Parish News

Gospel Reflection by Fr Martin Ashe, Parish Priest

We celebrate this Sunday the feast of the Body and the Blood of Christ. Unfortunately, because we are in lockdown at this time we are unable to gather together physically to celebrate this feast.

As we celebrate the feast of our Parish this weekend, let's take this opportunity to reflect on the life and mission of our community. Let our presence as a Catholic community, living joy-filled and hope-filled lives, be a true source of blessing in our world at this time.

Jesus' Divine Authority is not to rule or control people but to set them free. As we hear a day in Jesus’ life and ministry in our Gospel today, let us take an opportunity to look at our life. In what area of life today do I most need the ‘freeing’ message of Jesus?

Today's Gospel reminds us of Jesus' urgent call to his first disciples to begin a new life with him. May we allow the urgency of the invitation from Jesus to take hold of our hearts, knowing that this is the time provided for us to make the Good News of Jesus Christ practical and real.

Each one of us is called in the midst of the circumstances of our lives to play our part in the saving plan of God for our world. Like Mary, are we able to say "yes" to God's call? 

This Sunday is called “Gaudete Sunday” or “Rejoice Sunday” which reminds us to “rejoice in the Lord always”. The readings for this Sunday of Advent back up this message that the past, present and the future coming of Jesus is the reason for our rejoicing.

As the busyness of the Christmas season approaches, may we have the courage to take this opportunity to be still and hear the voice of John saying “Prepare a way for the Lord!”  May we recognise the true gift that is being offered to us. 

This weekend, the Church enters into the Advent season, full of hope. It has been a tough year for everyone. The Church prepares to welcome the Child Jesus at Christmas amidst all chaos of COVID-19, in order to remind its people that Jesus is the only hope for all humankind.

Today's gospel draws us into a deeper appreciation of Christ's presence in the world especially recognising the suffering of Christ in the midst of the suffering of our brothers and sisters. When we are sensitive and responsive to the suffering of the others, we are responding to Christ. 

Christ’s parable of the talents in this weekend’s gospel gives us a glimpse of joy that none of us has been left without any talent in our life. We are all gifted with different talents which varies according to the purpose of God. 

The gospel parable speaks of ten bridesmaids chosen to escort the bridegroom to the wedding reception - five had lamps filled with oil, the other five came unprepared. This story challenges us as disciples of Jesus to face the reality of our present life and to be intentional about this.

The Gospel this weekend is about the Beatitudes, which comes from the Latin word beati meaning ‘the ones being blessed’. These beatitudes invite everyone to holiness and teach us how to live righteously to enter into the heavenly bliss, where one enjoys the company of all saints. 

The essence of our Christian faith is the love of God and the love of neighbour. The two commandments were linked together like two hinges on a door. 

By saying “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” Jesus is teaching us two things: our loyalty as citizens to our country and above all our obedience to God. 

In the gospel we find an allegory of God’s love for his people and his desire that they respond to this love. Let us be mindful of the God who continues to reach out to us. May we hear that invitation anew each day even when we may have been slow to respond at times.

We are tenants of the new vineyard of Christ called the “Church." To enliven our faith, we must live productive and meaningful lives, affirming that we are built upon the cornerstone of Jesus Christ. 

What the gospel highlights is that our ‘yes’ is always an ongoing invitation that is being put before us. Our ‘yes’ is an ongoing ‘yes’ to the Lord. Our ‘yes’ is revealed in and through the small and the big choices and events of our lives. 

"God's thoughts and ways are not as ours." This is the time to find out the different ways God is active in our lives. God’s ways are like this, in that he brings back everyone together to cherish the memories of God’s love around us, amidst all the chaos and sufferings. 

The scripture readings today reveal that God is forgiveness and to be a disciple of Jesus is to know the reality of this wonderful gift. At the same time, just as we have been forgiven for our failures, it is to embrace a way of life that reveals this to those who have offended us.

The readings this Sunday remind us of the responsibility we have been entrusted by God through Baptism. Like Ezekiel, we should be a "watchman" for others. Jesus also teaches us to not only assist in our neighbour's temporal and spiritual needs, but also to correct and provide counsel when needed.

"If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." We are called to accompany Jesus in his way, embracing suffering and even death. During this pandemic, we too are carrying the burden of suffering, yet it is not without meaning.

When Jesus asked his disciples who people think He was, Peter responded"You are the son of the living God." Just as Peter was prompted by his inner self and given the key to the kingdom of heaven, we too have been given the key to unlock our inner self to know more about the strength of Jesus in us.

At various times in our lives we face all kinds of difficulties and trials as we do at this particular time of the COVID 19 pandemic. Let us not be discouraged. Like the Canaanite woman in the Gospel, let us plead on our knees and pray with trusting faith to the Lord who is close to us.

During these uncertain and anxious times,  we are like Peter and the disciples. We can be strong and brave in the face of adversity, but we can also become fearful and feel our faith becoming weak. Jesus reassures us today, "Do not be afraid. It is I." He reaches out to us and holds us safe.

Jesus feeds the crowd with five loaves and two fish. While His disciples are more concerned about their fears and inadequacies, Jesus challenges them to open their hearts and recognise that with what little they have, they can make an enormous difference for those in need.

The actions we take in caring for our families and our communities may seem insignificant, but these little seeds of kindness and patience that are being sown are giving us all encouragement and hope in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic.