We shall see Christ (Augustine), Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, (Gospel Mt 11:28), Sr. Wendy 'Come to me'

 Night Office, Patristic Reading, 

WEDNESDAY 10/12/2014    Year I

First Reading

Ruth 3:1-18

Responsory      1 Sm 2:7.8; Lk 1:48

The Lord makes poor and makes rich. He humbles, he also exalts.

+ From the dung-heap he raises the needy to seat them with rulers and give them a throne of glory.

V. He has looked with favor on his lowly servant; from this day all generations shall call me blessed. + From the dung-heap ...

Second Reading

From a sermon by Saint Augustine of Hippo (Sermo 277,15-16: PL 38,1266-1267)

We shall see Christ   

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Let us make every effort to purify our hearts, exert ourselves to stay alert, and as far as in us lies gain this grace by constant prayer. And if we wonder about external purity, the Lord tells us: Clean the inside, and then the outside will be clean as well.

Some may think that scripture refers to the body as much as to the heart, for it is written: All humankind will see God's salvation. How then can there be any doubt that the sight of God is promised to us, unless there is doubt as to the meaning of God's salvation. But since there is no uncertainty about this, there is no doubt: God's salvation is Christ the Lord. The divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ can be seen by the eyes of the heart when they are pure, perfect, and full of God; and he was seen also in the body according to the text: Afterward he was seen on earth and lived among human beings. Thus the meaning of the text: All hu­mankind will see the salvation of God is clear: let no one doubt that it means that we shall see Christ.

Uncertainty remains, however, as to whether we shall see the Lord Christ in the body, or as the Word who was in the beginning, the Word who was with God and who was God, and into this we must inquire. All humankind will see God's salvation is said to mean that all humankind will see God's Christ. But Christ was also seen in a body that was no longer mortal, a body that had undergone a spiritual transformation. After his resurrection he himself said to those who saw and touched him: Handle and see, for spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have. This is how he will be seen: not only how he was seen in the past but how he will be seen in the future. And then surely the words all humankind will be more perfectly fulfilled. For people see him now, but not all people. On the Day of Judgment, however, when he comes with his angels to judge the living and the dead, when all who are in their graves hear his voice and come forth, some rising to life, others to condemnation, they will see the very form which he deigned to assume for our sake. Not only will the righteous see it but also the wicked, both those on the right hand and those on the left, for even those who killed him will see him whom they pierced.

All humankind, then, will see God's salvation. Both those who see and he who is seen will be in the body because it is in his real body that he will come to judge. But to those placed on his right and sent to the kingdom of heaven he will show himself in the way he promised when he was already seen in the body:

Those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and show myself to them.

Responsory      See [er 31:10; 4:5

Listen to the word of the Lord, all you peoples; proclaim it to the ends of the earth. + Say to the distant islands: Our Saviour is coming.

V. Proclaim the good news, let it be heard; tell it to everyone, shout

it aloud. + Say to the ...

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labour and are ...

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 11:28-30.

MEDITATION     OF           THE       DAY

Courtesy of MAGNIFICAT com

 

•Sr. Wendy Beckett. (Spiritual Letters)

"Come to me"

... What we cannot accept is that we are the beloved, or to put it more concretely, speaking as Everyman, that I am the beloved. God longs for me, he presses on my heart with a tender, humble hunger for me. He wants to possess me: when I let him, it is prayer. Always his love drives him to possess-one might call this the prayer of living? And when we have time, he enters into his own like a king-what one might call pure prayer. The pain of prayer is frustrating his love, and the joy is assuag­ing it, however feebly. To be so loved and so wanted is so terrifying and so awful that we can see why we shrink from believing it.

Another thing we are chary of believing is that prayer is gift. We don't choose our own prayer (or it might be different!). God is the prayer, the Pray-er. All he wants is that we accept, suffer, be involved, be le

~

SISTER WENDY BECKETT Sister Wendy Beckett is a South African-born British art expert, a consecrated virgin, and contemplative hermit who lives under the protection of a Carmelite monastery in Norfolk, England.

