God delights to bless those who open themselves to Him - these women call us to enter into the joy of doing God's will - Wednesday in the 4th Week of Advent, December 22nd, 2021 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

 Gospel & Homily - MP3 version             Homily PDF version 

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 HOMILY

        By now, Mary and Joseph are more than half way between Nazareth and Bethlehem; a very difficult journey on foot, with the donkey for Mary, in those days. But we experience with them the joy of anticipation of the birth. 

        This morning our God seems proud of his two daughters Hannah and Myriam of Nazareth whom we know as Mary. Much later when Jesus engaged in his ministry, He also favoured the women who came to Him like the sinful women or the Samaritan woman who accepted to chat with Him at Jacob's well. With men God seems to have had a harder time throughout history; even with his own apostles.

Why do you think that is? When the religious leaders were scandalized at Jesus forgiving the sins of the woman they were accusing, Jesus explained that she had loved much. They may love wrongly, at times, but women are the first to give themselves in selfless love. Hannah and Mary are among countless women who open their mind, heart, and soul – even their bodies – to God and his will, ready to put all their trust in God for their past, their present, and their future.

When Spanish priests started the Cursillo movement, they insisted that men had to follow the retreat first. They knew that women would be far more willing to follow a retreat, to take the time and make the effort to open themselves to God and grow closer to Him. It is true that God our Creator has designed women for love and to love, with their whole being open to and motivated for loving attentiveness to others and wholehearted service to give and nurture life.

 God our Creator has designed us men with strength to lead, courage to fight, ability to organize, and the will to apply ourselves to hard labors; so that we might care for the Earth and the human family. We attend to things; while women attend to people. I am generalizing here, that is true. Men are capable of caring for people too, and women are capable of taking care of business. Still, it's true to say the world is a mess, and both women and men are in need of the Most Holy Trinity in order to get our act together and care better for our world. Please pray with me…

Prayer to St. Joseph from the Madonna House Apostolate for the Year of St. Joseph which just ended.

“Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.” 

"Mary, our Mother, you made room for God within yourself, in your life, we ask your intercession, that by God's grace we also may make more room for Jesus in our lives." 

“Father in Heaven, like Mary and Joseph help us make more room for Jesus.”  “O my Jesus, I trust in You. Immaculate Mother Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us.

We give praise to You, O God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

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Good Morning. Today's Holy Mass is being offered by an anonymous donor to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Royden Lamwatt: a faithful Christian, a highly respected educator and a dear friend.

Sign of the + Cross       

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…. Brothers and Sisters, today Almighty God encourages us to trust in Him like the women and men of the Bible. We ask for the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the World, and of her Spouse Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church.

Penitential Rite         Brothers and sisters let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.  (Formula 1)  

Prayer after Communion                                    Announcement 

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Mother Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us.    Blessing and Dismissal

 

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© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC