Since Paul opted to put me first, and with carte blanche to change things, I have decided to use the KISS
principle ..Keep It Short and Simple – so no Dad jokes this week!
We have heard a lot lately on Jesus as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, his body and blood,
which we must eat and drink to enter His Kingdom. Confronting words for a confronting challenge! But I
was thinking that it’s the spiritual analogy we should look to, rather than the visceral words. We must
absorb Christ’s Body (the Word of God that guides His church) and internalise His Blood (the suffering
He undertook for us) so we may continue His mission to “love one another as I have loved you”, no
matter what the cost!
So after giving us the Eucharist, Jesus wants Action! And our day to day actions seem rather insignificant
compared to those of Jesus – but He understands we are only human! Sometimes showing love is just a
simple text or smile – even if you cant help, it shows you care.
“If you cant do great things, do little things with great love.
” St Teresa of Calcutta
God bless you all,
Bernadette
PS. Have you seen The Chosen? See further down!!
SHARE YOUR PFG STORY:
If you and your Passionist Family Group have a story either past or present to share, then, can I encourage you to
do so. I think these stories encourage and advise new and old members to see how these PFG’s illustrate how a
Family Group has been an intrinsic part of our lives.
Let’s hear from our Aotearoa groups. Sharing some of your Passionist Family Group stories.
Please email Paul Traynor paulus663@gmail.com – let your words tell us your stories.
These simple and true stories of the spirit and down to earthiness of Passionist Family Groups. Our Motto
– “A Family for All”.
Scripture Reflection: 7/8 September – 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7
Isaiah prophesies that God will lift up the Israelites from their wretched state and the blind, deaf, lame
and mute will be cured, prefiguring the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament.
Second Reading: James 2:1-5
James warns the early Christians not to judge others by their appearance or treat them according to this
superficial judgement, as God has promised His kingdom to the poor and suffering, the ones who love
Him, not the wealthy.
Gospel: Mark 7:31-37
In this gospel story the people who brought the deaf and mute man to Jesus begged Him to “lay his hand
on him” to heal him. But He first took the man away from the crowd, then put His divine finger into the
man’s ears, touched the man’s tongue with His own sacred saliva and the man was cured. This may seem
strange, but it helps to understand the symbolism here.
In the Old Testament when Moses received the Ten Commandments we know that it was God’s finger
that wrote them (Exodus 31:18). In the book of Daniel, a finger appeared and wrote a prophetic message
on a wall (Daniel 5:5). In the New Testament, Jesus cast out a demon “by the finger of God” (Luke
11:20) and in today’s Gospel He healed this man’s hearing with His finger. The “finger of God” is
understood as the power of God and by using His sacred finger to heal, Jesus was symbolically revealing
that He acted with the power of His Father.
Saliva has a medicinal power of healing as it contains antibacterial agents. We see animals licking a
wound as a natural instinct. Since normal saliva can help heal a wound, Jesus’s saliva healed in a
supernatural way, restoring the man’s speech.. Recall, also, that Jesus healed a blind man by spitting on
the ground and then smearing the mud on his eyes (John 9:6).
Did Jesus need to use His finger and His saliva to heal this man? No, but He chose to use His body as an
instrument of His healing power, and in doing so reveals to us that Jesus’ humanity is the source of
God’s power on earth. So now He wants you, the members of His Body, to model His compassion – you
are His hands and feet, His eyes and voice, His heart and finger, and even His saliva. If you ever feel as
though God cannot use you, call to mind the way in which our Lord worked this miracle. If God can use
His finger and His saliva, He certainly can use you, no matter how unworthy you may feel!
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
The Chosen is a TV series about the life of Jesus, through the eyes of his apostles.
It is very relatable and conveys the gospel stories set against the life and times of Roman-occupied
Palestine, The apostles are portrayed with depth and the background to many well known srories makes
them even more powerful.Watching it has really brought the gospel alive to me, and the Jesus actor was
certainly well-chosen!
Series 1 is available on Netflix, and you can download The Chosen app to stream all the 4 available
series. If you cant handle the technology ask someone young – its very easy and well worth it!
Or have a Chosen evening and invite your PFG members!
Please remember in your thoughts and prayer:
• Please Jenny Epplett, Preston and family after the death of her
brother which was very sudden. Also, other family loss and
daughter who is in need of support.
• Remember Christine Geoghegan’s daughter Kate who has just been diagnosed with a
brain tumour. Please keep all the family in your thoughts and prayer.
• Please keep Jocelyn Bryant who recently told that her cancer had moved from stable to
progressive. She began 3 weeks of radiation therapy also remember her husband Kevin
and family, in your thoughts and prayer
• Please remember Paul Davenport and his wife Jill who is under the grip of dementia.
Tough times.
• Remember Leanne Hintz daughter of Clair and Ray Hague who died recently from Levin
and all the family
• Robyn Burns (Hill) she is now home and the next part of recuperation begins. She has a
long recovery time. She continues making good progress.
• Please remember Terry Nelson son of father Gray Nelson and daughter Catherine in
your prayers Terry has been diagnosed with brain tumours. .
• Please keep Brian McFlynn in our prayers who is undergoing cancer treatment. Also, his
wife Eleanor and their family in your prayers..
• Please keep Paul and Linda Darbyshire in your thoughts and prayer amid new challenges
they face. They are in need of prayerful support.
• Please keep in your prayer Tim Bartell’s son, Sam who is currently in hospital. Prayerful
support for Sue and Tom and mum Sue.
• Please keep Christine Geoghegan and family in your thoughts and prayer.
• Please keep Richard Gibbs in your prayer he continues to slowly improve. Remember his
wife Sue who has just been a pillar over the past 3 years.
• Please keep Robert van de Pas in your prayers Also Adriana his mother who is supporting
him.
• Please remember Preston and Jenny Epplett’s daughter she has just completed her course
of chemotherapy
• Please keep Debbi Davidson’s husband Bryan in your prayer
• Please keep Charlie and Maggi in your thoughts and prayer as they support their daughter
and her partner
• 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.
• Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health.
• 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 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 And your own intentions…