We are called to live and love as children of God, conscious of the Holy Trinity dwelling within us! - Wednesday in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, February 16th, 2022 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

Sign of the + Cross

Good Morning. (Unfortunately, there is no sponsor for the Holy Mass this morning; however, the Holy Spirit continues to join our intentions and offerings to those of Jesus who enables us to offer ourselves with Him to the Father.)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…. As we look out into our world, we see a lot of angry people, much yelling and running around. It’s a wonderful experience to be passionate about loving God and others, but it’s a terrible thing to be a slave of any of the human passions.

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

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   Gospel & Homily - MP3 version             Homily PDF version 

HOMILY

Did you notice in the Gospel passage today how considerate Jesus was for the feelings of the blind man? Jesus knew how self-conscious the man was, or perhaps embarrassed by those who brought him to Jesus. So, Jesus brought him outside the village out of sight of people.

The Apostle James advises us to be slow at the right time and quick at the right time. If I do or say something quickly because of human impulses; then I am not acting out of the freedom of the children of God, but as a slave to the many human passions. Mary, Joseph, and all the saints were quick to listen, but slow to speak. Listening attentively to others is an act of love. As I give others my full attention, I am able to notice things that may have been hidden before.

As children of God and disciples of Jesus, we are called to be constantly vigilant to notice the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit deep within us, which is what Jesus Himself did.

Much of the world – other people, society around us, and life itself – rarely go the way we would like them to go. When I am full of myself; then, I am likely to let myself be carried away by feelings of frustration and anger, as if the whole world revolved around me.

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, and the action of our Creator God and Saviour.

“O God, true Light, pour into your faithful the brilliance of perpetual light, that You may be pleased to glorify Yourself in us, even in our weakness, and save many souls.”  “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

Our God uses this Live Daily Mass to welcome all who seek Him, in this Cathedral and via TV or the Internet. Please support us with your prayer, Mass intentions, and donations. Salt + Light Media and Mary Queen of the World are especially in need of generous sponsors. 

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

 

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com

 

© 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

As disciples of Jesus we are to do everything for love of God and our neighbor, not for personal gain. - Wednesday in the 11th Week of Ordinary Time, June 16th, 2021 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

    Gospel & Homily MP3 version                     Homily PDF version        

Sign of the + Cross                        

    Good Morning. There is no sponsor for this Mass today. 

Thank you for your support. The Lord reminds us that He loves a cheerful giver. The more we are generous to the poor, those in need, and for his works of mercy, the more the Lord will provide so we can continue being generous. During this Live Daily Mass, we offer to the Father our personal intentions and those of his Church.

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

HOMILY

There are some who misunderstand the Word of the Lord to say that if we follow the rules and commandments; God will bless us with prosperity and success. If uncertain of what the Word of God means, we need only look to the example of Jesus to see the will of God in action.

Jesus did not have any money at all. He entrusted the common purse for Himself and his disciples to Judas. Unfortunately, Judas was weak and helped himself to some of that money. With regard to that common purse, Jesus gave the priority to helping the poor and others in need. As for Himself and his Apostles, they were really like mendicants, which means that they begged or relied on the generosity of the people they served to share with them food and lodging. They often slept under the stars and got water from public wells and streams.

We are not all called to live as beggars, like many religious women and men who belong to communities that rely on the generosity of the people they serve. However, what is abundantly clear is that our Creator God has filled Planet Earth – on land, sea, and in the air – with great abundance of life, food, and resources. There is no doubt that our Creator God intends for all these resources to be there for everyone to enjoy equally. Sadly, because of the original sin, fear and insecurity, and greed, far too many human beings set out to acquire far more than they need to live simply, in security, peace, health, and comfort.

Jesus makes it abundantly clear that whatever we do – whenever we give alms to assist the poor, whenever we pray, and whenever we fast; we should do it for God’s eyes alone. When we do good things our of authentic, heartfelt love for God and for our neighbors, and even for our enemies and those who are especially difficult to love; then we can be certain that our works of love and mercy will benefit both those who receive our care and also ourselves. Our spirit, our whole person becomes more like God when we live as children of God.

Whenever we take care to keep our almsgiving, prayer, and fasting secret; then we avoid the praise, admiration, and congratulations of others, and our true reward is the gratitude of those who are helped and the love and approval of Almighty God, the Most Holy Trinity.

(Spontaneous departure from my prepared text)

You notice this morning that I have a kind of  weakness in my voice; well, we all have strengths and weaknesses, and it causes me to think that there may be men out there the Lord is calling to the priesthood but who are resisting, and whenever we resist, it is because we focus too much on ourselves and we don't accept the grace of the fear of the Lord; which means to put our trust and confidence in God alone. 

(Added comment: "Looking back on my whole life of 72 years, and in particular on the almost 38 years of life and service to the Lord and his people as one of Jesus' many priests; my overwhelming thought and feeling is: 

"What a wonderful life and path! It is truly awesome to be entrusted by the Holy Spirit with glimpses into the minds, hearts, souls, and lives of other human beings whenever they open themselves to Jesus in the confidential moment and encounter with the Lord Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, in Confession. 

