Sunday Mass (Page 4)
To Light, to Guard, to Rule, to Guide
Our Guardian Angels play a special role in our lives. As is outlined in the Guardian Angel prayer, they light, guard, rule, and guide. Ultimately, they reiterate God’s unique love for each of us. God provides a Guardian Angel to all of us, which speaks to the inherent dignity of each human being. As Fr. Mark explains, many Saints have had direct experiences with their Guardian Angels, and as Catholics, we are invited to do the same.
Bridge to the New Year
Fr. Ken shares how Mary was a bridge in his life; a bridge that delivered him from his struggles with mental health. We know that God is our Father, but sometimes we forget that Mary is our mother. As we begin this new year, let us not forget that Mary holds our hand while we cross the bridge from 2022 to 2023.
It’s Going to be a Good Year
As we begin a new year, the Church honours Mary, the Holy Mother of God who, in her Magnificat, rejoices in the Lord. Mary was in touch with the reality of the spiritual realm, and one way we can be in touch with that reality is by learning about our Guardian Angel. Fr. Mark reminds us that, as followers of Christ, we will go through trials and ordeals, but ultimately through Jesus it’s going to be a good year.
No Room at the Inn
God chose to bring His Son into the world with humble beginnings. He was not greeted with a 21-gun salute or with public celebration; he was born in a cold, smelly stable. God could have chosen anyone to be His Son’s parents, but he chose to have two regular people bring Jesus into this world. Like the innkeeper, God is asking us if there is room for Him in our hearts. As Fr. Ken asks, will we make room for…
A Light in the Darkness
Many will agree that at Christmas time, humanity is at its best. People make an effort to see family, help the poor, go to church, and give each other gifts; all this while the days are getting shorter, colder, and darker. Yet in the midst of darkness, Christmas is a shining light. Fr. Mark invites us to remember that this light is the light of our newborn King, the light of Christ.
Follow Your GPS
The Lord has given each of us a spiritual GPS. God has given us clear directions to our destination – which is Heaven; just like a real GPS, God never grows impatient with us, even if we take a wrong turn. Fr. Ken explains that we need to be in-tune with God’s plan for our life and that we must always follow our GPS (God’s Positioning System).
Finding Deep Peace
When you find true joy in the Lord, it outlasts the ups and downs of life. Our life is meant to have an abiding, deep, and lasting peace. Fr. Mark explains that if we want peace, we need to fight for it – figuratively; we are in a spiritual battle and the Devil is attacking us personally and collectively.
Peace Be With You
After Jesus’ resurrection, the first words he speaks to his apostles are “Peace be with you”. In the Mass, we remember this moment and offer each other a sign of peace. Fr. Ken explains that this sign of peace is more than just a friendly greeting; it is Christ’s peace that we are giving to our neighbour. Christ’s peace is overwhelming – it can heal us, bring us new life, and help us overcome anxiety.
Calm Down this Advent
A core theme of the Advent Season is peace. Preparing for Christmas can often be a time of chaos and busyness, but God wants us to find calmness and stillness in this season. Not the peace that the world offers, but a deeper, spiritual peace that only God can provide. Fr. Mark shares five quotes that can help inspire us to calm down and find peace during this Advent Season.
Thy Kingdom Come
On the Feast of Christ the King, Jesus encourages us to bring forth His Kingdom here on earth. On the day of our baptism, we were baptized as priest, prophet, and king; however, the kingship of Jesus is not be confused with the kingship of this world. Christ came to serve, not to be served. Fr. Ken reminds us of the good news found in Matthew’s gospel: the Kingdom of Heaven is near, go and share the good news of…