Prepare for Mass

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Mt 6:33

  • Subscribe

  • SocialVibe


  • Next Sunday

  • Spin the Tee for Totally Random Post


  • Hear My Voice

    Download a children's coloring page for this week's Mass Gospel Reading
    Children's book to help "Prepare for Mass" Preview sample pages from the book and read reviews. If you like it, please go back to PrepareforMass and order it directly from the link.
    "Religion is not a Technology!" - There needs to be a personal relationship there. - Father Ted Tyler
  • Prepare for Mass now on Twitter

  • Twitter Updates

  • Listen to the readings

    11-29-2009

    Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent Year C

    BENEDICT XVI

    ANGELUS

    Saint Peter's Square

    Sunday, 26 November 2006

    Dear Brothers and Sisters,

    On this last Sunday of the liturgical year we are celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King. Today's Gospel proposes to us anew part of the dramatic questioning to which Pontius Pilate subjected Jesus when he was handed over to him, accused of usurping the title, "King of the Jews".

    Jesus answered the Roman governor's questions by declaring that he was a king, but not of this world (cf. Jn 18: 36). He did not come to rule over peoples and territories but to set people free from the slavery of sin and to reconcile them with God. And he added: "For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice" (Jn 18: 37).

    But what is the "truth" that Christ came into the world to witness to? The whole of his life reveals that God is love: so this is the truth to which he witnessed to the full with the sacrifice of his own life on Calvary.

    The Cross is the "throne" where he manifested his sublime kingship as God Love: by offering himself in expiation for the sin of the world, he defeated the "ruler of this world" (Jn 12: 31) and established the Kingdom of God once and for all. It is a Kingdom that will be fully revealed at the end of time, after the destruction of every enemy and last of all, death (cf. I Cor 15: 25-26). The Son will then deliver the Kingdom to the Father and God will finally be "everything to everyone" (I Cor 15: 28).

    The way to reach this goal is long and admits of no short cuts: indeed, every person must freely accept the truth of God's love. He is Love and Truth, and neither Love nor Truth are ever imposed: they come knocking at the doors of the heart and the mind and where they can enter they bring peace and joy. This is how God reigns; this is his project of salvation, a "mystery" in the biblical sense of the word: a plan that is gradually revealed in history.

    The Virgin Mary was associated in a very special way with Christ's kingship. God asked her, a humble young woman of Nazareth, to become Mother of the Messiah and Mary responded to this request with her whole self, joining her unconditional "yes" to that of her Son, Jesus, and making herself obedient with him even in his sacrifice. This is why God exalted her above every other creature and Christ crowned her Queen of Heaven and earth.

    Let us entrust the Church and all humanity to her intercession, so that God's love can reign in all hearts and his design of justice and peace be fulfilled.

    vatican.va

  • Archives

  • RSS Today’s Gospel

  • RSS Homily of the Day

  • Archives

  • RSS Father Dave Dwyer’s Homilies

    • Gifts of Wisdom November 12, 2009
      Memorial of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr. Although we have consistently attempted to calculate and figure out the Kingdom of God and the afterlife throughout history, perhaps we should try to use our skills and gifts of wisdom to be thankful, firm, and tranquil. (Preached on Thursday, November 12th, 2009, 12:15pm, St. Malachyâs Church, Broadway and 49th […]
    • Give It Your All November 8, 2009
    • Passion For New Evangelization November 6, 2009
    • Repent November 5, 2009
      Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time. Jesus reminds us in the Scriptures that yes we are all sinners, but with acknowledgement of that fact and sincere repentance we can enter God's glory. (Preached on Thursday, November 5th, 2009, 12:15pm, St. Malachyâs Church, Broadway and 49th, Times Square, New York City.)
  • RSS Busted Halo Show – Father Dave Dwyer The Catholic Channel Sirius 159

    • Interview: Shawn Raymond, U.S. Public Service Academy November 15, 2009
    • How Do I Get My Kids To Like Church? November 11, 2009
      A listener calls in with what is probably a common question, but one not often easily resolved: How do I get my kids to like church? (Originally aired: 10/15/09)
    • Interview: Anne Rice November 7, 2009
      Father dave talks with the incredibly talented author, Anne Rice! One of America's most read and celebrated authors, Anne Rice is known for weaving the visible and supernatural worlds together in epic stories that both entertain and challenge readers. Her books are richly filled with history, belief, philosophy, religion, and compelling characters that […]
    • Interview: Pastor Douglas Wilson November 3, 2009
  • RSS SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY

    • Sunday Sunday Sunday: 11/29/09 November 23, 2009
      Readings for the the First Sunday of Advent: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
    • Sunday Sunday Sunday: 11/22/09 November 16, 2009
      Readings for the The Solemnity of Christ the King: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33b-37.
    • Sunday Sunday Sunday: 11/15/09 November 9, 2009
      Readings for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32.
    • Sunday Sunday Sunday: 11/08/09 November 2, 2009
      Readings for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44.
  • Pages

  • Site meta

  • Holy Eucharist

Archive for December, 2008

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Posted by Bob Kenward on December 28, 2008

Prepare for Mass – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – YEAR B – 12/28/2008

Hear the readings
See the readings
images
The doorway to which God’s covenants are received is through the family. God blessed families beginning with the first family Adam and Eve. He offered the promise to Abram that his descendants will be as the stars in the sky, and then blessed his wife Sarah with a child after she had been barren so many years. Then there was the Holy Family of Nazareth who were blessed to raise Jesus.

Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple as was their custom to offer either two turtle doves or two young pigeons. Simeon, who was waiting to die greeted them at the temple, bore witness to the child, blessed him and said “let your servant go in peace”. Simeon also accurate in predicting when speaking to Mary that “this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Anna was also there to witness this spending her time in fasting and giving thanks to God.

The family has an important role as the basic cell in society. Catholic men and women who are called into the Sacrament of Marriage have the duty to welcome children into the family and to have these children baptised.

Catechism 405 – Although it is proper to each individual, original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam’s descendants. It is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted: it is wounded in the natural powers proper to it; subject to ignorance, suffering, and the dominion of death; and inclined to sin—an inclination to evil that is called “concupiscence.” Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ’s grace, erases original sin and turns a man back toward God, but the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle.

The spiritual battle is fought together starting in the family that God has called you into and stretching outward to the rest of the world.

St Paul in Col 3:12-17 says to:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Jesus Mary and Joseph are the Holy Family. We are asked to live our lives like the holy family. Mother Teresa comments on how to live life as the holy family with a clean heart.

Michael Card – Song Of Simeon & Psalm 41:1-13

Father Ted Tyler

Posted in Prepare for Mass, The Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph, Year B 2008 | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Why Christmas Cannot Fit Into One Day

Posted by Bob Kenward on December 27, 2008

Merry Christmas. Praise be to Jesus Christ now and forever.

christmas

The miracle of Christmas is far too important to celebrate for just a single day. The Christmas story needs to be experienced and reflected on for entire seasons. To fully experience Christmas takes an entire lifetime on this earth and into eternity.

The Church begins to prepare for Christmas during Advent. This is a time when we set aside a few weeks to prepare the way for Jesus birth. After Christmas day the Church continues to celebrate for a few weeks allowing what we just experienced to take root.

While we are still living, it is a time to prepare for our ultimate destination, heaven. Our life of faith is a journey. This journey is full of unexpected events, pitfalls, hardships, and disappointments. Fortunately, along the way we experience dull reflections of the happiness in store for those of us willing to stay the course.

The birth of Christ at the first Christmas was not the beginning of the second person of God. The word was with God. God has no beginning and no end. At Christmas the word became flesh and came to meet us. Thanks to the coming of Jesus at Christmas, the law of God that once was written on stone tablets is now written on our hearts. Dwelling among us, God is so close to us and has a relationship with us.

It is amazing to think about the dimensions of God. In himself God is a society. He is one, but, at the same time three distinct persons who are not complete without each other. The works of creation can remind us of the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It has been observed that a family with the husband, wife, and children are but a faint reflection of the properties of God. Our capacity to love is dependent upon our entering into the source of love that is God. If there is to be order of the universe, each part of God’s creation must align to the purposes of its creation.

The word becoming flesh and dwelling among us is in itself an incredible sign of contradiction. To enter into the love of God presents such challenges for us. This Jesus born in such humble circumstances for the single purpose of dying to expiate sins of all humanity calls us to enter into his sacrifice. The Sacraments that we as Catholics receive by our own choice, or that of our parents, require a sacrifice that changes us in a radical way. The changes we experience are truly causes of division. When the Son of God was on earth, he was killed and his followers suffered, many being killed themselves. The word of God is still with us and many Christians to this day are still persecuted.

Each year, when the season comes, we are asked by God to experience the incarnation anew and to allow the baby Jesus to grow in our souls from ‘cradle to cross’ and from ‘cross to grave’. The journey takes us to many places we don’t want to go and sometimes while on our own we regret going there. But, knowing that God brings order to the disorder that life can be if left on our own, makes life a little more worth living. Knowing that God is closer to us than we can ever imagine, can make the difficult journey a little easier to bear.

