10:30am Solemn Mass at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - 27 February 22

[Music] moses [Music] [Applause] [Music] uh [Music] oh [Music] oh oh [Music] is [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] oh [Music] yes [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] so [Music] in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit [Music] welcome to saint mary's cathedral in sydney for the solemn mass of the eighth sunday of ordinary time as we gather for mass the world is watching on with horror at the events unfolding in ukraine a sovereign democratic country is being overrun by a rapacious imperial power and thousands are dying as a result more than 7 out of 10 ukrainians are orthodox christians and 1 in 10 are catholics and their assertion of independence from the moscow patriarchate is one reason behind the present invasion millions of people will be displaced and it is to be hoped that nations like our own will be generous in receiving the refugees it is less than 80 years since the war-torn continent of europe finally stopped eating itself up and especially its young men in war after war president john f kennedy declared some years later mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind sin paul vi then prayed no more war war never again early this morning our time pope francis spoke to the ukrainian president and expressed his most profound pain that europe was again at war and the ukrainian people were suffering and the day before he made the diplomatically unprecedented move of turning up at the russian embassy in person to call russia to account in this mass we join our prayers to the chorus from the soul of humanity praying for an end to this war and for safety for our sisters and brothers in ukraine conscious of the call for us to be saints for our age we first repent of the times we fail to be i confess to almighty god and to you my brothers and sisters that i have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words in what i have done and in what i have failed to do through my fault through my fault through my most grievous fault therefore i ask blessed mary of a virgin all the angels and saints and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the lord our god may almighty god have mercy on us forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life [Music] [Applause] [Music] is [Music] [Applause] [Music] yes [Music] [Applause] [Music] yes [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] [Music] oh [Music] peace [Music] foreign [Music] um [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] is [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh let us pray grant us o lord we pray that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your church may rejoice untroubled in her devotion through our lord jesus christ your son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit god for ever and ever [Music] a reading from the book ecclesiasticus in a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind so too the defects of a man appear in his talk the kill tests the work of the potter the test of a man is in his conversation the orchard where the tree grows is judged on the quality of its fruit similarly a man's words betray what he feels do not praise a man before he has spoken since this is the test of men the word of the lord [Music] jesus [Music] is [Music] is [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] is [Music] a reading from the first letter of saint paul to the corinthians when this perishable nature has put on imperishability and when this mortal nature has put on immortality then the words of scripture will come true death is swallowed up in victory death where is your victory death where is your sting now the sting of death is sin and sin gets its power from the law so let us thank god for giving us the victory through our lord jesus christ never give in then my dear brothers never admit defeat keep on working at the lord's work always knowing that in the lord you cannot be laboring in vain the word of the lord [Music] oh [Applause] [Music] [Music] is so [Music] me [Music] foreign [Music] the lord be with you a reading from the holy gospel according to luke [Music] jesus told a parable to his disciples can one blind man guide another surely both will fall into a pit the disciple is not superior to his teacher the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the plank in your own how can you say to your brother brother let me take out the splinter that is in your eye when you cannot see the plank in your own hypocrite take the plank out of your own eye first and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother's eye there is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit for every tree can be told by its own fruit people do not pick figs from thorns nor gather grapes from brambles a good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness for a man's words flow out of what fills his heart the gospel of the lord [Music] [Music] how deceitful words can be and how empty many would say that of the recent propaganda of the russian president and of the huffing and puffing of world leaders only the desperate pleas of ukrainians themselves have rung true but to say that words can be misused is not to say they don't matter when christ says this morning that a man draws what is good or bad from the store of goodness or evil in his heart he is not referring first of all to deeds character or fruits that flow from people's souls now jesus says from for a man's words flow out of what fills his heart why do words matter so much to us christians one reason is as the lord says this morning they reveal what is in the soul as the sage of ecclesiastic has put it the real test of a man is his conversation