Parishioner’s Gospel: 18th July 2010
Contributor: Mary Heady
Luke 10: 38-42
Most of us have experienced a bit of resentment at one time or another; a feeling of being hard done by.
Maybe we have put a lot of effort into practical activity, only to feel that it has been undervalued or disregarded.
Why did we bother? Perhaps it would be easier just to sit back and pray!
The lovely scene described in Luke’s Gospel shows Jesus relaxed and comfortable in the household at Bethany, so at home in he company of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus, the traditional attitude of the disciple, Mary listens to the Master’s words. Maybe she has a premonition that these wonderful visits will not last much longer, so she makes the most of His presence.
Martha is busy preparing the meal, working and worrying to get everything just right. How often we spend too much time being only concerned with wanting our efforts to result in the perfect good deed, the flawless Church service.
These things are good in themselves but the lesson of the Gospel story is about priority.
Unless we find Jesus first in our daily work, unless we find the time to listen and meditate on God’s will, our efforts may be an empty fulfilment of our own desires and self-satisfaction.
This is not an easy lesson (we all suffer from pride!), but we must always remind ourselves to get things in the right order.
Contributor: Branwen Jones
Luke 10: 25-37,
The lawyer in this Gospel passage is not a lawyer in our modern legal sense; rather he is a scholar, an expert in the interpretation of Mosaic and rabbinical Law. His queries are a deliberate attempt to “disconcert” Jesus, to find some ‘loophole’ in His teaching.
The first question the lawyer puts to Jesus is “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” and, typically, Our Lord responds with another question, “What is written in the Law?” The lawyer is prompt with the answer – to love the Lord God and your neighbour as yourself. Jesus concurs but the lawyer wants to pin Him down and persists, “And who is my neighbour?” He is anxious for a precise definition.
The well-known story of the Good Samaritan follows and implies that anyone in need of our compassion is our neighbour. The Jews listening to this tale would have been horrified that the ‘hero’ is a Samaritan. The Jews and Samaritans despised each other and here Jesus is making a Samaritan an example of love and mercy.
The priest and the Levite, both Jewish religious officials, avoided the man who had been robbed, beaten and left at the roadside “half dead”. They “passed by on the other side” and hastened on their way. The Samaritan, on the other hand, treats the wounded man kindly, tending to him personally at a nearby inn and, upon his departure, paying the innkeeper to look after him. He even promises to foot the bill for “any extra expense” on his return journey. Beyond the call of duty, surely.
So how does this apply to us in modern times? It is rare to encounter anyone so grievously injured and even if we do, we will not have to pay for the hospital care. But there are many, less obvious, occasions when we resist the call to compassion. In this day and age we are all so busy, so committed. We have no time to give to the elderly or lonely, to call in for half an hour’s chat and a cup of tea. We pass by. How often do we ignore the parishioners we find tiresome and tedious? It is just too much effort to be friendly and we simply don’t have the time. We avoid them.
It would appear that nowadays the most precious commodity is not so much money as time. Yet the two are linked. Perhaps if we spent less time acquiring money we would have more time for acts of compassion, for loving our neighbour as ourselves.
Contri
butor: Andrew Jones 4th July 2010
Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20
Luke begins this reading by explaining that The Lord appointed 72 others and sent them out ahead of him, to all the places he himself was to visit.
This gives us a helpful picture of His early supporters. Next to Jesus were the 12 Apostles, the word coming from the Greek apostello meaning I send, then came the Disciples meaning followers and now in this text we find that there was another selection which we might call the appointed, for the Gospel clearly indicates that Our Lord appointed 72 others to be his front line witnesses.
Their task was to prepare the way for his arrival.
At first when I read this passage it made me reflect on the forthcoming visit to Holy Innocents' of the Irish group promoting the Legion of Mary but it quickly became clear that there are a few differences, though not that many.
For Jesus instructed the 72 to call upon the houses both in the countryside and small towns and always begin with the words Peace be to this house. How ideal it will be if the Irish visitors use the same words when calling on Holy Innocents’ parishioners but the big difference in the current situation is that the Irish will be speaking to committed Christians.
