Morena/Good morning,
Who among us has been broken? Who has thought I am doomed? Who has thought I am not good enough? Who has thought I don’t know if I can get through this day? Who has been lonely and frightened? Who has lost their way? Who has worried about someone they love? Who has walked in the darkness waiting for the light of dawn? Who has ventured into the depths of despair-lost and afraid? Who has sought a friend? A kind voice?
Regardless of how many times you tick a box for one or more of the above statements they all tell us something about being human and living in the world. There is a sense that despite the despondency of Job in the first reading – we can actually relate to him and his struggles.
If you watch movies many of them you go through the ups and downs and then the wonderful ending! It’s a bit of escape and enjoyable. However, we know that for many people this isn’t real. For many each and every day is a struggle. People tend to lose through a lack of love, kindness or care. People wanting to judge or put down rather than reach out and caress others hearts. In reality one can relate with Job.
In the second reading there is that great proclamation of St Paul ‘to Preach the gospel’ Paul provides us with example of how we can overcome bias, prejudice, hatred as he moves from one who was a Persecutor of Christians to one who stops at nothing to bring people to an awareness of Jesus Christ. His faith and hope go before him with courage, determination and a commitment to making Jesus known. As he says in Philippians 2:1-2 “If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness or sympathy then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind.”
The gospel cites another example of Jesus reaching out in a healing, compassionate manner. The people keep coming and his healing love and power alters peoples and changes them. This authority that he possesses is not only in and through words but also actions – the actions and words of one who emulates and lives out of the compassionate and forgiving heart of God.
That’s the Jesus I see. He is among us sharing in our struggles and pain. It is a reason why I enjoy reading Mark’s gospel. He pulls no punches and the story is a journey to the Jerusalem – ultimately to the Cross! So, let’s be heartened that our God comes among us to show us to the path where forgiveness, mercy, compassion and love are the drivers to being like him.
As an exercise: Try using this following sentence from the gospel as a mantra. Sit quietly and then say the following -“In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there” repeat until you are moved to silence. Remain there for a few minutes and then bring yourself back to your day. Take home from this – God is with us, among us in the struggles.
Have a good week – blessings on each of you and those struggling
Paul
Scripture Reflection: Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B, 4 February 2024.
He heals the broken hearted; he binds up all their wounds
Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial psalm: Ps 146(147):1-6
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
Link to readings – click here
This Sunday, the readings invite us to look more deeply into the experience of human suffering. It is only through Christ that our pain and despair can and will be transformed.
Reminder: 5 Aims and Goals
- share & celebrate life & faith
- support one another (especially in need)
- reaching out to & include others
- build community/extended family
- show and give example to children
Formation-Reflection – Two articles attached…happy reading
Fr Dennis Narcorda PP Levin
Samoan Community Young people from Indian community
Community from Levin Forrest & Christi
Pease remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please keep Paul Geoghegan in your prayers and remember his wife Christine and children and grandchildren.
- Please keep Jocelyn Bryant who is undergoing Chemotherapy also her husband Kevin and family in your thoughts and prayer
- Please keep Richard Gibbs in your prayer he is recuperating at home and remember his wife Sue.
- Please keep a young mum in your prayers who is having pregnancy issues.
- Please keep Preston Epplett in your prayer and his family. Preston is recovering.
- Please remember Preston and Jenny Epplett’s daughter who is undergoing chemotherapy
- We pray for a quick recover for Sarah Peacock who had a fall and broke bones and led to a hip replacement . She has had great support by husband John and their PFG
- Please keep Debbi Davidson’s husband Bryan in your prayer after Debbi died on 1st November. Also, please keep the children and grandchildren and friends in your thoughts and prayer. Grief is a tough journey.
- Please keep Charlie and Maggi in your thoughts and prayer as they support their daughter and her partner
- Please keep Anja van de Wettering in your prayers as she has shared she is expecting.
- Please keep David Victoria and baby in your prayers. There has been some positive progress and it now looks as if this baby will make it to full term.
- Please keep a friend in mind who is in very early stages of pregnancy but has had a few miscarriages so, things are touch and go.
- Please keep Robert van de Pas in your prayers – he continues to struggle with pain etc from Chronic Pancreatitis.
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health.
- Please keep in mind a son of a friend of mine who has just been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Please remember Martin van der Wetering in your prayers as his health still is causing him grief and discomfort.
- Please remember Phil Drew a former Passionist along with his wife Anne and family
- Please keep in your prayers those who continue to deal with the after effects of droughts on the horn of Africa. Also weather effects on other countries across the planet
- Please keep Bob Buckley in your prayers-
- Keep in prayer the people of Ukraine
- Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer – these acts from both sides have had a horrible effect on the innocent as always.
- Please keep Nick and Leah and daughter Heidi Darbyshire along with Paul and Linda in your thoughts and prayer.
- Please pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) – their son-in-law Mark married to Dot’s daughter Anita has been diagnosed with aggressive brain tumour, Please keep in mind their daughter Bailey and son Taylor.
- Remember Pat and Rod Carson
- Aidan son of Josie and Phil McIntyre –his parents are his caregivers.
- Your own intentions
Humour:
– When you dream in colour it’s a pigment of your imagination.
– It doesn’t make any sense, but volunteering is rewarding.
– James Bond has grey hair in his latest film – no time to dye.
– Tony married his wife for her looks, not the ones he’s getting lately.
