MASS AT HOME - SPIRITUAL COMMUNION ON 2nd AUGUST 2020
St. Teresa of Ávila (1515–82) encouraged the faithful - “When you cannot receive communion nor attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.”
✠In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Pastor, who was executed by the Nazis
just a month before VE Day, prayed this:
“I cannot do this alone. In me there is darkness,
but with you there is light;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience.
Restore me to liberty, and enable me to live.”
Let us acknowledge that we cannot live to our best
without Our Lord bringing us from darkness to light;
In that light let us prepare ourselves to worship.
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done
and in what I have failed to do, through my fault,
through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary
ever-Virgin,and all the Angels
and Saints, to pray for me
to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
THE GLORIA Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY
O God, protector of those who hope in you,
without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy,
bestow in abundance your mercy upon us
and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide,
we may use the good things that pass
in such a way as to hold fast even now
to those that ever endure.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
FIRST READING Isaiah 55:1-3
Thus says the Lord:Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty;
though you have no money, come!
Buy corn without money, and eat,
and, at no cost, wine and milk.
Why spend money on what is not bread, your wages on what fails to satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy. Pay attention, come to me;
listen, and your soul will live.With you I will make an everlasting covenant out of the favours promised to David.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM - Psalm 144(145):8-9,15-18
You open wide your hand, O Lord, you grant our desires.
The Lord is kind and full of compassion,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all,
compassionate to all his creatures.
You open wide your hand, O Lord, you grant our desires.
The eyes of all creatures look to you
and you give them their food in due time.
You open wide your hand,
grant the desires of all who live.
You open wide your hand, O Lord, you grant our desires.
The Lord is just in all his ways
and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him,
call on him from their hearts.
You open wide your hand, O Lord, you grant our desires.
SECOND READING: Romans 8:35,37-39
Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph,
by the power of him who loved us.
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, alleluia!
Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL Matthew 14:13-21 When Jesus received the news of
John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place
where they could be by themselves.
But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns,
went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd;
and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to him and said,
so send the people away, and they can go to the villages
to buy themselves some food.’
Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go:
give them something to eat yourselves.’
But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’
‘Bring them here to me’ he said.
He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass;
then he took the five loaves and the two fish,
raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing.
And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples
who gave them to the crowds.
They all ate as much as they wanted,
and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full.
Those who ate numbered about five thousand men,
to say nothing of women and children.
HOMILY
According to an account published in 1853, the first restaurant in the world was opened in, of course, Paris, in 1765 by a Parisian named Boulanger, near the Louvre,
where he served bouillons restaurants, that is, "restorative broths."
“Restaurant” came from the Latin word meaning "to renew."
The motto of his establishment was
“Venite ad me omnes qui stomacho laboratis et ego vos restaurabo”.
"Come to me all who suffer from stomach-pain, and I will restore you";
…sort-of-based on Our Lord’s beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, & I will give you rest.
Boulanger’s restorative broth establishment took off,
but not without opposition.
There was almost a riot staged by “Les Traiteurs”,
caterers in Paris who provided cooked food
to people lacking a kitchen of their own.
The traiteurs (the word translates as "treaters")
took Boulanger to court, but lost.
However the legacy of the traiteurs has lived on
as the word was assimilated into Italian as trattoria.
"Restaurant" - The place of renewal and restoration.
“The disciples said to Jesus:
‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by;
send the people away, and they can go to the villages
to buy themselves some food.’”
But as far as Jesus was concerned there was no need…
“What have you got? Five loaves, two fish, parfait!”
Chef Jesus turned meagre ingredients into something magnificent
for five-thousand + diners… AND there were left-overs too!!
The catering on that occasion was offered in the place it was needed;
where the people were, in the middle of nowhere,
a “Pop-Up Restaurant”
But it was a RESTAURANT –
a place of "Restauration", renewal, sustenance, rest.
In the Pandemic we have learnt that Church isn’t just a place.
Church is where we meet with God and God meets with us;
where heaven and earth touch each other,
and thanks to various different modes of technology,
We’ve had to develop “Take-Away Liturgy”,
new ways of spiritual and liturgical hospitality.
Take-Aways are fine, but I for one have missed this place,
where heaven and earth have come together,
and where we are once again
able to savour the “fine-dining” served to us in the Mass
OUR CHURCH is a place of “Restauration”,
where Jesus Christ is The MasterChef.