The Secret Paradise of Sancta Maria Abbey. Youtube Kieran Priest

+

 Updated from 2 Oct 2011

The Cistercian Abbey of Sancta Maria and historical Nunraw Abbey Guest house, are located in the Lammermuir Hills of East Lothian, Scotland. The community of Monks live a contemplative life of prayer, simple manual labour and works of charity. living harmoniously with one another, as Mahatma Gandhi wrote. (* "The rose transmits its scent without a movement. I have a definite feeling that if you want us to experience the aroma of Christianity you must copy the rose. It irresistibly draws people to itself and the scent remains with them. A rose does not preach ... it simply spreads its fragrance. ) Sancta Maria is the rose in the garden of Eden.
for more information on Sancta Maria Abbey see www.nunraw.com

* According to the Monastic Tradition" Page 1 Introduction. 
by Columban Heaney, ocso. Nunraw Abbey Publications

• Music

  • "Conditor alme siderum (4e mode)" by Choeur Des Moines De L'Abbaye De Ligugé (Google Play •iTunes • eMusic)

• Category

  • Education

• Licence

  • Standard YouTube Licence

+

COMMENT: 8th December. Immaculate Conception

The Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) is the leading independent Catholic news source in Asia.
http://spirituality.ucanews.com/2014/12/08/mary-proto-disciple/ 

Mary: Proto-Disciple

 Kathleen Coyle, S.S.C.

Mary responds to the news of Jesus’ conception with the words: “Here I am, the servant of the Lord, be it done with me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).  To appreciate Luke’s message, we have to see it in the context of another Lukan passage, Lk 8:19-21. This passage is a positive interpretation by Luke of the Markan account in Mk 3:31-35 where Jesus’ mother and brothers are calling for him.  “Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.  And he was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’  But he said to them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it’” (Lk 8:19-21)…. In the Annunciation story Luke simply transposes these words to the first person and affirms that Jesus’ mother heard the word of God and did it.…

In the Acts of the Apostles Luke places Mary with Jesus’ followers in the upper room in Jerusalem praying and awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit with the rest of the post-Easter community: … we find Mary with the members of the Jerusalem community, gathered together and awaiting this “power from on high,” the gift of the promised Spirit at Pentecost.  For Luke this last appearance of Mary in the New Testament after the death of Jesus is important.  It was at Pentecost that the Spirit descended upon them, inspiring boldness to preach the gospel, thus initiating a movement that would witness to Jesus’ message of unselfish love.  A commitment to this Jesus movement meant centring one’s life in Christ and his mysteries, and choosing the values of God’s kingdom, for which he lived and died. Mary is the figure standing between the two testaments, sharing and savoring the new liberating experience of her Son’s movement, which offers equal discipleship to men and women….

God’s Spirit comes on Mary as it did upon the community in Acts as an “overshadowing” cloud; an image that points to God’s presence, God’s Shekinah.  According to Luke, what was experienced as the Spirit’s overpowering in the upper room in Jerusalem had already begun thirty years earlier in Nazareth…. Mary allows herself to be moved by the “power of the Most High” … that preserved her radically from sin down to the roots of her existence.

The annunciation story therefore is not about acquiescence but about empowerment.  It is about a young woman in a patriarchal society carrying and bringing her child into the world: “the Lord is with you … you have found favour with God, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son … the Son of the Most High … and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:28-33).  It is not a story about a passively perfect woman, overwhelmed by divine duty, but about a “self-possessed, self-focused and self-conscious” poor woman who finds favor with God and is willing to cooperate with a wild plan of salvation.  It is about a woman strong enough to risk believing something incredible about herself – “the Lord is with you.”  She must be envisioned then as an autonomous person, responsive and receptive, courageous and creative, intelligent and apostolic.  An exegesis of the Lukan texts leaves no room for an escape into

Fr. Raymond, 8th December - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (2)

Solemnity Community Mass, 

Monday 8 December 2014

Fr. Raymond. Mass Homily

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
OF MARY

St Bonaventure has a book entitled "The Glories of Mar," and among these glories we should surely count her great Privilege of being conceived immaculate. She never was touched by that original sin that infected the rest of us lesser mortals when we first entered this world. I wonder how many of us, when we first gave some thought to this doctrine, thought it a bit unfair in a way. We could so easily be tempted to think - it's alright for her! She never knew the temptations of the flesh the way we all do. - It's alright for her! She never was stirred by feelings of pride or lust, or envy or impatience or whatever!

But these thoughts are far from doing justice to Mary. Consider for a moment our first parents Adam and Eve. Just like Mary, they too were created immaculate, pure and spotless. It was only when they were put to the test and failed that they fell under the burden of original sin. Would any of us dare to think that, in their circumstances, we might have done better? It's also far from justice to Mary that we should think that she was never put to the test; that life was just a bed of roses for her; that she never had to undergo the every-day troubles and trials of life that the rest of us have to put up with. It's not just because she stood beneath the Cross of her dying Son that she deserves the name of Mother of Sorrows.

