Archive for June, 2010
Prayer No. 181
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010Today we read about the storm at sea and this story shows us the nearness of God and how he keeps watch over the Church”’’s boat throughout the storm. His message is one of courage and faith.
Water can be very powerful – waterfalls, rainstorms, storms at sea, but at times it can be very destructive. The Jewish people had a great fear of the sea, and believed that only God could control such a powerful element. The lake of Galilee is 600 feet below sea level and prone to sudden storms. Notwithstanding the storm, Jesus slept very soundly as he was tired after the days teaching. When he heard the cry of the Disciples, he calmed the storm and stilled the waves.
Storms in my own life are valuable moments because they give me the opportunity to put my trust in God and to hear his voice; “Be still and know that I am always with you.”
Today we celebrate the feast of the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. These Christians were put to death by the Emperor Nero after the burning of the city of Rome, for which they were held responsible.
Prayer
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010Yesterday’s gospel showed us the disciples unable to answer Jesus when he questioned them on his identity and, thanks to Peter, the day was saved, but in today’s reading the demoniacs know who Jesus is. They also recognise his Divine powers, but they have rejected him and are fearful as well. Throughout the Gospels the devils have no difficulty recognising Jesus . The angels recognise Jesus; the devils recognise Jesus. It is we the humans who do not always recognise him. The devils believe Jesus is the Son of God, but they go out of their way to tempt us to deny our faith in Jesus and his Gospel.
Prayer No. 180
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010Today we celebrate two of the Church’s greatest Saints. St. Peter was the rock of the early Church and St. Paul the pillar. Peter was given the name Cephas by Jesus because it meant “rock” – the rock upon which he would build his Church. He was weak and indecisive, but after the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, he was a transformed man, becoming confident and courageous: the rock God intended him to be. These two Saints were weak human beings, but Christ transformed them into heroes, leaving us a legacy of faith, love and hope.
For the past year our attention has been focused on St. Paul as it marked the 2000th anniversary of his birth. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he was a transformed man, becoming one of the Church’s evangelizers and the pillar God intended him to be.
What is the message for us two thousand years on ? The same Holy Spirit who changed the Disciples will also change us. God saw the potential in Peter and Paul and knew that they had what it takes to become great Disciples. If God did so much in their lives, he can do the same in ours too.
Prayer
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010Jesus had been asking what people were saying about his identity . The disciples were very tuned in to what the people in general thought about Jesus.. But when Jesus put a direct question to them as to what they among themselves thought of his identity they didn’t come up promptly with an answer. Jesus is waiting for their answer. It must have been an uncomfortable moment for the disciples who had been with him for some time now . Fortunately, Peter saved them. He blurts out the correct answer, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.” I am sure Peter himself was surprised that he got the answer correct and that Jesus calls Peter the Rock. That is what he has now to become for the other disciples and disciples down through the ages.
At some stage or other in our lives we too are asked that question and have to find our own answer. Some people find the correct answer earlier than others. Some people spend their whole lives searching for the right answer. It was the Father in Heaven that gave the correct words to Peter and not his own flesh and blood that gave him the correct answer.
Pierre Bienvenu Noailles – Feast Day
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010Feast Day of the venerable Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, founder of the Association of The Holy Family.
We invite you to join us in thanking God for the gift of our founder, and for the the many blessings and graces bestowed on us.
Sr. Mercy’s Final Vows
Monday, June 28th, 2010
Congratulations to Sister Mercy and companions on their final profession which took place in their home country – India.
All the communities in Ireland who knew Mercy send their love and best wishes and wish to thank her for all her photographs taken on her big day.
Sister Mercy, who stayed in Ireland for nearly a year, is fondly remembered for her kindness and consideration and for the many ways she endeared herself to all of us.
Prayer No. 179
Monday, June 28th, 2010In today’s Gospel we read of two stories where the petitions made to Jesus were beyond human aid. Death and sickness are indeed part and parcel of the human condition, and today we meet this anguish and suffering in two people. Jairus, the father of the girl, comes on behalf of his daughter, and the afflicted woman comes herself in a very hidden way.These were real situations involving real people with real suffering.
Jesus invites the people who were following him, to let go of fear and to step out in faith. The woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years had done it and see what happened. When Jesus takes Jairus’ child by the hand, she immediately gets up and walks about. There is a lovely human touch to this story when he asks the parents to give food to their daughter as he realises that she is hungry.
Jesus heals today in many ways, and he has made available to us through the Church the Sacrament of Anointing. Through this Sacrament we encounter Christ and the same grace which brought healing to people two thousand years ago is made present to us today and the hope of healing is real.
Prayer
Monday, June 28th, 2010Those of us who say we know Jesus remember how he was laid as a newborn babe in a manger in Bethlehem. As an adult he is travelling around telling everyone the Good News. He has no permanent home . He goes everywhere on foot and depends on the hospitality from those around him, as he has no permanent home or base. His home and base is his Father’s Will. To say to Jesus ‘I will go wherever you go’ means surrendering completely to his values and being absorbed in doing the Father’s will. Jesus has only himself to offer.
Prayer
Sunday, June 27th, 2010Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and is passing through Samaria. Jesus is well aware of the religious situation but, nevertheless, he sends his disciples ahead to prepare the way. The people didn’t want to be prepared and didn’t want to know Jesus, as he was travelling towards Jerusalem the rival place of worship. The two brothers James and John get so angry that Jesus is not being received by the Samaritans and, knowing that Jesus has given them miraculous powers, they seek his approval for what they have in mind. Naturally, James and John are angry . They are so angry that they seek permission from Jesus to use their new powers to destroy these people with fire. It makes you wonder that here are two men who have heard Jesus speak about forgiveness and turning the other cheek and yet they are now prepared to call down fire to burn those who have offended them. In this way they thought they were being loyal to Jesus. But Jesus would have none of it. Jesus accepted the situation without bitterness or any desire for revenge.