This week, the Maronite Church reflects on the Annunciation to Mary. As a young girl, Mary trusted in God and said "Yes" to His plan without fully understanding it. As Catholics, we look up to Mary, the Mother of God and our mother, in accepting God's will in our lives. Mary's life with God was one of deep faith and great trust. She had a grace-filled openness to the mystery of God in her life.
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Patriarch Bechara Rai to be appointed Cardinal
In great news for the Maronite Catholic Church, His Beatitude Bechara Boutros Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East is one of six Church leaders to be made Cardinal in the upcoming Consistory on the 24th of November. We congratulate the Patriarch on this occasion and we pray for him as he leads the Maronite Church through very difficult times in the Middle East.
Seminar on the Apostolic Exhortation- The Church in the Middle East
This is a reminder that St Charbel's Centre for Research is holding a conference about "The Apostolic Exhortation: The Church in the Middle East, Communion and Witness" led by Their Graces Bishop Ad Abikaram and Bishop Robert Rabbat on Thursday 29 November 2012 at 7:30pm at St Mary Mackillop's Hall. This is a public invitation. We hope you are able to attend.
St Barbara's Feast Day
We would also like to remind you that St Charbel's Parish is holding a 'Family Day' for the occasion of St Barbara's Feast Day on the 30th of November 2012 at 6:30pm. Entry is $10 per person. The program includes rides, games for the kids, a masquerade costume parade and prizes. We encourage all families from the parish to attend. For more information, please contact the Monastery on 9740 0998.
I wish you all a blessed week by the intercession of Our Lady!
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay
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21st Year—Number 1036 Sunday 26/11/2012
Season of the Birth of Jesus
Announcement to Mary Sunday
Sunday’s Readings: Galatians 3: 15-22 & Luke 1: 26-38
He will be called Son of God“ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’
Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her..” Luke 1: 26-38
Reflection of the week
A model believer
The announcement of Mary is one of the most inspiring stories in the gospel. Luke in his whole telling of the Gospel, wants us, to get a particular message: the message, that in the events he is describing, something wonderful, unique, supreme, and unimaginably special is taking place in the world.
The announcement to Mary sets up a parallel to John's birth and mirrors a number of birth announcements in the Old Testament. But this passage's mood is very different from the Zechariah account. A simple calmness rules the exchange between Mary and Gabriel. Where Zechariah was in the midst of activity before the whole nation in its religious centre, this announcement comes to the future child bearer privately, in the country.
The fulfilment of God's promise came to earth in an unadorned package of human innocence, with-out any spectacular announcement, far away from any palace. The promised one entered human life as he still seeks to meet it: at the level of everyday experience with everyday people.
The portrait Luke paints of Mary is significant. She is a model believer, taking God at his word, in contrast to Zechariah .She is favoured of God, thoughtful, obedient, believing, worshipful and a faithful follower of God's law. It must be emphasized, however, that despite all these qualities, God's choice of Mary to bear this child springs from his grace, not from any inherent merit that she possesses. She is the object of God's unmerited, graciously provided goodness. Her description as one who has found favour with God makes it clear that God has acted on her behalf and not be-cause of her. In fact, Mary is totally perplexed by the sudden announcement. “How can this be since I am a virgin?”. Mary didn’t question God’s grace and ability, she was just curious as to how she shall conceive. The angel Gabriel reveals to her that she will be conceived through the Holy Spirit.
Will you be Mary or Zachariah? How will you react to God’s call? Both Mary and Zachariah were sincere believers in God. We should be more like Mary. Of course every one of us dream of aspiring to Mary and her devout life. But we should all strive to take God’s word and message in such a beautiful stride, just like she did.
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Think About
We are Mary’s children:
We are children of the obedient and the faithful. We are called to be loyal and dedicated. God asks every one of us to take that leap of faith; just as Mary did. When we can do this, we will finally be able to follow Mary’s example, and submit to God and His will.
We are Mary’s children:
We are children of the obedient and the faithful. We are called to be loyal and dedicated. God asks every one of us to take that leap of faith; just as Mary did. When we can do this, we will finally be able to follow Mary’s example, and submit to God and His will.
Fear Not
Fear not, but place your trust in God as Mary did, for the Lord says:
'Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name: you are mine. Should you pass through the sea, I will be with you, or through the rivers, and they will not swallow you up. Should you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, and the flames will not burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, you Saviour.' (Is 43:1-3)
Fear not, but place your trust in God as Mary did, for the Lord says:
'Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name: you are mine. Should you pass through the sea, I will be with you, or through the rivers, and they will not swallow you up. Should you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, and the flames will not burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, you Saviour.' (Is 43:1-3)
~Prayer To The Virgin Mary~
O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel,
Fruit of the vine,
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Assist me when in need.
