30 Dec Lost in the Temple? (Luke 2:41-52)

In this Gospel we get a glimpse of Jesus as a young boy as he disappears for three days while the family are on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Searching for a lost child for even 20 minutes is a most nerve wracking event for a parent. But to lose the Son of God for three days is something else. You might think that Jesus is even being disobedient to his parents in this story. We should remember that ancient writers often included a scene from the childhood of their hero in order to show the signs of great things to come. Jesus is eventually found sitting with the teachers in the Temple and is revealed as a very wise teacher.

While this gospel gives us a glimpse of the young boy Jesus, it is also a reminder of our own helplessness to do anything but let God’s dream be dreamed. Jesus knew this in a way that his parents could not fully grasp: “Why have you done this to us?” Mary and Joseph experience the tension between the anxieties of our world and the need to listen and live centred on God. Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, we pray for families everywhere, for parents and children and ask God to be with them, to guide them and protect them. “The attraction of the journey is stronger than the pull of all the picnics on the way” ~ Margaret Silf.

"RABBI!... I want to see!" 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mk 10:46-52

In today's Gospel we hear about Jesus' healing of Bartimaeus. What is remarkable about this story is the courage of Bartimaeus and his expectant faith. We pray for those who are on the margins of society and those who are suffering. Some of the crowd attempt to silence Bartimaeus. We pray for those who persecute others. We pray for those whose voices cannot be heard. Bartimaeus calls out louder because he has the kind of faith that speaks up and acts up. If Bartimaeus had believed quietly in Jesus, he would not have been noticed. We pray for those who are persistent in their faith and in their actions for healing and justice regardless of the consequences. Some of the crowd encourage Bartimaeus telling him to have courage and get up. We pray for those who work on the fringes of society, whose eyes and ears have been opened to the voiceless. Jesus asks "what do you want me to do for you?" We pray that we may have the courage to ask God for what we need no matter how impossible it may seem. Bartimaeus wants to see. We pray that we may all have our eyes opened to the realities of the world around us, that we too may take courage and ´get up´. We pray for those who do not want to have their eyes opened because they are afraid. Bartimaeus' healing is immediate and he follows Jesus on the way. We pray that we may receive the same insight as Bartimaeus so that we can follow Jesus on 'the way'.

Mission Sunday 2012

“For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:35-45) Today, Mission Sunday, Catholics worldwide are asked to recommit themselves to mission, to the Gospel message. Many people think of missionaries as those who travel to so-called developing countries and dedicate their lives to serving the poor and spreading the Gospel. Today we pray especially for them but we also recommit ourselves to following the Gospel message in prayer, in our daily lives and relationships with others. We live in an extremely unequal world that is in desperate need of the Gospel message of hope, solidarity, peace, love and equality. The Mission month of October reminds us all that we are bearers of that message. We are all called to be missionaries wherever we live; we are all invited to love and serve God by loving and serving others. That’s how we share our faith with the world. The Mission month of October offers everyone the chance to renew their commitment to the Gospel message. Can we be missionaries to our own families and to the people around us?

The impossible is often the untried...

Today’s gospel (MK 10:17-27) reminds me of the Olympic games in London a few months back as I was literally glued to the TV for two weeks of good news stories, images of solidarity, humanity at its best and the universal language of sport breaking down all cultural and political barriers (if only for 16 days). What struck me most was the interview given by Katie Taylor right after she won her gold medal, her first words being “Where would I be without God in my life?” Katie decided aged 11 she would be Olympic champion and aged 26 that’s exactly what she achieved. Katie talks of the Bible as her psychological tool and Jesus as the strength in her life.

The man in today’s Gospel is a man of faith but he wants to know what rules to obey and what things to avoid so that he can simply get on with things and achieve some deeper existence without too much bother. The man goes away sad perhaps thinking about a goal he had set but not achieved because he was unwilling to give everything. What Jesus asks seems impossible to him. We are not given impossible tasks. We are given dreams that can be achieved but that will involve hard work, determination, perseverance and bouts along the way. There is no easy path to a deeper involvement with life, whether that be in our relationship with God or with a community, a cause or a lifelong dream. We are reminded that ‘all things are possible with God’.

October 7th Mark 10:2-16

In today’s Gospel Jesus is being tested again with a controversial question on remarriage. “Is it legal…?” this honour/shame spectacle is challenging Jesus’ interpretation of the Torah and Jesus immediately tries to take his questioners beyond the letter of the Law. He reminds us of God’s creation and the harmony that exists or that should exist in the world around us. While the questioning refers specifically to remarriage, Jesus’ response is that we are all equal and should strive to stay away from all that causes disharmony.

