In today's Gospel Our Lord teaches us that evil will be present in the world until the last days of Judgement when the fruits of all are measured. Evil festers in hearts; it is not always seen on the surface. Holiness is characterized by meekness and humility, so it is not always seen on the surface either.
Like wheat, holiness is in the world trying to grow into something good. Like weeds, evil is at work doing the opposite, preying on the good in parasitic way to serve nothing other than itself. It can be hard to tell the difference and, therefore, we need to be on guard against a holiness that is only skin deep.
Today's First Reading reminds us that we can try to be masters of moral disguise, but the Lord sees beyond the surface and measures us by our deeds, not just appearances.
The Lord never misjudges anyone, yet people still try to deceive him, if they believe in him at all. The Lord gives the unjust time to change their ways, to seek his forgiveness, usually for far longer than we would, because he truly cares about them. The Lord is willing to put up with a lot of things, but in justice, he cannot ignore insincerity.
In today's Second Reading Paul reminds us that holiness is something that comes from the depths of our soul because it consists of making the Spirit of God our spirit.
The special ingredient in a Christian life is that even when we're weak, the Holy Spirit helps us to be holy. The Spirit is the protagonist in our sanctification, from the sacraments we receive to the prayers we say.
The three parables in today's Gospel teach us that holiness is often hidden, even small in the eyes of the world, but makes good things spread and grow, unlike parasitical weeds.
Wheat is not very glamourous, but if we want bread, a symbol of life, it is essential. When we eat a sandwich, we don't think much of the wheat that went into it, but we certainly enjoy the sandwich.
Leaven is useful not only for baking bread but for baking delicious bread. When we receive the Eucharist, made from unleavened bread due to Passover traditions, we note the difference from the bread we eat every day. Leaven does its job by quietly being sifted throughout the flour used to make the bread, but it makes a big impact on the recipe.
Mustard seeds average between 1-2 millimeters in size and may seem small and inconsequential, but on a hot day, the shade and shelter of a tree that grows up to twenty feet tall and wide is not to be ignored. The mustard seed in today's parable also shows that the Church may start small and seemingly insignificant, but is meant to spread far and wide.
Avoid Rash Judgments
The sower in today's Gospel had to wait because the wheat and weeds looked so similar as they were growing that he didn't want to uproot wheat while he was pulling up weeds.
A rash judgment is when we jump to conclusions about something or someone, and many times those rash judgments are wrong. Unfortunately, there are as many rash judgments in society today as there are weeds, even from Christian quarters.
Imagine if it had never occurred to someone that a mustard seed might grow into something even more useful, or that yeast would take baking to a whole new level.
Even worse would be to admit a "weed" into our life thinking it was wheat, or excluding wheat thinking it was a weed. Our Lord is the just judge. Let's leave the judging to him.
In his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis called Mary, the mother of evangelization.
"With the Holy Spirit, Mary is always present in the midst of the people," he wrote. "She joined the disciples in praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14) and thus made possible the missionary outburst which took place at Pentecost. She is the mother of the Church which evangelizes, and without her, we could never truly understand the spirit of the new evangelization."
"As a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares our struggles and she constantly surrounds us with God's love.," When it comes to discipleship, the Blessed Mother is the example Catholics are called to follow.
Mary as the perfect role model of discipleship. Marian devotions, the rosary, the different canticles, give us a sense of the surrendering to God in our lives, having that relationship with God which builds up who we are in relationship with Christ."
"Even the titles the Church gives her – Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Queen of Heaven, Intercessor on our behalf—shows how she leads us to her son, Jesus Christ." We also see the human side of Mary in Scripture, especially in the Gospel of Luke 2:41-52, when the boy Jesus got lost at the Temple.
"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety" (Luke 2:46,48).
We see a little bit of frustration on Mary's part as a mother. That helps us to understand that Mary, too, had the same pressures upon her that modern day mothers have with regards to their children.
Mary was contemplative, pondered things in her heart. Still, she did not question. She said God's will be done.
When you think about her steadfast witness, that is one of the first prerequisites of evangelization. She was solid in her faith, and knew God would do what God had said. She was a trusting servant.
