Morena – Good morning,
I thought I might start this week with some background on what are parables? Fr Michael Fallon MSC suggests that the Aramaic word for parable can be translated to mean ‘riddle’. Therefore, when we read a parable we cannot bring our logical mind to it. Why? Well, a parable does not appeal to the logical mind as it does not have ‘a’ meaning. It aims to startle usually by use of imagination that can be clearly worked out or understood. It’s appeals to the imagination. In relation to the parable of the mustard tree house all the birds of the air it is not hard to understand the image of all the birds that can come and shelter under it.
What these parables point to is a ‘kernel’ – a ground point of understanding. Each message has a point; forget the commentary and you will be able to be drawn into a mystery of what the ‘kingdom of God’ is like’. It’s not about prejudice, power or control rather the opposite. Humility, trust, handing over and seeing the beauty of all for this is about God’s work not ours! God continually unfolding his promise and mission. The kingdom, is so often prescribed by those in power as something to possess and have power over but that was not what Jesus was on about. Rather, it is the letting go and realising in the unfolding of promise God delivers and is faithful to what he has promised.
We, too often present religion as the way but it is in being like Jesus that the real road is revealed. There are no uniforms, no structure as to how we shall be in the kingdom. Rather, it is a reminder of the call to work for justice, seek and give mercy and to be compassionate through our service and love for others.
Let us all be humble and realise that the reign of God’s love is actually for ‘all’. Allow our homes and hearts in these times of distrust and violence to be places of acceptance, peace, justice, warmth, hospitality and friendship. Let us be counter to the world which is moving to protect the powerful and rich to see we must bend our knees for the lost, the lonely, the frightened and those who need a place of safety. Let us be like the mustard tree and house people so they are filled with love, compassion and a new way to live and love.
Our PFG should be seen to be doing this.
Have a good week – God go with you
Nga Mihi,
Paul
Scripture reflection: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 16 June 2024.
This is what the kingdom of God is like
O God, strength of those who hope in you, graciously hear our pleas, and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you by our resolve and our deeds.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Responsorial psalm: Ps 91(92):2-3, 13-16
Second reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
Link to readings – click here
Our readings this week are full of hope and confidence. May we grow in joyful hope as we pray and ponder them. The theme of growth, seeds, and trees winds in and out of these readings. So does the notion of universality: God’s kingdom is for the whole of humanity.
In the First Reading, God, through the prophet Ezekiel, promises the tiny remnant of Israel that they will grow into a new people, just as the cedar grows from a small shoot. The Psalm is a song of thanksgiving to the Lord who enables the just to grow and flourish like a cedar.
St Paul, in the Second Reading, reminds the Corinthians of the confidence they have, despite the tensions of living while waiting for the Lord. This fills them with the expectation of being with him one day. The Gospel contains two parables of the Kingdom: that of the seed, growing secretly; and the parable of the mustard seed. Both parables reveal God working continuously for the growth of his kingdom.
As we go about our lives this week, we may find other metaphors for the God who works secretly for his kingdom in all those around us, in our surroundings and in all events.
Caritas Aotearoa – Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants – June 23 Go to this website for more information: Organise a prayer occasion with your group and share a cuppa and discussion www.caritas.org.nz/day-prayer-refugees-and-migrants This link includes prayers for the day, insert for community notices and Pope Francis 109th Message for Migrants and Refugees.
Travel, meetings and catch ups this coming week: Quiet week with a mix of catching up on administrative work for PFG’s as well as some planning while also carrying out home duties as Clare recuperates after her hip Operation. She picked up a cold/flu from the hospital and as a result has had a couple of tough days. Hopefully, things will get better very soon.
Please keep Claire and Ray Hague (from Levin) in your thoughts and prayer as their daughter Leanne Hintz died after spending a few weeks in Masterton hospital. Leanne was cremated yesterday. Our sympathy and condolences to the whole family.
Please keep Cambridge parish in your thoughts and prayer as they undergo a relaunch of PFGM in their community. This will happen over a three week period and I will join them on 22nd and 23rd of this month.
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 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 is making progress.
- Please remember Terry Nelson son of father Gray Nelson and daughter Catherine in your prayers Terry has been diagnosed with brain tumours.
- 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 Jocelyn Bryant who is undergoing Chemotherapy also remember her husband Kevin and family, in your thoughts and prayer
- Please keep Christine Geoghegan and family in your thoughts and prayer.
- We give thanks for the successful operation. Wayne keep him and Mary Dorn in your prayers
- 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 – he continues to struggle with pain etc from Chronic Pancreatitis. 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.
- Please keep a Lisa Bowe (Adriana van de Pas’s daughter)who just delivered a baby daughter Grace Therese Hope – baby is doing well and Lisa recovering from a difficult time at birth but good.
- 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
- Aidan son of Josie and Phil McIntyre –his parents are his caregivers.
- Your own intentions
Humour:
- I made song about tortilla once, now it’s more like a wrap.
- Did you know courdury pillows are in style? They’re making headlines.
- What does a nosey pepper do? It gets jalapeño business.
- Did you hear about the fragile myth? It was busted.
- What word can you make shorter by adding two letters? Short.
- What do call a criminal landing an airplane? Condescending.
- I stayed up all night wondering where the sun went, and then it dawned on me.
- Why do people who live in Greece hate waking up at dawn? Because Dawn is tough on Greece.
- How do you make holy water? You boil the hell out of it.
- Justice is a dish best served cold. Otherwise, it’s just water.