CHRISTMAS DAY YEAR C, 25 December 2021
Those who attend the daytime Mass of Christmas may be lucky to hear this beautiful verse from the prologue of John’s Gospel: ‘No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart, who has made him known’ (1:18).
What a lovely image of intimacy this is! This is the true gift of Christmas, not just the revelation of love within the Divine Being, but our invitation to be embraced by that love.
We may well be too pr-occupied with the activities of Christmas Day – gatherings, meals, presents and the like – to immediately appreciate this truth, so it’s worth taking to heart when we can, because it’s the truth that sets us free.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For all who live with darkened minds and hearts, that the light of grace and truth will dawn brightly in them.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, on this holy night/day the world resounds with joy, for God is with us! With glad hearts let us place all our hopes in the hands of our gracious God.
READER
For peace in every land, that the many peoples of the earth will own their common humanity and live together in harmony. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
For the whole human family, that the eyes of all will be opened to see creation as God’s gift entrusted to them. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
For all Christian believers, that their practice of faith and love will shine the light of salvation across the face of the earth. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
For our nation and its inhabitants old and new, that Australia will be a land of peace, generosity, justice and compassion. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
For asylum seekers being held in indefinite detention, that their pain and anguish will be replaced without delay by the joy of freedom. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
For all who are separated from loved ones or are lonely this Christmas, that friends and neighbours will draw them into a circle of love. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
For our families, that the celebration of Christmas will unite us in joy and thankfulness, and wherever needed, in forgiveness and reconciliation. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
For one another, that the birth of Christ will inspire in each of us new faith in God’s saving love. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
For the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that with all the saints they will see the glory of God. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
Presider
God of all light and love, your eternal Word has taken flesh in our world. Open our eyes to see his beauty in all things. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
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FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY YEAR C, 26 December 2021
Unsurprisingly, several proposals for the support and enrichment of family life emerged from the first session of the Plenary Council. How they will find their way to the second session in Sydney in July remains to be seen.
Just two weeks before then, the 10th World Meeting of Families will explore the theme: ‘Family love: a vocation and a path to holiness.’ It’s fair to say that few contemporary couples understand their choice to be a vocation, and fewer still as a path to holiness. These words have other-worldly connotations, yet is there anything more earthy than the daily flesh-and-blood give-and-take of family life?
There’s work to be done to show how this messy reality is shot through with grace.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For families in all their diversity, that they will be blessed with enduring love, and where needed, with healing and forgiveness.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, in the fulness of time the eternal Son of God was born into a human family. United with him, let us pray for our sisters and brothers all around the world.
READER
We pray for the whole human family, that as this difficult year draws to a close a new spirit of hope, solidarity and peace will flourish in every land. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all living creatures, that the whole of humankind will enter into a new covenant of care with the created world. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for families in their many different forms, that parents and guardians will establish a climate of love for children to grow and thrive. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the parents of children with special needs, that they will receive the support they need to meet the challenge of daily care. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for families afflicted with violence, division and betrayal, that by God’s grace they will be led to reconciliation and new life. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for children who are neglected, abandoned or abused, that they will recover from their maltreatment and find their way to a productive life. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for those who by choice or circumstance live as single persons, that they will find fulfilment in the service of the community. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for families embarking on summer holidays, that they will travel safely and enjoy a time of rest and renewal. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will see God face to face and live in peace forever. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Loving God and Father of Jesus, you entrusted your Son to Mary and Joseph. Help to grow in grace and wisdom as he did in their care. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
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MARY MOTHER OF GOD YEAR C, 1 January 2022
Much as we would dearly love to know more about the childhood and family life of Jesus, the Gospels are almost completely silent on the subject. But Mary’s canticle of praise, the Magnificat, places her firmly in the tradition of Israel’s lowly ones, the poor in spirit.
As one who treasured God’s ways and pondered them in her heart, she would surely have been familiar with the blessing entrusted to Aaron by Moses (Numbers 6:22-27).
It’s a beautiful prayer that she may have offered daily for Jesus. Certainly, it’s a prayer for parents to pray over their children and for each of us to pray for one another. It’s short, simple, well worth learning by heart, and praying often.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For all peoples of the earth, that like Mary of Nazareth they will seek the wisdom of God and treasure it in their hearts.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus, let us pray for the light of salvation to shine brightly in our world.