Also it will be interesting to observe whether they arrive in pairs, as the appointed always did. Some scholars have suggested, in the absence of further explanation, that the second chosen in the pair was selected for company and moral support.
For them there would have been no luxury hotels just the accommodation of the local population whom they were sent to visit.
The Gospel continues that the 72 came back to Our Lord rejoicing that even the devils submit to us when we use your name.
Jesus responded…do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.
What a privilege they experienced by being called to visit in Jesus’ name and what a reward they received.
Luke 9:51-62 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 27th June 2010
Contributor: Bill Smith
At the start of this passage comes the surprise rejection of Jesus by the inhabitants of a Samaritan village. He must have been terribly disappointed to be snubbed in this way. Throughout the gospels Samaritans are usually shown as being well disposed towards Jesus. James and John are outraged that he should be treated this way and want to seek revenge but Jesus rebukes them and they move on to another village.
The passage continues with an indication of the cost of following Jesus. Jesus invited individuals to follow him but in turn each gave good reasons for it not being convenient. But Jesus concluded by saying that those whom he calls to be his followers must respond whole-heartedly and not look back. We must not reject him but answer his call without demur.
What a challenge! We too are likely to experience rejection by others and ridicule because of our faith but we have the comfort of knowing that Our Lord knows exactly how this feels because he too experienced it.
In this situation we need to remain faithful to him so that one day we may hear the words “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.
Parishioner’s Gospel 20th June 2010
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder (Cjs)
Based on Gosp
el Luke 9: 18-24
Jesus asked of His apostles, “Who do you think I am?”
But the Lord He had revealed this, to a simple mortal man.
Peter loved Lord Jesus, and in His path he trod.
Peter gave the answer, “You are the Christ of God!”
Jesus then did tell them, of His grievous fate,
to suffer and to die, from envy and sheer hate.
But death was not to conquer, for Jesus would arise
three days from His cruel killing, to everyone’s surprise.
Then He said a strange thing, hard to understand.
We must take up our cross, this is what was planned!
If we try to save them, (our lives we hold so dear,)
then surely we would lose them, was this message clear?
What is the special meaning, what is it we should know?
The Church will have the answer, and tell us what is so.
If we lose our lives, for Jesus sake... then we..
...as I understand it, would save them? Now I see!
I think this means our selfish,... ploys for number one
Lead us to destruction, so that’s not how it’s done.
We must do it His way, putting others’ lives before.
Show us how dear Jesus, this we do implore.
With guidance from Your Church, we know the path we’ll find.
‘Twill lead the way to heaven, when we leave this world behind. Cjs.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit when he proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ of God.
Jesus then told them the manner of His suffering and death.
How strange this must have been for the apostles who knew not what the cross meant.
They could not imagine that their Master would suffer.
He was popular He did good works performed miracles and they could not comprehend that He would be put to death...the people loved Him!
Others before self, Jesus’ way before our own....the only way to save our lives.
Modern day living says... be yourselves ....do as you wish it’s your life...selfishness first and foremost...But this is not Christ’s way.
Dear Jesus, You want me to make use of any talents You have given me, but not for my gratification, but for Your purpose. Help me to follow Your will always. Amen.
Luke: 7: 36-8: 3
Contributor: Barbara Davies
“Pharisee” means “Separated.”
The Pharisees had very clear rules:
Good people v Sinners.
Obeying v Rule breaking
God loves us v God does not love you
God stays away from sinners; Therefore Simon stays away from sinners.
Jesus did not separate Himself from this woman sinner, therefore showing He was not guided by the Spirit of God.
How very confusing for Pharisees who considered themselves living religiously, living by trusted rules, faithfully.
This need for “separate” disregards the wisdom of God and thee reality of the human heart. Jesus knew we need time to realise good v evil and arrive at a mature orientation.
Therefore “Her sins are forgiven “ (v47) contrasts (v42) where great love is the fruit of greater forgiveness. Jesus does not attempt to say which of the two-love-or forgiveness-comes first.
I read “Forgiveness is not earned- It can only be gratefully received.
Forgiveness engenders love.”
What do you think?
Acknowledgements:- Christian Community Bible.
Luke 9: v 11-17
Gos
pel Contributor: Mary Heady
In all four Gospels we find accounts of the multiplication of leaves to feed the multitude.
In fact the people had begun to associate Jesus, not only with miracles of healing, but also with an occasional distribution of free bread.
For this they were prepared to travel long distances to find him, an indication of their poverty. They reminded him, not very subtly, that Moses had provided their ancestors with manna in the desert.
These accounts are taken as a pre-figuration of the Holy Eucharist, but the leap of faith needed for people to accept Jesus as the living bread from heaven was too much for most.
The gift to us of the Eucharist is a source of constant wonder. The current availability of daily communion is in contrast to the rules and strictures which surrounded its reception just decades ago. However, this ease of access should never blind us to the enormity of the gift and we must take every opportunity to receive the Lord and to worship Him.
Recently the laity has been exhorted to more frequent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament at Exposition, possibly in expiation for clerical abuse – an instruction which has raised many eyebrows!
Never-the-less, Exposition, Adoration and Holy Communion can only enhance our spiritual lives and help us to cope with the daily grind and anxiety of our material world.
“Come to Me.” Said Jesus; and what better way to come than through the sublime gift of the Eucharist?
The Most Holy Trinity 30th May (Cycle C)
John 16: 12-15,
Contributor: Branwen Jones
These few verses form part of a long passage (sometime known as the Final Discourse) taken from Saint John’s Gospel. ‘Final’ because it was Jesus’ last moments of intimacy, of conversation, with His companions prior to His death. It is noteworthy that Jesus felt that the minds of the disciples could not take in any more at that particular moment. ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now.’ In effect Jesus is delegating to the Holy Spirit, ‘the spirit of truth’ who, in the future, will enlighten them further.
The third member of the Holy Trinity is referred to as ‘he’ – a person, but He is also a spirit. For many He may appear to be a vague and shadowy figure – variously made manifest as a dove, a breath of wind, a flame. I can therefore sympathise with the Japanese convert who commented: ‘I understand God the Father, I understand God the Son, but I do not understand the Honourable Bird’. Yet the Holy Spirit is Christ’s great gift to us, someone who will lead us to ‘the complete truth’.
So what is the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit? There is no simple answer.
In this particular instance Jesus states that the Holy Spirit will tell the disciples what He has learnt from Jesus Himself and, in turn, everything Jesus possesses comes from the Father.
‘He [the Holy Spirit] will glorify me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he tells you will be taken from what is mine.’
We no longer have Jesus present among us in human form, nor do we see the Father. We are a people of the Spirit, just as the apostles were. The Spirit guides us as it guided them.
In the Acts of the Apostles we hear, time and again, of the activity of the Holy Spirit. Here are just 3 examples.
‘The Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Paul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ (Act 13:2)
‘It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to impose on you any burden beyond these essentials.’ (Acts 15:28)
‘They travelled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, because they had been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia.’ (Acts 16:6)
Let us pray that we, like the early Church, may be open to the grace and prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Veni creator spiritus
John 14: 15-16. 23-26.
Contributor:
An
drew Jones
Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you for ever.
This Gospel reading is chosen for the feast of Pentecost though it comes from the earlier situation of the washing of the disciples’ feet. Jesus is talking of the Holy Spirit which is to come down on the heads of the disciples appearing like tongues of fire. Once more it is evidence of eternal life.
The Holy Trinity is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Yet can we imagine the Father and the Son without the Holy Spirit?
It is the Holy Spirit that links the Father and the Son.
Notice how Jesus says to the disciples I shall ask the Father.
For Our Saviour knew that the Spirit originated with the Father.
When the Virgin mother conceived, it was by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus began his ministry it was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
When the tongues of fire descended, the Holy Spirit was inspiring the beginning of the Christian church.
Jesus continues if anyone loves me he will keep my word.
Some of us may have experienced playing a team sport in the presence of an inspirational player for whom one would use up vast reserves of energy or even risk injury.
The player, often a captain, was a hero who attracted support by his example.
Jesus is the greatest hero and we should respond by keeping his word and much more.
Let us remember that the Holy Spirit, who in the beginning was with God, will be with us for ever.
The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Cycle C)16th May 2010
Gospel Luke 24: 46-53
Contributor: Bill Smith
Easter marked the accomplishment of Christ’s mission on this earth by his triumph over death.
But for the next forty days he remained in the world appearing to the disciples at various times.
The Ascension was his final manifestation of himself in human form and then he left them going up to his Father in heaven.
Now starts a new way of life for the disciples and the beginning of the life of the church.
They would now be without his human presence but had his promise that he would always be with them and that shortly he would send the Holy Spirit to be the source of all the attributes they were going to need to carry on his mission.
The church today has this mission to continue in our time.
Christ has returned to sit on the right of his Father in heaven leaving us to bring the Good News of salvation to the world.
Et ascendit in caelum: sedet ad dexteram Patris.
Parishioner’s Gospel the 6th Sunday of Easter (Cycle C) 9th May 2010
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder (Cjs.)
Based on Gospel: John 14: 23-29
Jesus said to His disciples:
“If anyone should love Me, he will keep My word.
Then My Father in the heavens, who all things will have heard,
will know and love him too, and We shall come to him.
We’ll make Our home with him, We will be welcome in.
Those who love Me not, and do not keep My word,
will do just as they wish, of others no thoughts incurred.
But My word is not My own, tis from He who sent Me here!
These things I tell you now, which I make so very clear.
Whilst I’m here with you, I emphasise this well.
But an advocate will come, the Holy Spirit who will tell,
all truth which He will teach, to remind you what I’ve taught.
Peace I do bequeath, that without Me can’t be sought.
Do not let your hearts, be troubled or afraid.
I am to go away, but will return to give you aid.
If you loved Me as you should, you would be pleased I go.
For the Father is much greater, this you need to know.
I tell this to you now, before the deed is done.
So you will then believe, that My work has just begun."
Lord we love You so, and try to do Your work.
But the devil drags us down, with evil devious smirk.
You say be not afraid, but we need grace to see us through!
Yes we do believe, in everything You do.
Nothing can we do, without Your guiding hand.
Help us dearest Lord, to live as You have planned. Cjs.
Jesus tells us yet again that to love Him is to obey Him. His word is the Father’s word and the Holy Spirit will come to help us to keep His word.
His work has just begun, we are to continue it and not be troubled or afraid as Jesus is with us to bring us peace.
Parishioner’s Gospel: 5th Sunday of Easter (Cycle C) 2nd May 2010
Contributor: Barbara Davies
John 13: 31-35
Jesus and his immediate followers encountered conflict with the Jewish authorities.
Jewish Christians were estranged from their Jewish roots. Judaism was regarded as a legal religion within the Roman Empire, while Christianity was not.
Where will Jesus’ followers find their new identity.
“....by this they will know you are Mine.”
“Now I give you a new Commandment ...Love one another, just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Is it easy to “LOVE ONE ANOTHER.....DO WE UNDERSTAND THE WORD ‘LOVE?’
“Love, which is like God’s love, aims to liberate our neighbour and enable him to fully develop his God –given gifts.” (Denis McBride)
Instead of me loving him, I must help him to love himself.
Did a mystic once say:-
“Love of God is not to feel God, but to feel devotion and affection for God.
To love God may be determined to do what God wishes at each moment of our lives ---
---to render loving service and forgiveness.
God loves me to be my best me.
Would the First Century Jews have recognised the new Christians?
Acknowledged:
Christian Community Bible& ‘Where does the Jesus story begin.’ By Denis McBride.