We need only think how from the very first moment of the conception of Jesus her trials multiplied. There was, from that very first moment, the agonizing problem of confronting Joseph with the news of her pregnancy. Can anyone imagine a situation more stressful for a young engaged woman than to tell her fiance that she is with child and that the child was not his? Then there followed the edict of Caesar and the forced journey to Bethlehem when her time was near to giving birth. The sheer physical stress of such a situation must have added greatly to the inevitable mental stress. Then there was the desperate search for a decent place for her to give birth; and all this climaxed in her having to give birth in a stable, of all places. You and I can now see what a wonderful and meaningful thing that was. But how did it seem to Mary and Joseph at the  time? Only their great faith and trust in Divine Providence could have saved them from sinking into despair.

Then their joy at the birth of the child was soon overshadowed by the threat to the child's life from Herod; then there was the panic of the flight into Egypt. Then there was the life in exile there, so far from family and friends, and especially with no loving grandparents nearby to dote over the child.

But besides all these great and rather dramatic trials there were the ordinary trials of village life in Nazareth when they eventually did manage to return. She was spared none of them. We can be sure that the devil saw to that! There would be the difficulty of awkward neighbours; the bullying of Jesus by older village boys perhaps. There would be the constant call upon Mary's time and energy by those who recognised a willing spirit. Here was someone unable to say no to any reasonable or even unreasonable request, someone unable to refuse help to anyone in need; not to mention her own spontaneous generosity. She would always be the first to offer her services without even being asked.

Mary's immaculate conception then was no mere honour and sinecure without any responsibilities. Noblesse Oblige, and we can be sure that Mary lived up to and fulfilled that dictum more than any other human being apart from her Son.

8th December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Independent Catholic News

8th December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Independent Catholic News 

8th December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Posted: Sunday, December 7, 2014 12:56 pm

Comment  Email  Print

The dogma of the Immaculate Conception holds that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free from Original Sin from the very moment of her conception. The Immaculate Conception of Mary is often confused with the virginal conception of Jesus. Today's feast was first approved by Pope Sixtus IV in 1476. In 1830 St Catherine Laboure experienced a vision in which she saw Our Lady standing on a globe with rays of light emanating from her hands. The vision was surrounded by an oval frame on which were the words 'Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee.' In 1854, Pius IX solemnly decreed that 'the most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Christ Jesus the Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin. That is revealed by God and therefore firmly and constantly to be believed by all the faithful.' Just four years later, in Lourdes, the 14 year old St Bernadette, who had very little education and would have know nothing of papal statements, began to experience a series of apparitions of 'a lady', When she asked her name, the Lady replied: "I am the Immaculate Conception." Saint Bernard wrote of Mary: "If you follow her you do not stray; if you think of her your mind does not err; if you ask of her, you will not be disappointed; if you cling to her, you will not fall. If she be with you, all is well, and you will realise the truth of the words 'the name of the virgin was Mary.'

Gospel Dec 7, 2014: Second Sunday of Advent

Fr. William Grimm MM

Published on 2 Dec 2014

In Advent we make a bit more effort to welcome the Lord into our lives and into our hearts, so that we can indeed know him as Son of God, as Good News.

Second Sunday of Advent 2014 - Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons

Posted: Saturday, December 6, 2014 12:53 am

Comment      http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=26195

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” is an acclamation heard so clearly in Isaiah and Mark this Sunday, a cry that resonates in all corners of our problem filled world, which is very much in need of the Lord. There is absolutely no doubt that we are called to ecumenism in the Church of Christ, reaching out across barriers is so much part of the mission Jesus shows us in his teaching and example, a ministry echoed in the great documents of the Second Vatican Council particularly the Decree on Ecumenism. Rooted in these teachings Pope Francis urges us to let go of fear and walk in these visionary roads of the contemporary Church, why? Because this is the way of the Holy Spirit whose gifts, given to us, are for us to prepare the Lord’s way in our society and place! There is a lot of negativity in the world, as there is in the Church of `God. We see so many fragments and divisions, people are frightened for some reason at varied points of view, fearful of change and transition. Some of this is not actual but fabricated, because for God there is no real opposition between conservative and liberal, left and right, if we look into our hearts and souls, we are really seeking to do what is right. The ecumenism of God is to unite all creation in love, all of us! The problem is that we are fearful creatures, even those whom we consider strong have their Achilles heel, but our scriptures this second Sunday of Advent call us to breath slowly, relax and re-focus become ecumenical and open. The gentle voice of the Spirit of God sings a song to us of comfort in words so ancient and so rooted in the faith texts of our family: ‘fear not’ the prophet sings, ‘be comforted ‘ echoes the heavens, Mark proclaims that John in the wilderness ‘prepares the way’ and points to the One who will save us, the one who will come like a thief in the night and catch us unawares, but unlike a robber will not take away possessions but bring love. Let us take that as our comfort, we are held close to God’s heart in the love of Father, Son and Spirit, now and always! Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Britain.

