28th April - Eastertide - Regina Coeli
During Eastertide instead of the Angelus we recite the Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven).
This period from Easter to Pentecost is longer than Lent. It is fifty days. It is a special time to drink in the reality and the great mystery of the Resurrection of Jesus and what it means for us and our world - a time to reflect more on my life with our Risen Lord - and so grow in Faith and deepen my relationship of love with him.
I invite you in these days to take up the daily practice of praying the Regina Coeli. It will help us focus on the Risen Lord and the joy that he brings to our lives.
Queen of heaven, rejoice! Alleluia.
For he whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia,
Has risen as he said, Alleluia.
Pray for us to God. Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.
R. For the Lord has risen indeed, Alleluia.
Let us pray:
God our Father, you give joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the prayers of his mother, the Virgin Mary, bring us to the happiness of eternal life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
21st April - Holy Week Reflection
We have been steadily reflecting on different parts and aspects of the Angelus over many weeks.
Today I suggest that in this week of Holy week, apart from taking part in all the rich Liturgical Celebrations, that we find time to quite often and especially on Good Friday to just 'be' before the crucifix.
Let Jesus crucified speak to our hearts.
The Saints tell us that contemplating the crucified Christ is the best way to get to know Him and to get to know the love of God for each of us. It is also what will convert hearts the most.
All this is possible because our God is an Incarnate God, a fleshed God.
7th April - God's Will in difficult times Pt2
Reading last week's reflection on how Jesus embraced hardship, suffering and the Cross with love, can in some way be off putting. People can think 'Yes it's possible for the Son of God made man - even possible for a human being like Mary his mother and the saints - but it's beyond us frail mortals'!
There are many examples of 'frail mortals' - or rather as I would prefer to call them 'ordinary people' - who are able to do extraordinary things. They too are able to embrace the will of God in difficult situations with love.
A recent example I know is of a couple expecting their first child which is Down Syndrome. After an initial shock, with their own Faith and big hearts as well as help from other good people, they have embraced this child (still to be born) with great love.
Many others have come to embrace and support them. We have no doubt this child, while not easy for all three concerned, will bring to the parents and all who know them, a lot of love - the greatest of all gifts. 1 Cor 12:31
No doubt all this is possible because of God's Grace working with and in them. No doubt God will also bring so much good from it. It is what God did in Jesus and in Mary. It is summed up in the beautiful verse from Romans 'We know that in everything God works for good for those who love him, who are called according to his purpose'. Rm 8: 28