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder (Cjs)
Based on Gospel: John 10: 27-30
Jes
us said;
“Belonging just to Me, My sheep listen to My voice.
This is the way it is, through their individual choice!
Indeed I know them all, they’ll always follow Me.
They never will be lost, no.. this can never be!
And none can e’er succeed in stealing them away.
This gift bestowed on Me, by the One to whom I pray.
These sheep are always Mine, the Father planned this all along!
‘Tis I who tend My sheep, who decides what’s right or wrong.
None is greater than is He, nor can steal the gift He gave.
And He and I are One, Our aim this world to save.”
If we give our lives to Christ, then we become His sheep.
Then whatever life will bring, He will us safely keep.
Jesus never promised, this world would happy be.
Only in the next life, will paradise we see.
Jesus died for us, in a cruel and bitter way.
He gave His life for us, for He values us each day.
To follow in His path, we must speak to Him and ask,
what must we be doing, what is our special task?
Put selfish gains aside; help the poor and needy too.
Let Jesus be our guide, in everything we do. Cjs.
Yes Lord. You lead and I must follow....Your will.. not mine...be done. Amen. Cjs.
John 21: 1-19
Contrib
utor: Branwen Jones
John 21: 1 – 19
Contributor: Branwen Jones
This Gospel passage comprises 2 distinct episodes. The first describes the Risen Christ appearing to the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. The second is an account of a personal exchange between Jesus and Simon Peter.
After Jesus’ death, the disciples had returned to their former occupation – fishing, but had met with little success. They had been working at night but had caught nothing. At daybreak Jesus appeared on the shore ‘though the disciples did not realise’ who it was that addressed them as ‘friends’. When He hears of their fruitless labour, He tells them to cast their net on the starboard side. They do so and find they have ‘so many fish that they could not haul it in.’ At this point John recognises Jesus and proclaims ‘It is the Lord’. Without hesitation the impetuous Peter grabs a cloak and jumps over the side of the boat.
It is the details in this Gospel passage that bring it to life. John is precise. ‘This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.’ He also gives the names of the disciples that went fishing with Simon Peter and the exact number of fish caught – 153. Someone must have counted them!
Just as at the Last Supper, Jesus shares a meal with His disciples, in this instance a breakfast of roasted fish and bread. Too much in awe to question Him, the disciples take the food He proffers them.
What is the point of it all? The point is that Jesus had made them fishers of men. Without Him they caught nothing. But once they were obedient to his commands they caught so many fish they could barely lift the net out of the water.
At the end of the meal Jesus turns to Simon Peter and asks him three times whether he loves Him and exhorts him three times to ‘feed my sheep.’ Why three times? Because Peter denied Jesus three times during His trial, insisting that he did not know Him. Now Peter must affirm Jesus three times and carry out His command to look after His flock.
The passage ends with Jesus prophesying the kind of death Peter would undergo. ‘When you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.’ Tradition has it that Peter was crucified upside down although historical evidence is scant.
Perhaps more importantly, Jesus’ final words in the Gospel passage are simply ‘Follow me’ – an instruction to all of us and not just to Peter.
JOHN 20: 19-31
Contributor:
Andrew Jones
This Gospel reading is invaluable because of the variety of its important content.
It begins by showing us that immediately after the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, His principal group of followers locked themselves away because of their fear of persecution. Yet they were not left alone for suddenly amidst them was the Risen Saviour.
No doubt the group was excited and agitated and Jesus sensing the atmosphere used those calming words which have become our own Christian greeting, peace be with you.
This perplexed gathering is one of the few occasions recorded in the Gospels where Jesus appeared to the disciples after his Resurrection. It is worth noting that the text makes it clear that He showed his wounds to His disciples, members of his wider band of followers, rather than just the chosen Apostles.
Having calmed the gathering and re-assured them He then commissioned them for the tasks ahead; as the Father sent me, so I am sending you and then breathed the Holy Spirit upon them.
Then comes the surprising news that Thomas, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them. This raises the question whether any others could have been missing but we are not told.