Community Talk on monastic life , Thurday 4th 2014. Fr. Hugh

COMMENT:

Fr. Hugh recalls of the Nigeria Foundation, talking to Br. Benedict and Br. Anthony to make Solemn Profession, some years ago. In his community TALK, he quoted from the Notes below.

TheJesse Tree ISAAC 

day_6 Isaac was the only son of Abraham.
Christ was the only begotten son of God

December 5

Symbols: Bundle of Wood, Ram

And Isaac was a great type, or symbol of Christ. Both carried up a mount the wood on which they were to be sacrificed. Isaac was the only son of Abraham, Christ was the only begotten son of God.

The altar with the slain lamb is a prefigurement of the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Recommended Readings: Genesis 22:1-2, 6-13, 15-19

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/seasons/advent/jesse_tree_day6.cfm

Community Talk, Thurday 4^th 2014.

Fr. Hugh

Obedience is not a very popular word with young people today distasteful.

Novicemaster replies: ‘Would you prefer anarchy?

Answer: ‘0h no but what we cannot stand is a totalitarian use of authority’.

Authority in the Church is not like that. All have to obey.

The vow of obedience is part of a much bigger spectrum and first to consider obedience in its full scope.

‘Obedience as described by St. Benedict goes a long way beyond the narrow framework of an order given by the Superior. It implies all the effort which a monk makes to put his intimate feelings in harmony with God.

(‘The Rule of St. Benedict and the Ascetic Traditions from Asia to the West^’ by Mayeul de Dreulle O.S.B. Page 9)

The way to perfection for St. Benedict is to harmonise the human heart with God. St. Benedict calls it obedience but he gives a very rich meaning to that word and wants it to mean,above all, obedience to God.^’ (Page 12 as above)

"In the first place obedience presupposes listening.

In the Prologue we are told to listen first and then we are told to do something Listening is mentioned seven times in the Prologue

God speaks to us and shows us his will in different ways. Through the words of Holy Scripture, through the orders of Superiors, through the legitimate needs of others, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Through the words of Holy Scripture.

This is very much a characteristic of the Prologue. St. Antony of Egypt recognised the voice of God when he heard the Gospel message: ‘Sell all you have and give to the poor.’ ‘A quiet, slow reading of the Bible will develop a facility for recognising the message. It is good to assimilate something of

the mentality of those who were very close to God.

Seeing the will of God in the legitimate needs of others.

Obedience to each other. This takes the form of personal service. Someone asks you for something at tne wrong time when you are wanting to have a bit of peace. You are asked to give pastoral service in the Guest House or in the confessional.

It is Christ you are meeting in your brother or sister. 'In as much as you did it to the least of these my brethren you did it to me.'

WaIter Hilton, an English Spiritual writer belonging to the Middle Ages wrote a book for hermitesses. In it he says:

'If you are at prayer and someone knocks at your door do not hesitate to go and see what they want. You will not leave the presence of God but find him in another way.

The service of others brings happiness.

President Kennedy said: "Do not ask what America can do for you but what you can do for America.” The person who puts most into community life will get most out of it. The joy of living is the joy of giving. If we try to find happiness for ourselves we shall never find it but if we try to make someone else happy we will find a happiness of which we have never dreamt.

Obedience to the Holy Spirit.

Obedience at the end of Chapter 7 speaks of the good habit and delight in virtue which God will produce in his workman William of St. Thierry in his Golden Epistle writes beautifully of the Holy Spirit: 'He forms the affection, gives virtue, helps the implementation,

doing all things mightily and disposing all things sweetly. And though men may teach how to seek God and angels how to adore, it is He alone who teaches us to find, to possess, to enjoy. '(Ch.16. para 15)

(Obedience to Superiors next time)

EVANGELII GAUDIUM

Gospel Joy

    . . .

41. At the same time, today's vast and rapid cultural changes demand that we constantly seek ways of expressing unchanging truths in a language which brings out their abiding newness.

"The deposit of the faith is one thing ... the way it is expressed is another"." There are times when the faithful, in listening to completely orthodox language, take away something alien to the authentic Gospel of Jesus Christ, because that language is alien to their own way of speaking to and understanding one another. With the holy intent of communicating the truth about God and humanity, we sometimes give them a false god or a human ideal which is not really Christian. In this way, we hold fast to a formulation while failing to convey its substance. This is the greatest danger. Let us never forget that "the expression of truth can take different forms. The renewal of the e forms of expression becomes necessary for the sake of transmitting to the people of today the Gospel message in its unchanging meaning"."

  + + +