Psalm 76

Dear brothers and sisters,

Psalm 76 is a beautiful hymn of praise to God for His triumph over His enemies. As Catholics, we recognise that God is present in our lives and in our Holy Church and that His name is revered throughout the world. “Let them know that you alone bear the name of Yahweh, Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18, New Jerusalem Bible)

The psalmist acknowledges the power of God and how He has defeated His enemies with His might. We also believe in the strength and sovereignty of God and know that He has the power to help us overcome all obstacles.
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Homily on John 17

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today’s Gospel reading comes from the seventeenth chapter of John, in which Jesus prays for his disciples and all those who would come to believe in him through their preaching. This chapter is sometimes called the High Priestly Prayer because in it, Jesus intercedes for us with the Father as a priest would intercede for his people.

In this prayer, Jesus expresses his deep desire that we would all be one, just as he and the Father are one. He prays that we would be united in our faith, in our love for one another, and in our mission to proclaim the Good News to the world. Jesus knows that we will face many challenges and obstacles as we seek to live out our faith, but he also knows that if we remain united in him, we will be able to overcome them.
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Homily on Mark 12

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel passage from Mark 12, we hear Jesus engaging in a series of conversations with various groups of people. He first speaks with the chief priests, scribes, and elders who challenge his authority, and then with a group of Pharisees who ask him about paying taxes to Caesar. Finally, he engages in a dialogue with a scribe who asks him which commandment is the greatest.

It is in this last conversation that we find the heart of Jesus’ message for us today. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responds, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord (Yahweh) our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
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Psalm 75

The seventy-fifth psalm is a song of thanksgiving and praise to God for His sovereign power and justice. This psalm begins with a declaration of praise to God, who is acknowledged as the one who judges and sets things right.

The psalmist then recounts a recent experience of God’s judgment, in which the wicked were brought down and the righteous were exalted. The psalmist emphasizes that it is God who holds the power to lift up and bring down, and he warns the arrogant not to boast in their own strength or accomplishments.
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Forgiving One Another

A Homily on Matthew 18:15-22

If your brother has sinned against you, go and correct him, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you will have regained your brother. But if he will not listen you, invite with you one or two more, so that every word may stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses. And if he will not listen to them, tell the Church. But if he will not listen to the Church, let him be to you like the pagan and the tax collector. Amen I say to you, whatever you will have bound on earth, shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you will have released on earth, shall be released also in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of those among you have agreed on earth, about anything whatsoever that they have requested, it shall be done for them by my Father, who is in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I, in their midst.” Then Peter, drawing near to him, said: “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?” Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times.”

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Resting in our Lord’s Arms

Resting in our Lord’s arms is a beautiful way of expressing the feeling of being comforted and protected by God’s love and His Presence. It is a reminder that we are never alone, and that we can always turn to our Lord for strength and support, especially during difficult times.

When we rest in God’s hands, we are surrendering our worries and fears to Him, trusting that He will take care of us and guide us through whatever challenges we may face each day. We are acknowledging that Gods love is greater than any obstacle or hardship, and that He has the power to heal us and bring us peace.

Resting in our Lord’s arms can be achieved through prayer, meditation, and simply being present in the moment. It is a reminder to slow down and listen to the voice of God, to trust in His plan, and to be grateful for His blessings.
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Gratitude and Thankfulness

Gratitude refers to the practice of expressing thankfulness and appreciation to God for His blessings and gifts. Gratitude is an important part of spiritual life and is often expressed through prayer, acts of service, and charitable giving.

As Christians, we believe that everything comes from God, and therefore all good things should be acknowledged and appreciated. Gratitude is seen as a way of recognizing God’s generosity and expressing humility in the face of His abundance. “Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.” (James 1:17)
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Ways to Grow in our Faith

Growing in the faith is a lifelong journey, and there are many ways to strengthen our relationship with God and deepen our understanding of the Faith. Here are just a few ideas:

Prayer: Developing a regular prayer practice is one of the most important ways to grow in faith. I like to encourage everyone to set aside time each day to pray, whether it’s in the morning, evening, or another time that works for each person. You can use traditional prayers, like the Our Father or Hail Mary, the traditional Rosary, or simply talk to God in your own words.
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Preparing for Easter

Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, penance, and spiritual reflection that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. Lent is a time for us to prepare for Easter by engaging in acts of prayer, fasting, and alms-giving.

During Lent, we are encouraged to make personal sacrifices, such as abstaining from certain foods or activities, as a way to deepen our spiritual commitment and reflect on our faith. Some may also choose to engage in additional religious practices, such as attending daily Mass or participating in a Lenten retreat.
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Why is the Traditional Latin Mass Important?

The Traditional Latin Mass, also known as the Tridentine Mass, is important to the Church for several reasons. Here are some of them:

Spiritual richness: The Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated in Latin and follows a highly structured and ceremonial form that is designed to emphasize the transcendent nature of the Mass and its connection to the mysteries of faith. Many Catholics find that the beauty and solemnity of the Traditional Latin Mass help them to connect with God on a deeper level.

Unity: The Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated in the same way throughout the world, and its unchanging nature provides a sense of unity and continuity across time and place. This can be especially meaningful for Catholics who travel frequently or who have a deep connection to their faith’s history and tradition.
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