What we are told is the great message for future generations; Thomas may have displayed his faith when he was shown Jesus’s wounds but you believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe. That applies to every single Christian today.
Despite this calamitous age in which we live, our faith will be rewarded.
John 20 1-9 Easter Day
Contributor: Bill Smith
This passage surely is the very essence of our religion. Had there been no resurrection of Jesus He would have been nothing more than a fraud and our faith would have no credibility.
Is it significant that the first two people to go early in the morning to Jesus’ tomb were two women, the two Marys? There they find the stone at the entrance to the tomb already rolled way. (Matthew tells of an earthquake). This enabled them and subsequently the other disciples to see that the body of Jesus was no longer there. Mary Magdalene at first assumes that His enemies have removed the body – “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid Him” – are her words to Peter and John.
What a shock Peter and John must have got at the news. They were probably until then feeling very low and full of grief and despair at the death of their Master. Then they get this news from Mary Magdalene that the body has disappeared. They must have run like madmen to see for themselves, John outrunning Peter and getting to the tomb first and yet too afraid to go in.
What did they see? The cloths in which the body had been wrapped were folded neatly on the ground.
Would this have been so had someone got there first to take away the body?
Other accounts say that the tomb was guarded.
Would they not have taken the body wrapped as it was?
Now they were left in no doubt that Jesus had truly risen from the dead as He had said He would.
Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia!
Luke 22: 14-23, :56
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder
Jesus took His place at table, the Last supper of them all.
Luke tells of these events, so much he does recall.
Jesus tells disciples, how His life will come to end.
How many will desert, leaving Christ without a friend.
The bread and wine He changes, it becomes His flesh and blood.
And all too soon He’ll bleed, precious spill amongst the mud.
In Gethsemane the garden, He begged apostles stay awake,
praying God His Father, from Him the cup would take.
But those men just fell asleep, exhausted from their grief.
As Jesus woke them up, then in an interlude so brief,
a group of men appeared, and Judas kissed Him on the cheek.
And Christ He was arrested, He who championed all the meek!
Then the Passion and the Pain, and the death of Jesus Christ,
was told by Luke in sadness, of how our Lord was sacrificed.
Spices were prepared, the body laid into the tomb.
All were filled with deep foreboding, then they rested in such gloom. Cjs.
How could this be? This gentle caring Jesus, who had cured the sick and lame, made the blind see and the deaf hear. Preaching nothing but love one another.
Now taken like a criminal and falsely accused, given a travesty of a trial, cruel torture and a demeaning death on a cross.
His friends so devastated they deserted Him and then their guilt set in. To them they had let Him down when He needed them most. They did not comprehend that it was the purpose of His coming, so for them it was over, finished.
All the good He had done was for nothing.
But we know He died taking on our sins and washing them away.
Mankind now reconciled with God.
We know He is Risen!
The Apostles and disciples had to remain in torment for three days before they knew what we so often take for granted.
The Cross has become the sign of the greatest love of all.
John 8 v 1-11
Contributor: Barbara Davies
“MY WAYS ARE NOT YOUR WAYS”
Jesus is demanding and merciful towards the woman. If Jesus showed respect to the sinner refusing to condemn her, was it because he did not consider her fault grave?
No, it was because God uses different means than people do to bring sinners to repentance and to purify them in their suffering.
People usually condemn the person (not the act). They don’t make room for change.
In this story Jesus is both demanding and merciful.
(JUSTICE AND PEACE)
It is an axiom of human ‘justice’ that crime is inexorably followed by punishment.
Into a human conception of justice, God gives a new word; mercy.
God introduces a new and completely divine element into the question of justice.
Mercy is a rare quality and wherever it is found, God is there.
It is one of the surest signs of His presence.
Simply asking for forgiveness from our brother, throws us directly into the heart of God.
God’s justice is truly strange and wonderful.
Acknowledgments to “Christian Community Bible!”
“Magnificat – day by day readings.”