Scriptures have taught us a lot about Mary and her relationship with Christ, being the mother of Christ, being a disciple, a true follower. We are all called to follow her path.
Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.
Today's readings remind us that the soul, like soil, must be good if we expect good things to grow from it.
In today's First Reading we're taught that God's word comes down like the rain to nourish the earth and help good things grow. Throughout salvation history, the Lord has rained down many words to help his creation thrive and grow, but with mixed results.
Isaiah reminds us today that those mixed results are not the Lord's fault; they're ours. The rain produces fields ripe for cultivation, but it takes work to reap the seeds that will keep the crops going, and keep bread on tables.
In today's Second Reading Paul reminds us that sin did not just mess up agriculture; it messed up the designs of creation itself by diverting it from its purpose.
Sin tried to frustrate that glorious harvest, but the Word came to show us how to follow God's plan for a glorious harvest once again and help creation achieve its purpose again.
Today's Gospel is the Parable of the Sower, and the seed being sown is the Word of God trying to make its way into a soul. Through the parable, Our Lord explains the obstacles to the Word of God bearing good fruit. Our Lord invites us to see the difference between hearing something and listening, between looking at something and seeing it. Just as farmers till the soil we have to be active in letting the Word of God bear fruit in our life by cultivating the soil of our soul.
We shouldn't be afraid of welcoming and nourishing the seed of God's Word because God has sown it for a good purpose and he will continue to watch over the soil and cultivate it. He may ask for something demanding, but he'll be with you every step of the way, and he has plans for something good to grow out of your generosity and sacrifice.
Parables present something from daily life, but are also doorways to other spiritual and divine insights about God, the "knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven." It's not enough to look at the door: it must be opened to discover what lies beyond.
When we see parable in this way when we see the Word of God in this way, we see something from which we can draw profound truths regarding ourselves, our world, and Our Lord, not just once, but constantly. That requires an effort in faith to listen and to see, an effort to open our hearts and open that door into the greater world Our Lord wants to reveal to us.
If we don't understand what he is telling us, his Word stays on the surface and doesn't penetrate our hearts, and the Evil One can easily sweep it away before it has any effect. There is an active Evil presence out there that would like us to remain shallow and superficial and someday lose eternity with God, which is why we always need to watch and pray in moments of temptation and seek to understand God's Word with profundity.
There's a moment where an insight into his Word causes sensible consolations and warm feelings, but sentiments are often skin deep and change direction like the wind. If we only listen to feel good, when we start feeling bad we'll stop listening–enthusiasm only lasts so long.
God's Word wants to be with us and help us in our ups and downs; he always has something to say, so whether we're exultant about something or despondent, we need to keep listening, harder if needed.
There is a beautiful little book, Listening at Prayer, with a simple and powerful premise: sometimes in prayer, you just have to be quiet and listen.
We often recite prayers or launch into our needs as soon as we have a quiet moment of prayer, but we don't take much time to listen.
Prayer is a conversion with God, but imagine if you do all the talking? Does Our Lord get a word in edgewise when you're speaking with him in prayer? It's good to start your prayer praising Our Lord and thanking him for all he's done, but Samuel teaches us what to say after that: "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening" (see 1 Samuel 3 for Samuel's story).Amen
Carmelites and Mary
For centuries Carmelite had been secure in their devotion to Mary through the Brown Scapular. But the Carmelite heritage was much richer and many studies began to appear on Mary and Carmel. There are five truths about Mary in the Carmelite Order, not all equally emphasized in any particular century. They are not exclusive to the Order, but they show its preferences in reflecting on the Mother of God.
Mary is Mother. Carmelites took up this Church teaching with great enthusiasm. But they added another word, so that "Mother and Beauty of Carmel" became a preferred name for her.
Secondly, Mary is also seen as Patron of Carmelites. This is a medieval concept that implies a two-way relationship between lord and servant: the lord protected his servants; they in turn looked after his interests. Such a concept fitted admirably the Carmelite vision of Mary as one whom they loved and served, and who in turn protected them.
Again, Mary is also Sister of Carmelites. The idea of Mary as Sister is found also in the first millennium, and it was introduced in papal teaching by Paul VI. When we speak of Mary as Sister, we are reminded that she too is one like us, is a daughter of Adam, and that she had to walk the same path of faith, hope and love as all others. The Carmelite idea of Mary as Sister can also have something of the idea of an elder, caring sister who looks after the rest of the family. We can look up to our Sister and accept her guidance. At different times we may be more drawn to the idea of Mary as Sister, rather than as Mother. Both are legitimate, but we should not deny the validity of a title that may not attract us at a particular time.
Fourthly, Mary is the Most Pure Virgin. This title, very common in Carmelite saints and writers looks especially to Mary's purity of heart. She retained God's word in her heart (see Luke 2:19.51) and she served him with an undivided and pure heart.
Mary is finally the Model for Carmelites. We can look at what she did. But we have to go deeper. It is not just a matter of doing what Mary did, but having her attitude in all our thoughts and actions.
Presence
A renewed devotion to Mary is not primarily a matter of saying more prayers to her. It implies a relationship with her, which will be established by prayer and reflected in imitation. There is a huge difference between knowing about a person, and really knowing them. Renewal in our Marian life is not a matter of prayers or information, but a loving knowing.
Such a knowing loving, or loving knowing, lies behind the idea of presence. In a letter to the two branches of the Carmelite Order (O.Carm. and OCD) Pope John Paul spoke of the "tender and maternal presence of Mary" which we seek by wearing the Brown Scapular (Letter, Il provvidentialz evento, 25 March 2001). We know that we are always in the presence of God, who sustains us, keeps us in being. But we may not be alert to this presence as we go about our daily lives. It is good to stop occasionally and reflect that we are always in God's presence.
The gentle presence of Mary is found in her caring for all the Church, in her continuous prayer for us, "now and at the hour of our death" (Hail Mary). We can become aware of her presence if we think of her now and again, speak to her, ask for her guidance, consider how she would act in the circumstances in which we may find ourselves. We can go further and enjoy and relax in her presence.
There is a saying "Never enough about Mary" which is often ascribed to St. Bernard (d. 1153), but in fact came centuries later. It is a principle that needs to be carefully understood. We do not need more dogmas about Mary, or necessarily more prayers, celebrations or titles. We can never, however, sufficiently praise God for the wonders of his grace and love in the Mother of his Son. We can never thank her enough for her motherly care for us. We can never love her enough. As we think of her gentle presence, we are only beginning our future life in which with her we will eternally praise the Trinity.
C. O'Donnell, O.Carm.
Today's readings remind us that while many things in a believer's life remain the same whether they're believers or not, the believer also lives those things differently: in meekness and humility of heart.
In today's First Reading, a prophecy of the Messiah, the Messiah does not come charging in on a huge warhorse; he comes on a lowly beast of burden not "built for speed."
The king is just, but meek. That doesn't seem enough to do the job. How is he going to banish chariots and archers and establish peace among the nations with so little? The Lord promises this king will not just serve national interests: he will proclaim peace to the nations and reign over them all.
He is not ambitious, but selfless and simple. He has a big job to do, and he doesn't tackle it making a lot of noise or mustering a huge army. We know who this Messiah, is and how he brought peace: his meekness, justice, and desire for peace disarmed the world of his time and took it by storm.
In today's Second Reading Paul gives us an insight into how the Messiah, and his disciples, conquered the world: by turning from the flesh and living the life of the Spirit.
The Spirit of the Lord spread and conquered hearts, just as it does today. However, we always face the danger of backsliding, and some don't live according to the Spirit of God at all, despite the fact that they've received the Spirit through faith in Christ and Baptism.
It's the Spirit that teaches us the true cause of woe and war and provides the solution: the desires of the flesh must be conquered. Wars and discord in our world stem from those who strive after the things of the flesh, desires that make them greedy, selfish, and cruel.
The true war, at times unseen, is between the flesh and the Spirit. It is still waged by Christians, with victories and defeats, but always with their hope firmly placed in the Lord, who definitively overthrew the things of the flesh.
In today's Gospel, the Lord teaches us that there are things in life to which we'll be blind if we are not "little" in our aspirations and taught by him how to be meek and humble of heart.
