All Saints Anglican Parish Mossel Bay

08/09/2026

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

—celebrated annually on September 8th—is remembered as the dawn of hope and redemption. In Christian tradition, Mary's arrival shines like the morning star that heralds the coming of the sun, signaling that the promise of salvation is taking shape.

The Spiritual Significance
In Christian theology, Mary’s birth represents a pivotal turning point in salvation history:
The Dawn of Redemption: Just as the morning star appears in the sky before the sun rises, Mary’s birth prepares the world for the coming of Jesus Christ, the "Light of the World."

A Triumph Over Despair: According to ancient tradition, her parents, Joachim and Anne, were childless for decades. Her birth was seen as a divine answer to years of quiet, persistent prayer.
Pure Grace: Celebrated nine months after the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, her birth is honored as a pure gift—a life consecrated to humility, love, and divine purpose.
Traditions & Global Celebrations
Because it falls near the autumn harvest in many parts of the world, the Nativity of Mary is linked with abundance, thanksgiving, and community feast days:

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

"Die Salwings koortjie"

07/09/2026

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 | 𝗚𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹: 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟲:𝟲–𝟭𝟭

In today’s Gospel, Jesus encounters a man whose right hand is withered. While the scribes and Pharisees watch closely, waiting for a reason to accuse Him, Jesus calls the man forward and restores his hand. Through this encounter, Jesus reveals that doing good and showing compassion should never be pushed aside simply because it is difficult or because others are watching.

The Pharisees were more concerned about whether Jesus would follow their understanding of the Sabbath than about the suffering of the man before them. Jesus challenges this way of thinking. He shows that God's law is never meant to make us indifferent to someone who needs help. True faith should move our hearts toward mercy and goodness.

Sometimes, we can also become too focused on rules, expectations, or what other people might say. We may see someone who needs our help but hesitate because helping them is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or may invite criticism. Yet Christ invites us to look beyond ourselves and recognize the person in front of us.

Checking our hearts: Are there moments when we choose to remain silent or do nothing because helping someone might be inconvenient or because we are afraid of what others will think?

Jesus asks the man to stretch out his hand. What may have seemed impossible became possible through Christ's healing. In our own lives, there may also be wounds, weaknesses, or fears that we have been carrying for a long time. Jesus continues to invite us to trust Him and allow His grace to restore what is broken.
Choosing Good: When we have the opportunity to do something good for another person, do we respond with compassion, even when it requires something from us?

Our faith is not meant to remain only in words or religious practices. It should be seen in the way we respond to people, especially those who are hurting, overlooked, or in need. Every opportunity to do good is an opportunity to let Christ's love become visible through us.

May we never allow fear, judgment, or convenience to prevent us from doing what is good. May Jesus soften our hearts, strengthen our hands to serve, and teach us to see every opportunity for compassion as an invitation to love.

06/09/2026

Part 2 of our Sunday Mass

06/09/2026

Our First Sunday of Season of Creation mass with Dr Basil Matthews as Preacher

06/09/2026

The Hymn for Season of Creation
"FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH"

06/09/2026

THE HOLY WORD TODAY
| SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
✝️ 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 12 :1-14
Psalm149
Romans 13 :8-14
📖 Matthew 18:15–20

📖 THE HOLY GOSPEL

Matthew 18:15–20 — Douay-Rheims

“And if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.

And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.

Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.

Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning any thing whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven.

For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

❤️ GOSPEL REFLECTION

Jesus teaches us how to deal with conflict—with truth, love, humility, and a desire for reconciliation.

The purpose of correction is not to shame another person or prove that we are right. It is to help restore what has been broken.

And then Jesus gives us a beautiful promise:

“Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

When we pray together, forgive one another, and seek peace, Jesus is present among us.

🙏 PRAYER

Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom to speak with love when someone hurts me. Help me forgive, seek reconciliation, and let go of resentment.

Heal the relationships in my family and community. May my words bring peace rather than division, and may I always remember that You are with us when we gather in Your name.

Amen.

💭 REFLECTION:
Is there someone I need to approach with greater love, patience, or forgiveness?

❤️ Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.