The Lord Jesus Risen from the dead is worthy of all our trust. - Wednesday in the 2nd Week of Easter, April 27th, 2022 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

2nd Week of Easter

VOCATION: Jesus calls us - He calls you to follow Him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and become a missionary disciple....

Sign of the + Cross                                April 27^th, 2^nd Week of Easter 2022

“Christ is risen, alleluia!” The ancient response is “He is truly risen, alleluia!” Good morning. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ….

This Mass is offered for Jeannine Wong and other deceased family members. We stand in solidarity with all who suffer for countless reasons all over the world.

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

This church is so vast that the voices of the assembly are lost in the space and we hardly hear you. I have the advantage of the microphone. 

The ancient Easter greeting that we used at the beginning of Mass shows astonishment at Jesus’ resurrection, which indicates the authenticity of the sentiments and of the greeting. “Christ is risen, alleluia! He is truly risen, alleluia!” It’s amazing, unbelievable, but it’s true. The women were at the tomb Easter morning and they saw him! The Apostles too! We weren’t there, but we believe! Some refuse to believe.

We all just heard Jesus say that He came so that the world might be saved by believing in Him, but that those who don’t believe condemn themselves, and the reason is that they prefer the darkness of their evil deeds and don’t like the light because it exposes them. Well, who does Jesus think He is, anyway? Actually, He doesn’t think, He knows He is the Son of God.

The real question is “Who do we think we are?” Now, in all I’m about to say, I include myself; so, please, don't take it personally, or don’t get all upset; actually, we should take these words personally. So, please consider carefully my remarks, because time is short. We have no time to waste. Today may be our last day on Earth, or yours; so, we must be ready. Our insecurities and fears cause us to judge everyone and harden our hearts. That’s not good.

We’re an arrogant bunch, when you really look at it, we human beings. God the Most Holy Trinity lives in perfect harmony of love from all eternity. We live only a few years, and without even trying our mind won’t stop making judgements all day long on everyone and everything we see, hear, think, and feel, even God. We even judge God; especially when He does what we don't want or don't like, or doesn't do what we want. 

St. Teresa of Avila said that when we don’t like God’s gifts, we’re likely to throw them back in his face; ready cash is all we want, she said. Well, we’ve all been infected by a virus far worse than SARS-CoV-2 which causes Covid-19. The sin of our origins, the original sin, causes our insecurity and fear, driving every evil, like what’s happening in Ukraine, and 24 other places in the world, and in all other conflicts in human history. 

If we're ever going to become the missionary disciples Jesus desires, to help Him bring God's mercy to others in the world; if we're ever going to become as Jesus desires us to be, we need to trust Him completely. Jesus calls us to trust Him, to allow our hearts to be broken by the suffering of others, as well as our own, and do all we can to alleviate the plight of others. The Father calls us to contemplate Jesus in his agony and allow Him, the sight of Him, to break our hard hearts so we can be grateful for all that He does for us.

 “O my Jesus, I trust in You. Immaculate Mother Mary, pray for us. St. 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                                    Closing 

“Lord, may all that we suffer break open our hard hearts; then, fill us with your Holy Spirit, so that we might love in word and deed like Jesus your Son, Mary our Mother, and all the saints.

Mother Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us.   

“Christ is risen, alleluia!” “He is truly risen, alleluia!”           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

God the Father continues to send truth tellers to humanity, but we reject and persecute them; even his own Son, Jesus. - Wednesday, 2nd Week of Lent, March 16th, 2022 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

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

 

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

Why are Christians persecuted? Many people deny God exists - the big shock will be after the moment of death. - Wednesday in the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, November 24th, 2021 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

 Gospel & Homily MP3 version             Homily PDF version 

There is no sponsor today for this Holy Mass; so I offer it for priests having difficulties. 

Sign of the + Cross                 Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions

Good Morning. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…. Brothers and Sisters, today we remember 130,000 Vietnamese martyrs who died from the 17^th to the 19^thcenturies. We ask Mary Queen of the World and Saint Joseph to pray with us for all Christians persecuted for their faith in God.

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 

Please support this Live Daily Mass through your daily prayers, Mass intentions, and donations to the Cathedral and to Salt + Light Media. We are especially in need of generous sponsors. 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.              Blessing and Dismissal

HOMILY

Brothers and sisters, the Word of the Lord addressed to us today by the Most Holy Trinity is not about “Jolly, jolly, happy, happy!” Nevertheless, it is good news, because every word that comes from the mouth of God is good news for humanity. The Lord calls on us to consider a very hard question: “Why do people persecute those who are religious, those who believe in the one true God and who worship Him?”

Today we honour some 130,000 Vietnamese men and women, young people and children who were imprisoned, often tortured, and executed simply because they had the boldness to believe in God, to share their faith with others, and to worship the one true God. So, why are some people bothered by manifestations of faith and worship offered to the one true God?

They deny that God exists, or that there is only one true God of all Creation, or they don’t like the God believed in and worshipped by Christians. What will happen to them? We are told in no uncertain terms by Daniel what the outcome will be in every case. The King of Babylon or Chaldea, which is Iraq today, disrespected God publicly when he had his nobles, guests, wives and concubines drink from the sacred vessels his father had taken from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. God never turns down such a direct challenge; nor did He then.

The hand that appeared in thin air to write on the wall was a brutal wake up call for the king who was killed that very night. People think God is cruel and stingy like us, but He is not. God is love. God’s every action is an act of love, tough love at times, but still love. Those who die an unexpected sudden death are given time by God to open their heart to the divine mercy. Those who refuse God’s offer of love prefer to go to hell rather than feel indebted to God.

Death of itself solves nothing. People who choose to end their life prematurely rather than suffer here on Earth pass through the thin veil separating us from eternity, and they discover the shocking truth that they have solved nothing. They no longer have a body to suffer in, but now they cannot avoid suffering worse pains in their soul. Those who accept God’s mercy but need to be purified from sinful habits and material attachments will suffer in Purgatory until they are finally set free and are now ready and willing to enter into God’s radiant presence.

Father in Heaven, your plan for our life on Earth then eternal life after death is the best possible plan. Have mercy on all those bent on looking for a better solution than the plan you offer.  “O my Jesus, I trust in You. 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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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