Creation was made with the Son in mind, so it is no wonder that the Father would make his Son the key to understanding life's meaning and purpose.
The Son encourages us to learn from him, meek and humble of heart. Without this knowledge, life is much more burdensome than it was meant to be. That's why in today's Gospel he assures us that it is not as tough as it seems, and will give us rest from our struggles.
If the Spirit of Christ is woven into the fabric of creation, the more we imitate him and try to make his Spirit guide our lives, the easier everything will be because through peace with Our Lord we'll also achieve peace with ourselves and with his creation.
Carmel is Marian. We belong to Mary. But if you notice, Our Lady of Mount Carmel is always depicted as holding the Child Jesus. Carmelites love Mary and honor her as the one who introduces us to Jesus. She is always present in the Carmelite tradition and her presence, though somewhat inconspicuous, is fundamental.
When Mary is present in the Carmelite writings she is almost invariably eclipsed by her Son. It is a reminder that, even though we cannot see the moon when the sun is shining, the moon is always there, and it draws its light from the sun. In the same way, Carmelites remember that while our sight is focused on Jesus, Mary is still there. Like the moon she sheds not light of her own, but reflects the Light from her Divine Son.
For the Carmelite, Mary is always offering Jesus to us – Jesus, whom our Rule calls 'our only Saviour' (Chapter 19). The Carmelite knows and always remembers that Jesus is our only hope, our only mediator of salvation, our only intercessor with God the Father. The Carmelite always looks at Mary smiling, as she puts your hand into the hand of her Son, and as she sees your gaze turn from her to him and the love that you have for him come alive in your heart as it has in hers ever since that moment when the angel gave his greeting.
For us Carmelites, the principle sign of our devotion to Mary is imitation. And the outward manifestation of our Carmelite devotion to her is the Brown Scapular. Unfortunately, in the years since the Fatima apparitions, the connection between the brown scapular and the Carmelite Order has been broken. And many people who wear the scapular do not even know that this badge of devotion is the gift to the Church of our Carmelite family. We need to wear the scapular. We also need to learn what the Church and what the Order is teaching about the scapular. Much has changed in this regard. Very much has changed in this regard in the last four decades and we have a need to re-educate ourselves on this beautiful symbol. It must be a priority for the Order to continue to develop new catechetical materials on the scapular.
Many Carmelites find Mary and prayers and devotions such as the Rosary tremendous helps in their spiritual life. And the Order encourages us in this devotion. These devotional prayers never replace the Prayer of the Church, that is, the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, though the individual Lay Carmelite may decide from time to time, even with some frequency, to substitute the Rosary for the private recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours. The Lay Carmelite community, like the friars and the nuns when they gather in prayer, always focuses on the Liturgy of the Hours which it prays as part of the official Prayer of the Church. This praying the Liturgy of the Hours is one of the signs of the unity of the Carmelite with the universal Church. It is our goal, and our hope, and our ambition, that the Liturgy of the Hours will be part of the prayer life for each and every Carmelite in their private life and also part of the meeting of each and every Lay Carmelite community. Similarly, while Carmelites are always prepared to honor the Mother of God we do so, as we normally do all our prayer, in the solitude of our cells. If you want to honor Mary then listen to her Son and put his teaching into practice in your lives.
Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.
Today's readings remind us that the new life we've received in Christ is not only due to Our Lord's sacrifice on the cross, but is also a pattern of life that we should be following to engender new life.
In today's First Reading an influential woman receives the promise of a son after showing hospitality to the prophet Elisha because he was a man of God. This woman saw something of God in Elisha, and that something moved her to invite Elisha to dine. She extended her hospitality expecting nothing in return.
However, she didn't limit her hospitality to just a few meals: she prepared a place for Elisha to stay when he was in town. Her hospitality and generosity were a sacrifice of her time and treasure for the sake of the Lord's mission. Serving Elisha was serving the Lord too.
In today's Second Reading Paul reminds us that it was sacrifice and death that brought us new life in Christ, and we must also sacrifice and die to ourselves so that Christ's life may take hold of us and engender a new life.
We speak of the "old man," condemned to death due to original sin, as dying in baptism so that the new man, born in Christ through Baptism, may begin a new life.
