Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, 28th January 2024

O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.

The readings this week reflect the Psalm response: O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your heart. This was the response of the Israelites when they grumbled at Meribah and Massah in the desert.

In the First Reading, Moses promises the tribes of Israel that the Lord will send them a prophet like himself, coming from within their midst, who will speak God’s words.

We meet this prophet in the Gospel. It is Jesus himself, who amazes his audience in the synagogue by curing a man possessed by an unclean spirit. They are particularly impressed by Christ’s quiet authority.

In the Second Reading, Paul seeks to reassure his audience in Corinth. They are worrying about marriage in the wider context of the end of time, which they think is imminent. They, too, must give their undivided attention to the Lord and ensure everything is as it should be.

This week, we might like to spend some quiet time with the Lord, perhaps resting in him without words and listening to his voice in the silence of our heart. He knows and understands our problems, and our great yearning for peace throughout the world.

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Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 13th November 2022

For you the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays

As we approach the end of the Church’s year, today’s readings lead us to think about the passage of time and the end of the world. Though outwardly daunting, they provide a message of hope for those who stay faithful to God’s love.

The prophet Malachi (First Reading) uses stark imagery to portray the fate of those who do not respect the Lord. But the ones who remain faithful to him will see the day that is coming as a time of joy and healing.

In the Gospel, Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, but tells us not to fear wars, persecution, and natural disasters. While these things may seem like the end, in fact they are not: he cautions us not to be deceived by those claiming that ‘the time has come’. Even when in difficulty, we are not to worry about what to say: the Spirit of Jesus will give us words and wisdom, as we bear witness to Christ. By staying secure in the love that God has for us, we will be held safe.

Paul presents himself as a model to the Thessalonian church (Second Reading), spreading the Good News and earning his keep. He stresses the importance of the whole community working for the good of all, rather than sitting around thinking about the future.

The Psalmist is certain of the Lord’s coming, when justice will prevail. All creation is invited to join in the joyful proclamation of that coming.

This week, I may like to pray for trust and inner strength, keeping Christ at my side, and responding to him in every moment of my daily life.

We also continue to pray for the peace of the world.

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Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 6th November 2022

Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

As we move towards the end of the liturgical year, the readings invite us to think about endings: not in a fearful way, but with an invitation to hope and trust in the God of resurrection and life.

The First Reading tells of a valiant mother who, strong in her hope of the resurrection, encourages her faith-filled sons to suffer martyrdom rather than prove unfaithful to God.

Jesus, answering the sly question posed by the Saducees (Gospel), demonstrates that they have not even begun to understand the transformation of life that will take place after the resurrection. Heaven is about union with the God who is Lord of life and the living.

Paul prays that our Lord and Father may strengthen the young Christian community of Thessalonica with the grace of strength, comfort and hope (Second Reading). He also warns them to be alert to ‘the interference of bigoted and evil people’, who would prevent the Lord’s message of love spreading quickly throughout the world.

The Psalm is a prayer of trust in God and appeals for deliverance from enemies who have wrongfully accused the psalmist. The images used to describe God are both intimate and striking.

This week, we pray for all innocent people in our own times who suffer imprisonment, torture and death.
We also pray that Christ Jesus’s message of love and compassion for the whole of life may spread quickly throughout the world.

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Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 30th October 2022

The Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost

The readings for this Sunday once again celebrate God’s boundless love for each and every one of us. No matter how far we go astray, God continues to seek us out and welcome us back.

The First Reading reminds us that God has created everything in love. Nothing exists or survives without God’s imperishable spirit. It is because of the depth of God’s love that our faults and failings can be forgiven, and we can rely on God to guide us away from evil.

The Psalm is a wonderful hymn of praise to the God we acknowledge as King of our hearts. The verses echo the first reading in reminding us how completely God loves us. God will raise us up to life when we fall.

In the Second Reading, St Paul urges the Thessalonians – and ourselves – to continue to focus on doing what good the Lord asks of us. It is through our lives that God’s name will be glorified.

The Gospel story of Zacchaeus reiterates that salvation awaits anyone who repents of their sinful ways. Just as Jesus urges Zacchaeus down from the tree, so, too, he calls each one of us. All we need do is seek his presence, and, acknowledging our faults and failings, welcome him into every aspect of our lives.

This week, as we continue to pray for an end to hostilities throughout the world, we ask that the Lord will help us to hear and respond to his invitation and welcome him joyfully into our lives.

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Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 23rd October 2022

God be merciful to me, a sinner!

Honesty and humility seem to go hand in hand, and our readings this week show how essential these attitudes are to our prayer.

In our First Reading we learn that God listens with special care to the humble. In his justice, he is no respecter of ‘personages’: those of undue importance or elevated status.

The Psalm picks up this theme. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted. He hears the cry of the poor.

St Paul, in his letter to Timothy, faces the court alone (Second Reading). But he knows the Lord is at his side, and it is the Lord who gives him power to proclaim the message. Paul is full of thanksgiving for God’s continuous care.

Our Gospel is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee is full of self-righteousness, but the humble tax collector, who acknowledges his sinfulness, goes home ‘at rights with God’.

This week, may we be confident – as we come to prayer in all our sinfulness – knowing that the Lord, in his mercy, will always hear us.