The story of the little children may appear a separate incident but it again involves human relationships. The word ‘children’ meaning ‘little ones’ is not referring solely to children but to those in society who are considered ‘little’. What does Jesus do for them? He welcomes the rejected, he blesses them, he shows us that they are unique and each have something to teach us. “Lord, there are many things in life which you have made complementary, not two, but together forming one reality: young and old in a community; men and women in relationships; people of different cultures in our one world; body and soul within each of us. It is difficult to make this unity, and so we allow ourselves to divorce these things from each other. We see them as opposed and in competition. We thank you for Jesus who taught us that it was not so at the beginning of creation, and what you have united we human beings have no right to divide” (Michael de Verteuil).

Come away and rest a while....

Gospel for 22nd July 2012 (Mark 6:30-34) The disciples return from their ‘sending out’ and tell all that they have done. They ‘rejoin Jesus’. They have been so busy that Jesus invites them away to a deserted place for some time out. This is the first important point in this passage – even though we are sent out in many different ways we must always come back to the source, stay connected with the message, give time for rest, reflection, prayer and those ‘deserted places’. Only when we do this can we serve the needs of others. Jesus takes pity on the crowd who were “like sheep without a shepherd”. They have no leadership or perhaps fruitless leadership and follow the disciples and Jesus desperate for some new direction. The crowd take a risk in following them. We should not be afraid to follow those paths that may be counter cultural: “The biggest mistake is to sometimes play things safe in this life and end up being moral failures” Dorothy Day. A very apt text this Sunday for those of us taking holidays and finding some deserted places of our own. Here's a few of mine - have a great summer!

Prophets and home towns

Gospel July 8th 2012: I'm sure we can all relate to this Gospel as we imagine the scene of Jesus returning to his family, friends, those whom he grew up with, played with as a child, worked for. The local boy returns after his travels and tell all gathered in the synagogue (or local pub) of all his successes, how well he is doing abroad, how much he has changed and so on. And the response is still the same: “Who does that fella think he is?” “He is an idealist now?” “Today’s story of Jesus visiting Nazareth is well known and probably well related to for many people. There is that saying that the Irish do well abroad… try arriving home to tell the people down the local of your success and you won’t be popular for long. Jesus is having such an experience in today’s gospel as the people of his hometown simply won’t accept him. He may have achieved wonderful things, only last week we heard of the mircales he worked. But the time has come to return home to the home country and to teach there. People simply do not see him in the same way. We can sympathise with Jesus in this story, or perhaps recognise ourselves in those who refuse to accept that the local carpenter is now calling himself the son of God. Locals question him – his authority. He is unable to be a prophet in his own country. Jesus can’t work miracles there because miracles require faith. The Nazarenes are unable to see God working through someone who they knew well. How many times has Jesus been sent to us in the form of someone we knew well but we could not see Him?

"Talitha Cum"

Mark sometimes likes to interrupt a story he is telling with another story – we call it a Markan sandwich. We hear an example of it today (Sunday 1st July) with the healing of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with a haemorrhage. At first glance these stories might not seem to have a lot in common. The woman, a complete social outcast because of her condition is called ‘daughter’ by Jesus. Her social status is completely reversed, she is a child of God, not some outcast that can be shunned by the community. The synagogue official surprises us, pleasantly, with his faith in Jesus and his message, not something that those in religious leadership were credited for. What these two characters have in common is faith against all the odds. There are those in the story who laugh when Jesus says he can bring back Jairus’ daughter. They are sent away. Jesus’ healing breaks down all the barriers that isolate us from one another and from God. Not only that, faith in Jesus can even give us new life and help us to overcome things that keep us from being free: “Do not fear; just keep on believing”. Mark leaves untranslated Jesus’ own native language when he says: “Talitha cum” – a beautiful phrase meaning: “Little girl, get up!”. The girl has been given new life, the woman has been given new life also. Both have overcome those barriers that were keeping them from being free. We know what those barriers are for each of us as we reach out searching in faith and hope. “Talitha cum”.

Sunday June 24th: It's this way...

Today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist and listen to Luke’s account of his nativity. Don’t panic, advent hasn’t arrived yet! John’s story is one of sacrifice and humility. His parents know there will be something very special about this child. Jewish historians account that John was a preacher around the time of Pontius Pilate who went around calling people to renewal! He spent a lot of time in the wilderness, eating wild things and wearing sackcloth. People flocked to the River Jordan to be baptised by him, a symbol of their repentance or renewal of relationship with God. John was a preacher, a prophet, a signpost pointing people in the right direction. We can pray today for all those people who acted as signposts in our lives and brought us closer and closer to God: “Lord, we thank you for people who guided us, but did not try to possess us: parents, teachers, spiritual guides, friends. For a time we stood with them. Very simply, like john the Baptist, they said to us, ‘Look, there is the one you should follow,’ and hearing this we followed that person” (Michel de Verteuil).