It doesn't matter how old or how young you were when you received baptism; you were an "old man" in sin and were born of water and the Spirit through Baptism, making the old man perish and his sins, original or otherwise, along with him.
In today's Gospel, we see that hospitality to others is hospitality to Our Lord. The influential woman of today's First Reading, by helping Elisha, helped the Lord and was blessed for her hospitality.
Even today, as Our Lord reminds us when we serve others, especially those who are serving the Lord, we are serving the Lord himself. He's also very good at hiding in the people you'd least expect.
True hospitality is not stingy. A guest knows when the host is doing the minimum to satisfy some social obligation or curry favor: skimping on the food and drinks, keeping the event brief, etc.
Our Lord today invites the disciples to examine why they are serving others: are they serving themselves in some way, trying to gain something for their service, or are they truly serving them because they serve the Lord?
Our Lord warns us that we must take up our cross in serving others, and even lose our lives, but also promises that in the end, he will take care of us too if we focus on caring for him through caring for others.
"In the sacred Host, He is present, the true treasure, always waiting for us.
Only by adoring this Presence do we learn how to receive Him properly."
What is Eucharistic Adoration?
Understood simply, Eucharistic Adoration is adoring or honoring the Eucharistic Presence of Christ. In a deeper sense, it involves "the contemplation of the Mystery of Christ truly present before us".
During Eucharistic Adoration, we "watch and wait", we remain "silent" in His Presence and open ourselves to His Graces which flow from the Eucharist ... By worshiping the Eucharistic Jesus, we become what God wants us to be! Like a magnet, The Lord draws us to Himself and gently transforms us.
In its fullest essence ... Eucharistic Adoration is "God and Man reaching out for each other, at the same time!"
The Eucharist is: Jesus truly present - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity!
At the moment of Consecration, during the Mass, the "gifts" of bread and wine are transformed (transubstantiated) into the actual Body and Blood of Christ, at the Altar. This means that they are not only spiritually transformed, but rather are actually (substantially) transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. The elements retain the appearance of bread and wine, but are indeed the actual Body and Blood of Christ. This is what is meant by Real Presence: the actual, physical presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Christ instituted this Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist in order to remain with mankind until the end of time (Jn. 14:18).
The Blessed Sacrament serves as a focal point of devotion.
Because, as Catholics, we believe that Christ is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament is given the same adoration and devotion that is accorded to Christ.
At the beginning of the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a priest or deacon removes the sacred host from the tabernacle and places it in the Monstrance on the Altar for adoration by the faithful. "Monstrance" is the vessel used in the Church to display the consecrated Eucharistic Host, during Eucharistic adoration or benediction. The word monstrance comes from the Latin word monstrare, meaning "to expose". It is known in Latin as an Ostensorium. When a consecrated host is placed in the monstrance, It is said to be a solemn exposition.
When the Monstrance contains the Sacred Host, the priest does not touch it with his bare hands, but instead, holds it with a humeral veil, a wide band of cloth that covers his shoulders (humera) and has pleats on the inside in which he places his hands.
At all other times, the reserved Sacrament is kept locked in the Tabernacle, so that the faithful may pray in the presence of the Sacrament.
"Perpetual Adoration" is Eucharistic Adoration round the clock (that is, twenty-four hours a day). A "Holy Hour" is "Eucharistic Adoration of Reparation" which lasts for about an hour.
Adoration ceremonies traditionally include Scripture readings, hymns, prayers and time for silent adoration.
Eucharistic exposition and benediction is a complete liturgical service.
Eucharistic exposition and benediction is a complete liturgical service in its own right and is to be celebrated as such. Eucharistic exposition and benediction are no longer considered devotions, but rather are a part of the Church's official liturgy.
This liturgy is designed to "acknowledge Christ's marvelous presence in the Sacrament and invites us to the spiritual union with Him that culminates in sacramental communion."
"Could you not watch one hour with Me?"
Jesus waits for us in the Blessed Sacrament. He waits for our little Acts of faith, adoration, love, thanksgiving, repentance, reparation and charity that we can offer Him as we contemplate -- His Divine Majesty -- in the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote: "Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the Sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us". The Eucharist is a priceless treasure: By not only celebrating the Eucharist, but also by praying before It outside of Mass, we are enabled to make contact with the very wellsprings of Grace ..."
Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Please note the following:
Please leave the Church compound immediately after Mass so as not to obstruct the cleansing of the Church.
Does God really hear our prayer? Yes, indeed. God hears the cry of the poor! That's what today's Psalm tells us. And the First Reading says the same thing: "Praise the Lord, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!"
Jeremiah jubilantly proclaims God's power and faithfulness: "But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion," he says, "my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph."
These are beautiful words. But are they too good to be true? Does God really hear the cry of the poor? Let see the world.
What about the hundred thousand unborn babies worldwide who will be murdered in their mothers' wombs today? What about the millions of children worldwide who are trafficked into slavery every year? What about the many people throughout the world who will commit suicide today? What about the countless victims of natural disasters, war, and poverty? What about the agonizing moral and emotional suffering hidden in our own hearts and our neighbors'?
Is the Lord really with us? Is he really a mighty champion? The answer is Yes.
Not a sparrow alights on the ground without the Father's knowledge. Every hair on every head is counted.
Jesus used those striking images so that there would be absolutely no doubt left in our minds: God is watching over all of us and guiding the course of history - nothing escapes his providential care. And if it ever seems otherwise, that's only because we are not looking at the whole story.
Reality, Jesus teaches us, includes eternity. "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." God's Providence is real. It will never let us down. Every evil deed will be set right, and every prayer will be answered.
Carmelite History
Unlike most other Religious Orders, who had founders, the Carmelite Order had its origin in a group of hermits living on Mount Carmel in Palestine in the thirteenth century. They followed the way of life of hermits living an eremitical life common in Palestine in the thirteenth century. These hermits on Mount Carmel can be seen as a group of pilgrims who had come to the Holy Land and had stayed on to live a life of prayer and silence in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets.
A sketch of their way of life is given by Jacques de Vitry, Bishop of Acre at the time: "Others imitating the saintly and solitary man, the Prophet Elijah, lived apart on Mount Carmel … near the fountain of Elijah … dwelling in little cells in the rocks."
The hermits' choice of Mount Carmel was logical: it had caves, water and a variety of fruit trees. The name 'Carmel' means orchard or vineyard. The mountain is closely associated with the life of the Prophet Elijah and the hermits took him as their model and inspiration. They tried to live "as Elijah in the presence of God."
The hermits built a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady. The hermits themselves seem to have lived in caves in the hills. About the year 1210, they approached Albert, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to ask him for a "formula of life" to guide them. Albert gave them a Rule of Life, which received the approval of Pope Honorius in 1226. The hermits were known as The Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, or Carmelites.
Due to a number of different circumstances life became more difficult for the early Carmelites on Mount Carmel. They left their home and place of prayer. Some on leaving the Holy Land founded monasteries in Cyprus and Sicily about 1237. Others went to France and by 1240 reached England. Within sixty years the Order grew to 150 houses in many countries: The Holy Land, Sicily, England, Cyprus, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Ireland and Scotland. Arriving in Europe they adopted the mendicant way of life like the Dominicans and Franciscans.
Allegiance to Jesus Christ in Our Lady's Order
We are committed to a consecrated life of allegiance to Jesus Christ. In this we are sustained by the companionship, the example and protection of our Lady. Her life of union with Christ we regard, as it were, the prototype of ours.
The Carmelite Charism: Prayer, Community and Service
Prayer is at the very heart of our lives as Carmelites. Our Rule calls us to spend time alone reflecting on the Word of God and also to come together each day to celebrate the Eucharist and to join in praying the psalms in the Prayer of the Church.
In prayer, we begin to learn God's language which is silence. This is not the silence of non-communication, a refusal to speak to the other. This silence is about listening to God. It is a communication that goes beyond words, that words can no longer sustain, a being together in love.
As Christians we never really pray on our own. We always pray as members of the Body of Christ and our prayer is Christ's prayer. This is experienced in a special way when we pray the psalms together.
If our prayer is authentic, it must bear fruit in moving us to reach out in love to others. Prayer nourishes and strengthens our community life and our lives of service for others. Prayer helps us to see with God's eyes and to love with God's heart.