Jesus our Chef feeds and nourishes us in the Blessed Sacrament
and The Word. Those who serve wear distinctive clothing; music, incense,
colour, bells and good tradition provides this particular establishment
with an ambience of dignity.
There are other outlets in this city, each providing something different
to meet the needs of a diversity of patron,
who are nevertheless at one in their loyalty to The Chef.
Each "outlet" provides an "Everyday Menu" that is much the same,
but which meets the needs of its regular patrons
and of others who are like-minded.
CHURCH - a restorative place where Lovers come
to celebrate the lives together as husband and wife;
a restorative place where The Bereaved can come
to celebrate the life of someone significant to them;
a restorative place, where people will just pop in for a snack of prayer.
A Church, like a good restaurant, is a place
of refreshment, sustenance, welcome, laughter and happiness,
where tears may be shed and wiped away,
where there is conversation, edification and learning....
where there is celebration, or silent enjoyment and peace of the place.
A place where the One who Loves meets the beloved,
a place where heaven and earth kiss
and our relationship with God deepens.
WELCOME BACK!
“You are not here to verify,
Instruct yourself, or inform curiosity Or carry report. You are here to kneel Where prayer has been valid.”
(Little Gidding, Ist Quartet. 43-46)
NICENE CREED I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light,true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins; and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Almighty and all-merciful God,
lover of the human race,
healer of all our wounds,
in whom there is no shadow of death,
save us in this time of crisis;
Grant wisdom and courage to our leaders;
watch over all medical people
as they tend the sick and work for a cure;
stir in us a sense of solidarity beyond all isolation;
if our doors are closed, let our hearts be open.
By the power of your love destroy the virus of fear,
that hope may never die and the light of the Risen Christ
may shine upon us and the whole world.
(Most Rev. Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane)
St Joseph, guardian of us all, pray for us.
Holy Mary, health of the sick, pray for us….
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Lord God, you feed us with the living bread from heaven;
renew our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love.
Teach us to hunger for Christ who is the true and living bread,
and to live by every word that comes from your mouth.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God;
for it is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, through Christ our Lord.
For by your Word you created the world
and you govern all things in harmony.
You gave us the same Word made flesh as Mediator, and he has spoken your words to us and called us to follow him.
He is the way that leads us to you,
the truth that sets us free, the life that fills us with gladness.
Through your Son you gather men and women, whom you made for the glory of your name, into one family, redeemed by the Blood of his Cross and signed with the seal of the Spirit.
Therefore now and for ages unending, with all the Angels, we proclaim your glory, as in joyful celebration we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Almighty Father, give us life through your Spirit, and grant that we may be conformed to the image of your Son.
Confirm us in the bond of communion,
together with Pope Francis,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Justin our Archbishop, Norman our Bishop,
Tim, Bishop of Winchester, all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and the entire people you have made your own. Grant that all the faithful of the Church, looking into the signs of the times by the light of faith, may constantly devote themselves to the service of the Gospel.
Keep us attentive to the needs of all, that, sharing their grief and pain, their joy and hope, we may faithfully bring them the good news of salvation and go forward with them along the way of your Kingdom.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have fallen asleep in the peace of your Christ, and all the dead, whose faith you alone have known. Admit them to rejoice in the light of your face, and in the resurrection give them the fullness of life.Grant also to us, when our earthly pilgrimage is done,
that we may come to an eternal dwelling place and live with you for ever; there, in communion with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with the Apostles, Martyrs, and with all the Saints, we shall praise and exalt you through Jesus Christ, your Son. Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours,
for ever and ever. Amen.
At the Saviour’s command
and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles:
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,
look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
Time to sit quietly to receive the Lord’s Presence spiritually.
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present
in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart …
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You,”
ANIMA CHRISTI
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.
Silent Prayer
SUSCIPE
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me.
ASKING GOD'S BLESSING
May God who clothes the lilies and feeds the birds of the sky,
who leads the lambs to pasture and the deer to water,
who multiplied loaves and fishes and changed water into wine,
lead us, feed us, multiply us,
and change us to reflect the glory of our Creator
now and through all eternity;
and may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy Spirit,
come down upon us and remain with us for ever. Amen.
THE ANGELUS
The angel of the Lord brought tidings unto Mary. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary. Holy Mary.
And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt amongst us. Hail Mary. Holy Mary.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts,
that as we have known the Incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ
by the message of an angel, so by his Cross and Passion
we may be brought unto the glory of his Resurrection;
through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
