Good afternoon,
NB: As I am away on the road over the next two weeks I’ve decided to send a letter out this week and there will be a two week reprieve from me.
The readings this week resonate with me and had me reflecting on some of the youth retreats I led while teaching in Australia. This work continues today through the Passionist Youth Team.
One of the sessions ‘Who am I?’ makes the statement; “Sometimes if feel no good. Maybe it’s because…” Each student and the leaders was asked to answer it as honestly as they could but not sign it or give any indication of who wrote it.
There was complete silence as the replies were read back …..and when the leaders asked for their reactions or comments about what they heard some students were just shocked that so many held great hurt and disappointment about themselves. Others were humbled by the honesty and others were shaken that here they are in their final year at school and so many feel worthless. We then asked, “What’s a positive in all this?” After a bit of shock someone said, “We all feel similarly.” This is where we can feel relief as the statement began with ‘Sometimes’, not ‘always’.
I reflected on this humbling experience and the turning point it was for so many. The experience showed them that, ‘I am not all bad’, that Jesus our God is about compassion and forgiveness. So, it should not surprise when we take out a couple of excerpts from the readings that we can feel in Isaiah, St Paul and Peter in the gospel that they all sometimes felt unworthy and no good just as we do.
‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips,’ (Isaiah)
‘I am the least of the apostles; in fact, since I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle; but by God’s grace that is what I am.’ (St. Paul)
‘When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man’ (Mark)
We might identify with all three scriptures but also with the adults and students undertaking their retreat. We need each other to confirm that we are OK. Not because of wealth, prestige or power but because we are children, made in the image and likeness of God. We each are worthy in God eyes, and in our community we understand the power of love that comes when someone overlooks our mistakes and takes as we are. We literally feel, lifted up!
That is what God does – we hand over to him and he uses us to bring about the kingdom through our care, support, service and compassion for one another.
Jesus throughout the gospels does this, raising people up; assisting people to look up and see the compassionate face of the one who serves all.
As we enter another year let us work at building community and being family to, and for one another. Dispel hatred and darkness and bring people to light, to the belief that they are good enough in our eyes and in God’s eyes.
Have a good week – God go with you
Paul
Scripture Reflection: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 9 February 2025.
Here I am, Lord, send me
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: Isaiah 6:1-8
Responsorial psalm: Ps 137(138):1-5, 7-8
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
Link to readings – click here
However unworthy we may feel or believe ourselves to be, God sees beyond this, and is inviting each of us without exception to live a fulfilled life in the flow of his bountiful love. In the Temple, Isaiah experiences a vision of the wonder of God and is overcome with self-doubt and self-criticism. Despite this, he is given a blessing and told his sins are forgiven. His response is immediate: ‘Here I am! Send me!’ (First Reading)
In a similar way, when Simon Peter first meets Jesus (Gospel), he is overcome with a sense of worthlessness and sinfulness in the presence of the unsought bounty of God. Jesus’ response is to gently but firmly tell Simon (and us): ‘Do not be afraid, just follow’. And Simon Peter does.
St Paul, writing to the Corinthians (Second Reading), is all too aware of his shortcomings to proclaim the Gospel, given his past life as a persecutor of Christians. But with God’s grace, he gladly accepts that he is called to follow Christ and preach the Good News. We can easily imagine that Paul and the Apostles prayed this week’s Psalm with joyful thanks, as they experienced the unconditional love of God. Let us join them in praying it with gratitude too.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, we pray for the grace to see beyond the limitations that we set upon ourselves. We ask to glimpse the beauty and potential that God sees within us and calls us to share with the world. Let us encourage and support each other to answer God’s call to bring hope-filled justice and peace, wherever it is needed.
National Coordinator’s Update:
Paul next week will be visiting parishes; the first lot will be Hawkes Bay; Hamilton; Pukekohe, Whakatane and Mt Maunganui starting Monday 10th February. The following week he will be conducting South Island visits starting Monday 17th Blenheim; Nelson and Richmond; ChCh South and ChCh West and hope to catch up with ChCh North?; then Ashburton, onto Dunedin to for a coordinators evening session on the 22nd and a Formation session on the 23 February in Dunedin. Following this in the afternoon he will drive onto Invercargill for an evening session and stay with PP o/n and return to ChCh on the 24th and stay o/n. On Feb 25th drive to Picton to catch the Ferry home.
As stated last newsletter as part of this Jubilee Year Paul will be offering to visit parishes and or regions to conduct a mini formation using two talks and discussion/sharing opportunities – one on ‘Belonging’ and the “On Being Church – Why community matters?”. The first of these is on the 23rd February in Dunedin. Pau will visit parishes and regions to discuss dates and times that suit and invite whoever wishes to join us.
While we have some green shoots we are also experiencing the ageing effects of PFG’s and the lack of new blood so to speak. There has been plenty of things that have sapped PFG members due to church administration re decisions on churches etc. along with running out of enthusiasm and energy. In his role Paul wishes to seek to find ways to support, enthuse and encourage support and growth but it is something we all have to work on and with. Our call is to be family and through care, hope, faith and love for one another we can and will be the difference in sustaining and creating community.
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
Please remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please keep Paul Darbyshire in your prayer – who was due home this week after suffering and infection. We remember Linda and the family.
- Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family undergoing chemo
- Robyn Burns (Hill;) – Robyn is undergoing further surgery in the next week. Out thoughts and prayer are with Robyn, her husband Andrew and their children. Please remember her mum and dad Rob and Lynn Hill and her sister Tracey.
- Lease keep Di Buckley in your prayer she suffered a stroke this past week.
- Christine Geoghegan daughter Kate and extended families
- Pat Smith RIP and keep in prayer Maureen and family; Remember Rod Carson and remember Pat and family; Maureen and Graeme Matthews;; Adrian van de Pas and her son Robert ; Graeme Margaret Armstrong
- Jenny Epplett, Preston, Kate and family ;
- Please remember Paul Davenport and his wife Jill;
- Leanne Hintz daughter of Clair and Ray Hague;
- Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ; Bryan Davidson;
- Tim Bartell’s son Sam and family ; Richard and Sue Gibbs;
- Charlie and Maggi and their daughter and her partner in prayer.
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health; Bob Buckley’s family; Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer along with the people of the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan and Syria.
- Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew;
- 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 pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) – their son-in-law Mark married to Dot’s daughter Anita
- Keep in prayer the people of Los Angeles and outline areas of California.. We prayer for those affected by the floods in North Queensland and the fires in South Australia and Victora.
- We pray for our world who under the trump administration is see a state of unease, tension and again the effects of decision and how the well off are protected but the vulnerable are not.
- Your own intentions
We pray the Jubilee Prayer for ourselves and our world.
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Humour:
- “Why are piggy banks so wise?” “They’re filled with common cents.”
- “Why is Peter Pan always flying?” “He neverlands.”
- “How do you get a good price on a sled?” “You have toboggan.”
- “How can you tell if a tree is a dogwood tree?” “By its bark.”
- “I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me.”
- “It’s inappropriate to make a ‘dad joke’ if you’re not a dad. It’s a faux pa.”
- “What do you call a hot dog on wheels?” “Fast food!”
- “Where do young trees go to learn?” “Elementree school.”
- “Did you hear about the circus fire? It was in tents.”
- “Can February March? No, but April May!”
- “How do lawyers say goodbye? We’ll be suing ya!”
- “Wanna hear a joke about paper? Never mind—it’s tearable.”
- “What’s the best way to watch a fly fishing tournament? Live stream.”
