CHRISTMAS DAY YEAR B
INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
It may surprise even devout Mass-goers to find there are four distinct sets of readings for Christmas – one each for the vigil, midnight, dawn and daytime Masses.
Those for midnight Mass are the most used, those for dawn the least. Here is a gem from the dawn Gospel. Mary, Luke writes, “treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart” (2:19). This remark invites us to let the grace of Christmas dwell with us throughout the season. It is indeed a season, not just a day.
It features a series of joyful feasts – the Holy Family, Mother of God, Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord. It’s a glorious time of the year for wonder and praise. Emmanuel, God is with us.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for the many whose entire lives have been spent in refugee camps with no prospect of resettlement, that they will persist in claiming their fundamental human rights.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, on this holy night/day we glory in the birth of Christ our Saviour. Let us pray for the whole human family to be blessed with peace and joy.
READER
We pray for children everywhere, especially the new-born, that they will be cherished by their parents and will grow to maturity in safety and freedom. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the many peoples of Planet Earth, that in their rich diversity of place, language, culture and faith they will treasure their common humanity. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for all who are suffering unimaginably in the land of Jesus’ birth, that by the grace of God a lasting ceasefire will be agreed to, humanitarian aid provided, and negotiations for peace begun. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the First Peoples of this ancient land, that the gift of their culture and love of country will be accepted gracefully by the whole nation. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for families and friends gathering for Christmas festivities, that they will celebrate together with love, gratitude and generosity of spirit. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for those for whom Christmas is a time of sorrow, loneliness, loss or hurt, that they will find a safe way through their pain and hold fast to the hope of healing. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the staff and volunteers of all emergency services, that their dedication to the safety of the community through the summer holidays will be effective and appreciated. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for our parish community, that we will grow in the grace and truth of Jesus through the feasts of the Christmas season. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for those who have died recently . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will join with the heavenly choirs and sing God’s praise forever. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
PRESIDER
God of eternal mystery, in the Word made flesh your glory has shone upon us. Help us walk always in the light of Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
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HOLY FAMILY YEAR B
31 December 2023
INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
On 11 April 1963, six months after opening Vatican II, and three months before he died, Pope John XXIII addressed his ground-breaking encyclical, Peace on Earth, to all people of good will.
Four years later, Pope Paul VI decreed that 1 January, the feast of Mary, Mother of God, be observed as World Day of Peace. This year the observance occurs directly after the feast of the Holy Family, inviting us to enlarge our vision of family to encompass all humankind.
Pope John concluded his letter with a heartfelt prayer: “Through [Christ’s] power and inspiration may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts as brothers [and sisters], and may the peace they long for ever flower and ever reign among them” (#171).
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for the whole human family, that peace take root in our hearts, our homes, our nations and our world.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, Jesus, both Son of God and son of Mary, grew to maturity within a human family. Let us pray for all humankind to be blessed with his wisdom and love.
READER
We pray for the world-wide human family. May the Spirit of God bring to birth a new solidarity among all who dwell on earth, our common home. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the family that is the church. May tomorrow’s feast of Mary, Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace lay the foundation for a new year of grace and good news. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who revere Abraham as their father in faith. May Jews, Moslems and Christians bear united witness to the one, true and living God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for human families in all their diversity. May the joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties they experience strengthen the bonds of their love. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who support the task of parenting the young – infant nurses, child-care workers, kindergarten and primary school teachers, grandparents and foster parents. May their loving care help children to flourish. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for families blighted by sexual abuse and violence. May they receive the sustained support they need to grow beyond their trauma. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for families enjoying holidays by the beach or in the bush. May they delight in the beauty of nature and become champions of creation. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for those who have no family with whom to share their life’s journey. May they be blessed with life-giving friendships. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time. May they be welcomed into the love eternally shared by Father, Son and Spirit. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Source of all being, holy God, you call us to lives of fruitful love. Help us bring your new world to birth. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
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EPIPHANY YEAR B
7 January 2024
INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
Those who wait until Epiphany before placing the wise men (aka kings) in the crib face bad luck this year.
The vagaries of the calendar mean that the exotic visitors only get two days on view before the Christmas season ends tomorrow with the Baptism of the Lord. It’s a pity when this wonderful feast is relegated to a weekday, because all four Gospels testify to the event’s importance, even if Mark is brief (1:9-11) and John indirect (1:32-34).
Jesus’ baptism displays him as God’s beloved Son and launches his public ministry. The story is rich, forging a link between the servant songs of Isaiah and Jesus’ transfiguration and passion. Like the prophetic gifts of the eastern visitors, it heralds the mystery of salvation.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for those attracted by extremist groups to meet their need for identity and certainty, that they will not succumb to an ideology of resentment and be provoked to violence.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, today we give thanks for the revelation of God’s saving love for all. Let us pray for the entire world to see the light of Christ.
READER
We pray for all sincere seekers of wisdom and truth. May the Spirit of God guide them in their search and lead them on paths of peace. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Christian believers. May they never cease to find new depths in the divine mystery into which they have been baptised. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who are engaged in inter-faith and ecumenical dialogues. May they grow together in mutual respect and understanding. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the members of the Eastern Churches, both Catholic and Orthodox. May they bless the Churches of the West with their deep faith in the Spirit of God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for prisoners of conscience, gaoled for exposing corruption and injustice. May they not be intimidated into denying the truth. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for corrupt and tyrannical rulers. May they be held to account for their abuse of power and come to a change of heart. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the frail aged and all who are vulnerable to Covid infection or the extremes of summer heat. May they stay safe and strong. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who have been elected to represent the community in local, state or territory, and federal government. May they be refreshed by the summer break and return with new vigour to serve the common good. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time. May they take their place among the saints in the heavenly Jerusalem. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
God of everlasting light, you have revealed the mystery of your love in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Draw us ever more deeply into your work of redemption. We ask this through Christ our Lord.