"How awesome and beyond understanding to know that Jesus Himself entrusts me with his own authority to say again his own words at the Last Supper; that He may once again be truly present in his risen flesh in the Bread and Wine of the Holy Eucharist and give Himself once again for food to eternal life to all who come to Him today. 

"As a mother gives of herself as food to her infant at her breast; so too does Jesus give a transfusion of his divine life to all who receive Him in Holy Communion. The wonders of such an intimate sharing in the life, mystery, and priesthood of the Lord Jesus is beyond words to tell. How could any man whom the Lord is calling not want to put his trust in the Lord Jesus, in the Most Holy Trinity, and respond to the call deep in his heart and soul as the prophet Isaiah: "Here I am, Lord!"

"Be not afraid, O little man, and take the spotlight of attention and worry off of  your poor self, and rather turn the spotlight of your attention onto the Lord Jesus, who remains for eternity to be seen in his pitiful passion, haning on the Cross; yet glorious at this very moment at the right hand of his Father in Heaven. He alone in the universe has the power of God to give life where He will in union with his Father and the Holy Spirit. Since He has power to create the universe and keep it in existence, and demonstrated his power by calming the storm on the sea and in so many other wonderful works; so too can He make of you one of his poor, humble, and blessed priests. 

"O my Jesus, I trust in You." )

Father in Heaven, fill us with your Holy Spirit and make us more and more like Jesus, your only-begotten Son, our Lord here on Earth; so that You may be pleased to welcome us into your eternal home at the end of our lives.  

In the Name of the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

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Prayer after Communion                                    Announcement 

We thank you for supporting this Live Daily Mass through your daily prayers, Mass intentions, and donations to the Cathedral and to Salt + Light Media.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.              Blessing and Dismissal

 

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com

 

© 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

We need the Holy Spirit to help us follow his inspirations and to recognize and avoid the distractions of the enemy of mankind. - Wednesday in the 8th Week of Ordinary Time, May 26th, 2021 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

   Gospel & Homily MP3 version                     Homily PDF version        

  Memorial of Saint Philip Neri

Sign of the + Cross  

        Hello. I’m Fr. Gilles Surprenant, priest of Montreal and Madonna House Associate. We revel these days in the radiance of Pentecost and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit who gave birth to the Church. Our Creator God has long desired to pour out his Holy Spirit on all mankind through Jesus, and we are his witnesses. During this Live Daily Mass, we offer to the Father all of our personal intentions and those of our Church. (Intention) Thank you.

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

HOMILY

Why did they do it? Why did James and John ask Jesus for places of honor in Jesus’ glory? No doubt they felt that they loved Jesus and wanted to be sure to remain close to Him when he would establish his kingdom. The problem was that they weren’t really listening to Jesus, who had just told them that He was going to Jerusalem and his glory would be to be killed there.

Why do any of us do the foolish, carless, insensitive, or reckless things that we do? We are all still infected with the original sin virus which infected the first human beings. The antidote has been brought into the world for all of humanity by Jesus: the antidote is putting our faith and trust in Jesus rather than in ourselves, and the vaccine for mankind is the Holy Spirit.

In addition to the infection of the original sin, there is also the enemy of humanity, the devil and his rebel angels; who together sow greed and envy, discord and division, and we see how the bad spirit caused trouble among the Apostles. Jesus corrected the Apostles, and He would do it again before the end. We also often need to be corrected by Jesus. The grandfather who wrote the book of Sirach was writing under the good inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which is why he prayed to God to reveal Himself to his people and to all of humanity; so that everyone might know that He is God and that He is good. When a human being welcomes the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, he or she forgets himself or herself and gives witness to God.

St. Philip Neri, like all the saints, accepted to be taught by Jesus and formed by the Holy Spirit. He was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and helped others to recognize signs that the Holy Spirit is at work and to tell those results apart from the trouble caused by Satan and his demons. The devil accentuates our selfishness and fears, and as a result we hurt others and cause trouble and division around us. The Holy Spirit brings peace, love, charity, and joy.

Like St. Philip Neri, who was a much sought-after confessor and spiritual guide, St. Ignatius of Loyola taught that when we are tempted and discouraged by our faults, the best defense is a good offense and we should go in the opposite direction. If I don’t feel like praying, then I spend a little more time at prayer than usual. If I don’t feel like giving alms to the poor, then I will be even more generous. If I feel irritated by someone, then I will compliment them or offer to help.

If you’d like more help in discerning the difference between the guidance of the good spirit and the distraction of the bad spirit, search for Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OVM’s online talks on the “discernment of spirits” by St. Ignatius. If you send me an email, I’ll send you some links. My email address is fathergilles@gmail.com . Jesus continues to set the captives free today.

