZA7u-g02iH5488/w556-h521/Cupola+decoration%252C+Early+Coptic+Painter%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="556" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cupola Decoration</span></span></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Early Coptic Painter [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/zearly/1/5coptic/painting/1bawit1.html&find=Coptic+" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of my teachers in the Columban seminary in the 1960s was a saintly priest, Fr Edward McCormack. Father Ted, as we knew him, spent most of his life as a priest teaching Scripture to Columban seminarians in Ireland and the USA. He also taught our class Latin.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">I vividly remember one occasion when he celebrated our community Mass on the First Sunday of Lent. In the Traditional Latin Mass <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=NRSVACE" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Matthew 4:1-11</a> was always read, and still is. That's now the Gospel for Year A in the New Mass. As he was preaching it was clear that he had a deep, personal sense of the horror of Satan tempting Jesus, God who became Man, of Evil trying to prevail over Love, God himself.</span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;">We have daily examples of the power of evil. One is the murder on 12 February 2015 of 2o Coptic Orthodox Christians, Egyptian men working in neighbouring Libya and one other man, Matthew Ayariga, probably from Ghana - like the countless OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) - working abroad. They were beheaded simply because they were Christians.</span><span style="line-height: 32px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;">In a meeting four days later with a delegation from the Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian, Pope Francis said the following.</span><span style="line-height: 32px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">I would now like to turn to my native tongue to express feelings of profound sorrow. Today, I read about the execution of those twenty-one or twenty-two Coptic Christians. Their only words were: 'Jesus, help me!' They were killed simply for the fact that they were Christians. You, my brother, in your words referred to what is happening in the land of Jesus. The blood of our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out to be heard. It makes no difference whether they be Catholics, Orthodox, Copts or Protestants. They are Christians! Their blood is one and the same. Their blood confesses Christ. As we recall these brothers and sisters who died only because they confessed Christ, I ask that we encourage each another to go forward with this ecumenism which is giving us strength, the ecumenism of blood. The martyrs belong to all Christians</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">The vast majority of Christians in Egypt, about ten percent of the population, are Coptic Christians and according to tradition they trace their origins to St Mark preaching the Gospel in Alexandria in the very early days of the Church. Most are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Though they are not in communion with Rome, the Catholic Church recognises all their sacraments. A minority of Coptic Christians are in full communion with Rome as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_Catholic_Church" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Coptic Catholic Church</a>. They number around 200,000.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">These are the men who were martyred:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Bishoy Adel Khalaf <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Samuel Alhoam Wilson <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Hany Abdel-Masih Salib<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Melad McCain Zaky <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Abanoub Ayad Attia <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Ezzat Bushra Nassif<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Yousef Shokry Younan <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Kirillos Shukry Fawzy <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Majid Suleiman Shehata<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Somali Stéphanos Kamel <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Malak Ibrahim Siniot <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Bishoy Stéphanos Kamel<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Mena Fayez Aziz <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Girgis Melad Siniot <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Tawadros Youssef Tawadros<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Essam Badr Samir <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Luke Ngati <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Jaber Mounir Adly<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Malak Faraj Abram <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Sameh Salah Farouk <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Matthew Ayariga.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">A note in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_kidnapping_and_beheading_of_Copts_in_Libya" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia entry</a> says of Matthew Ayariga:</span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"> It was later learned that this 21st victim was named Matthew Ayariga and that he was from Ghana. (A few sources say he was from Chad, but most say he was from Ghana</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">) . . . </span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">His remains were finally transferred to Egypt and laid to rest with the other martyrs at the end of September 2020</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These men are now honoured as saints by the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, to give it its full name. The remains of the 21 martyrs were laid to rest in the newly-built Church of the Martyrs of Faith and Homeland in the village of Al-our where 13 of the martyrs were from.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The <i><a href="http://www.boston-catholic-journal.com/roman-martyrology-complete-in-english-for-daily-reflection.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Roman Martyrology</a></i> contains many lists of martyrs like the one above. In some monasteries these lists are read each day during the Office of Prime. The Roman Canon, also known as Eucharistic Prayer I, includes two such lists of martyrs of the early Church, one before the Consecration and one after.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">May all Christian martyrs who shared in the temptations of Jesus Christ and in his Crucifixion obtain for us the courage to be fearless witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ in our daily lives. (The Greek word from which the word 'martyr' derives means 'witness.) </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">May the witness of the 21 men martyred in Libya on 12 February 2015 inspire us to take the words of Jesus in today's gospel to heart: <i>Repent and believe in the gospel</i>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="466" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/55nTvo6RyQ4" style="display: inline;" width="561" youtube-src-id="55nTvo6RyQ4"></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Church of the Martyrs of Faith and Homeland</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Al-our, Minya, Egypt</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">First Sunday in Lent</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 2-18-2024 if necessary).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+6%3A1-10&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: 2</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Corinthians 6:1-10</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=ESVUK" style="font-family: georgia; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Matthew 4:1-11. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK-Lc35wZ5r9hQThA1hW9zliWyuOQxiGh4CWL-RyEJ_tUriTIUj995GP1NM7HOX9WNIIWMgyihmldfBbvrVxe-k_ncSpkBy6YV5Gs_ZvkNOHLZaceqSrlZ5KzwCWgjiHHmLafTE23_eerEjheG7K9w2SbMotvslyYx_F-OdRFZh7ecq7NJyCt_WuRO_o/s1411/Tintoretto,%20The%20Temptation%20of%20Christ,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1411" data-original-width="800" height="951" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK-Lc35wZ5r9hQThA1hW9zliWyuOQxiGh4CWL-RyEJ_tUriTIUj995GP1NM7HOX9WNIIWMgyihmldfBbvrVxe-k_ncSpkBy6YV5Gs_ZvkNOHLZaceqSrlZ5KzwCWgjiHHmLafTE23_eerEjheG7K9w2SbMotvslyYx_F-OdRFZh7ecq7NJyCt_WuRO_o/w538-h951/Tintoretto,%20The%20Temptation%20of%20Christ,%20WGA.jpg" width="538" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i>The Temptation of Christ</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tintoretto [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/t/tintoret/3b/2upper/2/32tempt.html&find=Christ+in+the+Desert" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></span></i></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread' </i>(Matthew 4:3; Gospel).</span></span></p></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-37721286839402900652024-02-09T21:28:00.001+00:002024-02-09T21:34:58.096+00:00'You died out of love and did not abandon us in our misery.' Sunday Reflections, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNXNp2wAg1YVXTR1RL_H1apX387aU0xZ0xs583g1RQVtM8uejsc91P7zLY5B1eOV4AVBgOoQVC_HCryBQBMhDkFL64fZAAshvZ5qpjNgnoy5JGHp9wUB1nR1CGZlIEmnmP9iySFphLPuq6iv5pCCMcFjyHzRK006D6Xc-smQR67eJgx0UOSXYR6t8ACM/s5616/Yachounomori%20Garden,%20Tatebayashi,%20Gunma,%20Japan,%20Wikipedia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5616" data-original-width="3744" height="802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNXNp2wAg1YVXTR1RL_H1apX387aU0xZ0xs583g1RQVtM8uejsc91P7zLY5B1eOV4AVBgOoQVC_HCryBQBMhDkFL64fZAAshvZ5qpjNgnoy5JGHp9wUB1nR1CGZlIEmnmP9iySFphLPuq6iv5pCCMcFjyHzRK006D6Xc-smQR67eJgx0UOSXYR6t8ACM/w534-h802/Yachounomori%20Garden,%20Tatebayashi,%20Gunma,%20Japan,%20Wikipedia.jpg" width="534" /></a></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yachounomori Garden,Tatebayashi, Gunma, Japan </span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>; <a href="By TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) - Sakura and Moss Pink / 桜(さくら)と芝桜(しばざくら), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7996449" target="_blank">photo</a>]</span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240211/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021124.cfm " target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A40-45&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel </a></span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Mark 1:40-45</span><span lang="EN-GB"> (<i>English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">And a leper </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">came to
him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can
make me clean.”</span></span><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="text">Moved with pity, he stretched out his
hand and touched him and said to him, </span><span class="woj">“I will; be
clean.”</span> <span class="text">And immediately the leprosy left him, and
he was made clean.</span> <span class="text">And Jesus sternly
charged him and sent him away at once,</span> <span class="text">and said to
him, </span><span class="woj">“See that you say nothing to anyone, but
go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what
Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”</span> <span class="text">But he
went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that
Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate
places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-PH;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhwQNO5bQGUlck09g9oHUw39RHSMg4P_G5xmEe9YdDx76IwcHLuD6UDsuxj6VG2JEeUnA6JFa4MTnxVFL7mrejxp2w3qBdlWvZyHFG9lKAq72S9gPaoynX-CMjAVOLPaFAeHQls8bTShtY41i5D24bGHohnEcHNCnY94JKf2Y7XocwkYnu8BbbEoHJ2w/s1069/Vincent%20van%20Gogh,%20Lilac%20Bush,%20WGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1069" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhwQNO5bQGUlck09g9oHUw39RHSMg4P_G5xmEe9YdDx76IwcHLuD6UDsuxj6VG2JEeUnA6JFa4MTnxVFL7mrejxp2w3qBdlWvZyHFG9lKAq72S9gPaoynX-CMjAVOLPaFAeHQls8bTShtY41i5D24bGHohnEcHNCnY94JKf2Y7XocwkYnu8BbbEoHJ2w/w544-h431/Vincent%20van%20Gogh,%20Lilac%20Bush,%20WGA.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lilac Bush </span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vincent van Gogh
[<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/gogh_van/11/1asylu03.html&find=Japan" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">'</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
Impressionistic brushstrokes and Japanese style accentuated outline of the iris
leaves . . .'</span></span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> (WGA notes).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Two things jumped out at me from the Gospel reading: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">And a leper</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><i> came to Jesus, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean” </i>and <i>people were coming to him from every quarter</i>. Jesus was <i>moved with pity</i> for the leper and, we can be sure, with pity for the crowds who came looking for him. The gospels are full of stories of Jesus healing individuals and of healing many.</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">This week I read an article by my Columban confrere Fr Joe Brooder who was two classes behind me in the seminary and who has worked in Japan since 1970, apart from some years in Britain in the 1990s when he visited many parishes there on behalf of the Columbans.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Father Joe's story is about Hiroko, a middle-aged parishioner of his some years ago whose husband was a Protestant. (Only <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Japan" target="_blank">1.5% of the population is Christian</a>.) They had one daughter who had left the family home. Father Joe wrote: Hiroko </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had the glorious habit of coming into Mass just as I was starting, sit down in the back pew and as I would be imparting the final blessing at the end of Mass she would dart out of the church with the speed of a swallow leaving her nest after feeding her young and disappear into city air</i>.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"> Hiroko usually went to Sunday Mass but sometimes would not be there for months.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">One Monday morning Hiroko turned up at Mass wearing huge sunglasses, which Father Joe saw as some kind of fashion. However, she stayed after Mass and Father Joe approached her, thinking that she wanted to go to confession. However, she told him that her husband was a drunkard who often beat her up. She took of her glasses and the proof was there. Her long periods of absence from Sunday Mass were due to her recovering from ordeals like this. And the abuse of her mother by her father was the reason their adult daughter had left the home.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Father Joe asked Hiroko if she had remembered what the First Reading at the Mass that Monday was about. She did. It was about God's call to Abram to leave his country and to go to the land that He would show him. Hiroko found this comforting. She had already contacted her sister in another part of Japan who had invited her to come and stay. Father Joe, in his own words, 'ordered her' to do just that, as Abram had followed God's call. She said she would.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">To Father Joe's astonishment Hiroko returned the following Friday. She told him that she had bought a ticket, packed her bags, called a taxi and put her bags in it. But before she got in she went back to the house and went to look at her husband for the last time. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I went into his room</i>, she told the priest. <i>The stench of drink, urine and feces was overwhelming. I looked at him snoring away and turned around to leave the house for good. That was the moment I saw the crucifix on the wall. I could swear that Jesus on the cross was looking down directly on my husband and there was deep compassion and love in His gaze. I fell on my knees and cried out, ‘Oh Jesus, you suffered so much for me and for him here. You died out of love and did not abandon us in our misery. Here I am going to abandon him and seek my own comfort.'</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hiroko went back to the taxi, apologised to the driver, gave him some money and took her bags back into the house where she cleaned up her husband, changed him into fresh clothes and washed all the soiled linen. She spent the night watching over her husband. <i>Now and again I would look up at the crucifix and I swear, Father, that the gaze that came out of the face of Jesus was no longer pity and compassion but that of a serene joy</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next day her husband of 30 years asked her to take him to hospital. After unburdening herself Hiroko told Father Joe that she had to go back to the hospital as her husband needed her. The priest wrote: </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>She left me in
a daze. I was ashamed
that I had
not the courage to tell her to
take up her cross and follow Jesus. I told her to dump her cross and seek her
own comfort. At the same moment I knew I was blessed because I knew that I had
just met a living saint and a living martyr called Hiroko. I knew I had met
love in the flesh. I knew that Hiroko had left me with an example that was
divine</i>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not long after, Hiroko's estranged daughter, who had left home disgusted with 'Christianity', unexpectedly contacted her mother. When she heard that her father was in hospital she came with her daughter, the grandchild her father didn't know he had. Then something wonderful happened. Hiroko's husband, like the leper who approached Jesus, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 115%;">got down on his knees and apologized for all the
pain that he had caused his wife and the brutal example he gave to his
daughter. He asked for forgiveness and swore to never take a drop again, a vow
he never broke. I was able to visit him in hospital and that brute of a husband
became a reformed alcoholic, a reformed husband, a reformed father, a reformed
Chris</span><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 115%;">ti</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>an, a
reformed human and
all became a reformed family. The
beast had become a lamb. The hot temper he once owned became a kind and gentle
temper. He knew he was loved by God, by Jesus, by his wife and daughter. But
his health never recovered. He died surrounded by love some months later and
was buried out of his own Protestant Church. I am sure he got the surprise of
his life when he got past St Peter
and was
smothered by the
mother he never knew he had - the
Blessed Virgin Mary</i>.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the verses in today's Responsorial Psalm sums this up: <i>But now I have acknowledged my sins; I said: 'I will confess my offence to the Lord.' And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.'</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As it happens, this Sunday is <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/sick/documents/20240110-giornata-malato.html" target="_blank">World Day of the Sick</a>, observed each year on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, not observed this year as it falls on Sunday.</span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Father Joe's article,<i> </i>which touched me very deeply as an expression of the Gospel, the Good News, ends with these words: <i>Time passed. One day Hiroko came to me and said, ‘I am
leaving this area’.
I presumed she was going
to live with
</i><i>her daughter. I said ‘Have a good time in Tokyo with your newly-found
daughter’. She looked at me and said gently, ‘Father, you once ordered me to
leave my country and go like Abram to the land that God was showing me. Now I
will obey you. This afternoon I am finally going off to live with my loving big
sister far away from here. Goodbye’. I lost all contact with her. But I know where
she lives. She lives in my heart still inspiring me, guiding and hopefully
praying for me</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">+++</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The impact of the story of Hiroko on me is that it points me towards Jesus and I want to be among the <i>people coming to him from every quarter</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="471" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dLPUxt7pUV8" width="567" youtube-src-id="dLPUxt7pUV8"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Hail Mary </b>in Japanese</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="t pg-18m0 pg-18x1 pg-18h2 pg-18y2f pg-18ff1 pg-18fs0 pg-18fc0 pg-18sc0 pg-18ls0 pg-18ws13" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 127.048px; height: 36.2871px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 1.00293; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 4.928px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">cour<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>age to te<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>ll her to tak<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>e up her cross and f<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>ollow Jesus. I </span></div><div class="t pg-18m0 pg-18x1 pg-18h2 pg-18y30 pg-18ff1 pg-18fs0 pg-18fc0 pg-18sc0 pg-18ls0 pg-18ws14" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 113.848px; height: 36.2871px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 1.00293; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: -0.264px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">told her to dump her cr<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>oss and seek her own comf<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>ort. A<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>t the </span></div><div class="t pg-18m0 pg-18x1 pg-18h2 pg-18y31 pg-18ff1 pg-18fs0 pg-18fc0 pg-18sc0 pg-18ls0 pg-18ws15" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 100.648px; height: 36.2871px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 1.00293; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 5.324px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">same moment I knew I w<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>as blessed because I knew that I </span></div><div class="t pg-18m0 pg-18x1 pg-18h3 pg-18y32 pg-18ff2 pg-18fs0 pg-18fc0 pg-18sc0 pg-18ls0 pg-18ws4" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 87.4476px; height: 31.582px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 0.895996; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0.44px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">had just met a living saint and <span class="_ pg-18_1" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.0252px; z-index: -1;"></span>a living martyr called Hirok<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>o. I </span></div><div class="t pg-18m0 pg-18x1 pg-18h3 pg-18y33 pg-18ff2 pg-18fs0 pg-18fc0 pg-18sc0 pg-18ls0 pg-18ws4" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 74.2476px; height: 31.582px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 0.895996; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0.44px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">knew I <span class="_ pg-18_1" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.0252px; z-index: -1;"></span>had met <span class="_ pg-18_1" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.0252px; z-index: -1;"></span>love in <span class="_ pg-18_1" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.0252px; z-index: -1;"></span>the <span class="_ pg-18_1" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.0252px; z-index: -1;"></span>esh. I <span class="_ pg-18_1" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.0252px; z-index: -1;"></span>knew <span class="_ pg-18_1" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.0252px; z-index: -1;"></span>that Hirok<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>o had <span class="_ pg-18_1" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.0252px; z-index: -1;"></span>le<span class="_ pg-18_8" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -4.8796px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span> </span></div><div class="t pg-18m0 pg-18x1 pg-18h3 pg-18y34 pg-18ff2 pg-18fs0 pg-18fc0 pg-18sc0 pg-18ls0 pg-18ws4" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 61.0476px; height: 31.582px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 0.895996; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0.44px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">me with an <span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>ex<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>ample that w<span class="_ pg-18_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -1.606px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>as divine</span></div><div class="t pg-17m0 pg-17x4 pg-17h7 pg-17y11 pg-17ff4 pg-17fs4 pg-17fc2 pg-17sc0 pg-17ls1 pg-17ws1" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 364.931px; height: 31.582px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 0.895996; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0.44px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">just <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>as <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>I was <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>st<span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>arng<span class="_ pg-17_3" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 1.2804px; z-index: -1;"></span>, <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>sit down <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>in <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>the back <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>pew <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>and as <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>I <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>would </span></div><div class="t pg-17m0 pg-17x4 pg-17h7 pg-17y12 pg-17ff4 pg-17fs4 pg-17fc2 pg-17sc0 pg-17ls1 pg-17ws1" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 351.731px; height: 31.582px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 0.895996; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0.44px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">be imparng the nal blessing at the end of <span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; z-index: -1;"></span>Mass she would </span></div><div class="t pg-17m0 pg-17x4 pg-17h7 pg-17y13 pg-17ff4 pg-17fs4 pg-17fc2 pg-17sc0 pg-17ls1 pg-17ws1" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: white; bottom: 338.531px; height: 31.582px; left: 28.3464px; letter-spacing: -0.44px; line-height: 0.895996; position: absolute; text-shadow: none; transform-origin: 0px 100%; transform: matrix(0.25, 0, 0, 0.25, 0, 0); unicode-bidi: bidi-override; visibility: visible; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0.44px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">dart <span class="_ pg-17_5" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 3.8984px; z-index: -1;"></span>out <span class="_ pg-17_8" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 2.3584px; z-index: -1;"></span>of <span class="_ pg-17_5" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 3.8984px; z-index: -1;"></span>the <span class="_ pg-17_8" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 2.3584px; z-index: -1;"></span>church <span class="_ pg-17_5" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 3.8984px; z-index: -1;"></span>with <span class="_ pg-17_8" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 2.3584px; z-index: -1;"></span>the <span class="_ pg-17_5" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 3.8984px; z-index: -1;"></span>speed <span class="_ pg-17_5" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 3.8984px; z-index: -1;"></span>of <span class="_ pg-17_8" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 2.3584px; z-index: -1;"></span>a <span class="_ pg-17_5" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 3.8984px; z-index: -1;"></span>swallow <span class="_ pg-17_8" color="transparent" style="display: inline-block; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; width: 2.3584px; z-index: -1;"></span>leaving <span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; letter-spacing: -0.44px; word-spacing: 0.44px;">her nest </span><span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.44px; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; word-spacing: 0.44px; z-index: -1;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; letter-spacing: -0.44px; word-spacing: 0.44px;">aer f</span><span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.44px; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; word-spacing: 0.44px; z-index: -1;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; letter-spacing: -0.44px; word-spacing: 0.44px;">eeding her y</span><span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.44px; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; word-spacing: 0.44px; z-index: -1;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; letter-spacing: -0.44px; word-spacing: 0.44px;">oung and disappear int</span><span class="_ pg-17_0" color="transparent" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.44px; margin-left: -2.0072px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; word-spacing: 0.44px; z-index: -1;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; letter-spacing: -0.44px; word-spacing: 0.44px;">o city air</span></span><span class="_ pg-17_1" color="transparent" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; background-color: transparent; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.44px; margin-left: -5.1844px; position: relative; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; word-spacing: 0.44px; z-index: -1;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.015em transparent; letter-spacing: -0.44px; word-spacing: 0.44px;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">used to come to Sunday Mass just as it had begun and left just before it ended. There were long periods when she didn't attend. One Sunday she arrived wearing very large sunglasses, which Father Joe attributed to some fashion fad.</span></span></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Quinquagesima Sunday</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 2-11-2024 if necessary).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor+13%3A1-13&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: 1</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Cor 13:1-13</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A31-43&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=ESVUK" style="font-family: georgia; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Luke 18:31-43. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpRmruEWBYGV0bef28rJs8VJBa58PRGD_INg_lWa3WFAFT7afjnZ0CivZ2dddDkBQpTMVhVHHq95-TGEYlrYfkAUhZK-nLWlOjvxfduhYRSmX5OgOv5Iue4mQABMrGGH8Pzn6WCwSsH79ccqmJ2v1wIlJ4skC5vhSTbAx-vQ9tIzlICFJ6HfDB4gl5s4/s1007/El%20Greco,%20Christ%20Healing%20the%20Blind%201570-75,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1007" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpRmruEWBYGV0bef28rJs8VJBa58PRGD_INg_lWa3WFAFT7afjnZ0CivZ2dddDkBQpTMVhVHHq95-TGEYlrYfkAUhZK-nLWlOjvxfduhYRSmX5OgOv5Iue4mQABMrGGH8Pzn6WCwSsH79ccqmJ2v1wIlJ4skC5vhSTbAx-vQ9tIzlICFJ6HfDB4gl5s4/w540-h440/El%20Greco,%20Christ%20Healing%20the%20Blind%201570-75,%20WGA.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Christ Healing the Blind </b>(1570-75)</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rembrandt [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/greco_el/02/0212grec.html&find=Healing+the+blind" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text Luke-18-40" id="en-RSVCE-29894" style="font-style: italic;">Jesus asked him, '</span><span class="text Luke-18-41" id="en-RSVCE-29895"><i>What do you want me to do for you?' He said, 'Lord, let me receive my sight' </i>(Luke 18:40-41; Gospel).</span></span></div></div></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-68432015136527349062024-02-02T16:33:00.002+00:002024-02-06T16:09:08.805+00:00'Her last two years were also full of pain, yet always of love and light . . .' Sunday Reflections, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3itYObosuC09_V0q3tx6FkH_PifIZR-T6dl5AtjLVoz099wL_F9cDdCdB3URmkdSa5dWvSqaUqnT2bUkG18BzjcMsxYDXpmuF-qwmmzl_6TtG3jcbjLBAgAeNRoK0PmbzMW7xYOOcHNUT4hUYQDBPZLleyNw712J-8b0NuEfIB7CXHDRAepcTmDNmA0/s1100/Jan%20Josef%20Horemans%20II,%20A%20Sick%20Woman,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1100" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3itYObosuC09_V0q3tx6FkH_PifIZR-T6dl5AtjLVoz099wL_F9cDdCdB3URmkdSa5dWvSqaUqnT2bUkG18BzjcMsxYDXpmuF-qwmmzl_6TtG3jcbjLBAgAeNRoK0PmbzMW7xYOOcHNUT4hUYQDBPZLleyNw712J-8b0NuEfIB7CXHDRAepcTmDNmA0/w551-h419/Jan%20Josef%20Horemans%20II,%20A%20Sick%20Woman,%20WGA.jpg" width="551" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></i></b><i><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>A Sick Woman</b></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jan Josef Horemans II</span></span></i><i><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/h/horemans/jan_ii/sick_wom.html&find=Sick+woman" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Now </i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her</i> (Mark 1:30; Gospel}.</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240204/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfm " target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A29-39&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Mark 1:29-39 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;">And immediately Jesus left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24242">Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24243">And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That evening at sunset they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.</span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24247"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;">And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.</span> <span id="en-ESVUK-24248">And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,</span> <span id="en-ESVUK-24249">and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”</span> <span id="en-ESVUK-24250">And he said to them, </span></span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;">“Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is what I came for.”</span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;"> <span id="en-ESVUK-24251">And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 14.95px;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></i></b><i><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi174engDg5lE57iuqTBXhCaxqETSQqqQpGcduhKU8mMY9RVdMNZCZZhEBstRHw4MZqMbVYDSIyYs1IkYumSplBZblnQ21z4DrCjRWUAfy3o1cqJrrr7Em9ofyTVInW_goctua-RpxOkno/s320/Pope+Benedict+with+children.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="266" height="631" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi174engDg5lE57iuqTBXhCaxqETSQqqQpGcduhKU8mMY9RVdMNZCZZhEBstRHw4MZqMbVYDSIyYs1IkYumSplBZblnQ21z4DrCjRWUAfy3o1cqJrrr7Em9ofyTVInW_goctua-RpxOkno/w525-h631/Pope+Benedict+with+children.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="525" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Pope Benedict with children</b><b> </b>[<a href="https://seedsofcommunion.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/benedict-xvi-celebrates-christmas-with-children/pope-benedict-and-children/" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Source</a>]</span></i></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"></i></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 24.5333px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">One of the striking features of the Gospels is the number of times Jesus healed sick people, usually an individual, such as Simon Peter's mother-in-law in in this Sunday's gospel, sometimes </span><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia;"><i>all who were sick or oppressed by demons</i> in the same gospel reading.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p></span><span style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">T</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">his week I will simply copy Pope Benedict's words on Sunday's gospel during <a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20120205.html" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">his Angelus talk</a> on this same Sunday in 2012. I will <b>highlight </b>what particularly strikes me.<i> </i></span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Dear Brothers and Sisters,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">This Sunday’s Gospel presents to us Jesus who heals the sick: first Simon Peter’s mother-in-law who was in bed with a fever and Jesus, taking her by the hand, healed her and helped her to her feet; then all the sick in Capernaum, tested in body, mind and spirit, and he 'healed many… and cast out many demons' (Mk 1:34). <b>The four Evangelists agree in testifying that this liberation from illness and infirmity of every kind was — together with preaching — Jesus’ main activity in his public ministry</b>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Illness is in fact a sign of the action of Evil in the world and in people, whereas healing shows that the Kingdom of God, God himself, is at hand. <b>Jesus Christ came to defeat Evil at the root and instances of healing are an anticipation of his triumph, obtained with his death and Resurrection</b>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Jesus said one day: 'those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick' (Mk 2:17). On that occasion he was referring to sinners, whom he came to call and to save. It is nonetheless true that illness is a typically human condition in which we feel strongly that we are not self-sufficient but need others. <b>In this regard we might say paradoxically that illness can be a salutary moment in which to experience the attention of others and to pay attention to others!</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">However illness is also always a trial that can even become long and difficult. <b>When healing does not happen and suffering is prolonged, we can be as it were overwhelmed, isolated, and then our life is depressed and dehumanized</b>. How should we react to this attack of Evil? With the appropriate treatment, certainly — medicine in these decades has taken giant strides and we are grateful for it — <b>but the Word of God teaches us that there is a crucial basic attitude with which to face illness and it is that of faith in God, in his goodness. Jesus always repeats this to the people he heals: your faith has made you well </b>(cf. Mk 5:34, 36).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Even in the face of death, faith can make possible what is humanly impossible. <b>But faith in what? In the love of God. This is the real answer which radically defeats Evil</b>. Just as Jesus confronted the Evil One with the power of the love that came to him from the Father, so we too can confront and live through the trial of illness, keeping our heart immersed in God’s love.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwuFmS-DKwsnZov2o67WZhCln5m3uEI8FfUrKl1gf1Ua-JvC7z_xw37fkIWvz60U072Froe58xdOKK4T5ZXa4FyHBIVpzGmkpFFDnjvqFK_UeguyFOLK53NKOuX-m2bkIPJmsztARh9M/s260/Blessed+Chiara+Luce+Badano+in+hospital.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="250" height="543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwuFmS-DKwsnZov2o67WZhCln5m3uEI8FfUrKl1gf1Ua-JvC7z_xw37fkIWvz60U072Froe58xdOKK4T5ZXa4FyHBIVpzGmkpFFDnjvqFK_UeguyFOLK53NKOuX-m2bkIPJmsztARh9M/w523-h543/Blessed+Chiara+Luce+Badano+in+hospital.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="523" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;">Blessed Chiara Luce Badano </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;">[<a href="http://communio.stblogs.org/index.php/2015/10/chiara-luce-badano/" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Source</span></a>]</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;">(29 October 1971 - 7 October 1990)</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">We all know people who were able to bear terrible suffering because God gave them profound serenity. <b>I am thinking of the recent example of Blessed Chiara Badano, cut off in the flower of her youth by a disease from which there was no escape: all those who went to visit her received light and confidence from her! Nonetheless, in sickness we all need human warmth: to comfort a sick person what counts more than words is serene and sincere closeness.</b></span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear friends, next Saturday, 11 February, the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, is the World Day of the Sick. Let us too do as people did in Jesus’ day: let us present to him spiritually all the sick, confident that he wants to and can heal them. And let us invoke the intercession of Our Lady, especially for the situations of greater suffering and neglect. <b>Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us!</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 20.7px;"><i>[Sunday, 11 February, is this year's World Day of the Sick,<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> which takes place each year on the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, not observed this year because Sunday takes precedence.]</span></i></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF55PY9tM1qRXx2I_bj4YwRXXxzyPM8t2n2gtq8lFfGWDdqugYsgWlScOO7gCdOwdYaoyEOvcCpOCLJgKMHNwApr7ONnjS22O6R22tD8n_siJCiYYwycoR_lZiBpNUGw2sVecXfyge-4/s2048/Blessed+Chiara+Luce+Badano%252C+chiarabadano.org.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1451" height="708" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF55PY9tM1qRXx2I_bj4YwRXXxzyPM8t2n2gtq8lFfGWDdqugYsgWlScOO7gCdOwdYaoyEOvcCpOCLJgKMHNwApr7ONnjS22O6R22tD8n_siJCiYYwycoR_lZiBpNUGw2sVecXfyge-4/w502-h708/Blessed+Chiara+Luce+Badano%252C+chiarabadano.org.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="502" /></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><i><i><b>Blessed Chiara</b><b> </b>[<a href="http://www.chiarabadano.org/life/?lang=en" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Source</a>]</i></i></div><p style="font-size: large;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">On a pastoral visit to Palermo, Italy, on 3 October 2010 Pope Benedict <a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2010/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20101003_palermo-giovani.html" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">had this to say</a> about Blessed Chiara [<b>emphases </b>added]: <b><i>I do not want to start with a discussion but with a testimonial, a true and very timely life story</i></b><i>. I believe you know that last Saturday, 25 September, a young Italian girl, called Chiara, Chiara Badano, was declared Blessed in Rome. <b>I invite you to become acquainted with her</b>. Her life was a short one but it is a wonderful message. Chiara was born in 1971 and died in 1990 from an incurable disease. Nineteen years full of life, love and faith. <b>Her last two years were also full of pain, yet always of love and light, a light that shone around her, that came from within: from her heart filled with God!</b> How was this possible? How could a 17- or 18-year-old girl live her suffering in this way, humanly without hope, spreading love, serenity, peace and faith? <b>This was obviously a grace of God, but this grace was prepared and accompanied by human collaboration as well: the collaboration of Chiara herself, of course, but also of her parents and friends</b></i>.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> </span>You may read more about Blessed Chiara Luce Badano in <i><a href="http://www.misyononline.com/sep-oct2010/saint-who-failed-math" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Saint Who Failed Math</a> </i>by Richelle Verdeprado<i> </i>published in the September-October 2010 issue of <i><a href="http://misyononline.com/" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;">MISYONonline.com</a></i>, the magazine of the Columbans in the Philippines of which I used to be editor. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The whole of <a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2010/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20101003_palermo-giovani.html" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Pope Benedict's address</a> to the young people and families of Sicily is well worth reading and reflecting on. </span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="461" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kq0EXaNkRy0" style="display: inline;" width="554" youtube-src-id="kq0EXaNkRy0"></iframe></i></div><p style="font-size: large;"></p></div></span></div></div></span></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>St Paul on Preaching</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqabsg0kE5VKun1J1tFCWK9gEEiXJKny5m3LPhxxJ2YEMS1hT440FqeYP2e5rMHVL7oIz3KPPo95txN8vDxVXVsOrbTHMioGbFk5v8cHycJYeleVvkIeBh1qTYHIR96-QKIKSnHlAoFtUDad5aQKCNq5pMb_gE1fEWQ1ERPzYK8fOWp5bomIMFqXFBfg/s1350/Giovanni%20Paolo%20Pannini,%20Ruins%20with%20ST%20Paul%20Preaching,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1047" height="701" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqabsg0kE5VKun1J1tFCWK9gEEiXJKny5m3LPhxxJ2YEMS1hT440FqeYP2e5rMHVL7oIz3KPPo95txN8vDxVXVsOrbTHMioGbFk5v8cHycJYeleVvkIeBh1qTYHIR96-QKIKSnHlAoFtUDad5aQKCNq5pMb_gE1fEWQ1ERPzYK8fOWp5bomIMFqXFBfg/w543-h701/Giovanni%20Paolo%20Pannini,%20Ruins%20with%20ST%20Paul%20Preaching,%20WGA.jpg" width="543" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Ruins with St Paul Preaching</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Giovanni Paolo Pannini [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/p/pannini/ruinpaul.html&find=St+Paul+preaching" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">St Paul begins the Second Reading with these words: <span class="text 1Cor-9-16" id="en-ESVUK-28540" style="background-color: white;"><i>For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">(1 Corinthians 9:16). </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">n my 80 years I never remember such confusion in the teaching Church. We need to pray earnestly that all who are called to preach and teach the Gospel will be faithful to what the Church has handed down since the time of the Apostles, the teaching that they received from Jesus Christ. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Ten Commandments apply to every person. No one is exempted from any of them, though none of us lives fully up to them. But Jesus has given the Church the great gift of the Sacrament of Penance/Confession/Reconciliation to forgive us and get us up on our feet again.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">The first recorded words of Jesus are in the Gospel of St Mark, the first of the Four Gospels to be written: </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">The time is fulfilled, and </span><span style="background-color: white;">the kingdom of God is at hand; </span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><i>repent and believe in the gospel</i> (Mark 1:15).</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Sexagesima Sunday</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 2-04-2024 if necessary).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+11%3A19-33%3B+12%3A1-9&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2 Cor 11:19-33; 12:1-9</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+8%3A4-15&version=RSVCE" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gospel</span></a></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=ESVUK" style="font-family: georgia; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Luke 8:4-15. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrju33KfF1Bp1FHZ2FZ83f7ocmd_Xt1D5_pZ2wljim1KEWYquFIHLBfY5nMTqnmV2SYAJ-wNLY2SFxDs5IGPh60qipH1mzm5OoEYfuJlRLxeMN8PYsSNmhHB4hGm_SdxsnkYZPTlQvBo935Pwd7lR3fK1Zbuh9oKEm6xpdRhcyt1oGlH657kQbbn_8Nc/s1466/Jean-Baptiste%20Pillement,%20Shipwrecked%20Sailors%20Coming%20Ashore,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1466" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrju33KfF1Bp1FHZ2FZ83f7ocmd_Xt1D5_pZ2wljim1KEWYquFIHLBfY5nMTqnmV2SYAJ-wNLY2SFxDs5IGPh60qipH1mzm5OoEYfuJlRLxeMN8PYsSNmhHB4hGm_SdxsnkYZPTlQvBo935Pwd7lR3fK1Zbuh9oKEm6xpdRhcyt1oGlH657kQbbn_8Nc/w557-h380/Jean-Baptiste%20Pillement,%20Shipwrecked%20Sailors%20Coming%20Ashore,%20WGA.jpg" width="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></i></b><i><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Shipwrecked Sailors Coming Ashore</b></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jean-Baptiste Pillement</span></span></i><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/p/pillemen/shipwrec.html&find=Shipwreck" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea</i>. (2 Corinthians 11:24; Epistle).</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-82617708972193693542024-01-26T20:47:00.000+00:002024-01-26T20:47:14.606+00:00'He taught them as one who had authority'. Sunday Reflections, 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B<p><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"> </span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8368275992383419327" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ihmLhQBKyI4hwL_RGZbiAvBpCqYajA65YwPlG2q5yuWwXS_U0TRw_RGTheBE11npsXRKcf2HvmqwhkcKiY73IfhvBwKnO-2DPlETO8zfygQfjKzeMlnMWRT5TJ2M9qJGDG0bFHsXFy4/s1600/Christ+as+the+Teacher%252C+Marble%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="817" height="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ihmLhQBKyI4hwL_RGZbiAvBpCqYajA65YwPlG2q5yuWwXS_U0TRw_RGTheBE11npsXRKcf2HvmqwhkcKiY73IfhvBwKnO-2DPlETO8zfygQfjKzeMlnMWRT5TJ2M9qJGDG0bFHsXFy4/w489-h960/Christ+as+the+Teacher%252C+Marble%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="489" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christ as Teacher (Cristo Docente)</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;">Fourth Century Roman Sculptor </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;">[<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/zearly/1/1sculptu/various/7statue3.html&find=Christ+as+Teacher" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></span></div><p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012824.cfm " target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A21-28&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;">Mark 1:21-28 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">[Jesus and his disciples] went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24234">And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24235">And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24236">“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24237">But Jesus rebuked him, saying, </span><span class="woj">“Be silent, and come out of him!”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24238">And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24239">And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24240">And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.</span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a></span></i></b><i style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFQzfi6HMFOEM-XQocw9SMo_N07rqPHzMIsN33mbxnoDU3fWA5UMODU9NoKFC6Qw1-G6VJOgibpwsJH9JriMZ5Xd00_S6tEm8laiqK48FqoFy6v2fo5_pHkqbO01dpV7pgXNmIStI6wU/s640/OCS+Primary+School%252C+Edmund+Rice+Schools+Trust.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFQzfi6HMFOEM-XQocw9SMo_N07rqPHzMIsN33mbxnoDU3fWA5UMODU9NoKFC6Qw1-G6VJOgibpwsJH9JriMZ5Xd00_S6tEm8laiqK48FqoFy6v2fo5_pHkqbO01dpV7pgXNmIStI6wU/w547-h410/OCS+Primary+School%252C+Edmund+Rice+Schools+Trust.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="547" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>O'Connell Primary School, Dublin </b>[<a href="http://www.erst.ie/our-schools/detail/oconnell-c.b.s.-primary-school" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Source</a>]</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The stadium in the background is <a href="https://crokepark.ie/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Croke Park</a>, the renovation of which was completed in 2005. One of the main events of the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland in 2018 took place there.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In September 1953 the school building above was opened. O'Connell Schools - there is both a primary and secondary school - were founded in 1828 and named after Daniel O'Connell, the outstanding figure in Irish history in the first half of the 19th century, known as 'The Liberator'. He was a major benefactor in the building of the original school. He was also largely responsible for the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 in Westminster which abolished most of the Penal Laws against Catholics in the United Kingdom, of which the whole of Ireland was part at the time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was in Fourth Class (Grade Four) in 1953-54 and was blessed to have a wonderful teacher named John Galligan. I didn't realise until about twelve years later when I was in the seminary what a wonderful teacher and mentor he was. He was around the same age as my father at the time, 40 or thereabouts. All my other teachers in the primary school, both Irish Christian Brothers and laymen, were in their 20s.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">John gave us a great grounding in the grammar of both Irish and English. He encouraged us to read the newspapers - and not just the sports pages. He stimulated my interest in writing and in reading, though I was already an avid reader at that stage, borrowing books from Dublin's public libraries. And he taught with a delightful sense of humour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He was forever talking about his wife Mary. Their son Bernard was in our class and John treated us all with the same respect. One day he brought in Mary so that we could meet her.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At that time in Ireland children made their confirmation once they reached the age of ten. John prepared us for the sacrament which we celebrated in March 1954 in St Agatha's, North William Street, the parish in which our school was located. He was also sponsor or godfather to all of us when we were confirmed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Mr Galligan, as he was known to us boys (the school was only for boys), also taught us how to use the hand missal in Latin and English that many had so that we could participate fully in the Mass, which in those days, as it had been for centuries, was what is now often referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">During my seminary years it dawned on me that not only had John Galligan been a first-class teacher, but a first-class mentor of the faith. The way he prepared us for confirmation and the way he taught us how to use the missal were not 'mechanical' acts but expressions of his living faith. His love for his wife Mary was a living out of the Sacrament of Matrimony that they had conferred on one another on their wedding day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Whenever I read or hear these words in today's gospel, <i>And</i> <i>they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes</i> . . . <i>What is this? A new teaching with authority!</i>, I think of John Galligan and others like him. He spoke to us youngsters in Fourth Class not only with the authority of his being our teacher but, much more importantly, with the authority of the integrity of the way he lived his Catholic Christian faith. He was quite probably unaware of that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have used this Reflection before but while preparing it this time it struck me that John Galligan's inner authority was in full harmony with that of my father, also John, who spent all his working life on construction sites where he was a general foreman for many years. I worked with him during the summer of 1967, a few months before my ordination to the priesthood. Though there was much swearing, which didn't surprise or shock me, none of it came from my Dad. The workers respected him because he respected them. And like John Galligan he was a great mentor to young workers and to young architects. And he often spoke of two particular foremen under whom he had worked as a young carpenter. The qualities he saw in them were the qualities I and others saw in him. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">John Galligan and John Coyle were men of deep Catholic Christian faith.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What the people in Capernaum saw in Jesus was his inner authority. That was the only authority he had, which came from the reality that he was God who became Man, doing the will of the Father. Each of us through baptism and confirmation is called to share in that authority of Jesus in the way we live our daily lives.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of my regrets is that I did not invite John Galligan to attend my First Mass. However, in the 1980s I was invited to write a weekly column for <i>The Freeman</i>, a daily newspaper in Cebu City. My second column was an appreciation of John Galligan. I sent a copy of it to him through the school, though he he had retired by then. This led to my visiting him and Mary a number of times while home from the Philippines, a delightful experience.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I am grateful to God for John Galligan - and for many others, especially my Dad - who taught me the faith <i>as one who had authority</i>, the authority of Jesus himself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="465" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rgpOgDLXXp4" width="559" youtube-src-id="rgpOgDLXXp4"></iframe></div><i style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/o-salutaris-hostia.html" target="_blank">O Salutaris Hostia</a></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Latin text by St Thomas Aquinas</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This Eucharistic hymn is often sung when Benediction is celebrated.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>O salutaris Hostia,<br />Quae caeli pandis ostium: <br />Bella premunt hostilia,<br />Da robur, fer auxilium.<br />Uni trinoque Domino <br />Sit sempiterna gloria,<br />Qui vitam sine termino <br />Nobis donet in patria.<br />Amen.</i><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">O saving Victim, opening wide,<br />The gate of heaven to man below!<br />Our foes press on from every side;<br />Thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To Thy great name by endless praise,<br />Immortal Godhead, one in Three;<br />Oh, grant us endless length of days,<br />In our true native land with Thee. Amen.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GsKa99f8kM3SdbL48KkA_16ZyPmv158INCzNsAD9Uti4-FMFpSGeHLM_7fY87dcusaIduEARz3avXtqAy3Bzfn2LT1POZqjwWfwgGCCjUlOlhE-jhpup-RW8wGqNUaoFpmCcKMTJuYiwulRp1xSqixLuvhAIPMkK5qqiB2l3Je0SAEM1Mz0PKEKiFWA/s1400/Fra%20Angelico,%20St%20Thomas%20Aquinas,%20WGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="482" height="1463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GsKa99f8kM3SdbL48KkA_16ZyPmv158INCzNsAD9Uti4-FMFpSGeHLM_7fY87dcusaIduEARz3avXtqAy3Bzfn2LT1POZqjwWfwgGCCjUlOlhE-jhpup-RW8wGqNUaoFpmCcKMTJuYiwulRp1xSqixLuvhAIPMkK5qqiB2l3Je0SAEM1Mz0PKEKiFWA/w503-h1463/Fra%20Angelico,%20St%20Thomas%20Aquinas,%20WGA.jpg" width="503" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>St Thomas Aquinas</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Blessed Fra Angelico [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/a/angelico/07/panel6.html&find=St+Thomas+Aquinas" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Feast of St Thomas Aquinas is observed on 28 January. However, as that falls on Sunday this year it will not be celebrated by the Universal Church. The painting above is by his fellow Dominican friar, Blessed Fra Angelico.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Septuagesima Sunday</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 1-28-2024 if necessary).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+9%3A24-27%3B+10%3A1-5&version=NRSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=ESVUK" style="font-family: georgia; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Matthew 20:1-16. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMNx1RoUgYcqJupMuNpk0Fz_tgZqBqExmzKPVPveJKKVhbCQzCYN7iC4md8h5gYtGRu4X3yZFxzAp0MiumpqeiBbFmVttSvoK9-3RqMYcu8kLryxSPoPdBAK7J__Lh_dkaG74wTgDatB7CoixmbePDAWG562XsvEs_5m-tgN_Azvm2Ob-4LtPQpI5gh0/s1000/Bernhard%20Keil,%20The%20Grape-Picker,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="754" height="740" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMNx1RoUgYcqJupMuNpk0Fz_tgZqBqExmzKPVPveJKKVhbCQzCYN7iC4md8h5gYtGRu4X3yZFxzAp0MiumpqeiBbFmVttSvoK9-3RqMYcu8kLryxSPoPdBAK7J__Lh_dkaG74wTgDatB7CoixmbePDAWG562XsvEs_5m-tgN_Azvm2Ob-4LtPQpI5gh0/w558-h740/Bernhard%20Keil,%20The%20Grape-Picker,%20WGA.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><b><i>The Grape-Picker</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;">Bernhard Keil </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;">[<a href="https://www.wga.hu/html/k/keil/grapepic.html" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard </i>(Matthew 20:1; Gospel).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Isn't that a marvellously alive portrait of the grape-picker?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p></div></div></div></span></div></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-25471072819116554212024-01-23T21:31:00.000+00:002024-01-23T21:31:12.967+00:00St Francis de Sales, Patron Saint of the Deaf. <div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-647965860679287474" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Saint_francois_de_sales.jpg/414px-Saint_francois_de_sales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="804" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgMn3VJXFNbURGHfMDk2BqrH0_fzlT4RSUrvyhLlvAdGoDCTqUngzOFM3K9Rnt16ZKoseAr1oX79ZssoCsTVCL85f__MIJ3xcJ7_n36ZYFXUHNa0DO5R4pmdMsRhuQCa6gpDTa___RgM-ncOp63pSJ0-GUf0SHXw_P4jCQvWYJrpq2MXldQedeJ3-d6ZBZmN4DYieB6XRUPui-Jlp_TzXtPZ9AnUzUAZG5eW6TwDr8-GdAAYw3EwA=w556-h804" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="556" /></a></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Saint_francois_de_sales.jpg/414px-Saint_francois_de_sales.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">St Francis de Sales</span></a></i></b></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The feast of St Francis de Sales is celebrated on 24 January. He was an outstanding bishop, theologian, a Doctor of the Church, that is, someone recognised as having brought us to a deeper understanding of the teaching that Christ gave to St Peter and the Apostles to be passed on to each generation. This great saint is a patron saint of journalists and writers - and of the Deaf and hearing impaired. Below is something I posted originally on 24 January 2009 and again four years later. This time I've added <i>[some comments]</i>.</span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I <a href="http://bangortobobbio.blogspot.com/2009/01/patron-of-journalists-and-of-deaf.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">originally posted</a> the following on 24 January 2009.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">Today is the feast of St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop and Doctor of the Church, patron of journalists and of the Deaf. So he is my patron on both counts, since I edit </span><a href="http://www.misyononline.com/" style="line-height: 18px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: initial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Misyon</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"> <i>[phased out in 2018] </i>and have been working with the Deaf on a part-time basis since 1992 and frequently celebrate Mass in Sign Language. Above all, he was a man who lived the fulness of the priesthood as a bishop faithfully. Maybe he would be a blogger if he were around today. <i>[My Sign Language was never fluent.]</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"></div><div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The following information, which I found <a href="http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/86.html" style="text-decoration-line: initial;">here</a>, is from the National Catholic Office for the Deaf, located in Washington, DC.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">St Francis De Sales: Patron of the Deaf and Hearing-impaired</span></strong></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In 1605, an indigent young man named Martin, a deaf-mute from birth, came almost daily to a house in Roche, France, where Bishop de Sales was staying, to ask for alms. He was a strong young man fit for all kinds of work, and the Bishop's housekeeper often allowed him to help her in payment for the Bishop's generosity. One day a servant introduced Martin to the Bishop.</i></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As a result of his handicap, Martin, who was about 25 years old, had never received any kind of education -- or instruction in the Catholic faith. (It was presumed by all of the educated people of that age, the 17th century, that a deaf-mute was a mentally handicapped person and that trying to educate or trying to communicate religious truths to such a person would be a waste of time.)</span></em></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em>At the time of their meeting, St Francis de Sales was visibly disturbed and touched with pity for the unfortunate Martin. St Francis realized that the poor man would remain forever ignorant of God and the rich mysteries of the Faith and that his lack of instruction would forever keep him from receiving the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist.</em></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></em></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After considering young Martin's deprived condition for a time, St Francis determined that he would undertake the instruction of the young man.</span></em></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div><div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">By using signs that he formed with his hands and fingers, St Francis personally began to teach Martin about the Catholic Faith. Martin, as was soon clear, was highly intelligent and a very good pupil. After a period of time, through his gentle patience and persistence and with the signs and gestures he had invented for the purpose, St Francis succeeded in instructing Martin about God and His love for all men. All went so well that eventually Martin was able to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time in 1606. Two years later, Martin was confirmed.</span></em></div><div style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">St Francis eventually hired Martin as his gardener and brought him along with him when he returned to his episcopal household in Annecy, France.</span></em></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div><div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Martin's devotion to the Bishop of Geneva was second only to his devotion to God. Martin prayed fervently, examining his conscience every evening before retiring, regularly confessed his sins to the Bishop, and assisted devoutly at the Bishop's Mass whenever he could.