Sowing Seeds ~ Sunday 17th June 2012

The parable of the mustard seed seems pretty straight forward at first glance, but as always there is more to it than first meets the eye. Jesus did not compare the Kingdom of God to a majestic tree. There is an ancient text which forbade planting mustard seeds in Palestinian gardens because the shrub takes over wherever it is planted. It is wild, gets out of control, and attracts unwanted birds. The Kingdom of God grows from something small to something large, but more than that, its growth is overwhelming and it will grow even where it is not wanted. The Eucharistic Congress comes to a close today and no doubt lots of seeds will have been sown during this week in the RDS, in our parishes and on the streets of Dublin. “May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body and lead us to walk humbly on the earth, in justice and love, as witnesses of your resurrection” (IEC prayer).

June 10th: Though we are many, we are one body.

Today is the feast of Corpus Christi and for Ireland this year it is a special day as the 50th International Eucharistic Congress opens in Dublin. Lots of preparation over the past few years has gone into this event as we play hosts to thousands of pilgrims from around the world and across the country who are gathering together. Some people may be unsure as to what this event is about, others are completely immersed in it. Many will have joined with youth groups, parish groups, pastoral preparation programmes, while others will have questioned the entire process. Whether we stand on the periphery or have been counting down the days, this week is sure to bring us to a new point. We pray that it will bring people together in sharing, honest dialogue, celebration and exploration in hope for the future. “Be broken for each other. Pour yourselves out for each other. This is what it means to become my Body on earth…And we recognise Him in the breaking of a burger bun and the pouring of a coke” (Margaret Silf).

Sunday June 3rd 2012: We Gather

In today’s Gospel Jesus calls his community together. The disciples who gather in this passage, despite seeing the risen Jesus, have a mixed reaction of doubt and faith. Doubt can sometimes help us in our faith, it keeps our mind open, our hearts searching

and can bring us to a new point if we allow it. Like the disciples, we bring our doubts and our faith to our celebrations. Today’s gospel should give us much hope in times of struggle, especially in our struggle for renewal in all aspects of our lives and especially in the Church. Jesus’ reaction to this mixed group of worshippers is not so much to answer their questions but to give them a command: “Go!” The command to us at the end of every Eucharist we celebrate is the same: Go, live the Gospel. Whatever period of doubt or faith we are going through we must persevere and know that Jesus said: “I am with you always ~ to the end of time.”

SHALOM

We know the end of this story, but for the disciples after Jesus’ death fear was the driving spirit. They were suffering and had locked themselves away to nurse their despair and their fear. The doors were firmly closed.

In this account of the resurrection appearance, notice how John constantly refers to the wounds of Jesus. Even though he has risen he still bears the wounds. His suffering happened and he bears the marks of that suffering. He wants Thomas to literally get in ‘touch’ with his suffering. Thomas is often unfairly referred to as a ‘doubter’ and yet in this text he makes one of the most profound statements of faith: “My Lord and my God".

We can look back on times when we suffered in our lives and perhaps see those resurrection moments that it brought. It is through those moments that Jesus says, ‘Peace be with you’. One minute they disciples are locked away in fear for their lives, the next they are ready to embrace their mission to the world.

“The Jewish greeting of shalom, that is so much more than a good wish for a quiet evening. Shalom expresses the desire that the person receiving the blessing might be whole in body, mind and spirit” (Margaret Silf).

Easter Sunday

Revisiting the tomb

In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene is faced with the tomb. Every death we experience, whether it be physical death, the death of a relationship, an addiction, financial crisis, civil strife, they all bring new life in some form eventually. This story gives hope to millions of people, that these ‘deaths’ are not a full stop, but more of a comma. That despite the suffering, heartbreak or injustice, good will triumph. Whatever our ‘death’ experiences may be, we revisit them, going to the tomb as usual. And then we realise that something has changed, the stone has rolled away.

“Life will always prevail, through all the layers of death in which we try to contain it” (Margaret Silf).

Palm Sunday

Today we read Mark’s account of Jesus’ Passion and we may find ourselves asking, “Where do I stand?” Yes it is the long Gospel but we should try not to miss the journey that this offers us this week.