Luke 15 v1-3, 11-32
Contributor: Mary Heady
Although this is possibly the best known of our Lord’s parables, it might be more accurately be called ‘the prodigality of a father’s love.’
The story involves three characters- the father obviously representing God, the elder son being the pharisee and the younger boy the common man. The parable was narrated to a mixed audience of respectable churchmen and the sinners and tax collectors on the fringes of society.
Man finds God’s love restricting and does not value it, sees it in fact as a burden. So he goes off and wastes his heritage on worldly pursuits and freeloaders. When everything fails him, he is reduced to minding pigs, which to the Jews was utter degradation, since they considered pigs unclean.
Having reassessed his options, the young son returns home expecting recriminations, but amazingly the father rushes to meet him with love and total acceptance. Maybe there is a lesson here for us on how to handle any apology offered to us from another, with loving determination not to refer to past hurts. The elder son had been keeping the rules not from love but with hopes of a reward.
Jesus was again trying to get the establishment to see that God offers us overwhelming unconditional love and does not want exclusivity. Perhaps there is a little of each son in us if we are honest and many of us are guilty of wanting to feel exclusive.
As Deacon Austin pointed out recently, we must always remember that our God is also the God of the Jews, the Muslims and the Taliban!
Ref: Christian Community Bible (Catholic Pastoral Edition)
Luke 13: 1-10
Contributor: Branwen Jones
Two tragic incidents are mentioned in the first paragraph of this Gospel reading. Unfortunately we have no historical records to flesh out the details of the events.
In the first instance Jesus is told about certain Galileans ‘whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices’. Many commentators understand this to be a reference to those rebellious Galileans who refused to accept Caesar’s authority. When a party of them came to fulfil their religious duties by offering sacrifice in the temple at Jerusalem, they were slaughtered by Pilate’s soldiers. Thus their own blood was mingled with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing. A violent and degrading episode.
The second incident refers to the accidental death of eighteen men when the tower of Siloam fell upon them – a natural as opposed to a man-made disaster.
Jesus uses both these disastrous events to illustrate His teaching about sin and the need for repentance. He is at pains to point out that, in both cases, the men who met such untimely and horrific ends were no worse sinners than anyone else. It was a prevalent idea at the time that a man’s sufferings were in direct proportion to his sins, a type of divine retribution. Jesus utterly refutes this concept. ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you.’
A man’s sins cannot be judged by his earthly sufferings, and far worse than earthly suffering is the prospect of the immortal soul being doomed to perdition. Our Lord warns His audience that repentance is needed to inherit eternal life. ‘Unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’
Taking the point even further, the parable of the fig tree in the second paragraph highlights the imperative of repentance – to bear fruit. Given the grace of God (the fertile soil of the vineyard) and the care of the man who tends the vineyard (Christ), the tree must bear fruit. But in three years it has borne none and so God, the vineyard owner, orders it cut down. The vineyard manager pleads for God’s patience as he once more tries to encourage the recalcitrant tree by lavishing care on it. ‘Give me time to dig round it and manure it.’ If in spite of all this there is still no fruit, then the fig tree will be cut down, it will perish. Even God’s patience has a limit.
The message is clear: Don’t waste time judging others but look into your own heart. Turn back to God, bear fruit or perish.
Bibliography: Blue Letter Bible commentaries.
LUKE 9: 28-36
Contributor: ANDREW JONES
It is believed by many scholars that that the 9,000 feet Mount Tabor near Caesarea Philippi is the mountain which was the setting of the Transfiguration described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John. The miracle occurred shortly after the crowds who followed Jesus had been speculating who he really was. Some said ‘John the Baptist’, but others Elijah and still others, ‘that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ He said to them (the Apostles) ‘but who do you say that I am’ and Peter, taking the lead, answered ‘The Messiah of God.’ He then ordered the Apostles not to tell anyone else at that stage.
Jesus took Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray and suddenly the aspect of His face altered dramatically and His clothing became as brilliant as lightning, and then He could be seen talking to Moses and Elijah. Others have written that He became as bright as the sun and that this dazzling brilliance demonstrated His divinity.