</span></em></div><div style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sixteen years later, no one would be more affected by the death of St Francis de Sales than his faithful servant Martin, who would visit his master's last resting place almost every day until the day he himself died.</span></em></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><em></em></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The above account uses a term that is not used anymore: 'deaf-mute'. As a literal matter of fact, people who are deaf aren't mute, since they have voices and many can learn to speak.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"></div><div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Neither is the word 'handicap' used much now but rather 'disability'. I don't like the term 'differently-abled'. It cannot hide the reality that a person who is deaf or blind, for example, does have a disability that creates difficulties for that person in some situations. Deaf people prefer the word 'Deaf', with a capital 'D' to describe themselves as a group. Being profoundly deaf from birth is different from becoming hearing-impaired from old age, for example. [I now fit into that category and use hearing aids, as do many of my companions here where I now live in Ireland.]</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"></div><div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Those of us who can see and hear tend to think that blindness is a greater disability than deafness. But deafness, whether from birth or coming with old age, is a disability that isolates in a way that blindness doesn't. Most deaf people here in the Philippines don't share a language even with their own family. And the only 'native signers' I know here are the hearing children of deaf parents.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"></div><div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">St Francis saw how isolated Martin was and broke through that isolation.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">+++</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I added this on 24 January 2013. Here is the only deaf-blind priest, Fr Cyril Axelrod CSsR, speaking to seminarians and priests.</span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="471" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qesEbdtDVok" width="565" youtube-src-id="qesEbdtDVok"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Fr Cyril Axelrod CSsR CBE</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You can read Father Cyril's extraordinary story <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_Axelrod" target="_blank">here</a></b>. He was born profoundly deaf and began to go blind when he was already a priest due to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usher_syndrome" target="_blank">Usher syndrome</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The needs of those who are profoundly deaf are widely recognised now in many countries. Here in Ireland, for example, Irish Sign Language became an official language of the State in 2017. However, I think that the Catholic Church needs to respond much more to the needs of the profoundly deaf as did St Francis de Sales to Martin.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mICzTuJathQ" width="577" youtube-src-id="mICzTuJathQ"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Part of a Tutorial on Celebrating Mass in American Sign Language. </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>(Archdiocese of Washington)</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-16595956036403238962024-01-17T16:24:00.000+00:002024-01-17T16:24:49.826+00:00'Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.' Sunday Reflections, 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B; Feast of the Santo Niño in the Philippines<p><br /></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7604957058719062995" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppOSQceoOnm5y-v7wKI8yU6p18zWIiqiDIpplQBdjasJie9-dM_Bvv1zxR8uMTipzUrhmBEuWDyHcKd5CuRHNdjsJSs2-nzZVGrJUqvEWm72kb0-VHtQYWciNvYADfN-A9JLvsd9_2nA/s1800/Cigoli%252C+Calling+of+Sts+Peter+and+Andrew%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1208" height="766" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppOSQceoOnm5y-v7wKI8yU6p18zWIiqiDIpplQBdjasJie9-dM_Bvv1zxR8uMTipzUrhmBEuWDyHcKd5CuRHNdjsJSs2-nzZVGrJUqvEWm72kb0-VHtQYWciNvYADfN-A9JLvsd9_2nA/w514-h766/Cigoli%252C+Calling+of+Sts+Peter+and+Andrew%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Calling of Sts Peter and Andrew</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Cigoli [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/c/cigoli/calling.html&find=Call+of+Simon+and+Andrew" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240121/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings </a></span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012421.cfm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A14-20&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Mark 1:14-20 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24227">and saying, </span><span class="woj">“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.</span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24229">And Jesus said to them, </span><span class="woj">“Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24230">And immediately they left their nets and followed him.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24231">And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.</span></span> </span><span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24232"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a></span></i></b><i style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ye2BIpRZh485ildk-I_-yIeWICKkSJyFLEcHBxFcnLfbYmCmRY_-OtJ7LGE5hxilA9HTbtCCQS1DCEu3dMyk-aB1Glem_eOrsGr5UiuhsJyOOP3sn90Bhb0z0LaKAPqBdV5Fvc7tAAw/s200/Willie+Bermingham%252C+ALONE.ie.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ye2BIpRZh485ildk-I_-yIeWICKkSJyFLEcHBxFcnLfbYmCmRY_-OtJ7LGE5hxilA9HTbtCCQS1DCEu3dMyk-aB1Glem_eOrsGr5UiuhsJyOOP3sn90Bhb0z0LaKAPqBdV5Fvc7tAAw/w384-h384/Willie+Bermingham%252C+ALONE.ie.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="384" /></a></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Willie Bermingham </i></b></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>(29 March 1942 - 23 April 1990)</i></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>[Source: <a href="https://alone.ie/about-us/" target="_blank">ALONE</a>]</i></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://alone.ie/about-us/" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">During the cold winter of 1976</a>, Willie Bermingham and his colleagues found the bodies of a number of older people in tenements throughout the city. They had died in appalling conditions. Willie was so shocked by this that he, and a small group of friends and colleagues began distributing food, fuel and blankets to those older people who were most in need. They also started a campaign to raise awareness of these ‘forgotten old’ in the media and to the government. Today <a href="https://alone.ie/" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">ALONE </a>continues its work providing direct services to thousands of older people as well as campaigning for the rights of older people in our society</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Willie Bermingham himself <a href="https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/willie-bermingham-5081543-Apr2020/" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">recalled one of those incidents</a>: </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Like many old men and women he had been cast away on the scrap heap. He was left to face loneliness, cold, hunger and depression behind the closed doors of a capital city. He had been sentenced to death, alone and in misery. It shocked me so much that I set up a society called ALONE</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">This particular aspect of poverty, living and dying alone, is almost unimaginable in the Philippines, where I spent most of my adult life.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Willie Bermingham, a Dubliner, worked in the ambulance service of Dublin Fire Brigade. Like Simon (Peter) and Andrew, James and John in today's Gospel, he experienced a turning point in his life. For him this was through those experiences of finding elderly persons who had died alone in poverty. He felt in a very real way the words of Jesus, </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men</i>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In Willie's case, with the full support of his wife Marie and their five children, along with colleagues, he was to be a 'fisher' of elderly men and women living alone in dire conditions in his native city. And he has been followed by many, not only in Dublin, but in other Irish cities in doing this work. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This work is a living out of the words of Jesus:</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,</span></i></span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24041">I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me</span></span></span></i><span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?</span></i></span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24043">And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24044">And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24045">And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,<sup data-fn="#fen-ESVUK-24045a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESVUK-24045a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"> </sup>you did it to m</span></span></i><span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">e (Matthew 25:35-40).</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">The call of Peter, Andrew, James and John in today's gospel comes just after a call to <i>repent and believe in the gospel</i>. This is not only a call to turn away from sin but a call to see things as Jesus Christ sees them. This is reinforced by the response to the responsorial psalm: <i>Lord, make me know your ways </i>(JB Lectionary), <i>Teach me your ways, O Lord </i>(NAB Lectionary).</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">Willie Bermingham responded to a need he saw so clearly through his work with the ambulance service of Dublin Fire Brigade, while living out his basic vocation as a husband and father. In the early years of ALONE the office was the living room in his own home.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">Another aspect of Willie's life was his ecumenism. At this time, 18-25 January, we are observing the <a href="https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairs/week-prayer-christian-unity-2024" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Week of Prayer for Christian Unity</a>. Historian <a href="https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/willie-bermingham-5081543-Apr2020/" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Donal Fallon writes</a>: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 20.7px;">An inspiring friendship blossomed between Bermingham and Dean Victor Griffin of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral </span></i><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 20.7px;">[the National Cathedral of the (Anglican) Church of Ireland]<i>. Griffin, much like the earlier Dean Swift, had a distaste for injustice and a strong belief in social duty. In a remarkable life, Griffin protested to save Viking Dublin from demolition, demonstrated against Apartheid [in South Africa] and was denounced as a ‘Fenian’ during his time serving the Church of Ireland in Derry.</i></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 27px;">Griffin and Bermingham came from different religious traditions – Willie came from a Catholic family – yet Griffin opened Saint Patrick’s Cathedral to provide services, complete with choirs, to the homeless and elderly of the city. It was a beautiful act not forgotten, and Bermingham’s own funeral service took place at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral</span></i><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 27px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 27px;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 27px;">Willie Bermingham didn't try to 'save the world'. He responded from his Christian faith to the needs of individuals whose situations he knew of through his work, needs that he and others could respond to. Jesus began his mission, now the mission of the Church, by calling four individuals, two sets of brothers: Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John, to <i>follow me</i>. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><i>Repent and believe in the gospel . . . follow me</i>.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: red; font-family: georgia; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">Santo </b><b style="color: red; font-family: georgia; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">Niño (Philippines)</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ17Jd_4EN7rGD2EoUeM0ZueW2lr3412lUN_2sPBl9RyxE2bENe4EupciBvFkXNKb02zG-vrvPeIGd35eVoUBgUyVRANyN8WFzSQEcWvrnDS00owQH3BSfJJBwhKNhDm9O6Y6Hu6fKjQ/s2048/Santo+Ni%25C3%25B1o+de+Cebu%252C+original+image%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="814" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ17Jd_4EN7rGD2EoUeM0ZueW2lr3412lUN_2sPBl9RyxE2bENe4EupciBvFkXNKb02zG-vrvPeIGd35eVoUBgUyVRANyN8WFzSQEcWvrnDS00owQH3BSfJJBwhKNhDm9O6Y6Hu6fKjQ/w542-h814/Santo+Ni%25C3%25B1o+de+Cebu%252C+original+image%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="542" /></a></div><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" lang="en" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); color: #666666; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #202122; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Santo Niño de Cebú</i></span></b></h1><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center; text-indent: 12px;"><span style="color: #202122; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Ni%C3%B1o_de_Ceb%C3%BA" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>]</i></span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: center; text-indent: 12px;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: large; text-align: start;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A1-6&version=NABRE" style="color: #b87209; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">First Reading</a> </b>Isaiah 9:1-6</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A3-6%2C+15-18&version=NABRE" style="color: #b87209; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Second Reading</b> </a> Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A13-16&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </b>Mark 1o:13-16</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #202122; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-indent: 12px;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #202122; font-family: georgia; text-indent: 12px;"><i>You will find a reflection for the Feast of the </i></span><i style="background-color: transparent; color: #202122; font-family: georgia; text-indent: 12px;">Santo Niño in the Philippines <b><a href="https://bangortobobbio.blogspot.com/2017/01/feast-of-santo-nino-philippines-third.html" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></b>. The First and Second Readings are the same but the Gospel this year - Year B - is the one above.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #202122; text-align: start;"><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="text-align: start;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;"><b>Third Sunday after Epiphany</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 01-21-2024 if necessary).</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A16-21&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Romans 12:16-21. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8%3A1-13&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b>: Matthew 6:1-13. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zAPqYsWQTg-6C-D6HzUEgTlTSSkLYZdi1ofmLRmw_a5RTEzMR-oefCqjXJ0euXXvcl9s79cVL3UduQ23FgikTUsewv103Z4BDt0lLAZxWMqVkJkkG4cH3RhMHfm3qh2wce1KM_jMyKJYcvktZLo3HnSmopNntFY1bEEmbJ8Qevy8w6-X80WypCuQ0bA/s823/El%20Greco,%20The%20Martyrdom%20of%20St%20Maurice%20and%20his%20Legions,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="527" height="826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zAPqYsWQTg-6C-D6HzUEgTlTSSkLYZdi1ofmLRmw_a5RTEzMR-oefCqjXJ0euXXvcl9s79cVL3UduQ23FgikTUsewv103Z4BDt0lLAZxWMqVkJkkG4cH3RhMHfm3qh2wce1KM_jMyKJYcvktZLo3HnSmopNntFY1bEEmbJ8Qevy8w6-X80WypCuQ0bA/w530-h826/El%20Greco,%20The%20Martyrdom%20of%20St%20Maurice%20and%20his%20Legions,%20WGA.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Martyrdom of St Maurice and his Legions (detail)</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">El Greco [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/greco_el/04/0411grec.html&find=St+Maurice" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>] </span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=368" target="_blank">St Maurice</a>, an Egyptian, became a senior officer in the Roman army and was martyred along with many of his companions in the third century.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text Matt-8-5" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>As [Jesus] entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him </i></span><span class="text Matt-8-6" id="en-RSVCE-27527" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress</i> (Matthew 8:5-6; Gospel).</span></span></span></div></div></div></span></span></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-49704241366263051482024-01-12T14:36:00.000+00:002024-01-12T14:36:51.383+00:00'I waited, waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me.' Sunday Reflections, 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B<p> </p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3657846344857393131" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="477" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oKBfHXV9ScU" style="display: inline;" width="574" youtube-src-id="oKBfHXV9ScU"></iframe></div><b style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>From</i><i> </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gospel_of_John_(film)" style="text-decoration-line: none;">The Gospel of John</a><i>, directed by Philip Saville</i></span></b></div></b><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240114/mass.htm " target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011424.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A35-42&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">John 1:35-42 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="text">and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”</span> <span class="text">The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.<b><sup> </sup></b>Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, </span><span class="woj">“What are you seeking?”</span><span class="text"> And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”</span> <span class="text">He said to them, </span><span class="woj">“Come and you will see.”</span><span class="text"> So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.<sup> </sup>One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.</span> <span class="text">He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).</span> <span class="text">He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, </span><span class="woj">“So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas”</span><span class="text"> (which means Peter).</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span></i></b><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUS3lwjnBsU7xNDpYNZXMuHeRuEqPe2tD7TiL6Fk5caEERO282ppFOtj_JC7mhe2MvC3hXNX5GnaXTM2XL_MbR3-ZLLk5q1KJ3CfgVGXsfK0MBLJQLD6L1NL5KWPQO2I4EfvXFUpAqFbU/s954/Zurbar%25C3%25A1n%252C+St+Andrew.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="364" height="1454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUS3lwjnBsU7xNDpYNZXMuHeRuEqPe2tD7TiL6Fk5caEERO282ppFOtj_JC7mhe2MvC3hXNX5GnaXTM2XL_MbR3-ZLLk5q1KJ3CfgVGXsfK0MBLJQLD6L1NL5KWPQO2I4EfvXFUpAqFbU/w554-h1454/Zurbar%25C3%25A1n%252C+St+Andrew.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="554" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Apostle St Andrew</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><i>Zurbarán [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/z/zurbaran/1/apostle.html&find=Saint+Andrew" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother</i> (John 1:40; Gospel)</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">The Memorial of St Anthony the Abbot (c.251-356) is observed by the Church on 17 January, this coming Wednesday. His story is very much connected with the First Reading and Gospel of today's Mass the main theme of which is vocation, one's specific call from God.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">Each year the Second Reading in the Office of Readings for St Anthony the Abbot in the Breviary makes me smile as it seems that the young Anthony discovered God's call by being late for Mass. Here is how St Athanasius tell us this story in his <i>Life of Anthony</i>, which he wrote around 360.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px;"><i>He went into the church. It happened that the gospel was then being read, and he heard what the Lord had said to the rich man 'If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.'</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px;">The young man Anthony, whose parents had died about six months previously, took these words to heart and went to live in the desert. He became, without planning it, the 'Father of Monasticism' in the Church. And perhaps if he had not been late for Mass that day the Gospel - <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19%3A16-26&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Matthew 19:16-26</a> - might not have struck him as it did. He was to be 'later' than most in another sense in that he was 105 when he died, a remarkable age to live to now but even more remarkable in the fourth century. It was through being late for Mass that Anthony discovered what God had in mind for him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px;">The reading from St Athanasius ends with a detail that always touches me: <i>And so the people of the village, and the good men with whom he associated saw what kind of man he was</i>, <i>and they called him 'The friend of God'. Some loved him as a son, and others as though he were a brother</i>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR47O-VKXMN1lhSXFOm4vPzzxMQdOS46KsVMIF1ANLLfpqoEOcyzIZI8HGnoUHOVNCRLhyW5H620ky1y08-0wvSCwKvz1gcwalsKwwFdIJXUN5bN9P3RMLNH44DZ-FBGcfI56Q4GrzSfw/s1300/Zurbar%25C3%25A1n%252C+St+Anthony+the+Abbot%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="857" height="819" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR47O-VKXMN1lhSXFOm4vPzzxMQdOS46KsVMIF1ANLLfpqoEOcyzIZI8HGnoUHOVNCRLhyW5H620ky1y08-0wvSCwKvz1gcwalsKwwFdIJXUN5bN9P3RMLNH44DZ-FBGcfI56Q4GrzSfw/w541-h819/Zurbar%25C3%25A1n%252C+St+Anthony+the+Abbot%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="541" /></a></div><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">St Anthony the Abbot</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Zurbarán [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/z/zurbaran/2/anthony.html&find=Anthony+the+Abbot" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]<br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2007 I officiated at the wedding of a young couple in the Philippines (photo below) whose punctuality eventually led them to the altar. While at university they belonged to a Catholic association that planned an outing for a particular day. They were the only ones to turn up at the designated time and while waiting for the others to arrive their conversation led them to see that they were more than just members of the same association.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAyXrLhAersPSVCa4UAHyxlc5Oko4qAputQxnfGH-U-MCgDzwA5IOx3r-Bsnt0kFYS5-8NjgCvXdIzfQ0BGiSxg87DMW6rLevDMG15fqxuA_FxqB6r7sxbvEljqWetVfuwtfPJG_bWWo/s1600/Wedding.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="844" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAyXrLhAersPSVCa4UAHyxlc5Oko4qAputQxnfGH-U-MCgDzwA5IOx3r-Bsnt0kFYS5-8NjgCvXdIzfQ0BGiSxg87DMW6rLevDMG15fqxuA_FxqB6r7sxbvEljqWetVfuwtfPJG_bWWo/w561-h844/Wedding.bmp" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="561" /></a></div></div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 27.6px;"><b><i>Officiating at the wedding of friends in 2007</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 27.6px;"><i>[M & J now have five children, God bless them]</i></span></div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Mark-10-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">A vocation is very personal and often comes through another. The young Samuel heard God's voice calling him three times, thinking it was the voice of Eli, who eventually realised that it really was God's voice that Samuel had heard. The reading concludes with these words: <i>T</i></span><i>herefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place</i>. <i>And the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The description of St Anthony the Abbot by those who knew him as <i>The friend of God</i> goes to the heart of what a Christian vocation is. It is to come to know oneself as a friend of God, as one whom God loves personally and who is called to know God intimately. That is how it was with the two disciples in the Gospel, Andrew and John the Evangelist, who never uses his own name in his gospel. They felt a desire to come to know Jesus, who read their hearts and invited them to where he was staying. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That was the turning point in their lives. And Andrew was so excited that he ran to tell his brother Simon. When he met Jesus he found himself with a new name: <span class="woj" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;">You shall be called Cephas </span><span class="text" style="background-color: transparent;"><i>(which means Peter). </i>This means 'Rock' and was his specific vocation, to be the Rock upon which Jesus would build his Church. And before he got his new name <i>Jesus looked at him</i>. Some translations add the word 'intently' or 'hard' to 'looked'. Clearly Jesus was looking with great love into the soul of Peter. About four years ago I heard a married woman share with a group of married couples that the first time she met the man who was to become her husband, at a party, he looked at her and for the first time in her life she realised her own self-worth. In that look God was leading her and the man to discover their vocation in life.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The verses of the Responsorial Psalm are taken from Psalm 39 [40]. The opening verse is expresses both our desire for God and God's desire for us: <i>I waited, waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me. He heard my cry. He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God</i>.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>He stooped down to me </i>reminds me of the line in Gerard Manley Hopkins's poem <i>God's Grandeur</i>: <i>Because the Holy Ghost over the bent / World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings</i>.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text" style="background-color: transparent;">And the Second Reading, which is not linked by theme to the First Reading and Gospel, tells us more about our very dignity as Christians and, indeed, the source of our vocation.<i> </i></span><i><span class="text 1Cor-6-19" id="en-ESVUK-28470">Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,</span><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-ESVUK-28471"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-6-20"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-6-20"><span style="font-size: medium;">By baptism each of us is <i>a temple of the Holy Spirit</i> and it is the Holy Spirit Who leads us to discover our specific vocation in life by leading us into an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus and allow him to look at us as He looked at Simon before giving him his new name / vocation.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-6-20"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text 1Cor-6-20">Central to the spirituality of St Columban, patron saint of the Missionary Society of St Columban to which I belong are the words of St Paul in the Second Reading: </span><span class="text 1Cor-6-19" id="en-ESVUK-28470" style="font-style: italic;">You are not your own,</span><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-ESVUK-28471"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><i>for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body</i>. St Columban wrote: <i>Christi simus non nostri </i>- <i>Let us be of Christ, not of ourselves</i>. And we are also living in a world where so many do not glorify God in their bodies and where humans are treated as commodities, millions being killed before they are even born, with pressure now to kill off those who are old and 'useless'.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-6-20"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A while ago I came across a Chinese proverb that says: <i>A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song</i>. Our song is <i>praise of our God</i>. Our very vocation as Christians is to sing <i>praise of our God</i> by the way we live. That is why genuinely saintly people attract us so much. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The <a href="https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/prologue.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Prologue</a> of the <i>Catechism of the Catholic Church </i>sums it all up: <i>"FATHER, . . . this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). "God our Savior desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3-4). "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12) - than the name of JESUS</i>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="462" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bn2DVxPHmV8" style="display: inline;" width="556" youtube-src-id="Bn2DVxPHmV8"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">God's Grandeur</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Performed by Lance Pearson</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: start;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Second Sunday after the Epiphany</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 01-14-2024 if necessary).</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A6-16&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Romans 12:6-16. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A1-11&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b>: John 2:1-11. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gRlFnuOAv2g5GK9zWdci7yOzbfeobqztOzPQ44zXWkM8cJQpAr1AbvXyYnxWR-cCHRGzzDpur1K1ZUISZIQVgQF-ezSiHtBFMKzTAu79PHqipNQ2oaV5Xw5xFFeVcjCFFGK1J-raxTv5SHQQMzE1iXLmDVmpJGX1i_ajb9Y272vfiHqQE9-cr3QPI2g/s1001/Marten%20de%20Vos,%20The%20Marriage%20at%20Cana,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="850" height="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gRlFnuOAv2g5GK9zWdci7yOzbfeobqztOzPQ44zXWkM8cJQpAr1AbvXyYnxWR-cCHRGzzDpur1K1ZUISZIQVgQF-ezSiHtBFMKzTAu79PHqipNQ2oaV5Xw5xFFeVcjCFFGK1J-raxTv5SHQQMzE1iXLmDVmpJGX1i_ajb9Y272vfiHqQE9-cr3QPI2g/w553-h650/Marten%20de%20Vos,%20The%20Marriage%20at%20Cana,%20WGA.jpg" width="553" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>The Marriage at Cana</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Marten de Vos [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/v/vos_m/marriage.html&find=Wedding+at+Cana" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">'<i>Do whatever he tells you'</i> (John 1:5; Gospel).</span></div></div></div></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-84717645019681186892024-01-05T14:09:00.002+00:002024-01-07T22:06:04.821+00:00'Each one of us is wanted and loved by God.' Sunday Reflections, Baptism of the Lord, Year B.<p><br /></p><div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8397234057179409978" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmKraRqXy7hFNdDL207QHM5L5BejPia5cUmA5Wqqum4wd3JWNnjf4DEFJawSwerLF0W1IkZKmEma_eb_KyiZ_u2jgnEmeBH33TItZoH_O8k3uIC_lNm7v2X-KIhdrRrIqz537IqaeSAY/s1201/Italian+Mosaic+Artist%252C+Baptistry%252C+San+Marco%252C+Venice%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1000" height="631" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmKraRqXy7hFNdDL207QHM5L5BejPia5cUmA5Wqqum4wd3JWNnjf4DEFJawSwerLF0W1IkZKmEma_eb_KyiZ_u2jgnEmeBH33TItZoH_O8k3uIC_lNm7v2X-KIhdrRrIqz537IqaeSAY/w524-h631/Italian+Mosaic+Artist%252C+Baptistry%252C+San+Marco%252C+Venice%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="524" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Baptistry, San Marco, Venice</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Italian Mosaic Artist [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/zgothic/mosaics/6sanmarc/9baptis.html&find=Baptistry" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>] </span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Where The Epiphany is a holy day of obligation and is celebrated this year on Saturday 6 January, the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus is celebrated on Sunday 7 January. Where The Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 7 January the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus is observed on Monday 8 January.</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Feast of the Baptism of Jesus ends Christmas Time and Ordinary Time begins the following day.</span></span></i></div><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240107/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings </a></span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010824.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A7-11&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Mark 1:7-11 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></p><p class="first-line-none" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US">[John the Baptist] preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24220">I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><span id="en-ESVUK-24221" style="font-size: medium;">In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24222">And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24223">And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”</span></span></span><o:p style="font-size: 13px;"></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span></i></b><i style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="444" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qq7ZfhywiYo" style="display: inline;" width="534" youtube-src-id="Qq7ZfhywiYo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 27px;">Pope Benedict XVI baptises in the Sistine Chapel </span></i></b><i><span style="line-height: 27px;">Feast of the Baptism of the Lord 2011</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;">FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD</span><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;">BENEDICT XVI</span></b><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20120108_battesimo.html" target="_blank">ANGELUS</a></span></i></b><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;">Saint
Peter's Square, Sunday, 8 January 2012</span></i><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="left"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">[I have <b>highlighted</b> parts of Pope Benedict's talk]</span></i></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dear Brothers and Sisters,</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This morning I conferred the Sacrament of Baptism on 16 infants and for this reason <b>I would like to offer a brief reflection on the fact that we are children of God. </b>First of all, however, let us start with our being, quite simply, children: this is the fundamental condition that brings us all together. <b>We are not all parents, but we are certainly all children.</b></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Being born is never a choice</b>, we are not asked first whether we wish to be born. Yet, in life, <b>we can develop a free attitude with regard to life itself: we can regard it as a gift and, in a certain sense 'become' what we are: children</b>. This transition marks a turning point of maturity in our existence and in our relationship with our parents, which is filled with gratitude. It is a transition that also renders us capable in turn of being parents, not biologically, but morally.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Also before God we are all children. God is at the root of every created being’s life and is the Father of every human person in a special way: he has a unique and personal relationship with every human being</b>. <b>Each one of us is wanted and loved by God</b>. And also in this relationship with God, we can be 'reborn', so to speak, in other words become what we are. This happens through faith, through a profound and personal 'yes' to God as the origin and foundation of our existence. <b>With this 'yes' I receive life as a gift of the Father who is in Heaven, a Parent whom I do not see but in whom I believe and whom, in the depths of my heart, I feel is my Father and the Father of all my brethren in humanity, an immensely good and faithful Father</b>.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>On what is this faith in God the Father based? It is based on Jesus Christ: he himself and his history reveal the Father to us, enable us to know him as much is possible in this world</b>. Believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, makes it possible to be 'born from above', that is, from God, who is Love (cf. Jn 3:3).</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Moreover, let us bear in mind once again that no individual makes him or herself a human being.</b> We are born without doing anything ourselves, the <i>passivity </i>of being born precedes the <i>activity</i> of what we ourselves do. It is also the same at the level of being Christian: no one can become Christian solely by one’s own will, <b>being Christian is also a gift that comes before our own action: we must be reborn in a new birth</b>. St John says: 'to all who received him... he gave power to become children of God' (Jn 1:12).</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is the meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is this new birth that precedes our own action. <b>With our faith we can go to meet Christ, but he alone can make us Christian and give to our will and to this desire of ours the response, dignity and power to become children of God, which we ourselves do not possess</b>.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Dear friends, this Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord brings Christmas Time to an end</b>. Let us give thanks to God for this great mystery which is a source of regeneration for the Church and for the whole world. God made himself the Son of Man so that man might become a son of God. <b>Let us therefore renew our joy in being children, as men and women and as Christians; <i>born </i>and <i>reborn</i> to a new divine existence</b>. Born from the love of a father and a mother and reborn from the love of God through Baptism.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Let us ask the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ and of all who believe in him, to help us to live truly as children of God, not in words, or not only in words, but with deeds</b>. St John writes further: 'this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us' (1 Jn 3:23).</span></p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rFS2aBwg66MlDnid98hhAN_lhkLe4urSzlpv1qW4xiA3ozl0xui1-D8lcTr3bkVcM2IPSnv4aV8hgLameEAjRwhfYOU1J_foBzEHR2ydr7doyAYqDTqEWKLE_KQOyWw9kfriXqRcjf0/s221/HFH+First+Holy+Communion.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="202" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rFS2aBwg66MlDnid98hhAN_lhkLe4urSzlpv1qW4xiA3ozl0xui1-D8lcTr3bkVcM2IPSnv4aV8hgLameEAjRwhfYOU1J_foBzEHR2ydr7doyAYqDTqEWKLE_KQOyWw9kfriXqRcjf0/w515-h563/HFH+First+Holy+Communion.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="515" /></a></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">First
Holy Communion after Baptism and Confirmation</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Holy Family Home for Girls, Bacolod City, Philippines </span></i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: start;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Feast of the Holy Family</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 01-07-2024 if necessary).</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A12-17&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Colossian 3:12-17. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A42-52&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b>: Luke 2:42-52. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACbfOzYrUEjZqGvc4_wpWTtXqjBdf6TLYNnt2bIF8dU8kiiF0oKyAvcgukUgdvA6X20DL4sPkHdFK6Xe2pevPs2OJyzhWLXFk2zNxr2WTwMD20rdJCXE1mRIJ-3zG5EQVju4E25EodSzS5A9rAxYk9EDak7fBw0CwUGVeuli7FJBDtiAvxWXk81jlpic/s806/Master%20of%20the%20Catholic%20Kings,%20Christ%20Among%20the%20Doctors,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="474" height="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACbfOzYrUEjZqGvc4_wpWTtXqjBdf6TLYNnt2bIF8dU8kiiF0oKyAvcgukUgdvA6X20DL4sPkHdFK6Xe2pevPs2OJyzhWLXFk2zNxr2WTwMD20rdJCXE1mRIJ-3zG5EQVju4E25EodSzS5A9rAxYk9EDak7fBw0CwUGVeuli7FJBDtiAvxWXk81jlpic/w546-h929/Master%20of%20the%20Catholic%20Kings,%20Christ%20Among%20the%20Doctors,%20WGA.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Christ Among the Doctors</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Master of the Catholic Kings [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/m/master/catholic/catholic.html&find=Child+Jesus+in+the+Temple" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>] </span></span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: black;">After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; </span>and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers</i> <span style="color: black;">(Luke 2:46-47; Gospel).</span></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p></div></div></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-56985174368397023932024-01-04T20:40:00.002+00:002024-01-04T22:12:40.553+00:00'There were three wise men from afar directed by a glorious star.' Sunday Reflections, The Epiphany<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2875032390700455712" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cJbS3NCnYIXDElQc6-5Ih5Nd6tPVygquG7B5igXzUSo5EVHnw-g0OO63Rfnj6bKbry4U-UbpZBSoSplazVMYrlVPoWCEBPdiukJB1zop34cFbRb_NT4_0O2eNJ-5wHYg5YlyPDAf0xo/s1010/Fra+Angelico%252C+Adoration+of+the+Magi%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="863" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cJbS3NCnYIXDElQc6-5Ih5Nd6tPVygquG7B5igXzUSo5EVHnw-g0OO63Rfnj6bKbry4U-UbpZBSoSplazVMYrlVPoWCEBPdiukJB1zop34cFbRb_NT4_0O2eNJ-5wHYg5YlyPDAf0xo/w526-h616/Fra+Angelico%252C+Adoration+of+the+Magi%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Adoration of the Magi</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Blessed Fra Angelico [<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3501239684776771639/2875032390700455712" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In most countries where English is widely used The Epiphany is celebrated on this Sunday, 7 January 2024. However, in Ireland, where it is a holy day of obligation, the feast is observed on its traditional date, 6 January, Saturday.</span></i></p><p style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240106/mass.htm " target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 20.7px;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010724.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></b><i style="color: #666666;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A1-12&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel </a></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Matthew 2:1-12 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US">Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-23172">saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-23173">When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-23174">and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where the Christ was to be born.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-23175">They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span> <span class="text">are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;</span><br /><span class="text">for from you shall come a ruler</span><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span> <span class="text">who will shepherd my people Israel.’”</span></span><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-23178">And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-23179">After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-23180">When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-23181">And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.</span></span> <span class="text">And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.</span></span></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><span class="text"></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=today&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a></i></b><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAYqln9YEd8aw8d9YJoccDvFJIGimc9e3s3hw701sXimrC2NbAHznhWxkHYI03E1v3ddsdneGvZmmOiyaABie2G70QRAYP9qpmQbWsEADPbUMSEa0ojmfXtZ1iEqWiLwtC_to-RWuo-zjoXOcj43X1lDx7PDAS1ck087o4rVTVmGpalCOl5EFA3mmiqc/s900/Murillo,%20Adoration%20of%20the%20Magi,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="698" height="717" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAYqln9YEd8aw8d9YJoccDvFJIGimc9e3s3hw701sXimrC2NbAHznhWxkHYI03E1v3ddsdneGvZmmOiyaABie2G70QRAYP9qpmQbWsEADPbUMSEa0ojmfXtZ1iEqWiLwtC_to-RWuo-zjoXOcj43X1lDx7PDAS1ck087o4rVTVmGpalCOl5EFA3mmiqc/w556-h717/Murillo,%20Adoration%20of%20the%20Magi,%20WGA.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Adoration of the Magi</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Murillo [<a href="http://www.wga.hu" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have used the story below quite a few times for the feast of the Epiphany. It is one that continues to move me, probably for two reasons. One is that I spent most of my life as a priest in the Philippines. The other is that the nurse from the Philippines proclaiming the Gospel was totally unaware that she was doing so - as are so many 'ordinary' Catholics and other Christians.</span></span></i><span style="line-height: 28px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;">While based in Britain from 2000 till 2002 I was able to spend Christmas with my brother and his family in Dublin, a short flight from England, in 2000 and 2001. During the holiday in 2001 I saw a documentary on RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcasting service, about Filipino nurses in Ireland. These began to arrive in 1999 as I recall, initially at the invitation of the Irish government to work in government hospitals. Very quickly large numbers of Filipino nurses and carers came to Ireland and are now in hospitals and nursing homes in every part of the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">country. For many Irish people when they hear the Philippines mentioned what first comes to their mind is nurses.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the nurses interviewed told how many Filipinos offered to work on Christmas Day. They knew that in Ireland the family celebration of Christmas is on the 25th and so their Irish companions could be with their families. In the Philippines the culmination of the feast for families is on the night of the 24th after Mass. This also helped to dull their pain of being away from their own families.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was moved to tears at the testimony of one nurse, from Mindanao as I recall, speaking about her job and her first Christmas in Ireland. She spoke very highly of her employers, of her working conditions and of her accommodation, which she contrasted with that of the Holy Family on the first Christmas night. She spoke of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in their situation as if they were members of her own family, as in a very deep sense they are, and as we are of the Holy Family.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here was a young woman from <i>the East</i> powerfully proclaiming, without being aware of it, that <i>the Word became flesh and dwelt among us</i>. The fact that she wasn't aware of it, that she was speaking about her 'next door neighbours', made her proclamation of faith all the more powerful. She would have known many in her own place, and very likely knew from her own experience, something of what Joseph and Mary went through in Bethlehem. Her faith in <i>the Word </i>who<i> became flesh and dwelt among us</i> wasn't something in her head but part of her very being.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For much of the last century thousands of Catholic priests, religious Sisters and Brothers left Europe and North America to preach and live the Gospel in the nations of Africa, Asia and South America. Some of the countries and regions from which they left, eg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Quebec, have to a great extent lost or even rejected the Catholic Christian faith. The Jewish people had, in faith, awaited the coming of the Messiah for many centuries. But when He came it was uneducated shepherds who first recognised him and later Simeon and Anna, two devout and elderly Jews who spent lengthy periods in prayer in the Temple.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today's feast highlights <i>wise men from the east</i>, not 'believers' in the Jewish sense, led by God's special grace to Bethlehem to bring gifts in response to that grace, explaining, <i>We . . . have come to worship him</i>. They reveal to us that God calls people from every part of the world to do the same and to bring others with them.<br /><br />Will nurses from the Philippines and from Kerala in India, migrants from Korea and Vietnam, <i>from the east</i>, bring the gift of faith in Jesus Christ once again to the many people in Western Europe and North America who no longer know him in any real sense? Will they by the lives they lead as working immigrants gently invite those in the West who have lost the precious gift of our Catholic Christian faith to once again <i>come to worship him</i>?</span></span></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #666666; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="461" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nbAiXZEo4wI" style="display: inline;" width="554" youtube-src-id="nbAiXZEo4wI"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Vidimus stellam</span></i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">St Peter's Basilica, Rome, Epiphany 2020</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Antiphona ad Communionem </i>Communion Antiphon Cf Matthew 2:2</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vidimus stellam eius in Oriente,</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominum.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We have seen his star in the East,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></b><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Epiphany of Our Lord</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 01-06-2024 if necessary).</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+60%3A1-6&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Lesson</a></b>: Isaiah 60:1-6. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A1-12&version=ESVUK" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a>: Matthew 2:1-12. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="456" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JDQSS4aDy0Y" style="display: inline;" width="549" youtube-src-id="JDQSS4aDy0Y"></iframe></div><div><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Enniscorthy Carol (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wexford_Carol" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Wexford Carol</a>)</span></i></b></div><p style="text-align: start;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px;"></p><div><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sung by Aileen Lambert in St Aidan's Cathedral, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"></span></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In recent decades this very old Irish Christmas carol has become better known not only in Ireland but internationally. I included a different version last week. The song tells the whole Christmas story from the birth of Jesus up to the visit of the Magi. I used a different version of the carol last week. Aileen Lambert's sings in a style characteristic of folk singing in Ireland.</span></div></div></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-47171286417771602362023-12-29T20:03:00.002+00:002023-12-29T20:23:45.393+00:00Feast of the Holy Family, Year B; Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, Year B<p> </p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5183103451980041277" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI-0WaATVCMtSysx431IQQDmBkrjmISqL7fgN4r-O53ycb7b-qYk6wZRdUcx3nSULgv5sm78auJbE8DPjsz-q8X5pqFWlX1zjBMxJztvugSQPTmFIcBwbII1HFeJf4gQP_jaYUBZ9VbY/s800/El+Greco%252C+St+Joseph+and+the+Christ+Child%252C+1597-99%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="387" height="1148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI-0WaATVCMtSysx431IQQDmBkrjmISqL7fgN4r-O53ycb7b-qYk6wZRdUcx3nSULgv5sm78auJbE8DPjsz-q8X5pqFWlX1zjBMxJztvugSQPTmFIcBwbII1HFeJf4gQP_jaYUBZ9VbY/w556-h1148/El+Greco%252C+St+Joseph+and+the+Christ+Child%252C+1597-99%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="556" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">St Joseph and the Christ Child</span></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">El Greco [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/greco_el/13/1302grec.html&find=Saint+Joseph" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231231/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123123.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A22-40&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900;" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Luke 2:22-40 [or 22, 39-40] (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US">And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they [the parents of Jesus] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord <i>[(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)</i></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24989">and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons”.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24990">Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24991">And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24992">And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24993">he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,</span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="line" style="background: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,<br /> according to your word;</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="background: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b><sup> </sup></b>for my eyes have seen your salvation<br /> that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,<br /> a light for revelation to the Gentiles,<br /> and for glory to your people Israel.”</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”</span></span></i><span style="line-height: 32px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 20.7px;">And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.]</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span id="en-ESVUK-25004">And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-25005">And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a></span></i></b></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hoGMPLv6oBIwKKfDVm7bGx5WRsAZ2zF-crcXjAVQDV5L9Io6dkVO2_JzOOEDx5Bz9yh8v8ciJ_tx6OCWi3geVGXiFXh9FHA-p0WQVmo6Lkbc9vwbFJU7r244J0NxFkSWUYubpWNHHa0/s1147/Pieter+Bruegel+the+Elder%252C+The+Census+at+Bethlehem+%2528full%2529+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1147" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hoGMPLv6oBIwKKfDVm7bGx5WRsAZ2zF-crcXjAVQDV5L9Io6dkVO2_JzOOEDx5Bz9yh8v8ciJ_tx6OCWi3geVGXiFXh9FHA-p0WQVmo6Lkbc9vwbFJU7r244J0NxFkSWUYubpWNHHa0/w565-h403/Pieter+Bruegel+the+Elder%252C+The+Census+at+Bethlehem+%2528full%2529+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="565" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Census at Bethlehem</span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Pieter Bruegel the Elder [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/b/bruegel/pieter_e/04/07census.html&find=The+Census+at+Bethlehem" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My late father visited me in the Philippines for six weeks in 1981, arriving on 16 February, one day before St John Paul II made his first visit as Pope. My Dad spent most of the time with me in a small seminary for diocesan seminarians that I was in charge of for two years in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental. Before that I had spent less than three months as parish priest of Tangub, the last Columban priest to hold that position.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One evening a family invited my father and myself to visit their home. We went with some other parishioners. When we were walking home slowly someone commented that my father and I were walking in exactly the same way, with our hands behind our backs. I had never been conscious of that before. I recalled Sunday mornings when I was a child when my father would take my brother and myself for a walk in the Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed park in any capital city in Europe, which was about ten minutes' walk from where we lived. Our walks in the Park were usually more of an amble or a mosey rather than the determined 'keep fit' type of walk that so many engage in today.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOILPPLDn-A80z6nf22HU1hWEnRHMDq3cZjeV0M2Fo5ivwgWoCaWYa6HlichCLCGnJoXdpPMklxmCq2eNGtbMxKyjdbgNUwrc7gcEUExcHgsL4jm7vJ_TYQqgb0jkDz6g2pUFn_7s2UzCgd90vXVcZ4u1Rgoo5IVLkPWRkPZ7DKwxNLfPR2TpxFq_kPEA/s2560/Phoenix%20Park,%20People's%20Gardens,%20Wikipedia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOILPPLDn-A80z6nf22HU1hWEnRHMDq3cZjeV0M2Fo5ivwgWoCaWYa6HlichCLCGnJoXdpPMklxmCq2eNGtbMxKyjdbgNUwrc7gcEUExcHgsL4jm7vJ_TYQqgb0jkDz6g2pUFn_7s2UzCgd90vXVcZ4u1Rgoo5IVLkPWRkPZ7DKwxNLfPR2TpxFq_kPEA/w559-h419/Phoenix%20Park,%20People's%20Gardens,%20Wikipedia.jpg" width="559" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Phoenix Park, Dublin</span></i></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">[<a href="https://bangortobobbio.blogspot.com/2020/12/By%20Damien%20Slattery,%20CC%20BY%203.0,%20https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57527412" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>; <a href="By Laurel Lodged - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=102999562" target="_blank">photo</a>]</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But my friend's comment in Tangub City made me realise that I had unconsciously picked up this kind of ambling from my Dad.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I learned a lot more from him without being aware of it. When my brother Paddy, who is three years younger than me, was very young Dad would take me to Sunday Mass while Mam stayed at home with the baby and went to a later Mass. I gradually became aware that my father went to an early Mass every day of his working life before going to work on construction sites. (Like St Joseph he was a carpenter and was named John Joseph.) I noticed that after Mass he prepared my mother's breakfast, bringing it to her in bed, and I often saw him during winter cleaning the fireplace, taking away the ashes from the previous day's fire, and preparing it for the fire that would be lit later in the day. All of this before going to work.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I saw how he deeply respected my mother, and everyone else he met, most especially the men who worked under him on construction sites. I worked with him on one of those during the summer of 1967 when I was a subdeacon. I was ordained the following December. I saw at first hand what I already knew. He never swore, never raised his voice, was a real mentor to young workers, and led by example. He was a quiet man, with a sense of responsibility that he carried lightly and a gentle sense of humour.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QqpCWq5-9YXy2sbVevNwYSPF8bthNtIf39WC61zmHzQbwEjiDQMGaAgwGCy6eL9HM3M3PQtPNzQKyZbnw1UhCCVgsutjZee3EyQUArGB8nWD5sUh3d6fzp_6tHswIXrTItNHQ-AxC64/s1116/Pieter+Bruegel+the+Elder%252C+The+Census+at+Bethlehem+%2528detail%252C+donkey%2529%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1116" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QqpCWq5-9YXy2sbVevNwYSPF8bthNtIf39WC61zmHzQbwEjiDQMGaAgwGCy6eL9HM3M3PQtPNzQKyZbnw1UhCCVgsutjZee3EyQUArGB8nWD5sUh3d6fzp_6tHswIXrTItNHQ-AxC64/w540-h459/Pieter+Bruegel+the+Elder%252C+The+Census+at+Bethlehem+%2528detail%252C+donkey%2529%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="540" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Census at Bethlehem (detail)</span></i></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Pieter Bruegel the Elder [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/b/bruegel/pieter_e/04/07census.html&find=The+Census+at+Bethlehem" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In a number of places Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that St Joseph is the legal father of Jesus: </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Therefore let us venerate the legal father of Jesus (</span><span style="font-style: italic;">cf</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. </span><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1L.HTM" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 532</a><i>), because the new man is outlined in him, who looks with trust and courage to the future. He does not follow his own plans but entrusts himself without reserve to the infinite mercy of the One who will fulfil the prophecies and open the time of salvation</i>. This is because he named Jesus, as the angel had instructed him in Matthew 1:21 - </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, </i><i>for he will save his people from their sins</i>. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">On 19 March the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today's gospel refers to Joseph and Mary as <i>his father and mother</i>. Jesus in his humanity learned from St Joseph how to behave as a boy and as an adolescent. He learned the trade of a carpenter from St Joseph. Most likely he walked like St Joseph. And we can be sure that St Joseph took him to the synagogue on the sabbath. In today's gospel St Joseph and Mary take the infant Jesus to the Temple <i>to present him to the Lord</i>. They took him again to the Temple when he was twelve. These two events are marked in the fourth and fifth Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was Joseph as husband of Mary who led the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem as shown in Pieter Bruegel the Elder's painting above, <i>The Census at Bethlehem</i>. The artist shows the Holy Family coming into a 16th-century Netherlands village in the depths of winter, nobody noticing them. This shows on the one hand that </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.</span></i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;"> </span><span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-26045" style="text-align: start;"><i>He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him </i>(John 1:10-11). It shows on the other hand that </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;">the Word </span><span style="font-style: italic;">became flesh and </span><i>dwelt among us </i>(John 1:14)<span class="text" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">.</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"> God who became Man threw in his lot with us. He came into <i>our </i>townland,<i> our </i>village, <i>our </i>town<i>, our</i> city.<i> </i>The villagers in Bruegel's painting haven't rejected Jesus but they haven't yet recognised him.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">St Joseph is central to all of this. He exemplifies the vocation of the husband and its consequence for most husbands, the vocation of the father, to an extent that no one else has done. He was the man whom Mary honoured as her husband and whom Jesus called <i>Abba/Dad / Papa / Tatay</i>.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z-2U3ZlPZeSjTCtbN1TMWLiH3c9fHetGMFX4AxelhAzOCpnnyBeK7OfvFSODx3LhPtXb_L-TTa_tt_2imkBL2T7pS__KfLSLX8CFnEEX4sD8wfA-vCL7SntH01d9tzKe6xtaRCT_tORpd7lhwDnaUJLurOAgFIdZeXwEJxBhydGVKX7HrwjI2uYzZvE/s480/Dad,%20last%20photo.jpg" style="color: #666666; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="378" height="710" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z-2U3ZlPZeSjTCtbN1TMWLiH3c9fHetGMFX4AxelhAzOCpnnyBeK7OfvFSODx3LhPtXb_L-TTa_tt_2imkBL2T7pS__KfLSLX8CFnEEX4sD8wfA-vCL7SntH01d9tzKe6xtaRCT_tORpd7lhwDnaUJLurOAgFIdZeXwEJxBhydGVKX7HrwjI2uYzZvE/w559-h710/Dad,%20last%20photo.jpg" width="559" /></a><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dad</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Taken a
week before his sudden death on 11 August 1987</span></span></i></div></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></b><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday Within the Octave of the Nativity of Our Lord</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">T</span>he complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 12-31-2023, if necessary).</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+4%3A1-7&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Galatians 4:1-7. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A33-40&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b>: Luke 2 1:33-40.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3FEyNZtW47aw33r0SRLRoGaZZBvO_MF5j78GDKj1HHXAjvStZ53jZTkb8WemuKwS9OgW3r8eK2Df2QC14MPnMY34Ml83i11_QwBgHXRzAEKjXn7NfM8vw0PpvXroLa-k7_YP4XmRz4amfbdyna6mNCaNXf01AO-Teb8NL7FFTn98N8TURHUXAq0fqhM/s1500/Rembrandt,%20Presentation%20of%20Jesus%20in%20the%20Temple.jpg" style="color: #666666; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1183" height="717" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3FEyNZtW47aw33r0SRLRoGaZZBvO_MF5j78GDKj1HHXAjvStZ53jZTkb8WemuKwS9OgW3r8eK2Df2QC14MPnMY34Ml83i11_QwBgHXRzAEKjXn7NfM8vw0PpvXroLa-k7_YP4XmRz4amfbdyna6mNCaNXf01AO-Teb8NL7FFTn98N8TURHUXAq0fqhM/w564-h717/Rembrandt,%20Presentation%20of%20Jesus%20in%20the%20Temple.jpg" width="564" /></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Presentation in the Temple</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rembrandt
