Sign of the + Cross
We continue to Pray & Fast for Peace in Ukraine
Good Morning. Today Mass is offered for peace in Eastern Europe and the world, for the deliverance of the oppressed, healing of the sick and wounded, and peace for the souls of the dead….
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine shows how complicated human history and international relations really are. All we can do is humbly admit our ignorance and poverty, pray in solidarity with those who suffer, and help as we can.
Penitential Rite Brothers and sisters let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. (Formula 3)
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Gospel & Homily - MP3 version Homily PDF version
HOMILY
The unexpected invasion of Ukraine by Russia has shocked the world. Ukraine claims it is being unjustly invaded by Russia; while Russia claims it is rescuing its brothers and sisters from extremists who have taken over the government. One thing cannot be denied: the loss of life and suffering by innocent civilians is scandalous. We feel helpless, but we can and must remain in solidarity with all those who suffer on both sides and pray for them, praying for both friends and enemies, for the suffering, and for the repose of the souls of those who have died.
In the face of such scandalous behaviour by nation states, and of the suffering of ordinary people, we can very well ask: “Lord, what are You doing?” Once again today in his inspired Word of Sacred Scripture, our God makes clear what are “the ways of the Lord”. His ways are not our ways. We want to experience abundance of life in undisturbed peace, but the mind of the Lord is perfectly adjusted to our human reality as it is; not as we would like it to be.
God continually sends good people, prophets, truth tellers like Jeremiah into society. The problem is that people generally don’t want to hear the truth, do not want to hear the truth; they say they don’t want God to tell them what to do, even though that is not what God does. God does not tell us what to do. God sends truth tellers so that humanity might hear the truth and be attracted to the truth.
The truth is that God, the Most Holy Trinity, is at the center of Creation; so, we need to pay close attention to the presence, the promptings within us, and the action of our Creator God and Saviour. In Jesus, God has come into our world not to dominate humanity, but to serve, to help us carry the burden of our humanity, and in the end, to accept to suffer with us and for us; that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we might learn to love perfectly. “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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Prayer after Communion Announcement
Human history has been pressured by empires and kingdoms, with an abundance of conflicts. May our God be pleased to accept our Live Daily Mass as our sacrifice to support God’s labors for the salvation of the world. Thank you for your prayers, Mass intentions, and donations. Salt + Light Media and Mary Queen of the World are especially grateful for generous sponsors.
Mother Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Blessing and Dismissal
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© 2006-2022 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
© 2006-2022 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
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I'm ever eager to learn from others, correct myself, and be converted to the Good News, the "ways of the Lord". Thank you for your comments, observations, or suggestions. God bless you and your family. Fr. Gilles