The cry of abandonment on the cross has to be one of the most frightening aspects of this account: “Eloi, Eloi Lema Sabbachtani?” My God, my God, why have you deserted me? (Psalm22). Jesus’ sense of loneliness is emphasised in Mark as he is betrayed, rejected, denied, mocked, tortured and then, at the crucial moment, even God is silent.

We also see an unlikely hero in the Roman soldier who confesses Jesus’ identity. We can remember those today who stand for justice, who fight for human rights, those who are counter-cultural, those who stand against oppressive systems even though the path is dangerous and lonely.

“Lord how true it is that success and popularity are not really important in life. The only important thing is that some unbelieving centurion, seeing how we live and die could say, ‘In truth, this was a son/daughter of God.” (Michael de Verteuil).

Palm Sunday ~ April 1st 2012

This is the last instalment of Something Different for Lent. We hope this DIY retreat has helped you to find some space during your day for yourself and perhaps it has helped you to pray & reflect. Today, Palm Sunday, we wave and bless Palm Branches. They are a symbol of rejoicing and welcoming. In Pre-Christian times, Palms were a symbol of triumph. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem this Palm Sunday reminds us of the humility of Jesus’ earthly life, from beginning to end.

Suggestions for the week
Sacred Space:
You may have created a sacred space in your home for prayer during this Lenten retreat. Consider that space now:
• Can you continue to use it as part of daily prayer, especially during Holy Week but also after Easter?
• Has it changed over the course of this Lenten journey?
• Is there a symbol, a reflection, a word/phrase that has stood out for you over the past 6 weeks? What is it? Why is it significant for you?
• Perhaps you can place a palm branch in that space to symbolise the beginning of our journey into Holy Week.
Breathing Exercises: Focus on your breathing for a few minutes. Take three deep slow breaths, then focus on your normal breathing. Do this for as long as you can. This is the breath of life. Thank God for this gift. Repeat the following:
“Be. Be Still. Be still and know.
Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Gospel Reflection: Mark 14:1 – 15:7
This Sunday’s Gospel is often known as ‘the long Gospel’. Don’t let that put you off otherwise you miss the journey that this week offers you. Try to read the Gospel, or part of it, this week.
• We hold up our palms singing “Hosanna, Hosanna” as we prepare to follow Jesus into Holy Week. How can this be a personal ‘moment of opportunity’ for us too?
• What does it actually mean to be a follower of Jesus? What does this challenge us to do?

Holy Week:
Monday ~ Reflect on the story of the Passion (Mark 14:1-15:7). There are so many characters in this story: disciples, friends, and betrayers. We can recognise bits of ourselves in each of them. Place yourself in the story. Be honest with yourself and think about what you would have done as one of Jesus’ followers.
Tuesday ~ Wear or carry a small cross in your pocket today as a reminder of God’s great love for you.

Wednesday ~ Make a small sacrifice for someone today.

Holy Thursday ~ What did you hope to achieve and experience this Lenten season? What steps can you take today to bring yourself closer to that goal? Tonight is the start of the Triduum (the period of three days that recalls Jesus’ death & resurrection). Mass of our Lord’s Supper takes places @ 7pm followed by adoration until 10pm for those who wish to stay.

Good Friday ~ When you make the sign of the cross today, remember it is a special sign of the victory of Christ’s love for you. The Passion of our Lord @ 3pm. Stations of the cross in the Phoenix Park @ 12noon, starts at Wellington monument.

Holy Saturday ~ Tonight, light a candle as a symbol of Christ’s light in your life. If possible light this candle during your prayer time in the Easter season. The Easter Vigil, the biggest celebration of the Church’s year, takes places @ 7pm.

Easter Sunday ~ New life! Is there a change you want to make in your life? Write a brief note to yourself as a reminder of this day of transformation. And, enjoy the chocolate!!

Thought for the week:
“On the Sunday before the feast known now as Palm Sunday, the Roman Governor, Pilate, rode into Jerusalem seated on his magnificent horse, along with a large garrison of cavalry and foot soldiers. People would have come out to witness the pageantry of it: thousands of soldiers with weapons, the beating of drums… On Palm Sunday, Jesus also entered Jerusalem, from the other side of the city, seated on a donkey. This was not a coincidence; this procession was planned in advance and carefully thought out. The reign of Jesus was to be a reign of peace that would banish chariots…Jesus intended his procession – which today would be called a ‘counter-demonstration’ – to contrast the two reigns, the Reign of God and the reign of Caesar, two very different visions of life on earth. ” Peter McVerry, SJ

Fifth Sunday of Lent ~ 25th March 2012

John 12:20-33 “If it dies, it yields a rich harvest.”

