Thought for the week 30th Sept 2012

Skilful religion points to the mystery that is God with awe, instead of trying to explain everything with arrogance. You see in Jesus' day, the certainty principle stated that bad things happened to bad people and good people only received blessing upon blessing. So tragic accidents, massacres and any other suffering had to have a cause that lay in the people who suffered in the event. They must have drawn it to themselves! Jesus suggests that there is more going on in the mysteries of living and dying than a simplistic quest for certainty couched in trite dogmatic pronouncements. All that is certain is the mystery. True faith you see, is not belief, it is TRUST.
 Jesus called the people of his time to trust the God of
 the mystery and not try to play God themselves.
Rev Peter Woods

Mark 9.38–50

After Jesus had finished teaching the disciples, John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’

Thought for the week 23rd September 2012

Jesus,
who is the greatest
who is the first?
You were born in a stable
needing everything,
having nothing.
Your death was on the cross
needing everything,
having nothing.
And yet you are the greatest of all.
What do you ask of us?
Carry our crosses?
Serve all?
Oh Lord,
Give us only your grace.
Anne Osdieck

After Jesus had finished teaching the disciples, John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’

Thought for the Week 16th Sept 2012

The “real presence” of Communion is Jesus Christ in his full mystery. He is the sustenance of our lives, the nourishment of our faith. He is our truest food and drink.
John Kavanaugh, S. J.

Thought for the week 9th Sept Patronal Festival

Open to spirit,
gift of new life,
risk set aside,
accept the strife.
Taken in trust,
new family to be,
hands held out open,
love is the key.
Questions to ponder,
challenges to face,
always to wonder,
but strengthened by grace.
Called to a journey
carried alone,
the grief and the sadness
cuts to the bone.
Surprised by the Spirit,
the end is not here;
new life beginning,
surpassing and clear.
JCH


(Luke 1.46-55)

Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’