We continue to pray for the peace of the world, and for all who suffer.

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Twenty-eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C, 9th October 2022

Sing a new song to the Lord!

The scripture readings this week highlight the importance of gratitude.  It is shown to be that perfect response to the Lord’s constant goodness to us.  Whatever cleansing we are seeking or hardships we are bearing (First Reading), the Lord has been, is, and will work for our good.

He will do this on our behalf through his right hand and holy arm (Psalm). 

And however wavering our own stance to God might be, God is always faithful to us (Second Reading).

For St Ignatius, ingratitude was ‘the most abominable of all sins’ and in the Gospel we see it is the ‘foreigner’ – a Samaritan – who turns back to give thanks for his healing.  Jesus appreciates this and encourages him in his faith, something the other nine miss.

This coming week, I might quietly reflect upon the ways my gratitude can be seen to be simply an echo of grace – my response to what God has already given.

We continue to pray for the peace of the world, and for all who suffer.

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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 18th September 2022

‘Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son!’

This week’s readings highlight that God is Lord of the poor, the needy and the oppressed – as well as being the God of those in positions of power and authority. The readings also testify to these two sides of witnessing to our faith.

The prophet Amos gives a powerful message, fiercely condemning social injustice – and especially those who trample on and exploit the needy and impoverished. (First Reading)

Jesus, too, is unambiguous when it comes to the right use of money. Tainted as it is, money has a place in the life of believers. However, it should be used ethically for the greater good of all. (Gospel)

St Paul urges us to lives of prayer. We are to pray for all, including those in positions of political authority, for they have responsibility to care for the vulnerable in society and preserve the peace. God longs for a loving and truthful relationship with all people. (Second Reading) 

Today’s Psalm, a hymn of praise, glorifies God – in particular because of the care and compassion he shows for the poor and lowly.

This week, we pray for those who hold political and institutional power in our lands, that they may have the courage and integrity to use their power and influence to develop the kingdom of God here on earth. 

We also continue to pray for the peace of the world, and for all who suffer, especially our many sisters and brothers living in abject poverty and powerlessness.

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Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 11th September 2022

‘Rejoice with me … I have found my sheep that was lost!’

The readings for this Sunday celebrate the boundless mercy God offers to us, regardless of our sins, and the joy that comes from repentance.

In the First Reading, the fragile faith of the Israelites has faltered, and they worship the calf they have created out of molten metal. Moses pleads the cause of the people, and God relents from destroying them, despite their lack of faith.

The Psalmist, recognising the depth of his sinfulness, trusts in God’s mercy. He pleads with God to strengthen the spirit within, offering a ‘humbled, contrite’ heart.

The Second Reading recalls the multitude of sins the young Saul committed against the faith before his conversion. Despite this, when he repented of these sins he was shown great mercy, and was filled with the grace and love of Christ. We are reminded again that Jesus came into the world to save all sinners.

In the Gospel we hear Jesus’s powerful teaching about seeking whatever is lost, and the joy that comes when it is found again. Here he speaks of a lost sheep and a lost coin, but the heart of his message is the joy of God’s loving mercy, which is poured out upon us when we repent of our sins.

This week, let’s keep in mind all those who are lost and searching for something – perhaps for a loved one who has gone astray; for forgiveness; for love or peace; or for meaning in life itself. We ask the Lord to be with all of us in our searching, and bring us the joy of finding what we seek.

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Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 4th September 2022

True discipleship

Our readings this week lead us to contemplate Christ’s self-sacrificing love. We are asked to follow him, the Wisdom of God incarnate.

The First Reading states bluntly that we have enough difficulty grasping the world around us, so how can we understand the mind of God? Only through the gift of Wisdom might we begin to do so.

The Psalm expresses confidence in the Lord. Despite the transience of life, may God give us ‘wisdom of heart’.

Paul, in his letter to Philemon, appeals to him to welcome back a runaway slave. May he do this in a real spirit of Christian brotherhood. (Second Reading)

The Gospel gives us Jesus’s teaching on true discipleship. This requires total commitment and will affect our nearest and dearest.

This week, may we consider our freedom as children of God, and not be enslaved by our desires.

We continue to pray for the peace of the world, and for all who suffer.

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Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 28th August 2022

The readings for this Sunday speak of humility, and help us think about the order of things in the kingdom of God.

The First Reading advises us to be gentle, humble and attentive, warning against pride. God is the source of whatever strength and goodness we have. By behaving humbly we will find the Lord’s favour, which is all that finally matters.

This theme is echoed in the Gospel, where Jesus teaches us how to live according to his vision of a good society. Everyone is invited and welcomed equally, for we share a common humanity. By caring for and putting others first, ‘repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again’.

The Psalmist sings of God’s care for those on the margins, rejoicing at God’s generosity to his people, bringing them new life.

The author of the Second Reading urges the Hebrews, and us, to remain faithful. Jesus, as mediator, has instituted a new covenant for his followers, and we can each celebrate our identity as a child of God and ‘citizen of heaven’. There is no need to be afraid: we are not alone but part of God’s family.

Let’s rejoice, and like the psalmist, sing our praises to the Lord for his generosity. May we be attentive and gentle in all we say and do this week, always responding to God’s call.

We continue to pray for the peace of the world, and for all who suffer.

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