Yes, God is here with us and throughout our lives he is ever so gently nudging us to enter into his love. He wants us to know and do his will. The journey we are on is the quest to know and do his will. This is the journey of a lifetime and is precisely why Christmas is far too big to fit into one day.

Watch Cradle and the Cross Youtube Music Video
Click to watch Cradle and the Cross Music Video

Crade to the Cross Video Presentation

Posted in Prepare for Mass, Year B 2008, be prepared, catholic, catholicism, christianity, christmas 2008 | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Christmas is here

Posted by Bob Kenward on December 23, 2008

Christmas has finally come.
I thought it might be good to remember the birth of Jesus in the random lyrics of some of our favorite Christmas music.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.

All I want for Christmas is you, Baby (Jesus)

Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

How silently, oh how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Wonderful Counselor
Lord of Life, Lord of All
He is the Prince of Peace,
Mighty God, Holy One
Emmanuel, Emmanuel

The Birth of Jesus



Happy Birthday Jesus!
“Happy Birthday Jesus (a Child’s Prayer)” by Little Cindy



O Holy Night



Silent Night




Carol of the Bells/God Rest Ye Merry,Gentlemen


The Chipmunks – Christmas Time


The First Noel



O Little Town of Bethlehem


Here We Come A-Wassailing

Merry Christmas

Posted in Prepare for Mass, catholic, christianity, christmas 2008, christmas is here, church | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Posted by Bob Kenward on December 14, 2008

mary_new_ark_of_the_covenantPrepare for Mass – Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 21, 2008

Hear and See

 

During Advent we prepare to receive the gifts of peace, joy, and happiness which Christmas brings.  We have hope that something once lost might one day be found.  Hope and where we find it is what we reflect on during the 4th Sunday of Advent.  The Christmas story tells us, God can be found in the most unexpected places.  Some of us will find him while grieving the loss of a loved one.  We may find him after realizing that the way we are leading our lives will not end in the happiness, joy, and peace we are seeking.   There is great hope in knowing that no matter what happens, God will have his way with us, if we let him abide in us. 

From whom do we find this hope?  Jesus IS this HOPE.  Who is this Jesus?  Faith tells us that our God is truly eternal - one in three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.    The Son along with the Father and Spirit had no beginning and will have no end.  The Christmas story is the manifestation of everlasting love.  The Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier are in their very existence true love.  True love is a somebody and we know him as God, the single source of never ending peace, joy, and happiness.  

Where is Jesus?  God’s true abode is heaven.  But, he wants to make a permanent dwelling place within us.  Where is God?  He is among us.  God is with us.  We may even find him in places that we never expect him to be.  God knows where to find us.  He never stops searching us out.  He saves us from that final damnation which is the fate of those who choose not to dwell with the God who loves them.  

The Ark of the Old Covenant resided in the temporal structure of a tent.  God chose to use Mary as the vessel to carry the New Covenant.  Surely Mary wasn’t expecting God through his angel to ask her to be the vessel from which the Savior of the world would meet mankind.  Certainly she had questions on how this could be, but never doubted for an instant.  Mary’s faith led her to believe that with God all things are possible.  She knew that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28).  And so she told God yes through the angelic messenger and the rest is history.  Mary humbly accepted her role as the Ark of the New Covenant offering her womb to be the place where the Second Person of God prepared to meet his people.  The place that God chose for the Savior of the world to be born was totally unexpected.  Mary and Joseph did not have a place to stay when the Jesus was born.  Being the Creator of the universe, we cannot presume that God didn’t foresee the events that led Jesus to be born in a stable.  God chose to dwell among his people as a humble servant, rather than how the world would view a king.  Just as Mary was asked, so too we are asked if we want him to dwell inside us. 

We pray that we’re prepared to allow him to make a dwelling place within us.  May the peace of Christ be with you this Christmas and always. 

Merry Christmas.

Here are some videos courtesy of some faithful servants…

Jesus’ Birth Foretold

Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant

The Birth of Jesus

Merry Christmas Everyone By Shakin’ Stevens

Looney Tunes “Jingle Bells” Sing-A-Long

The Christmas Song sung by Nat King Cole

Father Ted Tyler Reflects on the Gospel of the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Posted in Advent, Advent 2008, Christ the King, Prepare for Christmas, Prepare for Mass, Year B 2008, be prepared, catholic, catholicism, christianity, church | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »