Faith is always about more than just what is good for us. It is always about all of God’s people too. We live in a world where people sometimes feel as though it is enough to be good people. Of course, being good, making good choices, being a force for good is very pleasing to God. But goodness alone is not the end God has in mind. He intends to draw the whole world to Himself and asks us to do it with Him. The goodness is ordered toward the eternal reconciliation of all people and creation. As Isaiah says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob …; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Our faith never ends with us, but will always call us out in service to those hurting and most in need.

Prayer: For dissatisfaction with a faith that serves only ourselves, we pray to the Lord.

God of Jacob and Israel, John and Paul, and each of us, make us dissatisfied with a faith that serves only ourselves. Draw us deeply into your desire to be reconciled with the whole world. Complicate our lives with the conviction to work toward peace and healing with all people. Amen.

Reflection: CCCB #CatholicYYC #SundayMass

Taken from the Facebook page of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary

The readings present two challenges to belonging in our faith community which we still encounter today. First, that we aren’t good enough somehow (because our history hasn’t been really Christian, or before then really Jewish). Secondly, we are too good (which is what John said of Jesus). Peter’s line at the opening of the second reading is really the key, however: “God shows no partiality.” Isaiah’s reading indicates that God always meant His special relationship with Israel to be a blessing for all nations, and Jesus’ death and Resurrection opens the covenant beyond the circumcised. Jesus is baptized not for the forgiveness of sins but as a participation in the universality of belonging to God’s family. Our faith is not just for us. It is meant to be a gift to the world, offering God’s love and belonging to all people, by our care and, should they choose, by baptism with Jesus.

Prayer: For all people longing to belong, we pray to the Lord. Baptised Jesus, you whisper over each of us the words your Father spoke over you: “This is my Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” May we be people who hear you speaking this over us, who believe it, and who proclaim it over your people wherever we find them. Amen.

Reflection: CCCB
#CatholicYYC#SundayMass
Taken from the Facebook Page of Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary

The gifts of the magi reveal who the Christ-child is. The Christ-child, in turn, reveals our deepest need for him.

Find a quiet space and take in the words of this song. As you recognize your need for Him, recognize others in their need as well.

Blessed Epiphany to you! #IAMBLESSED #CatholicYYC

Child of the Poor

Helpless and hungry, lowly, afraid
Wrapped in the chill of midwinter;
Comes now, among us, born into, poverty’s embrace
New life for the world

Who is this? Who lives with the lowly?
Sharing their sorrows
Knowing their hunger?
This is Christ revealed to the world
In the eyes of a child, a child of the poor

Who is, this stranger? Here in our midst?
Looking for shelter among us?
Who is, the outcast? Who do, we see amidst the poor?
The children of God?

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him

Bring the thirsty, who seek peace;
Those with nothing to offer
Strengthen the feeble
Say to the, frightened heart:
“Fear not: here is your God!”

Lyric: Scott Soper, ©1994, OCP. All rights reserved; W. C. Dix (What Child is This).

Taken from the Facebook page of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary

Let us celebrate the new year with our Blessed Mother! Parish Masses schedule (Dec 31 & Jan 1) for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is available here: http://bit.ly/39rczNK

“At the beginning of the year, let us implore from Mary the grace to be amazed at the God of surprises. Let us renew the amazement we felt when faith was first born in us. The Mother of God helps us: the Mother who gave birth to the Lord, now presents us, reborn, to the Lord. She is a mother who generates in her children the amazement of faith, because faith is an encounter… Without amazement, life becomes dull and routine, and so it is with faith.” ~ Pope Francis, homily for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, 1/1/19. #CatholicYYC#IamBlessed
Taken from the Facebook page of Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary

Way too many of us come into the Feast of the Holy Family with memories or current experiences of less than holy families. If you’re here today with mostly positive experiences with your family, then take a moment or two to thank God for that gift. If there are unhealed wounds from your past or current hurts in your family, we can pause to be grateful our faith teaches us that our family relationships should be places we are loved, cherished and protected from harm. God offers us perfect love and adoption into His family and wants to heal our wounds, past and present. God desires for us to follow Him and grow in love so we can pass on a legacy of love to our children and future generations. May we be images of the exhortation in the reading from Colossians: clothed in compassion, kindness, meekness, and patience, forgiving and loving our way into God’s peace, especially in our families and communities. Prayer: For healing and peace in all families, we pray to the Lord. Father, Son and Spirit, you are yourself a family of persons, whose love is a gift for us all. Teach us to love each other in every interaction and moment. Make us practitioners of forgiveness and peace, images of your family that can bring about more love in the world. Amen. Reflection: CCCB #CatholicYYC #IamBlessed #SundayMass