his words betray what he feels and his defects appear in his talk words can reveal largeness of heart imagination intellect and will a smallness and the direction that heart is pointed saint francis famously said preach always and use words when necessary but today scriptures turn that on its head speak the truth always and conform your deeds to your words no empty words then like the hollow babbling of some pagan prayers no jesus says your words must be true authentic honest father sanctify them in the truth for your word is truth the second reason we christians take words so seriously is that they are the stuff of so much of life words are tools of thought and conversation of prayer and promise of laws treaties and contracts of teaching and literature of hymns and songs as our psalmist says it is good to give thanks to the lord to make music to your name almost high to proclaim your love in the morning and your truth in the watches of the night but as we are all too aware right now words can be tools also of false promises and broken laws of propaganda and fake news of lies and even declarations of war words then can be used for good or ill our holy scripture is made up of words 750 000 of them in fact so are our sacraments now that might sound strange since sacraments are symbolic actions that bring grace like pouring water anointing with oil laying on hands putting rings on fingers offering bread and wine but the sacraments have both matter and form if someone pours water over a baby's head you can't know it means baptism unless they say i baptize you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit sins can't be absolved unless first spoken aloud and with contrition and they are absolved not just with the sign of the cross but with the words i absolve you from your sins a bishop might lay hands on a person's head and anoint them with oil but it can have no effect and we cannot know what it means unless he says be sealed with the gift of the holy spirit or he prays the prayer of ordination to a particular rank or he says through this holy anointing may the lord in his love and mercy help you a couple might have good intentions in their hearts but there is no legal marriage no sacrament of matrimony until they exchange vows to be spouses for life no matter what a priest might hold up bread and wine but unless he says in christ's voice this is my body this is my blood they are just bread and wine so words matter not just because they reveal reality and so should tell the truth but also because they make reality happen and so should do the good and so jesus says everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on rock i tell you most solemnly on the day of judgment you will have to give an account of every careless word for your words by your words you will be justified or condemned but fear not for when trials come as surely they will i will give you words no opponent can withstand a wisdom none can contradict there's a third and even more important reason why we christians take words so seriously because words come from god in the beginning god said things and so they came into being after creating this beautiful cosmos with all its amazing animals he said now let us make one in our own image and likeness one like us that can think and choose can speak words that create or destroy and so god made man and woman talking animals but the conversation had just begun human beings would speak to god in prayer and worship and he would speak to them in scriptures and commandments words of prophecy and wisdom these are our very life one does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of god jesus recited heaven and earth shall pass away but my word shall never pass away so powerful are his words that we join the centurion before communion saying lord i am not worthy to receive you under my roof but only say the word and your servant shall be healed indeed luke tells us all were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth yet the god of christians is not just a god who talks who reveals his son is the very idea word argument love song logos of god in the beginning was the word and the word was with god and the word was god john tells us and the word became flesh and dwelt amongst us and we have seen his glory the glory as of the father's only son full of grace and truth words matter because they reveal and so should speak what is true because they cause things to happen and so should speak what is good but also because they are from god and so we must respond faithfully and speak what is holy those who love me will keep my word jesus says and my father will love them and we will come to them and make a home with them for the words that i have spoken to you our spirit and life if you abide in me and my words abide in you ask for whatever you will and it will be given you lord to whom else can we go peter answered you have the words of eternal life and so at this time in our world's history when we repudiate the lies and propaganda and speak the truth of peace we join the blessed virgin in speaking true words in enacting good words in becoming holy words most blessed is she and we who heard the word of god and kept it i am the handmaid of the lord said mary let it be done to me according to your word [Music] let us speak together the words of our faith i believe in one god the father almighty maker of heaven and earth of all things visible and invisible i believe in one lord jesus christ the only begotten son of god born of the father before all ages god from god light from light true god from true god begotten not made consubstantial with the father through him all things were made for us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven and by the holy spirit was incarnate of the virgin mary and