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Scripture

Psalm 97(98):1-4
Mass of the Day - Responsorial Psalm

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
ring out your joy.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
​
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Reflection


On January 2, the Church honours Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, faithful defenders of the Church in difficult times, in the fourth century. They remained faithful disciples to the end of their lives. Our calling is to be faithful disciples today, patient with ourselves and those who share our journey in faith as we are 'discipled into a new way of living deeply and slowly'.

The 'Song of the Seed' by Macrina Wiederkehr uses the beautiful analogy of unfolding petals to describe this process:


Life unfolds
a petal at a time
slowly.

The beauty of the process is crippled
when I try to hurry growth.
Life has its inner rhythm
which must be respected.
It cannot be rushed or hurried.


Like daylight stepping out of darkness,
like morning creeping out of night,
life unfolds slowly a petal at a time
like a flower opening to the sun,
slowly.


God’s call unfolds
a Word at a time
slowly.


A disciple is not made in a hurry.
Slowly I become like the One
to whom I am listening.


Life unfolds
a petal at a time
like you and I
becoming followers of Jesus,
discipled into a new way of living
deeply and slowly.


Be patient with life’s unfolding petals.
If you hurry the bud it withers.
If you hurry life it limps.
Each unfolding is a teaching
a movement of grace filled with silent pauses
breathtaking beauty
tears and heartaches.


Life unfolds
a petal at a time
deeply and slowly.


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Prayer


Christ Be With Me
Prayer of Saint Patrick


Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me and before me.
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in hearts of all who know me.
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger,
Christ in quiet and in roar.

Love, blessed Trinity of three,
Bound in unity
Who guides my journey.
I will arise with strength of heaven
Trusting in Your light
To guide my journey
Shine before me
Lead me home.

Power to guide me, might to hold me,
Wisdom teach me, watching o’er me.
Ear to hear me, hand to guard me,
Love to conquer every fear.


Amen.
​

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Music

In this song by Matt Maher we reflect on how peace starts with us.  The work of being a disciple begins within each of us recognising Jesus’s love is strong enough to lead us in our journey as disciples.  
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