You can't change people

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

A friend spat the dummy in her Facebook profile update lambasting a recent betrayal by friends. I advised her to save her energy. You can't change people. They just have to learn for themselves how people feel about them and what is important in life. You can't tell people how they ought to behave. If it were possible then motivational speakers would not have any more work to do after delivering their first course. People would have created a better world just by adopting the changes suggested.

But I know from delivering homilies (sermons) for twenty years. People only change if they want to. People will not do what you, me, the Bishop or even the Pope tells them unless they want to do it. So I try to emphasise the advantages of living a life that places trust in God rather than humans. It is also vital to avoid people who display negativity or ‘bad energy’.

I distance myself from negative people who like to complain about things without offering solutions. Sure I too like to complain about things that are wrong, but I am doing something about the source of my angst. Often in my blogs or facebook posts I criticise something or someone to guage reaction so that I can sort people into camps. That is how I learn who I can trust and who I need to avoid. Life is a constant game of personal growth and the moving ‘circles of trust’ so that those who you wish to exclude & those you want inside that circle don't even know they are moving!

Of course the great objective of life is to include as many as possible within that circle and help those who you have ostracised to see the value of seeking re-inclusion.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” ― Leo Tolstoy

Does God really care about your sickness?

Yesterday after 5pm I had to pick up one of the work vehicles that had been in for repairs at the mechanic in Rossmore. One of the girls in the office drove me to get it. It’s a long drive to his workshop and when I arrived I could tell he was pleased to see us come so he could leave work. My lift drove off and I thanked the mechanic (Sam) for the keys and strode towards the repaired van. As I entered the cabin something prompted me to wonder, “What if the van still won’t start? How would I get back home?”

I must have jinxed myself (even though I don’t really believe in jinxes) because as I turned the key all I got was the rapid clicking noise of a nearly flat battery. The mechanic must have heard it as I saw his face drop.

“I’m gonna have to call the auto electrician to take a look at this tomorrow..” he said with obvious disappointment in his voice as he hunched pathetically over the car bonnet he was just about to shut.

I thought I saw the colour drain out of his face as he said, “Come on I will give you a lift back to where you need to go”.

“No, its OK I will call my lift to come back. She is not going to be happy but she will be ok” I said referring to the lady who had driven me to Rossmore and who was already on the road thinking about what she was going to wear in anticipation of an enjoyable night out with her boyfriend.

He nodded a happy acknowledgement. He didn’t look like he wanted to go anywhere right now. 

By the time I called her on the mobile she was nearly home but she promised she would be straight back.

“You don’t look too well” I said referring to Sam's yellowing appearance.

“No I have health issues” he said without giving anything away. “How long have you been working with ……..” he asked.

“Oh, I’m very new” I said, “I am just learning the job”.

“Yeah? What were you doing before this job?” he asked with some degree of interest in why a man my age would be embarking on a new career like this.

“I was a Catholic priest” I announced and waited for the usual surprise.

The man straightened up. “Really?” he asked incredulously.

“Yes, I was a priest.. for nearly twenty years.”

“Well, I am a Catholic. But not a real good one,” he said echoing the typical response I get when I tell people I am a priest. “No, the Lord and me aren’t actually friends”.

“Why is that?” I inquired genuinely interested in an opportunity to try and remind people that even if they think that God is not their friend He is actually so much more than a friend.

“Well my illness for a starter. I have only one barely functioning kidney. I have to go on a machine every night and once a week I go to Hospital for dialysis. I can’t have children and that has meant I pretty well never had a hope of finding a wife. And nothing I ever try seems to go right. It’s like God has it in for me.”

I remember hearing this many times from many people in my life as a priest. 

I always wonder if I would be so optimistic if I had health issues or someone in my family died suddenly. I have been immune from personal tragedy in my life and I feel very blessed that even though I do have my share of trials it seems everything I do turns out right in the end.
“Why do you think it’s God who has given you these health issues, Sam?” I asked.

“Well I dunno, isn’t he supposed to be in charge of things?”

For many years I felt the blame that people wanted to give to God for the bad things that happened in their life. For a long time I took responsibility for unanswered prayers and disappointments. I could never quite justify why God answered some people's prayers and not others. 

“Have you ever asked Him to heal you Sam?” I pushed. “I mean, its hard to blame God for what has happened if you don’t ask Him to change your circumstances.”
I was only throwing that out there. 

I didn’t know if he has not prayed for his health or for his life situation to be different. I can see he has a good business and lives on a valuable block of real estate. Perhaps God has helped him in other ways.

“I need a kidney transplant. I can’t ask my brother because he smokes and drinks a lot so his spare kidney is probably not going to last much longer than mine anyway. I just have to wait for someone to die! And I have been waiting four years” he said pathetically.

I started to wonder why a man who feels he has so little life left in him would spend that remaining time repairing cars.

“Why don’t you retire from work and try to enjoy it?” I said looking around at the cluttered workshop with lots of vehicles in various states of repair. “Do you like your job?”

“Well I do actually. It’s a challenge but I enjoy working on cars” he said.

Right then my lift rolled quietly down his gravel driveway.

“I will come back again Sam and we can continue our conversation. One of the reasons I felt despair in my role as a priest was because I met so many people like you who were afflicted with illness or sadness and I could never find the right words to encourage or give hope. All I could do is promise to pray for them. I promise I will pray for you Sam. I am going to ask God to heal you. And I am going to ask all my friends to pray for you too”.

His face brightened and I thought it was because of my words but it was actually his acknowledgment of my pretty young companion who was picking me up.

“I will see you tomorrow Sam. May God bless you and heal you..” I said with confidence and sincerity. 

So now I am asking you, good reader, to offer a prayer for Sam and pray that God may heal him or give him hope.

