Morena – Good morning,
When we hear these readings of this 33rd Sunday, we are witnessing the closing of the liturgical year and our readings sharpen us to realise that what we think we control we actually, in fact, do not. We realise that God’s ways are not ours and like birth we wait for death. Ultimately, we are reminded of our limited human perspective and the fact that we don’t know or understand the ways of God. In reality, it is not for us to know or judge the end time or times. Our call, is rather to be ready for the end, whether that be our own death or the end of the world. And for us mere humans who like certainty, this can be disconcerting.
We are invited to spend time thinking about the end of our life. How did we want to live our life? What qualities and beliefs did I or do I – take on board? And so we may envision the types of stories and virtues we hope will be associated with memories of us after our death. Formed by faith, hope, and love, we can look forward to the end. Where we fall short of living virtuous and holy lives, we can renew our efforts to embody justice, living with compassion and acting with forgiveness, we are challenged to be giving to God what is due: the praise, thanksgiving, and love in and through our good works and openness to life.
In reality – everything we have has been given to us by God. We are servants called to use what has been given to us for good. In essence, we are called to stewardship/to life! God wants us to bear good fruit with and through our time, talents, and inner selves.
Spiritual writer Richard Rohr writes: “I’m convinced that beneath the ugly manifestations of our present evils—political corruption, ecological devastation, warring against one another, hating each other based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality—the greatest dis-ease facing us right now is our profound and painful sense of disconnection. We feel disconnected from God certainly, but also from ourselves), from each other, and from our world. Our sense of this fourfold isolation is plunging humanity into increasingly destructive behaviour and much mental distress.”
It is easy to say that this doesn’t concern me – I go to church or I don’t believe the church is right; I’m a good parent, a good friend. However, every day each of us walks past people who are lonely, isolated, and these people exist in our pews, in our streets and in our retirement villages and homes. We still judge people for the ways they speak, the colour of their skin, their ideas, their food etc. This difference drives us apart rather than together and our community loses its flavour and its voice.
Nothing can stop the flow of divine love; we cannot undo the eternal pattern even by our worst sin. God is always winning, and God’s love will finally win in the end. Nothing humans can do will stop the relentless outpouring force that is the divine dance. Love does not lose, nor does God lose. That’s what it means to be God! So, let us rally for one another and connect with our fellow neighbours and people we see. Keep the focus on you and in you and your Passionist Family Group to be “A Family for All”.
Have a good week – God go with you,
Blessings, Paul
Scripture reflection:
Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B, 17 November 2024
You will show me the path of life
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Daniel 12:1-3
Responsorial psalm: Ps 15(16):5, 8-11
Second reading: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Gospel: Mark 13:24-32
Link to readings – click here
As we approach the end of the Church year, the readings challenge us to reflect on the ‘End Times’ and judgement that follows; our own death; and the hope we have in Christ. Today’s Scripture reveals the fidelity of our God who stays with us through it all, encouraging us to remain faithful to God’s love, even in difficult times.
The poetic, symbolic language of the First Reading offers hope to those facing persecution. It includes one of the earliest Old Testament references to resurrection, where the faithful will rise from the dust to ‘shine as bright as stars for all eternity’. Jesus uses similar imagery in the Gospel to describe a world beset by turmoil and distress, just like our own. Jesus nevertheless assures his disciples (including us) of his constant presence and his ultimate victory. God’s promises will be fulfilled: we can be confident in knowing that we will rejoice with Christ forever.
The Letter to the Hebrews (Second Reading) was written to Jewish Christians who were struggling with their faith. It speaks of Jesus as the perfect high priest who offered himself as the final sacrifice for our sins. Through Jesus, we are forgiven and made holy.
Update: This week catching up with PFG Coordinators of Mt Vic and Mary of the Angels parishes; and with Mary Ellen and John Leen; Fr Bill Warwick. Coordinators of PFG’s Lower Hutt whole five groups are still going well – big shout out to Pauline and Michael Prendergast and Upper Hutt and thanks to Teresa Holman for her ongoing work and support. In Christchurch last week meetings in Ashburton and with parish coordinators of ChCh South went well and a good catch up with Fr Rick and Keith Lewis from ChCh North. Had a very positive meeting, meet with Bishop Michael Gielan and he is very supportive of what we are doing in PFG’s. Great catch up and discussion with Murray & Aileen Straight re ChCh West and the Plan for 2024-2027. This weekend we have a relaunch of PFG’s in Plimmerton where Cardinal John Dew is acting pp.
Troubling Thoughts & Spiritual Growth: Stages of Faith (From Brian Traynor)
Most people are familiar with James Fowler’s six stages of faith.
Similarly, M. Scott Peck introduced four stages of faith in his book The
Different Drum: Community Making and Peace. He is the same author
of the 10 million bestseller book The Road Less Travelled. If you are not
already aware of the four stages, I’d like to share a brief introduction.
The four stages offer insight into why, despite sharing the same beliefs,
we sometimes misunderstand one another’s perspectives. The
following summary, provided by a website focused on troubling
thoughts and spiritual growth, highlights these stages. As we read
through the stages it is advisable to think about at which stage of faith each of us might be and why. Introduction to M. Scott Peck’s Four Stages of Faith of Spiritual Development
Source: https://eriksholisticcornucopia.wordpress.com/2013/05/04/stages-of-faith-intro-to-m-scott-peck/ – click here in this link
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
Pease remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please keep in mind
- Maureen and Graeme Matthews, Jocelyn Bryant and family, Adrian van de Pas, Graeme and Margaret Armstrong, Maggi and Charlie Gribble;
- Christine Geoghegan daughter Kate and extended families;
- Jenny Epplett, Preston and family ; Paul and Linda Darbyshire;
- Please remember Paul Davenport and his wife Jill;
- Leanne Hintz daughter of Clair and Ray Hague;
- Robyn Burns (Hill;) Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ;
- Tim Bartell’s son Sam and family ; Richard and Sue Gibb; Robert van de Pas
- Bryan Davidson; Charlie and Maggi’s daughter and her partner in prayer.
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health; Bob Buckley; Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer
- Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew; Pat and Rod Carson
- 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
- Keep in prayer the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan
- Please pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) – their son-in-law Mark married to Dot’s daughter Anita
- Your own intentions
Humour:
- “Where do boats go when they’re sick?” “To the boat doc.”
- “I don’t trust those trees. They seem kind of shady.”
- “My wife is really mad at the fact that I have no sense of direction. So I packed up my stuff and right!”
- “How do you get a squirrel to like you? Act like a nut.”
- “Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They’d crack each other up.”
- “I don’t trust stairs. They’re always up to something.”
- “What do you call someone with no body and no nose? Nobody knows.”
- “Did you hear the rumour about butter? Well, I’m not going to spread it!”
- “Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? It was two tired.”
- “What did one hat say to the other?” “Stay here! I’m going on ahead.”