O star of the sea,
Help me and show me that you are my mother,
O Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and Earth,
I humbly ask you
To be beside me in times of need
There are none that can survive your power.
O show me you are my mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
Pray for us who have chosen you
Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands.
Thank you for your mercy
Amen.
O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel,
Fruit of the vine,
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Assist me when in need.
O star of the sea,
Help me and show me that you are my mother,
O Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and Earth,
I humbly ask you
To be beside me in times of need
There are none that can survive your power.
O show me you are my mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
Pray for us who have chosen you
Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands.
Thank you for your mercy
Amen.
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Andrew, Apostle (+62)
Maronite Feast Day: November 30St. Andrew, the Apostle, son of Jonah, or John was born in Bethsaida of Galilee. He was brother of Simon (Peter). Both were fishermen, and at the beginning of Our Lord's public life occupied the same house at Capharnaum.
From the fourth Gospel we learn that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, whose testimony first led him and John the Evangelist to follow Jesus. Andrew at once recognised Jesus as the Messiah, and hastened to introduce Him to his brother, Peter. From that moment the two brothers were disciples of Christ and were soon called to leave everything and follow Him.As one of the Twelve Apostles, Andrew was close to Our Lord during His public life; he was present at the Last Supper; beheld the risen Lord; witnessed the Ascension; shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost, and helped, amid threats and persecution, to establish the Faith of the early Church.
Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion. He was bound, not nailed, in order to prolong his suffering. The shape of his cross was an X and is known as a Crux Cross, commonly known as Saint Andrew’s Cross. This shape was requested by Saint Andrew as he did not consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus. Even unto death, the Apostle Andrew displayed the greatest humility and died in the service of the Church established by Jesus.
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COMMUNION AND WITNESS
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (6)
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (6)
PART ONE(5): Interreligious dialogue
22. Relationships between the two communities of believers bear the marks of history and human passion. Misunderstandings and reciprocal distrust have abounded. Past persecutions, whether surreptitious or violent, are inexcusable and greatly to be deplored. And yet, despite these tragic situations, the interplay between both communities over the centuries proved so fruitful that it contributed to the birth and expansion of the civilisation and culture commonly known as Judeo-Christian. It is as if these two worlds, claiming to be different or opposed for various reasons, had decided to unite in offering humanity a noble alloy. This relationship, which both unites and separates Jews and Christians, ought to open both groups to a new sense of responsibility for and with one another.[18] For both peoples have received the same blessing and the eternal promises which enable them to advance trustingly towards fraternity.
23. The Catholic Church, in fidelity to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, looks with esteem to Muslims, who worship God above all by prayer, alms-giving and fasting, revere Jesus as a prophet while not acknowledging his divinity, and honour Mary, his Virgin Mother. We know that the encounter of Islam and Christianity has often taken the form of doctrinal controversy. Sadly, both sides have used doctrinal differences as a pretext for justifying, in the name of religion, acts of intolerance, discrimination, marginalisation and even of persecution.[19]24. Despite this fact, Christians live daily alongside Muslims in the Middle East, where their presence is neither recent nor accidental, but has a long history. As an integral part of the Middle East, Christians have developed over the centuries a type of relationship with their surroundings which can prove instructive. They have let themselves be challenged by Muslim devotion and piety, and have continued, in accordance with their means and to the extent possible, to live by and to promote the values of the Gospel in the surrounding culture. The result has been a particular form of symbiosis. It is proper, then, to acknowledge the contribution made by Jews, Christians and Muslims in the formation of a rich culture proper to the Middle East.[20]
25. The Catholics of the Middle East, the majority of whom are native citizens of their countries, have the duty and right to participate fully in national life, working to build up their country. They should enjoy full citizenship and not be treated as second-class citizens or believers. As in the past when, as pioneers of the Arab Renaissance, they took full part in the cultural, economic and scientific life of the different cultures of the region, so too in our own day they wish to share with Muslims their experiences and to make their specific contribution. It is because of Jesus that Christians are sensitive to the dignity of the human person and to freedom of religion which is its corollary. For love of God and humanity, thus honouring Christ’s two natures, and with eternal life in view, Christians have built schools, hospitals and institutions of every kind where all people are welcomed without discrimination (cf. Mt 25:31ff.). For these reasons, Christians are particularly concerned for the fundamental rights of the human person. It is wrong to claim that these rights are only “Christian” human rights. They are nothing less than the rights demanded by the dignity of each human person and each citizen, whatever his or her origins, religious convictions and political preferences.
Next Sunday: Interreligious dialogue (3)
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