As Carmelites we try always to make time in our lives for prayer – no matter how busy our apostolate or how many demands may be made upon us. "Prayer is life, not an oasis in the desert of life" [Blessed Titus Brandsma O. Carm.].
Community is at the core of Carmelite life. The first Carmelites were inspired by the image of the early Church in Jerusalem presented in the Acts of the Apostles. – the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and nobody claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common (Acts 4:32).
In the Carmelite Rule, drawn up for those early Carmelites who lived on Mount Carmel, we read of a common refectory, common ownership and daily gathering for prayer and Eucharist (Rule 7, 12, 10, 14).
Carmelites are called to live as members of a community. They seek God not as isolated individuals but as brothers who are committed to supporting one another in prayer and in the service of other people. Living in community involves close personal interaction on a daily basis which helps each member to grow as a human being.
In community, Carmelites try to accept one another in all their diversity and to see in this reality something of the richness of God and humanity. Building community always demands commitment and generosity but it gives much in return, especially through companionship, support and solidarity in facing the challenges of human living, the needs of the Church and the world.
All Carmelite service and ministry flow from community living and prayer. Our ministries are varied and, like all Christian service, are directed towards the coming of the Kingdom of God in response to the words of the Lord's Prayer – your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
As members of an international brotherhood, Carmelites are working in all five continents - in friaries and churches, in parishes, in schools and universities, in centres of spirituality, in hospitals and prisons, and among the poor.
Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.
Today we celebrate the gift of the Eucharist, the Body, and Blood of Our Lord. We partake of him every time we received Holy Communion, and in the Eucharist, Our Lord sacramentally remains with us always for our consolation and adoration.
In today's First Reading Moses reminds the people of Israel, just before their entry after forty years into the Promised Land, that the Lord fed them in their need, just as he feeds us through the Eucharist.
The manna that the Lord sent to the Israelites during their wandering in the desert is a foreshadowing of the Eucharist. Manna was unknown to the ancestors of the Israelites in today's First Reading. The Eucharist is a food unheard of in human history before the coming of Christ, and nothing will ever match it because it is God himself.
In today's Second Reading Paul reminds us that Holy Communion enables us to participate in Our Lord's sacrifice of his Body and Blood and so doing draws us into communion with God and with each other.
Breaking bread with someone is a gesture of peace and fraternity. Our Lord let himself be that Bread, let himself be broken so that we could restore communion not only with the Father, but with each other. In every celebration of the Eucharist that bread is broken again for us.
In today's Gospel Our Lord teaches us that he is true food and true drink that nourish us so much that those who partake of him will live forever.
The manna mentioned in today's First Reading was something the people of Israel had never seen before. Moses explained that its purpose was not only to feed man but to show him that man must rely on the word of God to live.
Our Lord is the Word of God, and without him, there is no life. He is not only truly the Word of God that is necessary for eternal life; he is the bread of life too.
Attempts have been made to interpret Our Lord's words today metaphorically, but he is very clear: "my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink." This is the Scriptural basis, among other passages, for our belief that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ.
Through eating his flesh and drinking his blood we remain in communion with Christ and, through him, we remain in communion with the Father. Through eating his flesh and drinking his blood, we not only remain on good terms with the Lord; we receive ongoing spiritual nourishment that will one day lead us to eternal life if we remain in Christ.
Christ taught this before he ever raised bread and said, "this is my body": it required faith in Christ to accept this teaching, and it does even today. It was only at the Last Supper that his disciples really understood that bread and wine would become Christ's Body and Blood.
That Last Supper became the first of many celebrations of the Eucharist, including the one we celebrate today, but they are all thanks to Our Lord and his sacrifice, making himself true food and drink for us.