They were discussing His Passion which was to happen in Jerusalem. Many of us might raise the question, as to whatever Moses and Elijah could have been saying to Jesus for their part and it has been suggested that they were re-assuring Him that His Galilean ministry was the correct path and He was the Messiah and the Son of God.
Peter said to Jesus let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah…As he spoke a cloud came and covered them with shadow and a voice said this is My Son, The Chosen One. Listen to Him. The Voice of God was heard in a similar way to God’s pronouncement at the Baptism of Jesus. Then suddenly the cloud disappeared and Jesus was alone.
The event is abundant in mystery and there are many theories as to the reason for its existence including that Jesus took the three apostles up the mountain, not just to explain to them what was about to happen but also to show them the truth of eternal life.
The cloud represented the past when God, in the form of a pillar of cloud, led the Children of Israel through the Wilderness. The gathering of Jesus, Moses, Elijah and the three Apostles together was that present moment and His Passion which was about to happen and which would involve both Jesus and the Apostles, was the future. More specific evidence being the appearance of Moses who received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai around 1,447 BC and who represented the Law and Elijah who represented the prophets and who lived around 900 BC. They both also represented Judaism and they were both present on that day circa 33AD.
Just imagine being Jesus, a carpenter’s son from Nazareth, (the Son of Man) accepting the call to sacrifice yourself in Jerusalem and then receiving the re-assurance of Moses, Elijah and God that you have taken the right path and are (the Son of God.)
Luke 4: 1-13: First Sunday of Lent 2010
Contributor: Bill Smith
THE TEMPTATIONS OF CHRIST IN THE WILDERNESS
As we enter Lent we read of the temptations experienced by Jesus in the desert. This narrative is set in the time following his baptism in the River Jordan but before the start of his public ministry. It is comforting to know that Jesus being ‘truly man’ therefore was as susceptible to being tempted as any of us. He too had to struggle against the wiles of the devil. At his baptism his Father had declared “This is my beloved son”. Now he is alone in the desert fasting and preparing himself to begin his mission. But he is able to resist because he is strengthened by the Spirit and the Word, and these are the same strengths we have at our disposal to resist temptation. It is important to recognise that temptation is not itself sinful. Temptation is the way we are tested. Sin comes from giving in to the temptation.
When we say in the Lord’s Prayer “Lead us not into temptation” we are asking that we are given the strength to divert ourselves away from those situations which are attracting us towards doing wrong.
“Lord, deliver us from evil and keep us always true to your commands. When through human frailty we stray, forgive us our sins and reconcile us to yourself”.
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder (Cjs)
Luke 6: 17.20-26
Many people came to Jesus, praying to be cured.
For they had suffered greatly, from afflictions they’d endured.
“How happy are the poor, God’s kingdom will be theirs.
How happy are the hungry, they’ll be filled with food full shares.
How happy those who weep, for laughter it will come.
How happy are those hated because they love God’s Son.
When that day is here, rejoice with one accord.
Dance with joy be happy, for great is your reward!
But alas for those with riches, consolation now you reap!
Then you will go hungry, shed tears and mourn and weep!
For those the world speaks well of, alas in future times.”
Do we deserve that fate Lord, are those our awful crimes?
Are we so very worldly, we ignore the poor and ill?
And laugh at all the good things, no tears for others spill?
Do we sin by omission, convinced we’ve done no wrong,
by ignoring all the troubles, of this earth where we belong? Cjs.
Jesus made it clear that both He and the Father loved the poor and those who suffered in this life, and rewards were awaiting them in the next life.
It was also abundantly clear that anyone hoarding money or other riches, and ignores the plight of the underprivileged, is not entitled to any reward but is to suffer greatly in the next for their greed and selfishness.
Indeed those the world speaks well of would be condemned, meaning that whatever the ‘world’ thinks of anyone it is God who meters out justice.
Faith without good works does nothing to help the poor and needy.
Lord, help me to follow Your way in thought, word and deed. Amen.