READER
We pray for all life-forms on earth, that in this new year human beings will take united action to preserve and protect them. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for world leaders, that they will be converted to the cause of peace. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all nations laid low by the COVID pandemic, that this year will bring relief and recovery. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the global church, that all the baptised will know the freedom and joy of the children of God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Pope Francis and all bishops, priests and deacons, that they will be faithful ministers of word and sacrament. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all women and men called to the vocation of religious life, marriage or the single life, that they will sow seeds of the Gospel across the face of the earth. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the First Peoples of Australia, that this year their Uluru Statement from the Heart will be fully received and acted on. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for ourselves, that like Mary we will ponder on the ways of God deeply in our hearts and live with wisdom. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that God’s face will be uncovered for them and bring them peace. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
All-loving God, you have made us your daughters and sons, confident to call you ‘Abba, Father’. Help us to open our hearts to you and to one another. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
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EPIPHANY YEAR C, 2 January 2022
Matthew’s wonderful story of the magi has inspired countless creative spin-offs, one being Menotti’s charming operetta, Ahmal and the Night Visitors, first performed for US television in 1951.
Ahmal is a crippled child, the only son of a poor widowed mother (cf. 1 Kings 17, Luke 7 and Mark 12). In short, he is so inspired by what the three kings tell him of the Christ-child that he wants them to take his crutch – his and his mother’s life support – as a gift. His mother is horrified but in this bold gesture Ahmal is healed. A legend it may be, but it poses the question for us: dare we let Christ capture our hearts and risk our all for him?
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For the churches of East and West, that they will grow close together in mutual respect and enrich each other with their diverse traditions.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light, let us pray for that light to shine throughout the world.
READER
We pray for the people of every nation on earth, that they will come to know the peace and joy of God’s all-embracing love. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the church in all its rich diversity, that it will manifest the glory of God across the face of the earth. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for those who profess their faith at risk of their lives, that they will be given the strength and courage to remain true to their beliefs. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all seekers of wisdom, that they will be led by God’s Spirit to the one who is our way, our truth and our life. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the whole human family, that the beginning of this New Year will stir up fresh hope for a new era of justice, mercy and peace. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all in positions of power, that they will use that power well to care for the earth, our common home. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for young people moving into work or tertiary studies, that they will find the way to best develop their gifts and put them at the service of others. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for fire-fighters, life-guards, rangers and all emergency service personnel, that they will stay safe themselves this summer while protecting the community. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will live in the light of Christ forever. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
God of eternal glory, you revealed the mystery of your love in the birth of Jesus Christ. Guide us always by the light he shed. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
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BAPTISM OF THE LORD YEAR C, 9 January 2022
Characteristically, Luke chooses to highlight Jesus’ prayer rather than his baptism. It’s while Jesus prays that the heavenly voice announces him as God’s Beloved.
The same pattern – deep prayer paving the way for divine blessing – is found at the Transfiguration. Luke sees the same dynamic at work in the apostolic community. After Jesus’ ascension, Mary, other women and the apostles devoted themselves to prayer in the upper room (Acts 1:14).
It’s on this praying community that the Pentecostal Spirit descends and lets the Gospel loose in the world. Luke would have us realise that it’s by laying our minds and hearts open in prayer that the glory and power of our baptismal spirit will be revealed to us.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For the church, that it will never cease to devote itself to prayer, fellowship, the teaching of the apostles and the breaking of bread.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, baptised in the waters of the Jordan, Jesus was announced to the world as God’s Beloved Son. United with him in baptism, let us pray for all our sisters and brothers.
READER
We pray for all peoples in need of consolation, that they will be blessed with bold prophets who give them hope and courage. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for displaced people subject to closed borders and the rigours of the European winter, that humanitarian aid will bring them relief. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the church as a public body, that it will repent of its sins of sexual abuse and their cover-up. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the people of God, that all who have been baptised in water and the Holy Spirit will fully realise their dignity as the children of God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for those overseeing the preparation of the second session of the Plenary Council, that they will consult widely with the whole Australian church. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray in thanksgiving for families and loved ones reuniting as borders open, that their love and appreciation for one another will grow all the more. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the indigenous peoples of Australia, that the wisdom of their traditions will be respected and welcomed by the whole nation. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for children spending holiday time in hospital, that they will be well cared for in every way. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will enjoy the eternal favour of our loving God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Holy God, you sent your Beloved Son that we might become sisters and brothers in him. Keep us true to his name. We ask this through Christ our Lord.