"If we wish to discover in all its richness the profound relationship between the Church and the Eucharist, we cannot neglect Mary, Mother and model of the Church…Mary can guide us toward this most holy sacrament because she herself has a profound relationship with it." (Saint John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia)
At the center of our Catholic Faith is the belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Unfortunately, we often lose sight of or don't appreciate the profound blessing that we have been granted. If we desire to become better Catholics and improve our relationship with the Lord, we must deepen our love for the Eucharist. How can we do so? One of the best ways is to turn to the Mother of Jesus, Mary. By getting to know her and studying her life, we can grow closer to Our Lord who is fully present in the Eucharist. In his encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Saint John Paul II devotes an entire chapter to Mary, "Woman of the Eucharist". Let's examine some of his thoughts on how Our Lady can help us better understand the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Mary and Eucharist
Sometimes referred to as Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Mary can take us by the hand and lead us to a closer relationship with the Eucharistic Christ. While observing that "at first glance", the Gospel is silent on the subject of Mary and the Eucharist, the late Holy Father makes an interesting observation. We know that Mary was present with the apostles who prayed "with one accord" (Acts 1:14) for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it follows that Mary was most certainly present at the Eucharistic celebrations of the early Christians who were devoted to "the breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42). Blessed John Paul II then points to Mary's interior disposition and observes that Mary is a "woman of the Eucharist" in her whole life.
A Mystery of Faith
The Eucharist is certainly a mystery of faith and cannot be grasped by our limited human understanding. Accepting Jesus' command to "Do this in memory of me", requires us to deny our senses and humbly submit to His instruction. What better advice can we be given than the words of Mary at the wedding feast of Cana when she stated, "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5)? Just as He changed water into wine, He can turn ordinary bread and wine into His Body and Blood. By listening to Mary's advice, we can accept (without fully understanding) the miracle that occurs on the altar and embrace Our Lord's words, "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life" (John 6:54).
The Fiat and the Amen
By offering her womb for the Incarnation of God's Word, Mary lived her Eucharistic faith even before the institution of the Eucharist. At the Annunciation, when Mary conceived the Son of God, she foreshadowed what happens to us when we receive Holy Communion. As a result, according to Saint John Paul II, "there is a profound analogy between the Fiat which Mary said in reply to the angel, and the Amen which every believer says when receiving the Body of the Lord". Although we sometimes forget the significance of our response to the words "The Body of Christ", by replying "Amen" we are expressing our belief that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. Mary's belief in the mystery of the Annunciation ("Blessed is she who believed") anticipates the Church's belief in the Eucharist.
There is no better person to help us increase our appreciation for the Eucharist than the Mother of Our Lord. She knows Him better than any other human. Ask her to help you believe the "unbelievable"!
"Mary is present, with the Church and as the Mother of the Church, at each of our celebrations of the Eucharist. If the Church and the Eucharist are inseparably united, the same ought to be said of Mary and the Eucharist." (Saint Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia)
Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.
We are sad to say goodbye to Hunmin Kim, who has been our accompanist at the 11:15 AM mass for the past 10 years. Hunmin will be moving back to Korea at the end of this month. Please take the time to thank her for her musicianship and dedication over these many years. We will miss you, Hunmin!
With Hunmin leaving, we do need another accompanist to join the music ministry. Please come talk with the choir after mass, or contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if you play the keyboard and are interested in serving once or twice a month. It is a very rewarding way of participating in the mass.
If you are looking to serve the St. Anne Parish through your time, please consider the role of coordinator of the Acolyte Ministry. If you love the mass, then you will love this role! Please email AhYoungat This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about what this service entails.
Please come to the Sanctuary 10-15 minutes earlier to quieten and prepare to enter into the Lord's silence. We will listen to a Teaching on Meditation, then meditate for 20 minutes, and share any insights on the meditation experience and the Teaching. The session will last from 7:00-7:45 PM. For those who are new to meditation, instruction will be given. Please come and see!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of volunteers from the Usher Ministry, the distribution of parish before each Mass will be suspended. If you wish to have a copy of the bulletin please help yourself and feel free to get your copy at the back of the church and bring it with you when you go home for meditation and/or to have a reference for the church's upcoming activities. Please do not leave copies of the parish bulletin on the pews for health safety reasons.
St. Anne's Church
1 Tung Tau Wan Road
Stanley, Hong Kong
Office Hours:
Sunday 8:30-1:30
Tue-Fri 9:00-12:00, 1:00-6:30
Closed on Statutory Holidays
Tel: +852 2813 0206
Fax: +852 2813 6908
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