O God, come and dwell in us: the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Prayer after Communion                                    Announcement

We thank you for supporting this Live Daily Mass through your daily prayers, Mass intentions, and donations to the Cathedral and to Salt + Light Media. There was no offering or requested Mass intention for this Mass today. You could gather together family and friends and make a group donation to accompany an intention for a Salt + Light TV Mass. Contact Salt + Light Media. 

 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.              Blessing and Dismissal

 

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com

 

© 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 

Jesus calls us disciples as missionaries like Him - Oct 5th, 2020 - Saint Faustina Kowalska

 MP3 - Homily    MP3 - Universal Prayers    PDF - Homily    PDF - Universal Prayers    PDF - Mass 

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Welcome on this memorial of St. Faustina Kowalska to this celebration of the daily televising of the Mass from Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in downtown Montreal made possible by an anonymous contribution for the intentions of the faithful attending this Mass in person as well as through Salt + Light TV and Facebook and also for the recovery of our local priests Fathers Ernie Schibli and Joseph Cameron who are currently in hospital. I’m Father Gilles Surprenant, priest of Montreal and Associate of Madonna House Apostolate.

We are all grateful to Salt + Light Media for this new initiative of a LIVE Daily Mass in English in addition to the LIVE Daily Mass in French which has been on the air for some time. These initiatives enrich the lives of Catholics across Canada and beyond for those who tune in from around the world via the Internet, particularly during this worldwide Covid Pandemic.

Yesterday, Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Dowd celebrated here the inaugural LIVE Sunday Televised Mass for Salt + Light. Today begins an ongoing series of daily WEEKDAY Masses in English from this Montreal Cathedral dedicated to Mary Queen of the World where locally she is known by her French title Marie Reine du Monde. Welcome, one and all. Sign of the Cross

HOMILY

Brothers and sisters, “the parable of the Good Samaritan” is perhaps Jesus’ most familiar parable. Notice how Jesus welcomes conversation with the lawyer and responds to the lawyer’s questions with a question of his own. Luke tells us the lawyer then felt a need to justify himself and put a second question to Jesus: “And who is my neighbour?”

So what exactly is going on here? Jesus gives us a clue in the words He uses: “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” And again: “Go and do likewise.”

There we have it: we know the difference between knowing or speaking and doing. We know the expression: “Actions speak louder than words.” Jesus is here always with us to lead us to the Father, and with his Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus is all about action. In the Psalm we praised God saying prayerfully: “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” One day Jesus said: “My Father is still working, and I also am working.” That is in John chapter 5 verse 17.  God is calling every one of us to action.

We see only a little of Jesus’ Mother Mary in the Gospels, which say that whenever God did something amazing and at times surprising, Mary pondered these things in her heart. We know from her life that the Mother of God didn’t only ponder God’s works, but she also gave herself wholeheartedly to collaborating with God in his work in the world, especially in supporting and following her Son and Lord Jesus. She spent her life praying and encouraging the disciples.

In writing to the Galatians, Saint Paul employed strong language, in chapter 3 even asking them: “Are you so foolish?” What was happening is that the Galatians had welcomed the Gospel announced by Paul with their whole hearts, but then some other people came – also claiming to be Christians – who were in effect proclaiming a softer Gospel. We know all about that today with any number of TV evangelists giving the impression that if we follow Christ we can expect to live a prosperous life and that following Jesus is a key to success in this world.

Well, if you believe that, I hate to be the one to tell you, but that is a lie. Jesus made it clear, as reported by all four evangelists, that if we want to be his disciples, we must accept to carry our cross and follow Him. Most of our cross is simply putting up with our own self, admitting our faults, confessing our sins regularly, and every day trying to live a life of conversion so as to better follow Jesus. Carrying our cross daily helps us to endure lovingly the faults of others.

This means then that if we let God shine his light and truth through our actions and attitudes as well as our words, we can expect no better treatment than what Jesus got himself. In other words, we can anticipate persecution – because this world is under the dominion of the prince of this world, the devil, Satan – and, because of our mortal condition, when people are caught up with the values of this world, they “love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil”. Jesus said this as quoted by John in chapter 3 verse 19.

So, have you been getting your share of cold treatment, evil gossip, false accusations, and other forms of persecution? Rejoice and be glad! On the other hand, if I am too popular among people around me, I might wonder whether I am really living like Jesus and following Him.

The important thing is to open up each day, many times a day, including at prayer times, to the Word of the Lord, and to watch for the light and guidance the Holy Spirit shines within us. Jesus is the only One we are to follow, because Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Once we taste how good and wonderful it is to have the Father, Jesus his Son, and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us; then we are glad to endure all the aggravation of putting up with people who have not yet known the mercy of God. And remember, dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus, we carry the priceless treasure of God’s Presence within us in poor earthen vessels.

So let us continue to pray for one another that – with the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of the World, St. Joseph Patron of Canada, St. Faustina, St. Brother André and all the saints, we might accept the encouragement and grace of the Holy Spirit to act as missionary disciples and open wide our heart, our mind, our spirit and even our body to the Presence and the love of God: the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

© 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