Suggestions for the week:
Sacred space: This week perhaps you could place some seeds in your prayer space at home.
Breathing exercise: Take some time each day this week to be still. Take three deep slow breaths. Focus on your normal breathing. This is the breath of life. Repeat “Lord, you are closer to me than my own breathing” (St. Teresa). Continue this exercise for as long as you can.

Gospel Reflection: Read John 12:20-33 two-three times.

Sit with the text, and pick a word or phrase that stands out to you. Repeat that word or phrase in your mind. Why is that word or phrase relevant to you at this moment?

Some reflections on this text which may help you:
1. Jesus knows that a crisis point has arrived. He opts to stay faithful to the mission given him by God. Can you recall decisions over which you agonised? What was that like for you? What was it like when you made a decision that you were anxious about, but believed it was the right one for you?
2. The parable of the grain of wheat reminds us of a truth that any parent can testify to: that it is in dying to ourselves that we give life to others. We will never be of benefit to others if we remain wrapped up in ourselves. In what ways has your dying to yourself brought life to another? How has the generous giving of another brought life to you?
3. Sometimes we feel like praying Father, save me from this hour. Then a realisation may come for you as a parent, a teacher, a spouse, a friend: No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Recall times when you have accepted pain or hassle and been a source of life to others for doing do. (Adapted from Fr. Kieran O’Mahony www.tarsus.ie)

Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated on March 24th 1980 as he

celebrated Mass in El Salvador. He was killed for speaking out against oppression and injustice and standing for the poor. His words on the Eucharist still challenge us today:
“There are so many hungry people in this world, and their hunger is more than physical. Children are starving for love and affection. The elderly are groaning out of loneliness. People in our families and circle of friends are craving our time and attention. The wealthy hunger for meaning... We are called to feed others with love, care, compassion, concern, hospitality and justice. This is precisely what we commit ourselves to at each Eucharist… When we say ‘Amen’ we accept the challenge. We say ‘Yes!’ That ‘Amen’ is one of the most important words we say at Mass. We should think twice before we say it. It should make us shudder.”

Tasks for this week: Read some more information on this year’s Trocaire campaign. Find out about Daniel and his village.
Thursday night 29th March, we will show the film “ROMERO” in the pastoral centre @ 7.30pm. Come along and watch the life and work of Oscar Romero.

Prayer for this week:
Lord, we remember all those who know that their hour has come: couples about to commit themselves for life to each other, people, secure in their jobs who know you are calling them to move on into some new field; parents who must now let go of their children; friends who have decided to break off a relationship which is harmful to them; families facing a drop in their standard of living. Help them to feel Jesus making the journey with them. Remind them of his pain and how he had to tell himself that unless the grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies it remains only a single grain, but if it died it yields a rich harvest. (Michel de Verteuil)

4th Sunday of Lent ~ 18th March 2012

>“Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light”.
(John 3:19)

John’s Gospel uses a lot of imagery around light and darkness. We can get so caught up in the darkness around us, in our families, our communities, our country. This week we focus on the light.

Prayer suggestions for the week:
Try to spend at least 5-10 minutes in prayer each day this week. How is your sacred space doing? This week add some symbol that represents the lights of this world – people who offer service of every kind, those who put love into action.

1. Breathing exercises: As you have been doing for the past two weeks, focusing on your breathing: take three deep slow breaths, then focus on your normal breathing. Do this for as long as you can. This is the breath of life. Thank God for this gift. Repeat the following:
“Be.
Be Still.
Be still and know.
Be still and know that I am God”
(Psalm 46:10)

2. Gospel reflection John 9:1-41
• This Sunday’s Gospel is not easy reading as it is a challenging invitation from Jesus. If we accept the invitation we must be aware of the consequences:
• One is that you believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that God loves you and the rest of humanity so much that He gave Jesus as a gift to the world. The other consequence is that you acknowledge that God’s love for you is never-ending.
• The imagery in this text of light and darkness, belief and unbelief, emphasises how serious God is about offering us this gift of Jesus.
Adapted from Ciaran O’Callaghan The Year of the Suffering Servant, (Redemptorist 2011, p. 61).

• Jesus preached a message of salvation not condemnation. What a difference that attitude would make if we could embrace it. Condemning others and ourselves comes too easily to us. The real task is to see the good and work to bring that out in those around us.

Do you see light or darkness?
• Is your judgement of others formed by prejudice?
• Are you aware of your own light?
• Do you appreciate your own gifts? What are they?
• Are you generous in seeing the good points in others?