[<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/r/rembrand/11biblic/10newtes.html&find=Presentation+in+the+Temple" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Behold, this child is set for the fall</i><i> and rising of many in Israel </i>(Luke 2:24; Gospel).</span></div><p></p><p align="center" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday 1 January 2024</span></span></b></p><p align="center" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"></p><p align="center" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a Holyday of Obligation in the Philippines, the USA and some other countries.</span></i></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20240101/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010124.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A16-21&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel </a></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Luke 2:16-21 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24982">And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24983">And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24984">But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24985">And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DCA6r6qlIvCeH58dJbjLbDHkitqlw8k83_33vZUkrN_F3O_grE1zG9tOuGBykmLq_GoKnqsNF4qd65CLtyyghHvf4Eqd917Vw8s4NjT8aFZ9ucO7PaagTOIW2Qf33Ilm35_0HHb_SnI/s830/Murillo%252C+Adoration+of+the+Shepherds%252C+Madrid%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="830" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DCA6r6qlIvCeH58dJbjLbDHkitqlw8k83_33vZUkrN_F3O_grE1zG9tOuGBykmLq_GoKnqsNF4qd65CLtyyghHvf4Eqd917Vw8s4NjT8aFZ9ucO7PaagTOIW2Qf33Ilm35_0HHb_SnI/w543-h442/Murillo%252C+Adoration+of+the+Shepherds%252C+Madrid%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="543" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Adoration of the Shepherds</span></span></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Murillo, painted 1650-55 [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/m/murillo/1/108muril.html&find=Adoration+of+the+Shepherds" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></i></span></div><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></b><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">T</span>he complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 01-01-2023, if necessary).</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+2%3A11-15&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Titus 2:11-15. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A21&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b>: Luke 2:21.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And at the end of eight days , when he was circumsised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="446" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p1a5HliFdQs" width="536" youtube-src-id="p1a5HliFdQs"></iframe></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wexford_Carol" target="_blank">The Wexford Carol</a></span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sung by
Nancy Griffith with The Chieftains</span></span></i></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This traditional Irish carol originated in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland.</span></span></i></p></span></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>A Happy New Year!</i></b></span></div></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-86629980317419544142023-12-22T22:54:00.001+00:002023-12-22T22:55:08.924+00:00Sunday Reflections, 4th Sunday of Advent, Year B; Christmas Day<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNbheuxWpGoj8TuMuPXo1wNo3APoRh-fBt2Oz8m5JpHdp2YF-qMGmKmVCM9wrIAlDKC9F1lhhIG-Kg8eUnnNyfIhRzuYPr2r88LT50wqr7g7-NIli3TGhWKw8MiuaxjKb_MyVShGAIIEvFhtg7vqdyoUUOSHXrECj0q8W2HLkid3J8tIfA1CF7UvxI2o/s1600/Alessandro%20Allori,%20Annunciation,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNbheuxWpGoj8TuMuPXo1wNo3APoRh-fBt2Oz8m5JpHdp2YF-qMGmKmVCM9wrIAlDKC9F1lhhIG-Kg8eUnnNyfIhRzuYPr2r88LT50wqr7g7-NIli3TGhWKw8MiuaxjKb_MyVShGAIIEvFhtg7vqdyoUUOSHXrECj0q8W2HLkid3J8tIfA1CF7UvxI2o/w552-h874/Alessandro%20Allori,%20Annunciation,%20WGA.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Annunciation</span></i></b></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Alessandro Allori [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/a/allori/alessand/annuncia.html&find=Annunciation" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to
me according to your word.” </i>(Luke 1:38; Gospel)</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231224/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122423.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A26-38&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">Luke 1:26-38</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> (<i>English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US">In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a
city of Galilee named Nazareth,</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24912">to a
virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David. And the virgin's name was Mary.</span></span> <span class="text">And he
came to her and said, “Greetings, O favoured one, the Lord is with
you!”<b><sup data-fn="#fen-ESVUK-24913b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESVUK-24913b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]"> </sup></b>But she
was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting
this might be.</span></span> <span class="text">And
the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour
with God.</span> <span class="text">And
behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall
call his name Jesus.</span> <span class="text">He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most
High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father
David,</span> <span class="text">and he will
reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be
no end.”</span></span></p><p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESVUK-24919"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US">And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I
am a virgin?”</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">And the angel answered
her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most
High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be
called holy—the Son of God.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24921">And behold,
your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is
the sixth month with her who was called barren.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24922">For nothing will be impossible with
God.”</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24923">And Mary
said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to
your word.” And the angel departed from her.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH"><br /></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The human being who came to life in her womb took Mary’s flesh, but his existence derived totally from God. He is fully man, made of clay — to use the biblical symbol — but comes from on high, from Heaven. The fact that Mary conceived while remaining a virgin is thus essential to the knowledge of Jesus and to our faith, because it testifies that it was God’s initiative and, above all, it reveals </i>who<i> the conceived being </i>was. (<a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20111218.html" target="_blank">Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus talk</a>, 4th Sunday of Advent 2011).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEw3Go2LTnEhkJ13QEqA_KJtOBmQiQ2HLi3fWlcgQyeQIUhRuiu4iacgZ48lm6Xv28RWTFfZpTD7hSO0p9E11vaGJ50KdX0FsV220RHDczhVYGtNVZIrWY4AxAdmPlOjPphqDVpWqSnUVEMmMqMGQHlG1wAzYqMLO0tcmsVQYYsGrYyP9MzMKz61A4gA/s2000/Caravaggio,%20Adoration%20of%20the%20Shepherds,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1346" height="760" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEw3Go2LTnEhkJ13QEqA_KJtOBmQiQ2HLi3fWlcgQyeQIUhRuiu4iacgZ48lm6Xv28RWTFfZpTD7hSO0p9E11vaGJ50KdX0FsV220RHDczhVYGtNVZIrWY4AxAdmPlOjPphqDVpWqSnUVEMmMqMGQHlG1wAzYqMLO0tcmsVQYYsGrYyP9MzMKz61A4gA/w510-h760/Caravaggio,%20Adoration%20of%20the%20Shepherds,%20WGA.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Adoration of the Shepherds</span></i></b><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Caravaggio [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/c/caravagg/11/67sheph.html&find=Adoration+of+the+Shepherds" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped
in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger </i>(Luke 2:12; Gospel, Mass During the Night).</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas Day, Years
ABC<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Solemnity of the
Nativity of the Lord</span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> has
four different Mass formularies, each with its own prayers and readings. Any of
the four fulfils our obligation to attend Mass. These are:</span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-PH" style="color: #666666; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-PH" style="color: #666666; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Vigil Mass</span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">, celebrated 'either before or after
First Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Nativity'; that means starting between
5pm and 7pm.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-PH" style="color: #666666; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Mass During the Night</span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">, known before as 'Midnight Mass'.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">.</span><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Mass at Dawn</span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-PH" style="color: #666666; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Mass During the Day</span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">.</span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"" style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The readings from the
Jerusalem Bible for the four Masses are all on one page but with links to each
individual Mass. When you click on 'Readings' below from the New American Bible
you will find links to the readings for each of the four Masses. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.universalis.com/20231225/mass.htm" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Readings</o:p></span><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> </span></a></b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales,
Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">(New American Bible:
Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A1-14&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">(Mass During the Night) </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">Luke 2:1-14 </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">(<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> </span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-GB" style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="chapter-1" style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">In those days a decree went out from Caesar
Augustus that all the world should be registered.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> <span class="text">This was the
first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.</span> <span class="text">And all went to be registered, each to his own town.</span> <span class="text">And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth,
to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and lineage of David,</span> <span class="text">to be
registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.</span> <span class="text">And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.</span> <span class="text">And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in
swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for
them in the inn.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> <span class="text">And an angel of the
Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were filled with fear.</span> <span class="text">And the angel said
to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be
for all the people.</span> <span class="text">For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the
Lord.</span> <span class="text">And this will be a sign for you: you
will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”</span> <span class="text">And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying,</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="line" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Glory to God in the highest,</span></span></div><span class="indent-1-breaks"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">and on earth peace among
those with whom he is pleased!”</span></span></span></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-PH"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge
</a></span></i></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From a Christmas Homily of Pope Benedict XVI</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Again and again the beauty of this Gospel touches our hearts: a beauty that is the splendour of truth. Again and again it astonishes us that God makes himself a child so that we may love him, so that we may dare to love him, and as a child trustingly lets himself be taken into our arms. It is as if God were saying: I know that my glory frightens you, and that you are trying to assert yourself in the face of my grandeur. So now I am coming to you as a child, so that you can accept me and love me . . .</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">. . . </span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>The shepherds made haste. Holy curiosity and holy joy impelled them. In our case, it is probably not very often that we make haste for the things of God. God does not feature among the things that require haste. The things of God can wait, we think and we say. And yet he is the most important thing, ultimately the one truly important thing. Why should we not also be moved by curiosity to see more closely and to know what God has said to us? At this hour, let us ask him to touch our hearts with the holy curiosity and the holy joy of the shepherds, and thus let us go over joyfully to Bethlehem, to the Lord who today once more comes to meet us. Amen. </i>(Opening and closing of <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/homilies/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20121224_christmas.html" target="_blank">Pope Benedict's homily</a>, Midnight Mass 24 December 2012).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X94gNDliI8M" width="551" youtube-src-id="X94gNDliI8M"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">T</span><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">ichá Noc
(Silent Night in Czech)</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">Sung by Patricia </span></i><i><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">Janečková</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; text-align: left;">This recording was made about two years ago
in the Catholic church in the Czech Republic where Patricia’s funeral Mass took
place last October. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2022 and
was only 25 when she died. May she rest in peace.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h1 style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></h1><div><i><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="478" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6i1VDxYzROw" width="574" youtube-src-id="6i1VDxYzROw"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;">White
Christmas</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Words and music by Irving Berlin</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">Sung by Patricia </span></i><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><i>Janečková </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">The<i> </i>name of Christ is mentioned seven times in this song as is the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, since the word 'Christmas' means 'Christ's Mass', a name that goes back a thousand years in the developing English language.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></b><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord or Christmas Eve </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 12-24-2023, if necessary).</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A1-6&version=RSVCE" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Epistle</a>: Romans 1:1-16. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A18-21&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b>:<b> </b>Matthew 1:18-21.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Christmas Day</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 12-25-2023, if necessary). Click on the circle in front of 'Missa prima', 'Missa secunda' or 'Missa tertia' for the specific Mass texts.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">First Mass at Midnight</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titu+2%3A+11-15&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Titus 2:11-15. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A1-14&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a>: Luke 2:1-14. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Second Mass at Dawn</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+3%3A4-7&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Titus 3:4-7. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A15-20&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b>: Luke 2:15-20.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Third Mass During the Daytime</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1%3A1-12&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Hebrews 1:1-12. <b>Gospel</b>: <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1-14&version=ESVUK" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">John 1:1-14</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></b><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2a4qQb5VNNx220Cb1pRGtBH4uwa6ZBe3aDoJrq_kKgBOIe8g4kabbEkFii_XsEU4kqyzA3iHYrze0JvomK7z1hGRKrIe1blBS5D1BOGnI6HNZ_x_x19Pk2GJdZ8XU2EGCC6SXbNeQ1cB92eweCSHtyzvWIBxUToL38nFKZGl7idf5p2-X0aTgApp/s966/Rembrandt,%20Adoration%20of%20the%20Shepherds%20(London),%20WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2a4qQb5VNNx220Cb1pRGtBH4uwa6ZBe3aDoJrq_kKgBOIe8g4kabbEkFii_XsEU4kqyzA3iHYrze0JvomK7z1hGRKrIe1blBS5D1BOGnI6HNZ_x_x19Pk2GJdZ8XU2EGCC6SXbNeQ1cB92eweCSHtyzvWIBxUToL38nFKZGl7idf5p2-X0aTgApp/w530-h640/Rembrandt,%20Adoration%20of%20the%20Shepherds%20(London),%20WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="530" /></a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Adoration of the Shepherds </b>(London)</span></i></div><h1 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Rembrandt [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/r/rembrand/13biblic/37newtes.html&find=Adoration+of+the+Shepherds" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</i><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></i></span></h1><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger</i> (Luke 2:16; Gospel, The Mass at Dawn). </span></span></div>
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<h1 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><br /></h1></div><h1 style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></h1></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-58975616783634959232023-12-15T14:45:00.000+00:002023-12-15T14:45:01.537+00:00'Therefore we may singen Deo gratias!' Sunday Reflections, 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B<p> </p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-962041115865818399" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0iAVXJijk_6zKywJ9cgdGlzxTz6me-MlHGQMQwoGearzjhGrs2N-jYsXmcOFjla3tzo1HNUGOVaxZ2qcPKW1oNA-HRv-u39isRNwMEQVgWuBpljw7vejR1Lw4gkm3nZaBlEuIGk5OCM/s1700/Donatello%252C+St+John+the+Baptist%252C+Vencie%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="714" height="1259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0iAVXJijk_6zKywJ9cgdGlzxTz6me-MlHGQMQwoGearzjhGrs2N-jYsXmcOFjla3tzo1HNUGOVaxZ2qcPKW1oNA-HRv-u39isRNwMEQVgWuBpljw7vejR1Lw4gkm3nZaBlEuIGk5OCM/w527-h1259/Donatello%252C+St+John+the+Baptist%252C+Vencie%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="527" /></a></div><p align="center" style="line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">St John the Baptist</span></i></b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;">Donatello [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/d/donatell/3_late/various/2john.html&find=John+the+Baptist" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231217/mass.htm " target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121723.cfm " target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A6-8%2C+19-28&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">John 1:6-8, 19-28 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="text">He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.</span> <span class="text">He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US">And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="text">He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”</span> <span class="text">And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”</span> <span class="text">So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”</span> <span class="text">He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’, as the prophet Isaiah said.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US">(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.)</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <span class="text"><b><sup> </sup></b>They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”</span> <span class="text">John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know,</span> <span class="text">even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”</span> <span class="text">These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNavdnxcU_miTKz0KP2YuvaL9UFiT89zUP7YWc4Y53CDvYqVzW9cZgX9iWXkliUx7Eioky796OyaYAstgWHdywyzo-_3Kec-SNYLRnkFRHCxS7tIJjnJMLqObOzRT7atSQLDLNir0swGA/s803/Master+of+the+Legend+of+St+Lucy%252C+Mary%252C+Queen+of+Heaven%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="649" height="670" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNavdnxcU_miTKz0KP2YuvaL9UFiT89zUP7YWc4Y53CDvYqVzW9cZgX9iWXkliUx7Eioky796OyaYAstgWHdywyzo-_3Kec-SNYLRnkFRHCxS7tIJjnJMLqObOzRT7atSQLDLNir0swGA/w542-h670/Master+of+the+Legend+of+St+Lucy%252C+Mary%252C+Queen+of+Heaven%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="542" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Mary, Queen of Heaven</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Master of the Legend of Saint Lucy [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/framex-e.html?file=html/m/master/legend3/5queen.html&find=Mary,+Queen+of+Heaven" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</i></div></span></span><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">In the Philippines the </span><i>Misas de Gallo</i>, also known as <i>Simbang Gabi </i>or Aguinaldo Masses, the novena of pre-dawn Masses leading up to Christmas, will begin on Saturday, the 16th. These are votive Masses in honour of our Blessed Mother and in thanksgiving for the gift of our faith. The Spanish word 'Aguinaldo' means 'gift' and in this context refers to the gift of faith. </span><span style="font-size: large;">For 15 years, 2002 until 2016, I celebrated these in the chapel of St Joseph, Espinos Village, Bacolod City. As I am now based in Ireland, I don't have to get up at 3:30 am in order to start Mass at 4:30 am.</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br />The Church over the centuries has reflected on gifts we have received from God that we could not have received had our First Parents never sinned. A song included among poems for Advent and Christmas in the Breviary published by the hierarchies of Australia, England &</span></span></span> Wales, and Ireland is one of those reflections, <i>Adam lay y-bounde</i>n. In the Breviary it is given the title <i>O Felix Culpa</i>, '<i>O Happy Fault</i>'.<br /><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br />This particular song marvels at the fact that but for the reality of the sin of Adam we would never have had Our Lady as Queen of Heaven.<br /><br />The poem reflects part of the <i>Exultet</i>, the Easter Proclamation: <i>O certe necessarium Adae peccatum, /quod Christo morte deletum est!</i> O truly necessary sin of Adam,/destroyed completely by the Death of Christ. <i>O felix culpa,/quae talem ac tantum meruit habere Redemptionem!</i> O happy fault/that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer.<br /><br />At Easter we proclaim the great reality that God has given us a Redeemer and that he is now risen from the dead.<br /><br />Coming up to Christmas we reflect on the birth of our Redeemer through the consent of Mary, his and our Mother. Mary is part of God's eternal plan and if we sideline her we distort that reality, as we also do if we put her in the centre and sideline her Son. In the painting above Mary, while being honoured as Queen of Heaven by the angels and saints is adoring God with her whole being, inviting us to do the same. The song too invites us to sing <i>Deo gratias!</i> Thanks be to God!<br /><br />That is what the Church invites us to do every time we celebrate Mass, the Eucharist, the Thanksgiving. It invites Filipinos in particular at this time of the Aguinaldo Masses to thank God for the great gift of faith and to share it with others. One way in which Filipinos have been doing that is by introducing this centuries-old practice to other countries, adapting it to local circumstances.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="459" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/azSVHUBHQYY" style="display: inline;" width="553" youtube-src-id="azSVHUBHQYY"></iframe></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>O Felix Culpa (O Happy Fault)</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_lay_ybounden" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Adam lay ybounden</span></a></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, England</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Adam lay ybounden,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bounden in a bond;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Four thousand winter,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thought he not too long.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And all was for an apple,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An apple that he took.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As clerkes finden written<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> In theiré book.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ne had the apple taken been,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The apple taken been,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ne hadde never our Lady,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A been heaven’s queen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessed be the time<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That apple taken was,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Therefore we may singen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Deo gratias!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_lay_ybounden" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">This song</a> from England dates from the 15th century. The text here is an adaptation of the original Middle English and the musical setting is by Boris Ord.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Scottish poet Edwin Muir's </span><i style="background-color: white;">One Foot in Eden</i><span style="background-color: white;">, included in the Breviary for Lent and Easter, also reflects on the theme of <i>felix culpa.</i> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="462" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vDucWSyp2Rs" style="display: inline;" width="556" youtube-src-id="vDucWSyp2Rs"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><i>One Foot in Eden</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i>by Edwin Muir</i></div>Video and reading by Philip Marshall</i></span><br /><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What had Eden ever to say<br />Of hope and faith and pity and love<br />Until was buried all its day<br />And memory found its treasure trove?<br />Strange blessings never in Paradise</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall from these beclouded skies.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></b><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: start;"></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Third Sunday of Advent </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The complete Mass in Latin and English is </i><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">here</span></a></b><i>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 12-17-2023, if necessary).</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A4-7&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Philippians 4:4-7. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A19-28&version=ESVUK" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a>: John 1:19-28.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="478" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rDT-fZTJl3Q" width="574" youtube-src-id="rDT-fZTJl3Q"></iframe><b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: #26282a; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Gaudete</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: #26282a; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sung by <a href="https://www.anuna.ie/" target="_blank">Anúna</a>, arranged by Michael McGlynn</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: #26282a; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lyrics in the original Latin with English translation <b><a href="https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/gaudete-lyrics-latin-carol/" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: #26282a; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: #26282a; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today is Gaudete Sunday, the name coming from the opening words of the Introit/Entrance Antiphon: <i>Gaudete in Domino semper - </i>Rejoice in the Lord always, taken in turn from the opening words of the Epistle today, <i>Rejoice in the Lord always </i>(Philippians 4:4).</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div></span></span></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-20221567148834064292023-12-13T21:18:00.002+00:002023-12-14T14:15:24.153+00:00St John of the Cross and Roy Campbell, two poets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjda96NQMMwKihTvgv6l2Z9TTSneMgltqkSPPWvX7dhTWa5RqgnUvRE2YaiiadctNBU8xEeXloEza2943yPl0n1TYFPHkz7OmRlfZk-weqWK9_BIPrBT7v-6suCCNOv5Wcjrk7gTUIcabxMjySBXAp521DSSK3ZMCOYkGZt7912oVmxOjLw2ZiLdD5dk/s804/Zurbar%C3%A1n,%20(atribuido)-%20ohn_of%20the%20Cross%201656,%20Wikipedia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="631" height="686" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjda96NQMMwKihTvgv6l2Z9TTSneMgltqkSPPWvX7dhTWa5RqgnUvRE2YaiiadctNBU8xEeXloEza2943yPl0n1TYFPHkz7OmRlfZk-weqWK9_BIPrBT7v-6suCCNOv5Wcjrk7gTUIcabxMjySBXAp521DSSK3ZMCOYkGZt7912oVmxOjLw2ZiLdD5dk/w538-h686/Zurbar%C3%A1n,%20(atribuido)-%20ohn_of%20the%20Cross%201656,%20Wikipedia.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">St John of the Cross</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Attributed
