Dear Passionist Family Group members and friends,
The gospel this Sunday of the sending out of the 72 disciples to visit places before Jesus does. There are some harsh realities he outlines and the first and most necessary is; ‘it won’t be easy’. ” I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. “ Do we really ever give thought to this? In most communities I visit there is this realisation that a major change has taken hold – people are very afraid and reticent about going out; or seeing any need to reconnect with their Passionist Family Group or even the parish.
Understandably, Covid has taken hold and the fear factor is very real and with increases in cases this week it seems to be blocking people to get on with other aspects of their life. What is sad is this disconnect with others who could walk with them in this time. Where is people’s understanding of hope, faith and trust which to me are core in building family and community. ‘Connection’ can happen in so many ways that does warrant any major risk.
When we allow fear to take hold we can let go of the very things that will assist us in gaining better health outcomes and finding support than engenders warmth, fun, laughter and mutual sharing and understanding. These followers of Jesus in todays gospel were prepared and then hit the road full of hope and still carried some fears – yet, believing that God was with them carried them to do ‘service for others’. We need sometimes to realise our comfort and be prepared to let some of that go so we can get to the heart of who and how we are.
These times are challenging and along with the economic factors we see more people struggling and then the media is at full tilt telling us the woes which only heightens fear and uncertainty. I want to encourage all of us to be outward looking – the world can be an unsafe place and we can feel lost within it. But, opening our eyes, ears and hearts will show us that we can more and be more for each other. This week has again impressed on me the importance of support and connection . The listening to a family who have said good bye to a husband, brother and father; other families struggling with the effects of cancer and treatment; a family struggling with the breakup of a marriage and the support they provide for one another; a woman who after 20 years has finally had the protection order she has requested for her and her children; there are more I could list.
Suffice to say that every time we connect we allow the spirit to go to work and we energise people with their pain, suffering and sorrow. We are given the opportunity to be a Simon on the road to Calvary. Our Passionist Family Groups are one way to be with others to bring other to a sense of home. I hope this week brings someone into your life or you into their lives, lightening the load and bringing hope, peace and healing. Have a great week.
In my bible which my parents gifted to me in 1973, I came across these words from a very dear friend written to me in 1975. These words are applicable to what I have been trying to say and share. Sometimes others say it better:
“Whenever we love; We have felt God;
Whenever we have loved each other; We have created a church;
Our caring is a prayer, our sharing, communion.
And our reverence for life is a constant whenever, wherever worship
Of the God that is Love.” Amen
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that soe have entertained angels without knowing it” Hebrews 13:
When I’m Gone by Joey& Rory https://youtu.be/xcpjSMmWUDw
Scripture reflection: Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C, 3 July 20222
The Kingdom of God is near Jesus’ instruction to his followers to bring peace and healing is also a call for us today..
Lectionary readings
First reading: Isaiah 66:10-14
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 65(66):1-7, 16, 20
Second reading: Galatians 6:14-18
Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Link to readings – click here
We are called and sent to bring the deep peace of the kingdom of God into the world. The prophet Isaiah (First Reading) proclaims a joyful time of peace that flows like a river from the healing, comforting love of God, which is compared to the intimate, tender bond between a mother and a baby.
The same spirit of contented happiness is reflected in today’s Psalm of jubilation, where the whole earth cries out with joy to the Lord. The members of the Early Church community in Galatia are encouraged to be at peace with one another through Christ, who makes us a new creation in him. Christ is the source of all peace and unity in the world (Second Reading).
In the Gospel, Jesus sends seventy-two of his followers ahead of him. He is confident that they will have all they need for their mission through all they have learnt from following his way. He instructs them to bring his peace and healing into the communities that they visit.
In a world that cries out more than ever for the peace of Christ, especially for the people of Ukraine, this is our calling today. Jesus stands among us and sends us before him, to declare his peace and to heal and encourage people in the knowledge that the Kingdom of God is very near
Passionist Daily Brief Reflections
“Dear Passionist Family,
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Passionist Centenary -I have attached writing from my brother Brian, (a Passionist priest who has worked for over thirty years here in NZ as well as Australa which will give you some background on the beginnings of the Passionist arriving in Australia and background on St Maria Goretti. Many of you will know or remember Brian and it is his birthday ton Monday July 4th.
Prayers: Please keep Don Schimanski and family, Paul Darbyshire and family, Diane McLeod and family whose husband Paul dies this week also he was brother to Peter McLeod and Catherine Butchard.
Humour: Dad Jokes That Are So Bad They’re Good
- How do I look?
With your eyes. - How do you get a country girl’s attention?
A tractor. - Why is the cemetery so popular?
People are just dying to get in there! - What was the child who wouldn’t nap guilty of?
Resisting a rest! - Where do cows go for entertainment?
To the moovies. - What did the zero say to the eight?
“Nice belt.” - What do you call a pile of cats?
A meow-tain. - What do you call a flea in France?
A paris-ite. - What runs around a baseball field but never moves?
A fence. - Why was the calendar afraid?
Its days were numbered.