31 December 2017

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

1st: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
Psalm: 104:1-6, 8-9
2nd: Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
The Gospel of Luke 2:22-40

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord– and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance Lord with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’

As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

The protection of the Holy Family

Through God’s mysterious design, it was in that family that the Son of God spent long years of a hidden life. It is therefore the prototype and example for all Christian families. It was unique in the world. Its life was passed in anonymity and silence in a little town in Palestine. It underwent trials of poverty, persecution and exile. It glorified God in an incomparably exalted and pure way. And it will not fail to help Christian families — indeed all the families of the world — to be faithful to their day-to-day duties, to bear the cares and tribulations of life, to be open and generous to the needs of others and to fulfill with joy the plan of God in their regard.… may each Christian family really become a “little church” in which the mystery of the Church of Christ is mirrored and given a new life.
Cf. St. John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, 1981

Feasts of the Week
Mon 1 Mary Mother of God, Solemnity
Tue 2 Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen
Wed 3 The Most Holy Name of Jesus
Sat 6 The Epiphany of the Lord, Solemnity
Sun 7 The Baptism of the Lord, Solemnity

Psalter week I

Readings for The Baptism of the Lord
1st: Isaiah 55:1-11
Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6
2nd: 1John 5:1-9
Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

Mary Mother of God

In order to understand better this sublime dignity of the Mother of God over all creatures let us recall that the holy Mother of God was, at the very moment of her Immaculate Conception, so filled with grace

as to surpass the grace of all the Saints. Wherefore, as Our Predecessor of happy memory, Pius IX wrote, God “showered her with heavenly gifts and graces from the treasury of His divinity so far beyond what He gave to all the angels and saints that she was ever free from the least stain of sin; she is so beautiful and perfect, and possesses such fullness of innocence and holiness, that under God a greater could not be dreamed, and only God can comprehend the marvel.
Pope Pius XII, Ad Caeli Reginam, 1954

Mary Mother of God Solemnity Monday 1 January, Mass will be at 12noon and it is also the 2018 World Day of Prayer for Peace

Parish Lunch Sun14 Jan at LPH. Bring and share, all are welcome.

Mass Times HERE