to Francisco de Zurbarán [<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_the_Cross" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Feast Day 14 December (24 November in the Old Calendar)</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Crisis Magazine </i>today (13 December) carries an interesting article about South African poet Roy Campbell (1901-1957) written by Joseph Pearce, under the intriguing title <i><a href="https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/a-convert-among-communists-and-carmelites" target="_blank">A Convert Among Communists and Carmelites</a></i>. I have used translations by Roy Campbell of poems by St John of the Cross (1542-1591) on this blog but never knew until I read Pearce's article of the intimate connection between the poet and the archives of the saint given to him by the Carmelite friars in Toledo, Spain, during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) for safekeeping.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two of Campbell's translations of the saint's poems are in the English-language Breviary approved for use by the hierarchies of Australia, England & Wales and Ireland in 1973. Below is one of them in the Spanish of St John of the Cross and the English of Roy Campbell. The English subtitles in the video are different from the latter.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="462" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XsN0rdot8_0" width="556" youtube-src-id="XsN0rdot8_0"></iframe></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3302839847231956446" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Del Verbo Divino</span></b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">San Juan de la Cruz</span></b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Translated by Roy Campbell</span></b></i></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Del Verbo divino</span><br style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">la Virgen preñada</span><br style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">viene de camino :</span><br style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">¡ si les dais posada !</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Concerning the Divine Word</span></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">St John of the Cross</span></b></span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">With the divinest Word, the Virgin</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Made pregnant, down the road</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Comes walking, if you'll grant her</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">A room in your abode </span></span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wga.hu/art/g/greco_el/11/1104grec.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgYjS3-KY-DiTUij-F8xbrKiUzRSb7ylWOWnViekhk6fa29XNdT9uxgO_u0fj_d8m7bT9Gt3ivVVBJCpH1vkkllKCFZnpILUEJljg0j5Vf02Ae_vtY1WXLYHGoT4Jq1H_4uTCZDcClS3KBdFenoLxEf=w539-h604" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="539" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><i><b><a href="http://www.wga.hu/art/g/greco_el/11/1104grec.jpg" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">A View of Toledo</a></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><i>El Greco [<a href="http://www.wga.hu/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>El Greco's landscape of Toledo depicts the Priory in which John was held captive, just below the old Muslim Alcazar and perched on the banks of the Tajo on high cliffs. (From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_Canticle" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</i>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>From the <i>Spiritual Canticle</i> of St John of the Cross</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>(Office of Readings, Feast of St John of the Cross, 14 December)</i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>There are depths to be fathomed in Christ. He is like a rich mine with many recesses containing treasures, and no matter how men try to fathom them the end is never reached. Rather, in each recess, men keep on finding here and there new veins of new riches.</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John_of_the_Cross" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">St John</a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span>wrote much of the </i>Spiritual Canticle<i> while he was imprisoned by other Carmelite friars.</i></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>From <i>The Ascent of Mount Carmel</i> by St John of the Cross</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>(Office of Readings, Advent Week 2, Monday)</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>When [God] gave us, as he did, his Son, who is his one Word, he spoke everything to us, once and for all in that one Word. There is nothing further for him to say.</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>I've highlighted these two texts because so often we can get caught in what are claimed to be revelations from God but that are not in harmony with the teaching of the Church. Such 'revelations' can lead us away from God.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-URA1wmXB3Dh_L8q1lMnWaVNfehrTTRmZcHfQ_D1Pcv0XgvplcEnUyczUqRuX9eusehwhyKqocP2ER3JftS7p7uq9orPLz-F6d-vpQX30059gdWkAstG9lLmoBvshw_9f8008N_SugEPMBIUkvbu-JGG-TqKL5k8QBGttHaSktbC3_Rjk89dLTYMdZc/s1105/Fra%20Angelico,%20The%20Annunciation,%201433-34,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1069" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-URA1wmXB3Dh_L8q1lMnWaVNfehrTTRmZcHfQ_D1Pcv0XgvplcEnUyczUqRuX9eusehwhyKqocP2ER3JftS7p7uq9orPLz-F6d-vpQX30059gdWkAstG9lLmoBvshw_9f8008N_SugEPMBIUkvbu-JGG-TqKL5k8QBGttHaSktbC3_Rjk89dLTYMdZc/w556-h574/Fra%20Angelico,%20The%20Annunciation,%201433-34,%20WGA.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">The Annunciation </span></i></b><i style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">(1433-34)</span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Blessed
Fra Angelico [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/a/angelico/04/1annunc.html&find=Annunciation" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></div></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b><i>The Incarnation</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b><i>by St John of the Cross</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b><i>Translated by Roy Campbell</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Then He summoned an archangel, </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Saint Gabriel: and when he came, </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Sent him forth to find a maiden, </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> Mary was her name.</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Only through her consenting love </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Could the mystery be preferred </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">That the Trinity in human </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> Flesh might clothe the Word.</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Though the three Persons worked the wonder </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">It only happened to the One. </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">So was the Word made incarnation </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> In Mary's womb, a son.</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">So He who only had a Father </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Now had a Mother undefiled, </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Though not as ordinary maids </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> Had she conceived the Child.</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">By Mary, and with her own flesh </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">He was clothed in His own frame: </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Both Son of God and Son of Man </span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> Together had one name. </span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZMslxT7mm0wNSc97oA4sYgNzcfGth1e30BofN2g3AWkwA-7qCK5N1r_fEqH8xRODzkBni6rrYYE_z4HL63DmoOY7Ny84UvbV4wCkglL78wci0A-rO4oFsdpIsNW1k1FYAwIQ_uEmbFc8togPov7pFW3P_hO3JCcg_1QsURGZFBIjn6apFD9LsQqVc34/s1275/Fra%20Angelico,%20The%20Annunciation,%201442-43,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1275" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZMslxT7mm0wNSc97oA4sYgNzcfGth1e30BofN2g3AWkwA-7qCK5N1r_fEqH8xRODzkBni6rrYYE_z4HL63DmoOY7Ny84UvbV4wCkglL78wci0A-rO4oFsdpIsNW1k1FYAwIQ_uEmbFc8togPov7pFW3P_hO3JCcg_1QsURGZFBIjn6apFD9LsQqVc34/w553-h390/Fra%20Angelico,%20The%20Annunciation,%201442-43,%20WGA.jpg" width="553" /></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">The Annunciation </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">(1442-43)</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Blessed
Fra Angelico [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/a/angelico/09/corridor/annunci.html&find=Annunciation" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></div></span></i><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 15.8333px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-11466465566104160992023-12-11T22:15:00.000+00:002023-12-11T22:15:07.266+00:00Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of unborn children<p> </p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3508938950789295395" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0uZfYpEFdtM70NOgjB_7Wn21MtOGTG1kcL_aEoNspMpRkLfdrzQLaMapTuuxAZT1o_ild1OJD3MoYcIdMWoQKg5X2M3-MVWnzkyKTZXxjQTzMccpRK4x6wpkD52pn0OXRm8xx64uzQsxqX_KOkGurZ7fDQqAwmz4B70DFK2YQAhFhhWRqRRQwojd/s1226/Our%20Lady%20of%20Guadalupe,%20Wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="788" height="799" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0uZfYpEFdtM70NOgjB_7Wn21MtOGTG1kcL_aEoNspMpRkLfdrzQLaMapTuuxAZT1o_ild1OJD3MoYcIdMWoQKg5X2M3-MVWnzkyKTZXxjQTzMccpRK4x6wpkD52pn0OXRm8xx64uzQsxqX_KOkGurZ7fDQqAwmz4B70DFK2YQAhFhhWRqRRQwojd/w515-h799/Our%20Lady%20of%20Guadalupe,%20Wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="515" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><b><i><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><b><i><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; line-height: 14.95px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3501239684776771639/3508938950789295395" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our Lady of Guadalupe</span></span></a></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Feast Day: 12 December</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-style: italic;">Patroness of the Americas</span><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">, </span><i><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">of Mexico, <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-our-lady-guadalupe" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">of Unborn Children</a></span></i></span><i><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span> and Secondary Patroness of the Philippines</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="446" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jnvV8WhN-0c" style="display: inline;" width="537" youtube-src-id="jnvV8WhN-0c"></iframe></i></div><i style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe</b></span></div></i><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 20.7px;">Opening Prayer of the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> </span></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">12 December</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 20.7px;">O God, Father of mercies, </span></span><span style="color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">who placed your people under the singular protection of your Son’s most holy Mother, </span><span style="color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, </span><span style="color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">may seek with ever more lively faith </span><span style="color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">the progress of people in the way of justice and of peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, </span><span style="color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, </span><span style="color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif";">God, for ever and ever.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121223.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> for the Mass.</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel for the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A39-47&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Luke 1:39-47</a>)</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text Luke-1-39" id="en-NABRE-29252">During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, </span><span class="text Luke-1-40" id="en-NABRE-29253">where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. </span><span class="text Luke-1-41" id="en-NABRE-29254">When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, </span><span class="text Luke-1-42" id="en-NABRE-29255">cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. </span><span class="text Luke-1-43" id="en-NABRE-29256">And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? </span><span class="text Luke-1-44" id="en-NABRE-29257">For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. </span><span class="text Luke-1-45" id="en-NABRE-29258">Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">And Mary said: </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="text-align: start;">“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit
rejoices in God my Savior.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KPSUlJG5KTxu2yfrjlKIP68s3nUuzzLLC_xu6j0QIFwJvbNtIr2MrqBH5bHYRyKtTnibJqRRrqudyi1covhJILTGAwhfeCF6mqzsfnLGzABs0Y83g1cNmB27k9LXJl15H6hqlTdK8ndSHYxVqLofHw-7NzIS2MAKW4Gn1l2xsZk9OMZhOTfqy1-yc_w/s1176/El%20Greco,%20The%20Visitation,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="870" height="753" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KPSUlJG5KTxu2yfrjlKIP68s3nUuzzLLC_xu6j0QIFwJvbNtIr2MrqBH5bHYRyKtTnibJqRRrqudyi1covhJILTGAwhfeCF6mqzsfnLGzABs0Y83g1cNmB27k9LXJl15H6hqlTdK8ndSHYxVqLofHw-7NzIS2MAKW4Gn1l2xsZk9OMZhOTfqy1-yc_w/w557-h753/El%20Greco,%20The%20Visitation,%20WGA.jpg" width="557" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Visitation</span></i></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">El Greco [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/greco_el/20/2007grec.html&find=The+Visitation" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></div><div style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I never fail to be moved, delighted and inspired by this 'Dance of Life' between St Elizabeth pregnant with John the Baptist and Mary pregnant with Jesus.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is most appropriate for Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. As the video above tells us, Mary is pregnant in the image. The sacrifice of humans was practised by the Aztecs in Mexico out of sense of indebtedness to their gods. Today in most Western countries it has become a 'human right' to kill children in the womb. This has led to millions of deaths each year. There has been a catastrophic fall in birth rates in many countries in Europe and east Asia. <i>Be fertile and multiply </i>(Genesis 1:28) is ignored.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Advent is a preparation to celebrate the gift of life. The apparitions in Guadalupe were a celebration of life, symbolised by the roses that our Lady gave to St Juan Diego in the middle of winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is noteworthy that in all the apparitions that the Church has recognised, such as Lourdes, Fatima, Knock, Beauraing, Banneux and Guadalupe, Our Blessed Mother appeared to persons considered unimportant in society., just as Mary and Joseph were when they arrived in Bethlehem, captured in the painting below where one can hardly notice St Joseph leading the donkey with Mary on it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hoGMPLv6oBIwKKfDVm7bGx5WRsAZ2zF-crcXjAVQDV5L9Io6dkVO2_JzOOEDx5Bz9yh8v8ciJ_tx6OCWi3geVGXiFXh9FHA-p0WQVmo6Lkbc9vwbFJU7r244J0NxFkSWUYubpWNHHa0/s1147/Pieter+Bruegel+the+Elder%252C+The+Census+at+Bethlehem+%2528full%2529+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1147" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hoGMPLv6oBIwKKfDVm7bGx5WRsAZ2zF-crcXjAVQDV5L9Io6dkVO2_JzOOEDx5Bz9yh8v8ciJ_tx6OCWi3geVGXiFXh9FHA-p0WQVmo6Lkbc9vwbFJU7r244J0NxFkSWUYubpWNHHa0/w565-h403/Pieter+Bruegel+the+Elder%252C+The+Census+at+Bethlehem+%2528full%2529+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="565" /></a></div><div><b><i>The Census at Bethlehem</i></b></div><div><i>Pieter Bruegel the Elder [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/b/bruegel/pieter_e/04/07census.html&find=The+Census+at+Bethlehem" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</i></div></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative; text-align: start;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Luke-1-47" id="en-NABRE-29260" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p></div><div><span><span><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-our-lady-guadalupe" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">A Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe</a></span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="ES" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 14.95px;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Virgin of Guadalupe,<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Patroness of unborn children,<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />we implore your intercession<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />for every child at risk of abortion.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Help expectant parents to welcome from God<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />the priceless gift of their child’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: none; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Console parents who have lost that gift<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />through abortion,<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />and lead them to forgiveness and healing<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />through the Divine Mercy of your Son.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: none; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Teach us to cherish<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />and to care for family and friends<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />until God calls them home.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Help us never to see others as burdens.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: none; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Guide our public officials<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />to defend each and every human life<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />through just laws.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life,<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />to speak for those who have no voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: none; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We ask this in the name of your Son,<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Jesus Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Amen.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: none; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="472" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LO1xFFVnISA" width="568" youtube-src-id="LO1xFFVnISA"></iframe><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hymn to the Virgin of Guadalupe</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Words and music by Juan Pablo Rojas</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Produced by <a href="https://cantocatolico.org/" target="_blank">Canto Catolico</a>, Chile</span></span></i></div><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: none; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>¡</i></b></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe!</i></b></span></span></p></span></span></div></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-7981043578421547862023-12-08T19:52:00.000+00:002023-12-08T19:52:58.019+00:00'Prepare the Way of the Lord.' Sunday Reflections, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B<p><br /></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4687449575709271105" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoTOgMSw7wNkPplY_KbFbHZ5yNrs7i5pBE-jCe3-2abdmRahyphenhyphenl1MBxxORk0PImzKZvStV5p8Npo_OdMvksG1WN8FzGw5ajcazWCDbTeSXEjZPb0IEm3xtrHtbFH8ifGGC4NJsG98shgA/s1500/Joseph+Parrocel%252C+St+John+the+Baptist+Preaching.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1133" height="722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoTOgMSw7wNkPplY_KbFbHZ5yNrs7i5pBE-jCe3-2abdmRahyphenhyphenl1MBxxORk0PImzKZvStV5p8Npo_OdMvksG1WN8FzGw5ajcazWCDbTeSXEjZPb0IEm3xtrHtbFH8ifGGC4NJsG98shgA/w546-h722/Joseph+Parrocel%252C+St+John+the+Baptist+Preaching.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>St John the Baptist Preaching<br /></i></b><i>Joseph Parrocel [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/p/parrocel/joseph/baptist.html&find=John+the+Baptist+preaching" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231210/mass.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121023.cfm " target="_blank">Readings </a></span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A1-8&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel </a></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Mark 1:1-8 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India)</i></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;"></span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;">The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;">As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, </span></span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">“Behold, I send my</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness:</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.7px;">‘Prepare the way of the Lord, </span></span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">make his paths straight,’”</span></span></p><p class="first-line-none" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="first-line-none" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 14.95px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></p><p class="first-line-none" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24217">And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24218">Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt round his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24219">And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.</span></span> </span><span class="text"><span id="en-ESVUK-24220"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you<span style="color: #666666;"> with the Holy Spirit.”</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><u1:p></u1:p></span></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="first-line-none" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a></i></b><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt-38SU-f0bRBJgo8iFqUvPM31j26_4gOzMWwsv49q-PJuokjYQ3DHnr-g4bpOv680MZsadkAwE3wB6eTrz2rt5TPmWp71jDE7ToDJl4rczuxvM1sJa6mDq3cykrQ7iJlsrHvxWIO0oM/s1300/Van+Gogh%252C+Avenue+of+Poplars%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="960" height="734" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt-38SU-f0bRBJgo8iFqUvPM31j26_4gOzMWwsv49q-PJuokjYQ3DHnr-g4bpOv680MZsadkAwE3wB6eTrz2rt5TPmWp71jDE7ToDJl4rczuxvM1sJa6mDq3cykrQ7iJlsrHvxWIO0oM/w541-h734/Van+Gogh%252C+Avenue+of+Poplars%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="541" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Avenue of Poplars</span></span></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vincent van Gogh [<a href="https://bangortobobbio.blogspot.com/2020/11/Avenue%20of%20Poplars%20Vincent%20van%20Gogh%20[Web%20Gallery%20of%20Art]" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></div><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 20.7px;">Charles Kuralt was a reporter with CBS TV in the USA whose </span><i>On the Road </i>stories were a regular part of the Evening News for 25 years. These were offbeat but positive stories about real persons and were often uplifting. I remember one in particular from about 1970 when I, then a young priest, was studying in the USA. It featured an elderly man in a small town in one of the Midwestern states. His town was about 10 kms from the next town but in order to go from one to the other you had to travel 20 or 30 kms. The authorities in both towns were unwilling to build a road to connect them.<span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So this man started to build a road himself, using logs as a foundation, as I recall.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In 1982 Charles Kuralt gave a lunchtime talk in an auditorium in Minneapolis where I was on a pastoral programme in a hospital for three months, working as a chaplain. I went to hear the broadcaster. Someone in the audience asked him what had become of the road that the old man had begun to build. It turned out that the man had since died. But after his death the authorities completed the road.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This man was engaged in a form of what the Legion of Mary Handbook calls 'Symbolic Action', described in these terms: <i>Observe the stress is set on action. No matter what may be the degree of the difficulty, a step must be taken. Of course, the step should be as effective as it can be. But if an effective step is not in view, then we must take a less effective one. And if the latter be not available, then some active gesture (that is, not merely a prayer) must be made which, though of no apparent practical value, at least tends towards or has some relation to the objective. This final challenging gesture is what the Legion has been calling 'Symbolic Action'. Recourse to it will explode the impossibility which is of our own imagining. And, on the other hand, it enters in the spirit of faith into dramatic conflict with the genuine impossibility.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The sequel may be the collapse of the walls of that Jericho</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The old man featured on TV wasn't thinking of himself but of those coming after him. <i>Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">St Mark is repeating the words of Isaiah used in today's First Reading:<i> In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 40: 3).</i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5FKBGrd1T8kjifK6jETe_kzNXO_zepagL_YW2bqpJfk0keZFFP646iJc-TW2jlkPBhSf8gNwCfQtM3VidNDGwoDSBJFhnKl8VcwWh57K3FUj7HvCBsnVLp7rxq1LqefH3x2vGx8nUEc/s362/Fr+Alfred+Delp+SJ%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5FKBGrd1T8kjifK6jETe_kzNXO_zepagL_YW2bqpJfk0keZFFP646iJc-TW2jlkPBhSf8gNwCfQtM3VidNDGwoDSBJFhnKl8VcwWh57K3FUj7HvCBsnVLp7rxq1LqefH3x2vGx8nUEc/w426-h640/Fr+Alfred+Delp+SJ%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="426" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Fr Alfred Delp SJ</span></i></b></div></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>(15 September 1907 - 2 February 1945) </i><i>[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Delp" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>]</i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Fr Alfred Delp SJ, hanged by the Nazis in Berlin on 2 February 1945, is in many ways an Advent figure. <i><a href="http://www.ignatius.com/Products/AOH-P/advent-of-the-heart.aspx" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Advent of the Heart </a></i>is a collection of 'Seasonal Sermons and Prison Writings - 1941-1944'. <i><a href="http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/december09p4.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The People of Advent</a></i> is one of his prison meditations, written exactly 79 years ago, two months before his death. I have <b>highlighted</b> some parts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The herald angel</i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Never have I entered on Advent so vitally and intensely alert as I am now</b>. When I pace my cell, up and down, three paces one way and three the other, my hands manacled, an unknown fate in front of me, then the tidings of our Lord's coming to redeem the world and deliver it have a different and much more vivid meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And my mind keeps going back to the angel someone gave me as a present during Advent two or three years ago. It bore the inscription: <i>Be of good cheer. The Lord is near</i>. A bomb destroyed it. The same bomb killed the donor and I often have the feeling that he is rendering me some heavenly aid.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Promises given and fulfilled</i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>It would be impossible to endure the horror of these times</b> - like the horror of life itself, could we only see it clearly enough - <b>if there were not this other knowledge which constantly buoys us up and gives us strength: the knowledge of the promises that have been given and fulfilled</b>. And the awareness of the angels of good tidings, uttering their blessed messages in the midst of all this trouble and sowing seed of blessing where it will sprout in the middle of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then angels of Advent are not the bright jubilant beings who trumpet the tidings of fulfillment to a waiting world. <b>Quiet and unseen they enter our shabby rooms and our hearts as they did of old. In the silence of the night they pose God's questions and proclaim the wonders of him with whom all things are possible</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Footsteps of the herald angel </i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Advent, even when things are going wrong, is a period from which a message can be drawn</b>. May the time never come when men forget about the good tidings and promises, when, so immured within the four walls of their prison that their very eyes are dimmed, they see nothing but grey days through barred windows placed too high to see out of.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>May the time never come when mankind no longer hears the soft footsteps of the herald angel, or his cheering words that penetrate the soul</b>. Should such a time come all will be lost. Then indeed we shall be living in bankruptcy and hope will die in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Golden seeds waiting to be sowed</i><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>For the first thing man must do if he wants to raise himself out of this sterile life is to open his heart to the golden seed which God's angels are waiting to sow in it</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>And one other thing; he must himself throughout these grey days go forth as a bringer of good tidings</b>. There is so much despair that cries out for comfort; there is so much faint courage that needs to be reinforced; there is so much perplexity that yearns for reasons and meanings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Reaping the fruits of divine seeds</i><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">God's messengers, who have themselves reaped the fruits of divine seeds sown even in the darkest hours, know how to wait for the fullness of harvest. <b>Patience and faith are needed</b>, not because we believe in the earth, or in our stars, or our temperament or our good disposition, but <b>because we have received the message of God's herald angel and have ourselves encountered him</b>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MXwGB24CBc3GKBnlQxhMWOwPlgw86gDEq_-wV-8ncFNwHgVfqAq7cP2P2JU3vaJuh_bzZHoJzbVLpuIiZpr1Eg203iRPeZjffMofUbB5QPnlzDdW7QUub4CkrNullMEOzeYiKRql29M/s360/Trial+of+Fr+Alfred+Delp+SJ.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="360" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MXwGB24CBc3GKBnlQxhMWOwPlgw86gDEq_-wV-8ncFNwHgVfqAq7cP2P2JU3vaJuh_bzZHoJzbVLpuIiZpr1Eg203iRPeZjffMofUbB5QPnlzDdW7QUub4CkrNullMEOzeYiKRql29M/w562-h356/Trial+of+Fr+Alfred+Delp+SJ.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Trial of Fr Alfred Delp SJ</b><b> </b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">[<a href="http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/december09p4.htm" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Source</a>]</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The example of the life and death of Fr Alfred Delp SJ and his writings continue to help many <i>Prepare the way of the Lord</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="474" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vUNWVSNhc7A" style="display: inline;" width="570" youtube-src-id="vUNWVSNhc7A"></iframe></div></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>And the glory of the L0rd shall be revealed </b>(Isaiah 40:5)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">from <b>Messiah </b>by Handel</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sung by Gramophone Chorus, Ghana</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The text is from today's First Reading, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is+40%3A1-5%2C+9-11&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11</a>.</span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div></i></div></div></span></span></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Second Sunday of Advent</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 14.95px;">The Complete Mass in Latin and English is <b><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></b>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 12-10-2023 if necessary).</span></i><i><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15%3A4-13&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Romans 15:4-13</span>. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A2-10&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A15-21&version=RSVCE" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a> Matthew 11:2-10.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggK5W5dJrCnoFEDSbMZFNngEURWbXteSIcQkhomWrdI2IAtjJu7ik7b8PzklGAekHtXVkS5-VpDUFdFWsoW_C4dHo0ef59sg_bhGVl8TqYguNGPUKGNTgELa9uZXBCbUHRe9Bcb5xSXjKQlDc1lh7QTwunRJy2hUTizu1gvI1TszjZb9Yt8asdkUXuaTY/s1249/Juan%20Fern%C3%A1ndez%20de%20Navarrete%20,%20St%20John%20the%20Baptist%20in%20the%20Prison,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1020" height="668" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggK5W5dJrCnoFEDSbMZFNngEURWbXteSIcQkhomWrdI2IAtjJu7ik7b8PzklGAekHtXVkS5-VpDUFdFWsoW_C4dHo0ef59sg_bhGVl8TqYguNGPUKGNTgELa9uZXBCbUHRe9Bcb5xSXjKQlDc1lh7QTwunRJy2hUTizu1gvI1TszjZb9Yt8asdkUXuaTY/w545-h668/Juan%20Fern%C3%A1ndez%20de%20Navarrete%20,%20St%20John%20the%20Baptist%20in%20the%20Prison,%20WGA.jpg" width="545" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">St John the Baptist in the Prison</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Juan
Fernández de Navarrete [<a href="http://wga.hu" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text Matt-11-2"><i>Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples </i></span><span class="text Matt-11-3" id="en-RSVCE-27638"><i>and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?</i> (Mt 11:2-3; Gospel).</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-16167962719455525382023-12-01T14:13:00.000+00:002023-12-01T14:13:59.319+00:00'Stay awake.' Sunday Reflections, 1st Sunday of Advent, Year B<p><br /></p><div class="post-header" style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6794140016225565387" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizacCKGwE_Ym1L8plcxq1Dnm10ScYUWDENK-wO_6Ol1BPdG9zxS9VSXjFpdVuFAS-w_ezEDwHWOdT9cR_l97ou63sZMl65gyRjhxlcW454C1lpyUnb0I0PzGPe3GB37vD2FqZ1C5_gFY0/s936/Rembrandt%252C+Young+Jew+as+Christ%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizacCKGwE_Ym1L8plcxq1Dnm10ScYUWDENK-wO_6Ol1BPdG9zxS9VSXjFpdVuFAS-w_ezEDwHWOdT9cR_l97ou63sZMl65gyRjhxlcW454C1lpyUnb0I0PzGPe3GB37vD2FqZ1C5_gFY0/w558-h640/Rembrandt%252C+Young+Jew+as+Christ%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="558" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 20.7px;">Young Jew as Christ</span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 20.7px;">, Rembrandt </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">[<a href="https://www.wga.hu/framex-e.html?file=html/r/rembrand/23portra/74portra.html&find=Young+Jew+as+Christ" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120323.cfm " style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231203/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">(Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13%3A33-37&version=ESVUK" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;">Mark 13:33-37 (<i>English Standard Version Anglicised: India).</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus said to his disciples:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when
