Morena – Good morning,
Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart.’ (Deuteronomy 6:6)
Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.’ Jesus, seeing how wisely he had spoken, said, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ (Mark 12:31-33)
Read through these verses and listen: then reflect! I offer some of my reflections:
These above verses say a lot more about what the mission of following Jesus is all about. We can all get distracted by the semantics such as attending mass; following the letter of religious instruction and argue for and against what people have done. Their sin, we can say is unacceptable and it allows us to isolate, cut off people, blame and curse them and even in the name of God. Yet, if we love God and are people of the heart then we must pause and ask – what would Jesus say and do to these outsiders? The other question is who made them outsiders? And on what Grounds? Who are we to condemn people whose lives have been beaten into submission, people who are strangers in a new land; people who made a choice, to leave violence and bloodshed, to give their children a new start.
These people, like many others who left our pews are hurt, angry, feel let down and many feel judged. What about those who have different coloured skin but trying to find connections in our community. What I see and I think is that we witness the ‘cross’ in our midst. We can try and sanitise ourselves or we follow in the footsteps of Jesus and those gone before us. We need to walk with non-judgemental and compassionate hearts and walk with a cape of humility.
We all make mistakes and are all in need of forgiveness we are no better or worse; just trying to do our best. If we use this as our starting point then, we can make ‘connections’ – a smile, a welcome, a helping hand, an attitude that listens and empathises with a good heart. In our Passionist Family Groups we could be considering ways of reaching out or using the “E” word ‘evangelise’. This is not lecturing, or pushing people. Rather, it is opening opportunities for us to step out of our fears, shadows and with a genuine warm smile deciding to connect and engage.
It’s easier to stick with those we know – I know I’ve done that. So, I continually check to see how I can reach out to others and welcome them into our community. Many will not come immediately but it’s like a shy child – we need to take time, have patience and be genuine to earn their trust. That said, we do need to go out and, connect, and be ‘for others’, bringing the Christ within to shine through in their hearts and minds.
Pope Francis in an audience last week with the Passionists in Rome who are looking to their future, how to be Synodal church and community made this suggestion along with many others. “A mission that aims to reach as many people as possible is desirable, indeed necessary, because everyone, no one excluded, is in dire need of the light of the Gospel. Without renouncing the usual methods of pastoral action, I wish you to also identify new paths and create new opportunities, to facilitate the encounter between people and the encounter with the Lord, who abandons no one, but “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4).”
We can forget that the mission is not age related and everyone can share in it. It requires a commitment to ‘connect’ in a way that changes us, opens us and shows us the path to others and to God. Let us be the listening church marked by compassion, inviting people to ‘belong’ and covered with humility and hospitality.
Have a good week – God go with you – Paul
On Giving by Kahlil Gibran1883 – 1931.
Then said a rich man, Speak to us of Giving.
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them
tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over-prudent dog burying bones in the
trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have—and they give it for
recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give
with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes. He smiles
upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some-day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors’.
You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.”
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your
little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the courage and the
confidence, nay the charity, or receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may
see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life—while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a
witness.
And you receivers—and you are all receivers—assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay
a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be over mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the freehearted
earth for mother, and God for father.
Update: This week catching up with coordinator from Upper Hutt. In Christchurch next week visiting Ashburton, ChCh South, ChCh West, meet with Bishop Michael Gielan and Fr Rick Loughnan; Work on PFG Plan with Murray & Aileen Straight.
“Your daily life is your temple and your religion.
Whenever you enter into it take with you your all.” Kahlil Gibran
Scripture reflection: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 3 November 2024.
Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbour as yourself
Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you right and praiseworthy service, grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Responsorial psalm: Ps 17(18):2-4, 47, 51
Second reading: Hebrews 7:23-28.
Gospel: Mark 12: 28-34
Link to readings – click here
The readings this week remind us that the love of God and the love of other people lie at the core of our lives as Christians. In the First Reading, Moses reminds the people of Israel, who are about to enter the promised land, that they must love God with all their heart, soul and strength. The Psalm expresses our love for God, who is our rock and our refuge. It praises the God who has done so much for us.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews (Second Reading) speaks of Jesus as the ideal high priest. Unlike previous high priests, he lives for ever, and can ‘intercede for all who come to God through him’. Answering the question posed by a scribe in the Gospel, Jesus goes beyond the exhortation of Moses. We are indeed to love God, but we must also love our neighbour. Love of God, the greatest commandment, is inseparable from love of neighbour. This week, we might want to focus our prayer on the people around us, near and far, that they should know and love the Lord, and live in peace.
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
A view from my home office assists with reflection and prayer and just good with
nature.
Pease remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please keep Jocelyn Bryant who continues her cancer treatment
- Keep Adrian van de Pas in your prayer as her brother to whom she was very close died suddenly.
- Keep Graeme Armstrong in your prayer and also his dear wife and supporter Margaret.
- Keep Christine Geoghegan and her family in your thoughts and prayer
- Please keep Maggi Gribble in your prayer – she has been unwell – Charlie has been a great support as usual.
- Please Jenny Epplett, Preston and family after the death of her brother.. Also, other family loss and daughter who is in need of support.
- Jenny Epplett had surgery 30th October I spoke with Preston and she is Ok with some painful days ahead but all in all good result thus far.
- Please keep Paul and Linda Darbyshire 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 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’s family in your prayers.
- Please keep Brian McFlynn in our prayers who is undergoing cancer treatment. Also, his wife Eleanor and their family in your prayers..
- Please keep in your prayer Tim Bartell’s son Sam and family .
- 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 keep Bryan Davidson in your prayer
- Please keep Charlie and Maggi’s daughter and her partner in prayer.
- 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 in prayer the people of Sudan in Africa
- 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
- Your own intentions
Humour:
Scientists got together to study the effects of alcohol on a person’s walk, and the result was staggering.
I’m trying to organise a hide and seek tournament, but good players are really hard to find.
I got over my addiction to chocolate, marshmallows and nuts. I won’t lie, it was a rocky road.
What do you say to comfort a friend who’s struggling with grammar? There, their,they’re.
I went to the toy store and asked the assistant where the Schwarzenegger dolls were and he replied, “Aisle B, back”.
What did the surgeon say to the patient who insisted on closing up their own incision? Suture yourself.
I’ve started telling everyone about the benefits of eating dried grapes. It’s all about raisin awareness.