Clonard Solemn Novena Day 6

Gospel John 13:1-15
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

The message
The disciples are shocked and embarrassed. They can’t believe what they see Jesus doing. Surely, he’s not planning to wash their feet? Only slaves and servants do that. But that’s precisely what he does. Jesus stands up, takes off his outer robe, ties a towel round his waist, and begins to wash their feet.
As he moves from one to another, the disciples watch him, red-faced and uncomfortable. It’s all too much for Peter, who simply won’t allow Jesus to wash his feet. But he is told that to refuse to do so would be to cut himself off from Jesus forever.

When he is finished, Jesus spells out the significance of his actions: If the disciples want to follow him, they must do as he has done. They must wash feet. They must serve others.

The lesson
The ceremony of the washing of the feet is celebrated every Holy Thursday. We are familiar with it. Volunteers play the role of the disciples and the priest, imitating Jesus, washes their feet. Or rather pours a few drops of water on one foot that the volunteer had made sure to have scrubbed clean beforehand. And so the symbolism can be lost.
The original washing of the feet was very different. The roads of Palestine were covered in dust and the debris of the desert. The disciples’ feet would have been caked in dirt. Washing them would have been a demeaning task, fit only for a servant or slave.
But Jesus does it. He chooses to take on the role of a slave, foretelling the humiliation of his death on the cross – a death which will save us from sin.
And he offers his disciples a clear choice: to imitate him or to walk away. Peter chooses Jesus; Judas does not.

It’s the choice we are offered also. Saying “yes” to Jesus is the way of love, humility, service, and the cross. It’s a choice that costs. It’s a choice his followers must be prepared to pay

The challenge
At the Last Supper Jesus took bread and wine and spoke his words over them. Then he washed feet, and told his followers to do the same. His actions that night summed up the Gospel.
A valid criticism of the Church is that is can seem more interested in power and control and pomp and lording it over people than in humble service. It’s a reason for the trouble it is in now.

What does it mean to wash others’ feet today? How can we become the humble Church of service that Jesus intended?

The Prayer
“Lord, help us to choose you first and always. Help us to follow your example of loving service. Amen.”

--- Prayers for the Mass ---

Opening Prayer
Father,
guide us, as you guide creation
according to your law of love.
May we love one another
and come to perfection
in the eternal life prepared for us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
Look with love upon our service.
Accept the gifts we bring
and help us to grow in Christian love.
Through Christ our Lord.

Concluding Prayer:
Lord, by the Eucharist we share,
Help us to grow to be like you.
May we experience peace and forgiveness,
and extend your mercy to each other.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

	Mon June 21 A Time for Humble Service (Penitential Day)





Gospel John 13:1-15 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. The message The disciples are shocked and embarrassed. They can’t believe what they see Jesus doing. Surely, he’s not planning to wash their feet? Only slaves and servants do that. But that’s precisely what he does. Jesus stands up, takes off his outer robe, ties a towel round his waist, and begins to wash their feet. As he moves from one to another, the disciples watch him, red-faced and uncomfortable. It’s all too much for Peter, who simply won’t allow Jesus to wash his feet. But he is told that to refuse to do so would be to cut himself off from Jesus forever. When he is finished, Jesus spells out the significance of his actions: If the disciples want to follow him, they must do as he has done. They must wash feet. They must serve others. The lesson The ceremony of the washing of the feet is celebrated every Holy Thursday. We are familiar with it. Volunteers play the role of the disciples and the priest, imitating Jesus, washes their feet. Or rather pours a few drops of water on one foot that the volunteer had made sure to have scrubbed clean beforehand. And so the symbolism can be lost. The original washing of the feet was very different. The roads of Palestine were covered in dust and the debris of the desert. The disciples’ feet would have been caked in dirt. Washing them would have been a demeaning task, fit only for a servant or slave. But Jesus does it. He chooses to take on the role of a slave, foretelling the humiliation of his death on the cross – a death which will save us from sin. And he offers his disciples a clear choice: to imitate him or to walk away. Peter chooses Jesus; Judas does not. It’s the choice we are offered also. Saying “yes” to Jesus is the way of love, humility, service, and the cross. It’s a choice that costs. It’s a choice his followers must be prepared to pay The challenge At the Last Supper Jesus took bread and wine and spoke his words over them. Then he washed feet, and told his followers to do the same. His actions that night summed up the Gospel. A valid criticism of the Church is that is can seem more interested in power and control and pomp and lording it over people than in humble service. It’s a reason for the trouble it is in now. What does it mean to wash others’ feet today? How can we become the humble Church of service that Jesus intended? The Prayer “Lord, help us to choose you first and always. Help us to follow your example of loving service. Amen.” --- Prayers for the Mass --- Opening Prayer Father, guide us, as you guide creation according to your law of love. May we love one another and come to perfection in the eternal life prepared for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Prayer over the Gifts: Lord, Look with love upon our service. Accept the gifts we bring and help us to grow in Christian love. Through Christ our Lord. Concluding Prayer: Lord, by the Eucharist we share, Help us to grow to be like you. May we experience peace and forgiveness, and extend your mercy to each other. We ask this through Christ our Lord. div>
Day6 morning Homily part1 Fr. Ronald McAinsh

Day6 morning Homily part2 Fr. Ronald McAinsh ...... RESET ALL VIDEOS

Day6 evening Homily part1 Fr. Dan Baragry

Day6 evening Homily part2 Fr. Dan Baragry
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Intention for the unity of the Church early sessions 7.00am session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Downshire Presbyterian congregation Carrickfergus with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship 8.15am session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the the congregation of the Gateway Church Carrickfergus with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship 9.30am session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Joymount Presbyterian congregation Carrickfergus with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship 11.00am session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Methodist congregation Carrickfergus with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship 2.00pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the St Colman’s Church of Ireland congregation, Carrickfergus with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship “All, with one accord, devoted themselves to prayer, together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus” (Acts of the Apostles 1.14)	Intention for the unity of the Church evening sessions 3.30pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Antiochian Orthodox Church of St Ignatius, Antrim Road with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship 6.30pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Moira Church of Ireland congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship 8.00pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Moira Methodist congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship 9.30pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Kells Presbyterian congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship 11.00pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Connor Presbyterian congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in prayer and friendship “All, with one accord, devoted themselves to prayer, together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus” (Acts of the Apostles 1.14)
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