9th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel Thoughts 2020
My dear friends,
I continue to pray for you and your loved ones asking the Lord and his blessed Mother Mary to watch over you all and to continue to keep you safe and well.
May you discover anew the power of Jesus’ words in his the Year of the Word ‘The God Who Speaks’ and be that word that you read, so that through you, it becomes real for all those around you and may the Word be, a great source of hope and faith for your salvation!
As we now enter into ‘Ordinary Time’ Summer, our cycle of prayer turns to the following intentions; a Deeper Understanding between Christians and Jews; those who Suffer Persecution, Oppression, and Denial of Human Rights; Europe; Human Life and Seafarers. The Church commends these intentions to your prayers of petition.
Monday 1St June Mary, Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Memorial
It was on May 21, 2018, that Pope Francis instituted the first celebration of this Feast of the ‘Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church’.
The announcement came in a decree issued March 3, 2018, by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, it was signed by its Prefect, Cardinal Robert Sarah.
“The joyous veneration given to the Mother of God by the contemporary Church, in light of reflection on the mystery of Christ and on his nature, cannot ignore the figure of a woman ( Gal 4:4), the Virgin Mary, who is both the Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church.,” according to the decree.
“This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God.”
Cardinal Robert Sarah
Gospel Reading – John 19:25-34
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intentions is for Maureen Culson Sanderson RIP
Reflection
“This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God.”
Cardinal Robert Sarah
So my friends, let us take courage from today’s Gospel where Jesus gave up his spirit and died. He finished his Mission on Earth and that Mission is entrusted to you and I. As it was entrusted to Our Blessed Lady and the disciples at the foot of the Cross.
• What offering are you making to God today?
Fr John