became man for our sake he was crucified under pontius pilate he suffered death and was buried and rose again on the third day in accordance with the scriptures he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end i believe in the holy spirit the lord the giver of life who proceeds from the father and the son who with the father and the son is adored and glorified who has spoken through the prophets i believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church i confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and i look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come amen brothers and sisters may every prayer of our heart be directed to god the father for it is his will that all humanity should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth for the church as she brings forth the fruits of the holy spirit let us pray to the lord for an foreign end to the war in the ukraine the protection of the innocent and the preservation of peace among nations and peoples let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayers for our members of parliament and public officials whose decisions touch issues of life and death that the holy spirit may enlighten their minds and consciences by giving them the gift of discernment and an appreciation for the sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer for the ability to recognize our own faults and the humility to accept the grace that god offers to remove whatever is evil from our hearts let us pray to the lord hear our prayer for all of us gathered in this sacred place by faith and devotion and by love and reverence for god and also for those who have not yet come back let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer for those who have died in the hope of eternal life especially those who have died in war and our own deceased relatives and friends let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer let's ask our lady queen of peace to pray with us and for us as we pray for the world's leaders leaders on all sides for the soldiers on all sides for the refugees and for the ordinary people of the ukraine as we say hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of god pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death amen may the petitions of your church be pleasing in your sight o lord so that we may receive from your mercy what we cannot ask out of confidence in our own merits but through christ our lord amen [Music] oh [Music] mm-hmm [Music] so [Music] [Music] so [Music] foreign [Music] oh [Music] foreign [Music] foreign foreign [Music] [Music] pray brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to god the almighty father o god who provide gifts to be offered to your name and count our oblations as signs of our desire to serve you with devotion we ask of your mercy that what you grant as a source of merit may also help us to attain merits reward through christ our lord the lord [Music] let us give thanks to the lord our god [Music] it is truly right and just our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks lord holy father almighty and eternal god for you so love the world that in your mercy you sent us the hurry to humor to live like us in all things but sin so that you might love in us what you loved in your son by whose obedience we have been restored to those gives of yours that by sinning we had lost in disobedience [Music] and so with all the angels and saints we too give you thanks as in exaltation we he acclaimed [Music] oh oh [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] to you therefore most merciful father we make humble prayer and petition through jesus christ your son our lord that you accept and bless these gifts these offerings these holy and unblemished sacrifices which we offer you firstly for your holy catholic church be pleased to grant her peace to god unite and govern her throughout the whole world together with your servant francis our pope and me your unworthy servant terry richard and danny my assistant bishops and all those who holding to the truth and on the catholic and apostolic faith remember lord your servants and all gathered here whose faith and devotion are known to you for them we offer you this sacrifice of praise for they offer it for themselves and all who are dear to them for the redemption of their souls in hope of health and well-being and paying their homage to you the eternal god living and true in communion with those whose memory we venerate especially the glorious ever virgin mary mother of our god and lord jesus christ and blessed joseph her spouse your blessed apostles and martyrs peter and paul andrew james john thomas james philip bartholomew matthew simon and jude linus cletus clement sixtus cornelius cyprian lawrence chrysogonus john and paul cosmos and damien and all your saints we answered through their merits and prayers in all things we may be defended by your protecting help therefore lord we pray graciously accept this oblation of our service that of your whole family order our days and your peace and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation encountered among the flock of those you have chosen be pleased oh god we pray to bless acknowledge and approve this offering in every respect make it spiritual and acceptable so that it may become for us the body and blood of your most beloved son our lord jesus christ on the day before he was to suffer he took bread in his holy and venerable hands and with eyes raised to heaven to you o god his almighty father giving you thanks he said the blessing broke the bread and gave it to his disciples saying take this all of you and eat of it for this is my body which will be given up for you in a similar way when supper was ended he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands and once more giving you thanks he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples saying take this all of you and drink from it for this is the chalice of my blood the blood of the new and eternal covenant which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins do this in memory of me the mystery of faith [Music] therefore o lord as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed passion the resurrection from the dead and the glorious ascension into heaven of christ your son our lord we your servants and your holy people offer to your glorious majesty from the gifts that you have given us this pure victim this holy victim this spotless victim the holy bread of eternal life and the chalice of everlasting salvation be pleased look upon these offerings with the serene and kindly countenance and to accept them as once you are pleased to accept the gifts of your servant abel the just the sacrifice of abraham our father in faith and the offering of your high priest melchizedek a holy sacrifice a spotless victim in humble prayer we ask you almighty god commanded these gifts be borne by the hands of your holy angel your altar on high in the sight of your divine majesty so that all of us who through this participation at the altar receive the most holy body and blood of your son may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing remember also lord your servants who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace grant them o lord we pray and all who sleep in christ a place of refreshment light and peace to us also your servants who those sinners hope in your abundant mercies graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy apostles and martyrs which on the baptist stephen matthias barnabas ignatius alexander marcelinus peter felicity perpetua agatha lucy agnes cecilia anastasia and all your saints admit us we beseech you into their company not weighing our merits but granting us your pardon through christ our lord through whom you continue to make all these good things o lord you sanctify them fill them with life bless them and bestow them upon us through him and with him and in him o god almighty father in the unity of the holy spirit all glory and honor is yours forever [Music] at the savior's command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say our father art in heaven thy kingdom come on i will be done as it is [Music] as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us [Music] deliver us lord we pray from every evil graciously grant peace in our days but by the help of your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our savior jesus christ [Music] lord jesus christ who said to your apostles peace i leave you my peace i give you look not on our sins but on the faith of your church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will who live and reign forever and ever the peace of the lord be with you always with your spirit let us offer each other a sign of peace oh [Music] yesterday [Music] foreign [Music] behold the lamb of god behold him who takes away the sins of the world blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb lord i am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] foreign [Music] oh [Music] this [Music] oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] um [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] me [Music] so [Music] foreign foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] so [Music] foreign [Music] um foreign [Music] let us pray nourished by your saving gifts we beseech your mercy lord that by this same sacrament with which you feed us in the present age you may make us partakers of life eternal through christ our lord [Music] now for a word from the dean please be seated for a moment for these notices in connection with uh lent the season of lent begins this wednesday the 2nd of march ash wednesday you're reminded that ash wednesday is a day of fasting and of abstinence from meat fasting means that you are permitted to eat only one full meal that day which may be supplemented by two small meals every catholic aged 18 to 59 must fast unless for medical reasons on ash wednesday may i add as someone for whom the 59 has ticked over it doesn't mean that you shouldn't fast if you're over 59 just means that you don't have to abstinence from meat means not eating the flesh of animals including birds seafood is permitted every catholic aged 14 and over must abstain from meat on ash wednesday unless for medical reasons on ash wednesday in the cathedral there will be mass with the imposition of blessed ashes at 6 45 a.m 12 noon 1 10 pm and 5 30 p.m the holy father pope francis has asked that on ash wednesday this year we should especially offer our prayers and fasting to god for the intention of peace in ukraine this friday the 4th of march in australia is also the autumn ember day ember days are days of special prayer and fasting all the masses at the cathedral that day will be dedicated to prayer for peace and for refugees from war this friday and on each friday of lent at 12 15 p.m we will be making the stations of the cross together in the cathedral which will also be live streamed finally may i please ask you to take note of the timetable for holy week and easter which is printed in the parish bulletin this week and also please take note of the other opportunities for prayer for lenten catechesis and for adoration that are available in the cathedral each week during lent thank you [Music] bless be the name of the lord [Music] our help is in the name of the lord may almighty god bless you the father and the son and the holy spirit go for the masses is [Music] do [Music] you

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Length: 87min 25sec (5245 seconds)

Published: Sat Feb 26 2022