Before you go to sleep:
This week, before you go to sleep at night, think back over your day. What were the moments of light? What were the moments of darkness or negativity? Name those moments and give them to God.

When you are out and about this week:

Where is the face of Christ to be seen today?

Do you see the face of Christ in those with whom you work?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Do you see the face of Christ in the poor and the homeless?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Do you see the face of Christ in the refugee?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Do you see the face of Christ in the teacher and the social worker?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Do you see the face of Christ in the drug addict?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Thought for the Week:
“What I do, you cannot do; but what you do I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Something Different For Lent 3

Third Sunday of Lent ~ 11th March 2012

“Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple…knocked their tables over and said…“stop turning my Father’s house into a market” (John 2:16)

This week we are asking people in the parish to think about solidarity. How can we be in solidarity with the poor, with the oppressed in society, with those who have not? This is week three of your retreat. Can you add a symbol to your sacred space this week to remind yourself of solidarity with the poor? Give yourself time each day this week to reflect, 5, 10, 15 minutes – whatever you can manage.

Prayer suggestions for this week:
1. Breathing exercises: As you have been doing for the past two weeks, focusing on your breathing: take three deep slow breaths, then focus on your normal breathing. Do this for as long as you can. This is the breath of life. Thank God for this gift. Repeat the following:
“Be.
Be Still.
Be still and know.
Be still and know that I am God”
(Psalm 46:10)

2. Gospel reflection: John 2:13-22 “Jesus Cleanses the Temple”.

Read this text 2-3 times. Pick a word/phrase that stands out for you. Repeat that word or phrase to yourself. Why is it significant for you?

Some thoughts on the text:
• Jesus is angry in today’s Gospel: He “scattered the money changers’ coins and knocked over their tables.” What makes you angry? Why?
• We may be surprised at Jesus’ reaction in this Gospel. Surely anger is not a good thing. But neither is indifference when we see things that

are not right.
• What should we be angry about? What injustices do we see around us? In our communities? In our country? In our world?
• What can we do about these injustices? How can we be in solidarity with those who are oppressed, who are poor, who have no voice?
• Situate this story in the context of Lent.

Suggestions for the Week: Trocaire ~ Focus on Uganda

Poverty has many stories and many faces. Christ asks us to be models of solidarity and love. We must act for justice and peace in whatever way we can. But sometimes it appears to be so difficult. How can we live in solidarity with others? Here are some suggestions for this week, for the rest of Lent and beyond!

• Pray for those suffering from poverty, hunger, oppression…
• Support Trocaire through donations if you can.
• Read the information from Trocaire this week: it’s not all about giving money, we need to be AWARE of the situations which affect people. For example: who is the child on the Trocaire box? What is his story?
• Act: there are many ways to support campaigns which affect people in so-called developing countries. See below for details on Trocaire’s action.

Live Lent: welcome Daniel and the people of Northern Uganda into your home this week. How? Well you can start here:

Daniel is the boy on the Trocaire box. He is 9 years old and lives with his

mother Betty, his father Joel and his brothers and sisters in the small rural village of Bar Kwach in Northern Uganda. Daniel was born into civil war. In 2004 soldiers attacked his village, forcing the family to flee. 300 people from his village died in the attack. The family moved to a camp where extreme poverty, poor sanitation and depression were rife. In 2006, when it was safe to do so, Daniel and his family moved back to their home and this is where their biggest struggle began – to begin life again.

Trocaire are working with local partners to better the lives of people in Daniel’s community. This work is the embodiment of Christ on earth today and the true meaning of communion. As the Eucharistic Congress approaches we are asked to be in “communion with Christ and with one another”. This means action for the poorest of our own communities and the world.

Action: Part of Trocaire’s campaign this year is to send an email/letter to your local TD asking them to prioritise small scale farmers in Uganda. You can join the online campaign here:

Thoughts for the Week:
“But it is not God’s will for some to have everything and others to have nothing. That cannot be of God. God’s will is that all his children be happy” (Oscar Romero)

“Anyone who ignores the poor ignores Christ” (St. Francis of Assisi)

Something Different for Lent 2

Second Sunday of Lent ~ 4th March 2012
“Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone.” (Mark 9:2)

Welcome to week 2 of our Lenten Retreat. How are you doing? Did you manage to create a sacred space for yourself last week? If not, don’t worry, you can still do it with some candles, symbols, the colour purple for Lent!

This week’s task is to find space and time each day to be quiet and reflective. It is only when you stand back from the daily business that you can see things more clearly. Jesus is calling us to do that this week ~ to join him on the mountain. Decide what is best for you – ten minutes in the morning or evening? While out walking? Jesus takes the disciples up a mountain this week ~ if you have time to do that one day this week, great!

Prayer Suggestions for this week:
1. Breathing exercise: Be still. Take three deep slow breaths. Then, focus on your normal breathing. Do this for as long as you like. This is the breath of life. Thank God for this gift of breath and life. Repeat the following: “Lord, you are closer to me than my own breathing” (St. Teresa).

2. Gospel reflection ~ Read Mark 9:2-10 ‘The Transfiguration’ two-three times. Consider the following:
• The transfiguration experience was one that clarified Jesus’ relationship with his Father. What have been the experiences, the moments of insight that have clarified your relationship with God?
• The clear vision of Jesus with Moses and Elijah was followed by a frightening experience of being in a cloud and it was in the midst of the cloud that the disciples were instructed: “This is my Son, whom I love! Listen to him”. Have you had the experience of learning the truth about life and about your relationship with God from moments of confusion as well as from times of special joy?
• After their special experience the disciples came down the mountain again. Peter wanted to stay there, make tents there. But this is not the way it works. We cannot live each day at this level of special spiritual experiences. There is work to be done on the ground. However, these experiences can strengthen us in difficult times. What memories/experiences encourage you in time of trouble?

Suggestions for the week:
When you wake up in the morning:
Stay in the silence of that moment without radio, mobile phone or T.V. Become aware of your breathing. Be still. Take three deep, slow breaths, and then focus on your normal breathing. Tune in to the sounds in your house; listen to the ‘dawn chorus’ of the birds.
"I thank you, God, for the gift of life and creation. What can I do this Lent to show that I am a steward of God’s creation? Do I recycle? Could I walk/cycle instead of drive sometimes?"

When travelling on your own in the car, on the road, or on your bicycle: Open yourself to your environment and other pilgrims on the way; Look out for spring flowers; notice the colour and shape of buildings; observe the people around you.
I thank you, God, for your presence in every person, moment and place.

When going to sleep at night:
• Begin your preparations for bed earlier than usual and think of all the people you met today;
• Give thanks for all the blessings of the day;
• Let go of all hurts that have accumulated through the day ~ name them and give them to God.
"I thank you, God, for the gift of your companionship this day."

Thought for the Week:
The Sun Never Says (Hafiz)
“Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth,
‘You owe me’. Look what happens with a love like that,
It lights the whole sky."

SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR LENT 2012

First Sunday of Lent ~ 26th February 2012

“The Spirit sent him out into the wilderness”

Welcome to the first week of our Lenten retreat. Each week these reflections will be a guide for you to spend some more time in prayer and throughout Lent. It is also an opportunity to focus in on the Lenten themes each week and to take some ‘time out’ each day.

Our theme for Lent this year is Live Lent. Transform Your World. We begin our Lenten retreat by allowing ourselves to be led into the ‘wilderness’. We need to remove ourselves from our hectic world for a few minutes each day to give ourselves space and time. In the Gospels we are told that Jesus frequently goes away to a quiet place to pray, to escape the crowds, to spend time with God. This is a good place to start.

Tasks for this week:

First you are invited to create a simple sacred space in your home. This could be in the corner of your bedroom or sitting room. It should be somewhere that you can go for some quiet time each day. You may use some symbols in your space – such as a cross, candles, a bible or some significant symbol for you. The colour for Lent is purple so you may like to use that colour in your sacred space. You could even create your own mini-desert using some sand and stones. Be creative, yet keep it simple.

Secondly, some people like to carry something with them during the weeks of Lent, like a stone or pebble. This is a reminder of the things that weigh you down, preventing you from living as freely and as fully as you can. Take your stone out once everyday and hold it in your hand. By the

end of the five weeks you will know every part of it as you will know your inner self. You can place the stone/symbol in the sacred space each night as a symbol of giving those burdens to God.

The following suggestions on these pages are meant as a guide.You can do some of them or all of them. Take your time – you have a full week.

Prayer suggestions for the week:

1. Breathing exercise: Be still. Take three deep slow breaths. Then, focus on your normal breathing. This is the breath of life. Thank God for this gift of breath and life. Repeat the following: “Lord, you are closer to me than my own breathing” (St. Teresa).

2. Read Sunday’s Gospel, two or three times (Mark 1:12-15)
Sit with the text, and pick a word or phrase that stands out to you. Repeat that word or phrase in your mind. Why is that word or phrase relevant to you at this moment? Is it calling you to action? That action might be thanksgiving, a call for prayer, or a more specific action.