the time will come.</span></span><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="woj">It is
like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his
servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the
doorkeeper to stay awake.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup> </sup></b>Therefore
stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in
the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in
the morning—</span> <span class="woj">lest he come suddenly
and find you asleep.</span> <span class="woj">And what I say to you I
say to all: Stay awake.”</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 18.4px;"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a></i></b><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpatGCi9tDLPYtlPagW8kPloClnZU_uSDjZnJHgYcUOx3xO23Ccu4aHExbNHXeUohdXQNPKqTZCLgYRfTpPiQzn7n7yTaxNwN1s1pBWGmG_lu873lHGEBZjQoeDyTRl2FfWHA92LqBaOY/s200/Liam+Whelan+stamp.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="200" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpatGCi9tDLPYtlPagW8kPloClnZU_uSDjZnJHgYcUOx3xO23Ccu4aHExbNHXeUohdXQNPKqTZCLgYRfTpPiQzn7n7yTaxNwN1s1pBWGmG_lu873lHGEBZjQoeDyTRl2FfWHA92LqBaOY/w400-h296/Liam+Whelan+stamp.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Liam Whelan</span></i></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> (1 April 1935 - 5 February 1958)</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">If this is the end, then I'm ready for it</span></i></b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">. </span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">These were the last words of Liam Whelan who died in a plane crash at Munich Airport on 6 February 1958 along with other members of the Manchester United football (soccer) team as they were returning from a match in Belgrade. About ten years ago I learned from a friend named Brendan whom I have known for more than 60 years that, when they were both aged 14 or so, Liam rescued him when he got into difficulties in a swimming pool in their area. And about four years ago I discovered that another friend, who was a classmate of for five years in secondary school and for two years in the seminary, also named Liam, that this talented young footballer had been a neighbour of his and that even when he had achieved fame as a professional footballer he would still play knockabout football on the street with the local boys whenever he would come home.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">The average age of Manchester United's players at the time of the accident was only 22. These young men were earning only £15-per-week, about 25 percent more than a tradesman. Unlike tradesmen, their careers lasted only a few years and could be cut short by injuries. (The <a href="https://boardroom.tv/man-united-salaries-contracts-wages-2022-2023/#:~:text=Man%20United%20Salaries%20%26%20Contracts%20for%20the%202022-23,LW%20Jadon%20Sancho%3A%20%2421%2C947%2C520%20Contract%3A%204%20years%2C%20%2487%2C790%2C081" target="_blank">current top earners</a> on Manchester United's team earn around </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">£18,000.000 per year (roughly in the </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">$20,000,000 or </span><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">€20,000,000 range). </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Endorsements could bring in a little more income for a few talented players whose career would end for most at 35, if not earlier. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">There was snow on the ground at Munich Airport and the plane made three attempts to take off. Harry Gregg, the goalkeeper for Manchester United and who also played in that position for Northern Ireland's international team, was sitting near Liam Whelan. He survived uninjured and helped save a number of people from death. He has often told the story of Liam Whelan's last words: <i>If this is the end, then I'm ready for it</i>.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Clearly young Liam had his life focused on what was most important. He was ready to meet death. I have often spoken about him at Mass and in giving retreats. </span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Those who knew him describe Liam Whelan as 'a devout Catholic’. I know that he sent his mother some money for her to go to Lourdes. 11 February 1958 was the centennial of the first apparition of our Blessed Mother to St Bernadette. Mrs Whelan, a widow since 1943 when Liam was 8, used the money instead towards a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Lourdes over the grave of her son. I pass it each time I visit my parents’ grave.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcoHJFOzjUrO6iWnbhpuM2Z6QKX0CCjha4Eyqpb6muGy_0SGPB5bIinmqy56d8gK4ijjJq4FlL-dy6ydBnRmme6AVVCySfpBKI6FS1542mNyRl9_uTLaOdRaZqUHyQLSfs_7FN60-dE0/s960/Liam+Whelan%2527s+grave.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcoHJFOzjUrO6iWnbhpuM2Z6QKX0CCjha4Eyqpb6muGy_0SGPB5bIinmqy56d8gK4ijjJq4FlL-dy6ydBnRmme6AVVCySfpBKI6FS1542mNyRl9_uTLaOdRaZqUHyQLSfs_7FN60-dE0/w480-h640/Liam+Whelan%2527s+grave.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Liam Whelan's grave</span></i></b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> (right)</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">I vividly remember the dark, late afternoon I heard about the crash from a street-singer whom I knew by sight and who was running around agitatedly telling people of the crash. I didn't know whether to believe him or not but the news on the radio confirmed that it really had happened. It was the first time in my life to experience what has been called a 'public-private moment', a public happening, usually a tragedy, that becomes a very personal one for those who learn of it, one that is seared in the memory and often in the heart.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Liam Whelan grew up in the next parish to my own and I remember going to Christ the King Church the evening his remains were brought there. I was outside the church with countless others. An article by John Scally in the February 2008 issue of <i>The Word</i>, the magazine of the Divine Word Missionaries in Ireland that is no longer published, described what many experienced: <i>Their funerals were like no other. Most funerals are a burial of someone or something already gone. These young deaths pointed in exactly the opposite direction and were therefore the more poignant. Normally we bury the past but in burying Liam Whelan and his colleagues, in some deep and gnawing way we buried the future</i>.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">I still feel some pain at the deaths of Liam Whelan and his colleagues nearly 66 years after they died but the story of Liam's preparedness for his sudden death is one that continues to inspire me.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">Liam's last words, <i>If this is the end, then I'm ready for it</i>, are a perfect response to today's gospel. Jesus is not trying to frighten us but he is telling us starkly to be prepared always for the moment of our death, to do everything with that in mind. Advent is a time when we prepare not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, but to become much more aware of his daily coming into our lives, and to prepare, as individuals and as a Christian community to welcome him when he returns at the end of time in a way that we won't be ashamed.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">What would we say if he asked in the Philippines, where I spent most of my life, for example, <i>Have children who have been abused had their court cases finished quickly? I have heard that young Maria, who has gone to the court five or six times for a hearing, something that is quite upsetting for her, has been told on each occasion that the defence lawyer isn't yet ready</i>.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What would we say if Jesus said, <i>I have been told that many forests have been cut down for profit and that this has resulted in <a href="http://www.philstar.com/opinion/232640/criminal-deforestation" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">many deaths in Leyte</a>, for example, in 1991 and 2003. Is this true?</i></span></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="color: #666666; line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFwY15tw4QsqXkDF7S976FGWr644eaPmurHki_sijNZSMDp73dqZxzGn7o7JeNHCSNLHNcl0u7Tpy2GbRl4pczj6GoY1UUvhq3OpsXTnuDbpbLbEpQiLfArsHzlCXtDtS2GBcLw57rLs/s500/Tropical+Storm+Thelma+%2528Uring%2529+1991%252C+wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="460" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFwY15tw4QsqXkDF7S976FGWr644eaPmurHki_sijNZSMDp73dqZxzGn7o7JeNHCSNLHNcl0u7Tpy2GbRl4pczj6GoY1UUvhq3OpsXTnuDbpbLbEpQiLfArsHzlCXtDtS2GBcLw57rLs/w472-h513/Tropical+Storm+Thelma+%2528Uring%2529+1991%252C+wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="472" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 14.95px;">Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring) </span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Thelma" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>]</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">More than 5,000 died in a flash flood in Ormoc City, Leyte, on 5 November 1991. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Thelma" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Deforestation was blamed</a> as a primary cause of the devastation.</span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">The gospel this Sunday is, literally, a 'wake up call'. <i>Be on guard, keep awake . . . Therefore stay awake . . . And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake</i>.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">May the response of Liam Whelan, a young professional footballer who took these words to heart, inspire us and give us a desire to be always prepared to meet the Lord, in this life and in the next: </span><i style="background-color: transparent;">If this is the end, then I'm ready for it</i><span style="background-color: transparent;">.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="431" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vVXCCGI78z4" style="display: inline;" width="519" youtube-src-id="vVXCCGI78z4"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Setting by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sung by The Sixteen - Harry Christophers</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: red;">Antiphona ad introitum</span></span></i><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: red;"> Entrance Antiphon Cf Ps 24 [25]:1-3</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ad te levavi animam meam, Deus meus,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To you, I lift up my soul, O my God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">in te confido, non erubescam.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In you, I have trusted, let me not be put to shame.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Neque irrideant me inimici mei, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nor let my enemies exult over me;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>etenim universi qui te exspectant non confundentur</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and let none who hope in you be put to shame.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>First Sunday of Advent</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 14.95px;">The Complete Mass in Latin and English is <b><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></b>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 12-03-2023 if necessary).</span></i><i><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13%3A11-14&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Romans 13:11-14</span>. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+21%3A25-33&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A15-21&version=RSVCE" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a> Luke 21:25-33.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3QTSrswN8LUhMsEkQAt1dx5x85sqIQn8MDxASaCGkdKDLw7bf4-88ei1dJl9o4z6SrFxPBXAI_bVtjJhJnHL-wfPHEvgJ5yUH56Qv2nPGD6hD6Jh7nzBCzl1o_s2Wc6cZselovXBbVjmSbY6QkcWOOZp6juoFLAjmpal52AodGEn24K0xBecBuSkI8c/s1068/Claude-Joseph%20Vernet,%20Nocturnal%20Seastorm,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3QTSrswN8LUhMsEkQAt1dx5x85sqIQn8MDxASaCGkdKDLw7bf4-88ei1dJl9o4z6SrFxPBXAI_bVtjJhJnHL-wfPHEvgJ5yUH56Qv2nPGD6hD6Jh7nzBCzl1o_s2Wc6cZselovXBbVjmSbY6QkcWOOZp6juoFLAjmpal52AodGEn24K0xBecBuSkI8c/w555-h400/Claude-Joseph%20Vernet,%20Nocturnal%20Seastorm,%20WGA.jpg" width="555" /></a><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">Nocturnal Seastorm</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Claude-Joseph Vernet [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/v/vernet/claude/seastorm.html&find=Storm+at+Sea" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="text Luke-21-25"><i>And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, </i></span><span class="text Luke-21-26" id="en-RSVCE-30018"><i>men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken</i> (Luke 21:25-26; Gospel).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div></div>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-67557806459535800022023-11-24T20:57:00.000+00:002023-11-24T20:57:37.674+00:00'As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Sunday Reflections, Christ the King, Year A<p><br /></p><div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1829774206700278524" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs6i1yE3_vEjAKblSjKCzm2pL29nx6efVtXsX-aVeEw3K0_tGVpAwy2ZfZsL5wrgCvwGfpEjPBQe4kCQwzcyYcRV0yE03bA23ZIdb_-zjWC83LZdzN5WlVet6ReUHLMNQYtg4VEAvO7o/s2048/Michelangelo%252C+The+Last+Judgment%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1605" height="683" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs6i1yE3_vEjAKblSjKCzm2pL29nx6efVtXsX-aVeEw3K0_tGVpAwy2ZfZsL5wrgCvwGfpEjPBQe4kCQwzcyYcRV0yE03bA23ZIdb_-zjWC83LZdzN5WlVet6ReUHLMNQYtg4VEAvO7o/w536-h683/Michelangelo%252C+The+Last+Judgment%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="536" /></a></div><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>The Last Judgement</b>, Michelangelo </span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">[<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/m/michelan/3sistina/lastjudg/00lastju.html&find=Christ+the+Judge" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></div></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231126/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112623.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A31-46+&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background: white; color: black;">Matthew 25:31-46</span><span lang="EN-GB"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus said to his disciples: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; tab-stops: 233.9pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US">“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with
him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24037">Before him will
be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from
another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24038">And he will place the sheep on his right, but
the goats on the left.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24039">Then the King will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24040">For I was hungry and you gave me food, I
was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed
me,</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24041">I was naked and
you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison
and you came to me.’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24042">Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did
we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24043">And when did we see you a stranger and
welcome you, or naked and clothe you?</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24044">And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24045">And the King will answer
them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of
these my brothers, you did it to me.’</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">“Then he will say to
those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal
fire prepared for the devil and his angels.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24047">For I was
hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24048">I was a stranger and you did not welcome me,
naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24049">Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord,
when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in
prison, and did not minister to you?’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24050">Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as
you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24051">And these will go away into eternal
punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5WFIuMlbzI8deERMPUbxXX29wOUopADjotqHD1CMZQ1pC7kqpzYAp07sBbDPCkOEx4-CON6pId_oRyKu0PNOaGXQs7ktYz3Q4YZiJC3AXpR4i3KCW749SnN8_GTuOZnOZdhXpwBVy_M/s1100/S%25C3%25A1ndor+Liezen-Mayer%252C+St+Elizabeth+of+Hungary%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="766" height="774" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5WFIuMlbzI8deERMPUbxXX29wOUopADjotqHD1CMZQ1pC7kqpzYAp07sBbDPCkOEx4-CON6pId_oRyKu0PNOaGXQs7ktYz3Q4YZiJC3AXpR4i3KCW749SnN8_GTuOZnOZdhXpwBVy_M/w540-h774/S%25C3%25A1ndor+Liezen-Mayer%252C+St+Elizabeth+of+Hungary%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="540" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>St Elizabeth of Hungary</b> </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sándor Liezen-Mayer [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/html/l/liezen-m/5elizabe.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">In November 1974 some members of the Praesidium of the Legion of Mary of which I was spiritual director came to me and told me of two starving children, a brother and sister, that they had come across on home visitation. The Legionaries were students in the college department of what was then Immaculate Conception College, Ozamiz City, where I was chaplain. At the time ICC was run by the Columban Sisters. It is now La Salle University, under the care of the De La Salle Brothers.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">We arranged with the parents to take the two children to the local government hospital. When I saw Linda, as I will call her, I thought she was a malnourished seven-year-old. I was utterly shocked when I learned that she was twelve. Her brother, whom I'll call Nonoy, was five. His ribs were sticking out and his stomach severely bloated. The eldest in the family, a girl aged 13 or 14, showed no signs of malnutrition. This was the first time I had ever met anyone with signs of starvation. I never discovered why the children were in such a state.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After a few days Linda began to shyly smile and slowly got a little better, due to the nourishment and attention she was getting. But Nonoy showed no signs of improvement. He died two days before Christmas, without once smiling. We buried him on Christmas Eve.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Linda was able to go home and on at least one occasion we took her on a picnic. She was still very small for her age but always cheerful whenever we met her. However, the severe malnutrition had taken its toll and she died in September 1976 while I was at home in Ireland.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: large; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: georgia; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.95px; text-align: start;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-0g7OSWvbEMPJMVSiR0DOD_6Wy4Bou88a0NbUYlDVMTpeRhUjRepiqDi6wLIEW_p9qA2vJguPecdW6sRvpeqHPPMo9NsH_ghJgLv5wMpLbERzgyMGqj-Ny6lyxe5XLBh5MGMamAZdpo/s1489/El+Greco%252C+St+Martin+and+the+Beggar%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="800" height="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-0g7OSWvbEMPJMVSiR0DOD_6Wy4Bou88a0NbUYlDVMTpeRhUjRepiqDi6wLIEW_p9qA2vJguPecdW6sRvpeqHPPMo9NsH_ghJgLv5wMpLbERzgyMGqj-Ny6lyxe5XLBh5MGMamAZdpo/w537-h1000/El+Greco%252C+St+Martin+and+the+Beggar%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="537" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">St Martin and the Beggar</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">El Greco [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/greco_el/13/1304grec.html&find=St+Martin+and+the+Beggar" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large;"><br /></div></span><div style="color: #666666; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today's Gospel makes me both fearful and hopeful.</span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;">Fearful, because Jesus speaks such harsh language: </span><i style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.</span></i> This is not 'the Church of nice'.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hopeful, because Linda and Nonoy will be there at the Last Judgment to speak on my behalf.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’</span></i></div><div style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="470" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ZrEGBk-caw" width="565" youtube-src-id="0ZrEGBk-caw"></iframe></div></i><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Christus Vincit! Christus Regnat! Christus Imperat!</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Christ Conquers! Christ Rules! Christ Commands!</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This very ancient Latin hymn, which is a litany, is also known as<i> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laudes_Regi%C3%A6" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Laudes Regiae</a></i>. In the video above it is sung in St Mary's Cathedral, Tokyo.</span></div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div></div></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Twenty-fourth and Last Sunday after Pentecost</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Complete Mass in Latin and English is <b><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></b>. (Adjust the date at the top of
that page to 11-26-2023 if necessary).</span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-14+&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Colossians 1:9-14</span>. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A13-25&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A15-21&version=RSVCE" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a> Matthew 24:13-25.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTNpPZx3uwz25qskN3B2NrEwpqqEmW7Of0tF5F42LaPESkkQMvZwoPCfr1ytrx10ysMCzCHC-ISh-OyyEreH-xiCMIlfOKjWNSrBQNktGyORID4o7EUdK_yFF0KwDsokS5kq-bBVsqV3GosficOU_OG9Xa1qRhdkKaj3jsoIdO9jIuOT5poSoLQpAzf4/s1321/Rembrandt,%20Self-portrait%20as%20St%20Paul%20the%20Apostle,%20WGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1321" data-original-width="1100" height="644" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTNpPZx3uwz25qskN3B2NrEwpqqEmW7Of0tF5F42LaPESkkQMvZwoPCfr1ytrx10ysMCzCHC-ISh-OyyEreH-xiCMIlfOKjWNSrBQNktGyORID4o7EUdK_yFF0KwDsokS5kq-bBVsqV3GosficOU_OG9Xa1qRhdkKaj3jsoIdO9jIuOT5poSoLQpAzf4/w535-h644/Rembrandt,%20Self-portrait%20as%20St%20Paul%20the%20Apostle,%20WGA.jpg" width="535" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Self-portrait as St Paul the Apostle</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rembrandt [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/r/rembrand/27self/21sp1661.html&find=St+Paul" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy</i> (Colossian 1:11; Epistle),</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; tab-stops: 243.0pt;"><br /></p><p></p>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-64751227893782900072023-11-24T20:53:00.002+00:002023-11-24T20:53:18.547+00:00Death of Jordan Navor in the Philippines<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-M6oIr818pe-RTL_nunRD6HvB1Cb3fgwtIWXaNjWIT5QWAsnjvNYZj4C1elvGHgMbB7kGvHr1m8tQG9b87ssC9uimsbvD4zLa4vSu0iFbA_02jZoczstVjDDa3jfYd2JQAFQGvVeqfMnf5OxN1Eyv3ju1c0xAAD7silGUxhBwXTohBw6VThDBwk3zdA/s640/L'Arche,%20Punla,%20Lala%20and%20Jordan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="425" height="817" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-M6oIr818pe-RTL_nunRD6HvB1Cb3fgwtIWXaNjWIT5QWAsnjvNYZj4C1elvGHgMbB7kGvHr1m8tQG9b87ssC9uimsbvD4zLa4vSu0iFbA_02jZoczstVjDDa3jfYd2JQAFQGvVeqfMnf5OxN1Eyv3ju1c0xAAD7silGUxhBwXTohBw6VThDBwk3zdA/w544-h817/L'Arche,%20Punla,%20Lala%20and%20Jordan.JPG" width="544" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Jordan Navor and Louella 'Lala' Vicente</span></i></b></div></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have used the photo above many times, especially to mark <a href="https://bangortobobbio.blogspot.com/2023/09/isang-espesyal-na-kaarawan-sa-pilipinas.html" target="_blank">Lala's birthday on 27 September</a>, the feast of St Vincent de Paul. It was taken in <a href="https://www.larche.org/" target="_blank">L'Arche</a> in Cainta, Rizal, part of the Metro Manila sprawl. Jordan, born with multiple disabilities, became part of the community as a child and I met him many times over the years. Lala joined some years later. <i>Punla</i>, the Tagalog for seedling, is the official name of the community.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthFuBVz0-tMI7sjZcYHMUR10l7raxvrxhLfcYPp0y5eC9LP-HzX8oKi7RqQ8jjKHdYgjvy9wrVfQaJyyXnBVMKkSSrIBuqsBFZrMEvqXHGZgF6ZOKJGBqedAuvB5P_C7V0pDVxC-YN2VrjHtXi4C-0Q8oMdrsoZRqBxJ9nO6fAXT-kAQQubG_OJOerhI/s1528/Jordan%20Navor,%20FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="1080" height="782" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthFuBVz0-tMI7sjZcYHMUR10l7raxvrxhLfcYPp0y5eC9LP-HzX8oKi7RqQ8jjKHdYgjvy9wrVfQaJyyXnBVMKkSSrIBuqsBFZrMEvqXHGZgF6ZOKJGBqedAuvB5P_C7V0pDVxC-YN2VrjHtXi4C-0Q8oMdrsoZRqBxJ9nO6fAXT-kAQQubG_OJOerhI/w553-h782/Jordan%20Navor,%20FB.jpg" width="553" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was very saddened to learn yesterday of Jordan's death on Wednesday. But my instinctive reaction was a conviction that he is now surely in heaven with God. In the Irish language we have a beautiful expression for someone like Jordan: <i>duine le Dia </i>- a person with God. He was someone who was a great grace to those who knew him because he drew out their generosity and love in responding to his needs. The photo at the top shows this beautifully.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The photos above and below of Jordan, taken from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/larche.philippines" target="_blank">Facebook of L'Arche Punla</a>, show him as a man, with a hint of how God sees him and how he sees himself now.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELaXQcZpJRmbMdMRmyoJvR7EYg1lcpJeYIP4QAMLSML2BBLyTyYtzsDosghfg9VaNSwoNhRSXtW-5bas-Ut6c71YI4iVHBrop66kJym6N5dH14aFLciG7af9RM_N3Wr1LNJELZsUNP9-0PoiLqHQ-kmVINBdALK1iTA7kb9uKo1qNfDd8esXpeDOU7GA/s1522/Jordan%20Navor%202,%20FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1080" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELaXQcZpJRmbMdMRmyoJvR7EYg1lcpJeYIP4QAMLSML2BBLyTyYtzsDosghfg9VaNSwoNhRSXtW-5bas-Ut6c71YI4iVHBrop66kJym6N5dH14aFLciG7af9RM_N3Wr1LNJELZsUNP9-0PoiLqHQ-kmVINBdALK1iTA7kb9uKo1qNfDd8esXpeDOU7GA/w553-h781/Jordan%20Navor%202,%20FB.jpg" width="553" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Kuya </i>is the Tagalog form of address for an older brother, or someone who is like an older brother to you. It is a term both of respect and affection, similar to 'Uncle' and 'Auntie'.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="467" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ohP0KXFfcG8" width="562" youtube-src-id="ohP0KXFfcG8"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Pray for all who are grieving for Jordan, particularly the members of his Punla L'Arche community in Cainta.</span></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-79317922434125910242023-11-17T21:05:00.000+00:002023-11-17T21:05:08.038+00:00'What I love most about my parents is that they are always together.' Sunday Reflections, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tgbBAKxf8-uKtWFMtXinggt3OOzZX5FWEDLTkp2DGsKDISOWAGD_RmTT5o1xikjLU34kraBxRzRrEMLu80uKKXitRC0401h0rrVNpKg1q0vAs4uMqm_Vz9-lkiZUpsmAzQiVNi0EM9YdLhrokQUN5lxG4I0uSgToEL0V1hovmh-n-3itPsiiMYKOxgw/s1075/Frans%20Hals,%20Married%20Couple%20in%20a%20Garden,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1075" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tgbBAKxf8-uKtWFMtXinggt3OOzZX5FWEDLTkp2DGsKDISOWAGD_RmTT5o1xikjLU34kraBxRzRrEMLu80uKKXitRC0401h0rrVNpKg1q0vAs4uMqm_Vz9-lkiZUpsmAzQiVNi0EM9YdLhrokQUN5lxG4I0uSgToEL0V1hovmh-n-3itPsiiMYKOxgw/w560-h474/Frans%20Hals,%20Married%20Couple%20in%20a%20Garden,%20WGA.jpg" width="560" /></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Married Couple in a Garden</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Frans
Hals [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/h/hals/frans/01-1623/12coupl.html&find=Married+Couple" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">An excellent wife
who can find?</span></i></span><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">She is far more precious than jewels.</span></span></span>
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">The heart of her husband trusts
in her,</span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and
he will have no lack of gain.</span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">She does him good, and not harm,</span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">all the days of her life</span></span></i><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"> (Proverbs
31:10-12; First Reading).</span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231119/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111923.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30+&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Matthew 25:14-30</span><span lang="EN-GB"> (<i>English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red;">[</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="color: red;">For the shorter form (25:14-15, 19-21),
omit the text in brackets<b>.]</b></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus told this parable to his disciples: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“For it will
be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and
entrusted to them his property.</span></span><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24020">To one he gave five talents, to another two,
to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">[</span></i></b></span><span class="woj"><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">He who had received the five talents
went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.</span></i></span><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24022">So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24023">But he who had received the one talent went
and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.</span><b>]</b></span></span></i><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Now after a
long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.</span></span><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24025">And he who had received the five talents came forward,
bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents;
here I have made five talents more.’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24026">His master said to him, ‘Well done, good
and faithful servant.<sup data-fn="#fen-ESVUK-24026c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESVUK-24026c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">
</sup>You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter
into the joy of your master.’</span></span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">[</span></i></b><span class="woj"><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying,
‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’</span></i></span><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24028">His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful
servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter
into the joy of your master.’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24029">He also who had received the one talent came forward,
saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did
not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24030">so I was afraid, and I went and hid your
talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24031">But his master answered him,
‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have
not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24032">Then you ought to have invested my money
with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with
interest.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24033">So take the talent from him and give it to him who has
the ten talents.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24034">For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will
have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken
away.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24035">And cast the worthless servant into the outer
darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’</span><b>]</b></span></span></i></span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span class="woj"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</a></span></span></span></i></b></p><div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-265170211571583622" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><p style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-265170211571583622" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiab1dUJ1iJ_1oHFGuWXRFUtMVGXO3fmbvJDR9gEy-PK_GKL1nrANG2WScfu4q9HCYgLk2HAHgfOQbEh1mew61McNNcBlUc4RxWQq3U3c4RUn9tbEDcB7qTRhXyC6lPjan_OcjW2gX64/s2048/Syro-Malabar+Catholic+Wedding%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="2048" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiab1dUJ1iJ_1oHFGuWXRFUtMVGXO3fmbvJDR9gEy-PK_GKL1nrANG2WScfu4q9HCYgLk2HAHgfOQbEh1mew61McNNcBlUc4RxWQq3U3c4RUn9tbEDcB7qTRhXyC6lPjan_OcjW2gX64/w555-h423/Syro-Malabar+Catholic+Wedding%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="555" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Syro-Malabar Catholic Wedding, India</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>]</span></span></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I have been involved with Worldwide Marriage Encounter (<a href="https://www.eame.ca/" target="_blank">Canada</a>, <a href="https://www.marriageencounter.ie/" target="_blank">Ireland</a>, <a href="https://wwme.ph/" target="_blank">Philippines</a>, <a href="https://wwme.org/" target="_blank">USA</a>) most of the time since 1981 when I was on a study year in Toronto, Canada. About 17 years ago I was at a family day organised by the movement in Bacolod City, Philippines, where I was based at the time. One of the last activities was for the pre-teens who were asked what they loved most about their parents. One boy of about 11 shared that what he loved most about them was that they were always together.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That boy saw clearly what marriage is about: a man and a woman called by God to be one, to commit themselves to one another <i>For better, for worse . . . till death do us part</i>, a commitment based on God's commitment to them. In most cases of those of child-bearing age when they marry, a consequence of this is that husband and wife become father and mother, the children being the fruit of their love for one another. Their primary call from God is still to be husband and wife. That's what the young boy in Bacolod City saw so clearly. He didn't feel left out by the spousal love of his parents for one another; rather he saw himself being drawn into that love.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The First Reading, from the Book of Proverbs, opens with these words about marriage: </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 27px;">An excellent wife who can find?</span></i></span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"> <span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">She is far more precious than jewels.</span></span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The heart of her husband trusts in her,</span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">and he will have no lack of gain.</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Responsorial Psalm, which is meant to be a response to the First Reading, picks up on this: <i>Your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; your children like shoots of the olive, around your table</i>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One way we can interpret the parable of the talents in the Gospel in the context of today's readings is in the light of marriage. The gift of talents - a talent being a valuable coin - can be seen as the gift from God of the sacrament of matrimony. The one given five talents and the one given two used them fruitfully, earning five and two more respectively. The one given just one talent buried it, unwilling to take any risks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The fruit of the responsible use by the first two of the talents they were given can be seen in a married couple who welcome children into the world and raise them to be followers of Jesus and, to echo the psalm, in the fear of the Lord, not like the fear of an abusive parent or authority figure. It is a fear that is a profound respect for God who loves us and who in the Person of Jesus Christ, True God and True Man, has died for us and has risen from the dead, offering us eternal life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the blessings in my life has been the many married couples I have known or have known about who have longed to have children but have been unable to conceive. So many of these have been fruitful to an extraordinary degree, some by adopting children, some by getting deeply involved in the wider community. Part of their reward in heaven - <i>Enter into the joy of your master </i>- will be to meet those to whose lives they have given meaning by sharing with them the love of Jesus himself, often without being aware of it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>What I love most about my parents is that they are always together</i>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="472" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s_Cbk4i37HM" width="568" youtube-src-id="s_Cbk4i37HM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Miracle at Cana </span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>From </i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_of_Nazareth_(film)" target="_blank">Mary of Nazareth</a>, <i>Ignatius Press</i></span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>
<span id="en-ESVUK-24024"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt; tab-stops: 243.0pt; text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></o:p></span></i></span><b style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fifth Sunday remaining After Epiphany</span></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 27px;">The Complete Mass in Latin and English is</span><span style="line-height: 27px;"> <b><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></b>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 11-19-2023 if necessary).</span></i><span style="line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+1%3A2-10&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10</span>. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A31-35&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A15-21&version=RSVCE" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a> Matthew 13:31-35.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LljpsL9r26QXs3Ff4E1wDkg3qFsKsWA3HizDZG1yLXetHtuP4vb4-OVjEV42DIr60cllh3TyregLgrwZ42DRudwVV_vhoGwlqWrJESOIR-W_WX_t-krJRFeQdxc1dbFM4Y8kvJ8qkPdjkJo8nyFdfP-4bqN-OeOtncd5qYq9il12ipX-VD1cePoCITw/s850/Murillo,%20The%20Infant%20Jesus%20Distributing%20Bread%20to%20Pilgrims,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="714" height="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LljpsL9r26QXs3Ff4E1wDkg3qFsKsWA3HizDZG1yLXetHtuP4vb4-OVjEV42DIr60cllh3TyregLgrwZ42DRudwVV_vhoGwlqWrJESOIR-W_WX_t-krJRFeQdxc1dbFM4Y8kvJ8qkPdjkJo8nyFdfP-4bqN-OeOtncd5qYq9il12ipX-VD1cePoCITw/w527-h627/Murillo,%20The%20Infant%20Jesus%20Distributing%20Bread%20to%20Pilgrims,%20WGA.jpg" width="527" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Infant Jesus Distributing Bread to Pilgrims</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Murillo [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/m/murillo/3/308muril.html&find=Still+life+with+bread" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened</i> (Matthew 13:33; Gospel).</span></p>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-15815021067049023832023-11-09T21:05:00.001+00:002023-11-09T21:11:34.853+00:00'Christ is the Bridegroom.' Sunday Reflections, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2379614149417847966" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZnYIMm5q5rlpDp_SuxLbw_GVpLcNQIDH1H7nt_d1LsXMinvAqoZeQbYq2SBZhXnKXPlOQJltM4cpwdmMFA3ipslPXEwDDhRKAcqTLb38YMQ9QXIIbPR0D6ZU07aY4-xUhr7G9jERkFI/s1251/Christ+and+the+Wise+Virgins%252C+German+Medaeval+Sculptor%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZnYIMm5q5rlpDp_SuxLbw_GVpLcNQIDH1H7nt_d1LsXMinvAqoZeQbYq2SBZhXnKXPlOQJltM4cpwdmMFA3ipslPXEwDDhRKAcqTLb38YMQ9QXIIbPR0D6ZU07aY4-xUhr7G9jERkFI/w512-h640/Christ+and+the+Wise+Virgins%252C+German+Medaeval+Sculptor%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Christ and the Wise Virgins</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">German Mediaeval Sculptor [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/zgothic/1romanes/po-13c/3g5_1254.html&find=The+Wise+Virgins" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231112/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 383.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111223.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A1-13&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background: white; color: black;">Matthew 25:1-13</span><span lang="EN-GB"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jesus told this parable to his disciples: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background: white; color: black;">“Then the kingdom
of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom.<sup data-fn="#fen-ESVUK-24006b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESVUK-24006b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">
</sup>Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.</span></span><span lang="EN-PH" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24008" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil
with them,</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24009" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24010" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">As the bridegroom was delayed, they
all became drowsy and slept.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24011" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the
bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span class="woj"><b><sup> </sup></b>Then all
those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24013" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us
some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24014" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there
will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for
yourselves.’</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24015" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came,
and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast,
and the door was shut.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24016" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Afterwards the other virgins came also,
saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24017" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not
know you.’</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-24018" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor
the hour.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background: white; color: black;"><span class="woj"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><div style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYcyM_PMp1AbB4JBb3PkvsXqKMLoWBR7OnTSO6xeLk7l2gDhvZ7SI3KcGOvQD-iwW-6IKLc5VHPFAJ5u8ZVM4vKLd95mBYlfVd1EFawsHoFu_7LvLRWYEHB9xjBPCnoEaDsCBKbyfqb4/s745/Oxygen+masks+dropping%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYcyM_PMp1AbB4JBb3PkvsXqKMLoWBR7OnTSO6xeLk7l2gDhvZ7SI3KcGOvQD-iwW-6IKLc5VHPFAJ5u8ZVM4vKLd95mBYlfVd1EFawsHoFu_7LvLRWYEHB9xjBPCnoEaDsCBKbyfqb4/s16000/Oxygen+masks+dropping%252C+Wikipedia.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></div><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oxygen Masks Dropping</span></i></b></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>[<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Passenger_oxygen_mask_dsc06035.jpg" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>]</i></span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><p></p><div><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>In the unlikely event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop down from the panel above your head… Secure your own mask before helping others</i>.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I have heard those words hundreds of times before flight takeoffs. I have never experienced having to use one of these masks and I hope that I never will. <i>(I don't expect to be flying too often at this stage of my life). </i>The <i>others</i> mentioned in the instruction are children and persons with disabilities of one kind or another who would need help. But the instruction is clear: <i>Secure your own mask before helping others.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The introduction to today's Mass in the November 2020 issue of <i><a href="http://www.magnificat.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Magnificat</a></i>, a wonderful monthly daily missal that also includes daily morning and evening prayer, reads: <i>Why do the five wise virgins not share their oil with the five foolish ones? Because it is something that simply cannot be shared. The oil is our personal virtue. 'The wise maidens represent all those who possess the ensemble of virtues which characterise a complete Christian life. The burning oil lamps which they carry . . . symbolically portray Christian wisdom . . . This Christian wisdom empowers all those who embrace prudence and the other moral virtues to fulfil the requirements of an integral and holy life' (Fr Romanus Cessario OP). 'God, through Jesus, will bring with him those who' seek wisdom with the same ardour with which the wise virgins seek the bridegroom. For Christ is the Bridegroom</i>.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Airlines instruct adult and able-bodied passengers to put on their own masks first. If they don't they may not be in a position to help others for whom they have a responsibility. The situation is an emergency and everything has to be done quickly. Adults are asked to behave as responsible adults.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="text"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The ten virgins in the parable are also adults, albeit young. Every one of them made a decision. The five wise virgins decided to buy the oil necessary for lighting their lamps even though they did not know when exactly they would be using them. The five foolish virgins decided not to buy the oil they needed. There was no 'emergency' as there is in a plane if the oxygen masks drop. Being ready to meet the bridegroom whenever he might arrive wasn't a priority with them. For the five wise virgins it was.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If we see the bridegroom in the parable as representing Jesus we can see that Jesus is asking us to direct our lives constantly towards him. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I've written a number of times about 15-year-old <a href="https://bangortobobbio.blogspot.com/search?q=Blessed+Carlo+Acutis" target="_blank">Blessed Carlo Acutis</a>, beatified in 2020, who used to tell his friends, <span style="background-color: white;"><i>The goal of my life is to always be united with Jesus</i>. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">On a number of occasions I have written about Clement Shabaz Bhatti, the Catholic Pakistani politician assassinated in 2011, who wrote in his <i><a href="http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1347491bdc4.html?eng=y" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Spiritual Testimony</a></i>, </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><i>I want to live for Christ and it is for Him that I want to die.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These are two contemporary examples of persons ready with their lamps lit for the Bridegroom - Jesus Christ Himself - when he came.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">St Charles Borromeo, the great Archbishop of Milan, whose feast day is celebrated on 4 November, said in the sermon he gave at his last synod: <i>Or is your task the care of souls? Then do not neglect your own. Do not spend yourself so completely on other people that you have nothing left for yourself. Of course you have to look after the souls you have been put in charge of, but not to the extent that you forget your own</i>. </span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeKaLfhiddFCNiQUtyy3Q5OdXT55iA_3S5ZlUYIMfLp3Y5HXBNhh-9SZsBN8Ri4mc7YssQXFTRyTfuz5bio9tWh5Lg1o2Gi3cc3_CGFOOuQCTyO-MdLTwA_Ekk_wD12HYdDDujT35pQ4/s1200/Caspar+Franz+Sambach%252C+St+Charles+Borromeo+Administers+the+Sacrament+to+the+Plague-Infected%252C+WGA.jpg" style="color: #ff9900; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="990" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeKaLfhiddFCNiQUtyy3Q5OdXT55iA_3S5ZlUYIMfLp3Y5HXBNhh-9SZsBN8Ri4mc7YssQXFTRyTfuz5bio9tWh5Lg1o2Gi3cc3_CGFOOuQCTyO-MdLTwA_Ekk_wD12HYdDDujT35pQ4/w528-h640/Caspar+Franz+Sambach%252C+St+Charles+Borromeo+Administers+the+Sacrament+to+the+Plague-Infected%252C+WGA.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">St Charles Borromeo Administers the Sacrament to the Plague-Infected</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Caspar Franz Sambach [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/s/sambach/borrome1.html&find=St+Charles+Borromeo" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; tab-stops: 243.0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fifth Sunday remaining After Epiphany</span></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 27px;">The Complete Mass in Latin and English is</span><span style="line-height: 27px;"> <b><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></b>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 11-12-2023 if necessary).</span></i><span style="line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A12-17&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Colossians 3:12-17</span>. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A24-30&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A15-21&version=RSVCE" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a> Matthew 13:24-30.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjUYJkoLUuv7aVsAFd_rXu8d_UAG8TsnX57uZwGQE3LKsI-sO9MfRalMxupMZMm3psmj8iUaEcYnNp03OXVaTq005Ah3Aw3qv4O-YhOjZTSvYJVleDa8tDry314iSzY0-WlIbX2EuHOIHq2BmFwyAMbKE6oSKa7TnppNX0sBBQY-XdzUKJiH1QAw9U4BU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1028" height="696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjUYJkoLUuv7aVsAFd_rXu8d_UAG8TsnX57uZwGQE3LKsI-sO9MfRalMxupMZMm3psmj8iUaEcYnNp03OXVaTq005Ah3Aw3qv4O-YhOjZTSvYJVleDa8tDry314iSzY0-WlIbX2EuHOIHq2BmFwyAMbKE6oSKa7TnppNX0sBBQY-XdzUKJiH1QAw9U4BU=w510-h696" width="510" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Parable of the Sower</span></i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Domenico Fetti [<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3501239684776771639/1581502106704902383"><span style="color: blue;">Web Gallery of Art</span></a></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away</i> (Matthew 13:25; Gospel).</span></span></div><p></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><p></p>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3501239684776771639.post-51584056905478128552023-11-03T21:16:00.002+00:002023-11-04T11:14:02.992+00:00'How can I offer my life to God?' Sunday Reflections, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcSgW1m3hNOCEdhPRucEEfRT7nYWnu_rGPS1jFdHKMRZKUY17IGrcI0hz8bnm9UG93HvEiOk-wZqFrtWT34NkafSgL-bbJGw_spdWhq8nG3_5FmzaizltJsfcF5qDh7d7xRZjy0bCx0KGOBlGHyVPCustVuoXMuNTFlYYoUAhhfGlZk3Dk7aJ-se0i_8/s1207/Giovanni%20Agostino%20da%20Lodi%20,%20Washing%20of%20the%20Feet,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1000" height="674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcSgW1m3hNOCEdhPRucEEfRT7nYWnu_rGPS1jFdHKMRZKUY17IGrcI0hz8bnm9UG93HvEiOk-wZqFrtWT34NkafSgL-bbJGw_spdWhq8nG3_5FmzaizltJsfcF5qDh7d7xRZjy0bCx0KGOBlGHyVPCustVuoXMuNTFlYYoUAhhfGlZk3Dk7aJ-se0i_8/w557-h674/Giovanni%20Agostino%20da%20Lodi%20,%20Washing%20of%20the%20Feet,%20WGA.jpg" width="557" /></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Washing of the Feet</span></span></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giovanni
Agostino da Lodi [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/g/giovanni/lodi/washfeet.html&find=Christ+washing+the+apostles+feet" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The greatest among you shall be your servant</i> (Matthew 23:11; Gospel).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/20231105/mass.htm" target="_blank">Readings</a>
</span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(Jerusalem
Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110523.cfm" target="_blank">Readings</a> </span></b><i><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;">(New
American Bible: Philippines, USA)</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23%3A1-12+&version=ESVUK" target="_blank">Gospel</a> </span></b><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Matthew 23:1-12</span><span lang="EN-GB"> (<i>English Standard Version
Anglicised, India)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Then
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,</span></span><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23918">“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23919">so practise and observe whatever they tell
you—but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practise.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23920">They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and
lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move
them with their finger.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23921">They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For
they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23922">and they love the place of honour at
feasts and the best seats in the synagogues</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23923">and greetings in the
market-places and being called rabbi by others.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23924">But you are not to be called rabbi, for you
have one teacher, and you are all brothers.</span> </span><span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23925">And call no man your father on earth,
for you have one Father, who is in heaven.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23926">Neither be called instructors, for you have
one instructor, the Christ.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23927">The greatest among you shall be your servant.</span></span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-ESVUK-23928">Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span class="woj"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/?feature=sunday&lang=irish" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Léachtaí i nGaeilge</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; tab-stops: 243.0pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYnYZ4RH-ej_rDHhIgK5bSsbArgkxbk59QzG8u31gbImXV9poDmGOGZIavOQiWw_dQtmLqfQUMqs4cb1G4yNHxf0SLeMXPKoh4259ft07ef5tNPI4cup5CcRk7y44_uldhw9rw_orOHcb0BxehwSPEYskRAalASg5L12P9PBAONlB-0w4NSle285Yp3E/s1400/Rembrandt,%20The%20Kitchen%20Maid,%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1120" height="698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYnYZ4RH-ej_rDHhIgK5bSsbArgkxbk59QzG8u31gbImXV9poDmGOGZIavOQiWw_dQtmLqfQUMqs4cb1G4yNHxf0SLeMXPKoh4259ft07ef5tNPI4cup5CcRk7y44_uldhw9rw_orOHcb0BxehwSPEYskRAalASg5L12P9PBAONlB-0w4NSle285Yp3E/w559-h698/Rembrandt,%20The%20Kitchen%20Maid,%20WGA.jpg" width="559" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><i>The Kitchen Maid</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Rembrandt [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/r/rembrand/24portra/082portr.html&find=Servant+Girl" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'm sure I've used this story before about an incident in Metro Manila 15 or 16 years ago. But today's readings, especially the Responsorial Psalm and the Gospel, remind me of it very strongly. I was visiting a home for girls run by the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family. Most of the girls were there because of the extreme poverty of their families. I had an extraordinary conversation with a girl I'll call Gloria (not her real name). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Gloria was around 14 and I knew that she suffered from asthma. I learned later from the Sisters that she and her family had been living on the street and that her father was a blind beggar. I was astounded at the question Gloria asked me: <i>How can I offer my life to God?</i> This was from a young girl with nothing in life, rather like the young St Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes when the Blessed Mother appeared to her in 1848 and around the same age. St Bernadette too suffered from asthma. And at one time her family lived in what had once been a prison, in a basement room known as <i>le cachot</i>, 'the dungeon'. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I remember visiting <i>le cachot</i> in Easter week 1991 with a group of Irish pilgrims, many of whom had physical disabilities. I cried when I recalled families in Smithfield, Dublin, now an up-market place, living in what had once been a prison. This was during my childhood, ten minutes' walk from where I lived.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjju7YMDyXW5w0aF6OWhyphenhyphensDjJ4a2onU2mf-_6F3HR5oNo0blvF9cPVrAG_RH-rwab6bdy-gt02VkJFhUiGJ7Kp-qWXwio2M_mgQfazKiKBthb_x6XVce45sseF30TAvRlehO5SEZWmMd2ysf-uhwcf6luZaTwCjFcZB-w959UsLh9zMmzItAZCqdXOLOo/s1650/St%20Bernadette%20Soubirous,%20Wikipedia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1291" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjju7YMDyXW5w0aF6OWhyphenhyphensDjJ4a2onU2mf-_6F3HR5oNo0blvF9cPVrAG_RH-rwab6bdy-gt02VkJFhUiGJ7Kp-qWXwio2M_mgQfazKiKBthb_x6XVce45sseF30TAvRlehO5SEZWmMd2ysf-uhwcf6luZaTwCjFcZB-w959UsLh9zMmzItAZCqdXOLOo/w528-h676/St%20Bernadette%20Soubirous,%20Wikipedia.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>St Bernadette Soubirous </b>(1844-1879)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernadette_Soubirous" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>] </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I spoke to Gloria about another young French saint who was six when St Bernadette died, </span></span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">St Thérèse of Lisieux, and her Little Way that shows that we can become saints in our ordinary humdrum daily activities such as setting the table, washing the dishes, sweeping the floor, when we do these things with love for those around us, in Gloria's case the girls and the Sisters in the home. I told her that God would eventually show her what He desired for the rest of her life.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Q0OtKEcP57F-jShESVhpKI1EAabadr85ZxlDl-zdD6ckZIYdXeHJCruZbLxCwyRBUKQgbK6hW5eNMxLghe8hS8FaSmbm6xFFdTIgCtFT2ykJat3W2zJpn42rRPV2d1P7SMAuIepkN_aFoGpsZPkmnFGmjDxyDrkyhXNPnRRGPrPPysKcMDJq4oGRr_s/s300/St%20Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se%20of%20Lisieux%20aged%2015,%20Wikipedia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="166" height="965" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Q0OtKEcP57F-jShESVhpKI1EAabadr85ZxlDl-zdD6ckZIYdXeHJCruZbLxCwyRBUKQgbK6hW5eNMxLghe8hS8FaSmbm6xFFdTIgCtFT2ykJat3W2zJpn42rRPV2d1P7SMAuIepkN_aFoGpsZPkmnFGmjDxyDrkyhXNPnRRGPrPPysKcMDJq4oGRr_s/w535-h965/St%20Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se%20of%20Lisieux%20aged%2015,%20Wikipedia.jpg" width="535" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>St Thérèse of Lisieux</i></b><i><b> aged 15 </b>(taken April 1888)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se_of_Lisieux" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>] </span></i></div></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The greatest among you shall be your servant</i>, Jesus tells us in the Gospel. In the eyes of the world Gloria was far from being <i>the greatest in the world</i>. Indeed, insofar as anyone in the wider world even noticed her she was a nobody. But the desire of her heart was to serve God by offering her life to him. The words of the Responsorial Psalm could speak for her: <i>O Lord, my heart is not too proud nor haughty my eyes. I have not gone after things too great nor marvels beyond me</i>.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The closing words of St Paul in the Second Reading are words that I can pray when I think of Gloria: </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">And </span><span style="background-color: white;">we also thank God constantly</span><span style="background-color: white;"> for this, that when you received </span><span style="background-color: white;">the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it </span><span style="background-color: white;">not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, </span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><i>which is at work in you believers</i>.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Gloria didn't receive the word of God from me but from others before me. She had accepted it </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><i>as what it really is, the word of God</i>. Without being aware of it she was, by her question, inviting me to do the same.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">I see such incidents as ongoing graces, in my case graces that continue to form me as a priest. I'm finishing this on Friday 3 November, here the feast of St Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland, who died on 2 November 1138 while visiting St Bernard in the Cistercian monastery of Clairvaux, France. The Entrance Antiphon for his Mass reads: <i>I will raise up for myself a faithful priest; he will do what is in my heart and in my mind, says the Lord </i>(1 Samuel 2:35).</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><span style="background-color: white;">God calls each of us to </span></span><i>do what is in </i><span>his</span><i> heart and in </i><span>his</span><i> mind</i><span>. Gloria, a young girl with nothing to call her own, called me to do that by her question: <i>How can I offer my life to God?</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>I never saw Gloria again. The Sisters told me that she had gone to live with relatives in one of the provinces near Manila. She would be around 29 or 30 now. Please remember her in your prayers </span><span>and, with St Paul, thank God that she accepted the Gospel </span><i>as what it really is, the word of God</i><span>.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="474" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ljvTwbxrylc" width="570" youtube-src-id="ljvTwbxrylc"></iframe><i style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;">Laudate Dominum, Psalm 116 [117]</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">Music by Mozart</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">Sung by </i><i style="background-color: white;">Patricia Janečková (18 June 1998 - 1 October 2023) with </i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;">The Janáček Chamber Orchestra</span></i></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;">Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes: Laudate eum, omnes populi:</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;">Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia eius: et veritas Domini manet in aeternum.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 14.95px;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;">O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 14.95px;">Strong is his love for us; he is faithful for ever.</span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Traditional Latin Mass</span></span></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Twenty-third Sunday After Pentecost</span></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 27px;">The Complete Mass in Latin and English is</span><span style="line-height: 27px;"> <b><a href="https://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></b>. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 11-05-2023 if necessary).</span></i><span style="line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A17-21%3B+4%3A1-3&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Epistle</a></b>: Philippians 3:17-21; 4:1-3</span>. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9%3A18-26&version=RSVCE" target="_blank">Gospel</a></b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A15-21&version=RSVCE" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">:</a> Matthew 9:18-26.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeUTU8Xe2IJuR3ABXrTHwxuzH8YX1uVXQrRHtC6LnCtTKaV_agV1ccmuxpInU1o4ANsRLWe_q5D5IYJ56ocjpdHRPSWKsQ6Dnasvc32YF9C-J51vTFihg2pesDYNorWyTcZWPUzsZoF6H_am6GugmMedlgm1GFreXd6tlo80EdISXdj6EIa3l2tdJPYo/s1400/David%20Vinckboons,%20Forest%20Landscape%20with%20Two%20of%20Christ's%20Miracles,%20(detail)%20WGA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1400" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeUTU8Xe2IJuR3ABXrTHwxuzH8YX1uVXQrRHtC6LnCtTKaV_agV1ccmuxpInU1o4ANsRLWe_q5D5IYJ56ocjpdHRPSWKsQ6Dnasvc32YF9C-J51vTFihg2pesDYNorWyTcZWPUzsZoF6H_am6GugmMedlgm1GFreXd6tlo80EdISXdj6EIa3l2tdJPYo/w562-h339/David%20Vinckboons,%20Forest%20Landscape%20with%20Two%20of%20Christ's%20Miracles,%20(detail)%20WGA.jpg" width="562" /></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Forest Landscape with Two of Christ’s
Miracles (detail)</span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">David
Vinckboons [<a href="https://www.wga.hu/cgi-bin/highlight.cgi?file=html/v/vinckboo/forest2.html&find=Woman+with+blood+issue" target="_blank">Web Gallery of Art</a>]</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>'My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live . . . 'If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well' </i>(Matthew 9:18, 21; Gospel).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Fr Seán Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02287947090085700335noreply@blogger.com3