Sunday 27th September 2015 ~ Remove the Stumbling Blocks

Earlier in the Gospel of Mark the disciples were arguing about who amongst them was the greatest; in any group there is bound to be the occasional dispute! Today they are complaining that people, who are not part of the gang, are performing works in Jesus’s name. The disciples are eager to pass judgement, yet Jesus is asking them not to focus so much on how other people are a stumbling block to the Gospel, but to look inwards and ask themselves how are they doing? What stumbling blocks do they put in their way or in the way of others?

On 4 October we will celebrate the feast of St Francis of Assisi, bringing ‘Creation Time’ to a close. Some parishes have a blessing of animals; others have ‘Eco-Sunday’ and some have achieved the ‘Eco-Parish’ award from Eco-Congregation Ireland. (If your parish is not on the list, maybe you can gather people together to start the process: http://ecocongregationireland.com/eco-tips.)

It is easy to point the finger at major corporations and poor leadership and think that there is nothing we can do about climate injustice. As this season of ‘Creation Time’ draws to a close, let us really celebrate by committing to small actions as parish communities, being part of the solution and not a stumbling block.

‘Common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning… Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life’.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 207.

"Who is the greatest?" ~ Sunday 20th September 2015

In Pope Francis’s recent encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, he acknowledged that for so long human beings have treated the planet as if it were there solely for our use and exploitation, as if we were the greatest. He urges us to see the deep connectedness that exists with nature. ‘Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it.’ (139). Pope Francis refreshingly speaks of an ‘integral ecology’; that dealing with climate change involves an approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded and at the same time protecting nature. We can no longer treat any of these in isolation.

We are all an integral part of nature and are called to respect nature not simply because of its use for us, but because of the countless relationships that exist between the environment and ourselves. The earth is calling to us to act. We can make a real difference to people’s lives through the small choices we make: the promise to live more simply and more sustainably. It is up to us and we can choose to be part of the solution rather than the problem. Like the disciples in today’s Gospel, we are called to examine how we relate to one another, and that includes our relationship with nature. We must start listening to what the earth is saying to us, and like the child in today’s Gospel, respond with humility.

Sunday September 13th 2015 ~

According to the ‘World Giving Index’ Ireland is listed as the fourth most generous country in the world. There is no denying the generosity of the people of this country, especially in times of crisis and in spite of tough economic situations. The injustice currently threatening our world will not be solved by charity giving alone. During this special season of ‘Creation Time’ we are being asked to reflect deeply on how we can come together as local communities to tackle climate change. We are being asked to reflect on how we can live more sustainable lives and encourage others to do the same.

In the Second Reading today St James encourages us to look at our attitudes and actions and how they can affect those around us: ‘I, by my works, shall show you my faith’. We have a responsibility to be a positive influence in the world.

 Can we as parish communities reflect together on these important issues? Do we recycle; do we support local produce and therefore local communities; is our parish FairTrade and if not, how can we get started? How is our use of green spaces in our parish? These small actions can be a prophetic example to others, where we can say to our communities:

‘We require a new and universal solidarity… All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own cultures, experience, involvements and talents.’

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 14

Sunday 6th September "Creation Time"

'EPHPHATHA’ (Mark 7:31-37)

Between 1 September and 4 October (the feast of St Francis of Assisi) Christian churches celebrate the season of ‘Creation Time’. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the gift of our world and to look at our relationship with the planet. There is no better time for us as individuals and as parish communities to consider our responsibilities to act on climate change, especially in light of Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si. 

In the Gospel today, as Jesus opens the ears of a deaf man, he says ‘Ephphatha – Be Opened’. May our ears be opened to the cries of the earth and to the poor who suffer the most because of climate injustice. What a wonderful and prophetic action it would be in celebration of ‘Creation Time’ if each parish community committed to beginning a JPiC (Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation) group? Or perhaps thinking ahead to the feast of St Francis, ask ourselves how can we as parish communities celebrate the gift of creation? Great things can happen when small groups of people come together and act locally. How will your parish celebrate ‘Creation Time’? (For more info: http://ecocongregationireland.com/)

‘I wish to address every person living on this planet… I urgently appeal for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all’.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 1, 14