Something to think about:

Jesus went to the desert to prepare for his public ministry. How will I prepare for this season of Lent? Where is my ‘wilderness’? Where can I go to reflect/pray/ ‘BE STILL’? I can take up something as well as or instead of giving up something. What will I do this Lent? How will I live in solidarity with those who ‘have not’?
Lord, help me to change on my Lenten journey.

God created me in His own image and likeness. He always sees the good in me. God is always close to me and with me. Do I sometimes priorities other things in life because I am so busy working, caring, cleaning, rushing ~ I move further away from God? This Lent I will try to spend some time in prayer each day, even if only for a few minutes.
Lord, help me to change on my Lenten journey

Thought for the Week:
‘The question is not “How am I to find God?” but
“How am I to let myself be found by Him?”
The question is not “How am I to know God?” but
“How am I to let myself be known by God?”
And finally, the question is not “How am I to love God?” but
“How am I to let myself be loved by God?”
God is looking into the distance for me,
Trying to find me, and longing to bring me home.’
(Henri J. Nouwen)

Embrace the Wilderness, LIVE LENT.

The gospel for the first Sunday of Lent sends us out into the wilderness. And it’s good. The text says that it is the Spirit who drove Jesus (not literally!) out into the wilderness, therefore it is God who is in control here. It may be an uncomfortable situation “with the wild beasts” but wilderness can be a great thing. We often have to remove ourselves from the hum drum of daily life so that we can breathe a little. It’s a bit like a stock take. What’s here? What’s here that shouldn’t be? What’s missing?

Lent calls each of us to transform our lives and our relationships with the world around us. We won’t automatically wake up on Easter morning transformed. It takes time, it takes practice. But we are KINGDOM PEOPLE, building, transforming, and working in solidarity. With so much to do, we must take example from the first Sunday gospel of this transforming season and allow ourselves to be led, like Jesus, “into the wilderness”.

LOVE LIFE; LIVE LENT; TRANSFORM YOUR WORLD

Fierce Friendship (Mk 2:1-13)

This is one of the many conflict stories in Mark where Jesus is challenged by the religious authorities. They are non-too pleased that he is forgiving sins because as far as they are concerned, only God can do that. It is easy for them to use the words of forgiveness, but how many of them can heal the paralysed man and let him walk? Jesus wants to heal the man but also to show people that he has authority! And what of the faith of the paralysed man’s friends ~ fierce friendship? They literally took the roof off so that they could get him to Jesus. You can imagine Jesus sitting there, teaching, and then the dust starts to fall…

“And I look out and I see paralysed men and women, paralysed congregations, paralysed ministries and I want to cry; ‘Your sins are forgiven. Rise, take up your bed and walk!’ And I treasure those moments of intrusion, when the heavens are torn apart and the Spirit descends and I rise from the water and I know there is hope” (William Loader).

Sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

One of the features of Mark’s Gospel is the big SECRET, what scholars call the ‘Messianic Secret’.

Whenever Jesus heals people in Mark, he tells them not to tell anyone. On the odd occasion when the disciples show a little bit of understanding, he tells them not to say anything to anyone about his miracles. You would think that Jesus would want it shouted from the rooftops, never mind the torture it would be for people to try and keep something like this quiet. But Jesus is not that kind of Messiah. He doesn’t want the publicity, not yet. He doesn’t want people to have the wrong idea about what his MISSION involves. It is not about the glory, it is not meant to be easy, it is not without the difficult paths, the cross! It is all about service.

We can think of the leper as all those people in society that we don’t want near us… they are easily identified by this question: ‘who do you not want living next door to you?’ Jesus reaches out to the alienated and by doing so, in today’s Gospel, he himself becomes alienated.

Jane Mellett ~ Intercom 2012
Just for fun:

February 5th

It was still dark, deserted and prayerful.
The Gospel today is a busy one. Jesus goes from teaching in the synagogue, to healing Peter’s mother-in law, to curing everyone in the city who was sick or possessed. But there is one line in the midst of this text which stands out: “In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed”. We don’t have to think too hard about the busyness of our own lives to realise the importance of stopping at some point in the middle of the mayhem to breathe, to give some space, prayer, reflection, whatever we can to focus our minds on the purpose of all the madness… God’s Kingdom.

The Difference
I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't take time to pray.
Problems just tumbled around me,
And heavier came each task;
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty-
But the day toiled on, grey and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me,

He said, "But you didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all my keys at the lock;
God gently and lovingly chided:
"My child, you didn't knock."
I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.
(Author Unknown)