As I got back in the car and explained Sam’s situation to my young driver she said, “I am giving up soft drinks for Lent. I am going to offer it up for Sam!” she said proudly.

I was happy to see a vibrant and optimistic nineteen year old who still gives up things for Lent and believes in the efficacy of her sacrifices for someone else.

I recall a miracle that the disciples of Jesus were unable to effect. They asked Jesus (who later actually did the healing) “Why couldn’t we do that?”

Jesus’ reply was, “This is the sort of miracle that can only be done with prayer and fasting!”

That is the message of Lent in a nutshell. We offer up our sacrifices because we have something we want God’s help with and we unite our offering up of something we like for the good of someone else. 

Who would give their son a snake if he asked for a fish?

Please read today's Gospel readind & the following reflection: Matthew 7: 7 - 12 Jesus said,
	"Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
	For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
	Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
	Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
	If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
	So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

Once I said to my wife, “Darling you are the answer to my prayers.. You aren’t exactly what I asked for.. But apparently you are what I get!”

But I am so happy with her. She is everything I could have hoped for without knowing. She is to me, evidence of what Jesus is promising today in the Gospel:  If we ask God to supply for us, we don’t always get what we want but we get what we need.

Ultimately this is the most encouraging part of the Bible. It promises that God always gives us what we need. Notice, it doesn’t say that however? Jesus uses the examples of a good father or parent who will always look after their children and not give them hurtful or dangerous things.

For those who trust in God, they will always have the sort of trust that knows God always listens and grants the best solution to all of our life’s problems.

I have never lost that child like trust. Despite all the difficulties of my journey so far, I know I am still heading in the right destination and the goal is always there even when hidden from my sight.

I encourage you today to have that same sort of confidence in God’s omniscience and ability to provide for all your needs. Learn to develop the kind of child-like trust in Him and I assure you, there will be nothing you cannot achieve.

LOOK OUT!

SCRIPTURE READINGS AND REFLECTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY OF FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Reading 1

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:“Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.”So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the LORD’s bidding. Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles:“Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.”When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.

Responsorial Psalm

R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Gospel

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

Meditation: Do you pay careful attention to warning signs?

Many fatalities could be avoided if people paid attention to warning signs. So many needless deaths are caused because someone didn’t obey traffic signals or signs. I saw so many of these when I was a police chaplain and they were all so much more tragic because people made stupid mistakes or errors of judgment so in those circumstances, it was someone’s own stupid fault.

So it will be at the last judgement. No one is going to blame God for the fact that they are not in Heaven. They will see the stupid things they did that led to their own damnation. That is why I explain Hell as a place of eternal regret. Those in hell will be spending the rest of eternity regretting not listening to the warning signs.

 When the religious leaders demanded a sign from Jesus, He gave them a serious warning to avert spiritual disaster. It was characteristic of the Jews that they demanded "signs" from God's messengers to authenticate their claims. When the religious leaders pressed Jesus to give proof for his claims he says in so many words that he is God's sign and that they need no further evidence from heaven than his own person. The Ninevites recognized God's warning when Jonah spoke to them, and they repented. And the Queen of Sheba recognized God's wisdom in Solomon. Jonah was God's sign and his message was the message of a merciful God for the people of Nineveh.

Unfortunately the religious leaders were not content to accept the signs right before their eyes. They had rejected the message of John the Baptist and now they reject Jesus as God's Anointed One (Messiah) and they fail to heed his message. Simeon had prophesied at Jesus' birth that he was "destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that inner thoughts of many will be revealed"

(Luke 2:34-35). Jesus confirmed his message with many miracles in preparation for the greatest sign of all - His resurrection on the third day.

The Lord Jesus came to set us free from slavery to sin and hurtful desires.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit he pours his love into our hearts that we may understand his will for our lives and walk in his way of holiness. God searches our hearts, not to condemn us, but to show us where we need his saving grace and help. He calls us to seek him with true repentance, humility, and the honesty to see our sins for what they really are - a rejection of his love and will for our lives. God will transform us if we listen to his word and allow his Holy Spirit to work in our lives. Ask the Lord to renew your mind and to increase your thirst for his wisdom.

James says that the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity (James 3:17). A double-minded person cannot receive this kind of wisdom. The single of mind desire one thing alone - God's pleasure. God wants us to delight in him and to know the freedom of his truth and love. Do you thirst for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)? "Lord Jesus, change my heart and fill me with your wisdom that I my love your ways. Give me grace and courage to resist temptation and stubborn wilfulness that I may truly desire to do what is pleasing to you."

The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2013. Their website is located at presentationministries.com

TWO-TIMING

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time." Jonah 3:1

God came to Jonah a second time (Jon 3:1), and a sinful city of 120,000 people repented (Jon 3:5; 4:11). Jesus came to Peter a second time (Jn 21:1ff), and soon three thousand people converted and were baptized (Acts 2:41). We are called to spread God's Word, and the Lord gives us a major role to play in distributing His Word. Certainly, developing and exercising our spiritual and natural gifts, our creativity at spreading the Word of God and permeating the culture with the Gospel (Catechism, 899) are important. That's why God calls us and gifts us with the Holy Spirit. That's why we write this booklet! However, the biggest issue is not our abilities, but whether we will get off the couch and get to work. Notice the parable of the sower and the seed (Mk 4:3). Jesus doesn't mention whether the sower was emotionally distressed, bitter, happy, or skillful. The only thing Jesus says about the sower is that he "went out sowing" (Mk 4:3). That is, the sower got up that morning and put the seed out. God's Word has power of its own (Is 55:10-11; Heb 4:12). It grows and spreads of itself (Mk 4:27), not because of the merits of whoever sows it. "There is no chaining the word of God!" (2 Tm 2:9) So, Satan instead tries to persuade us to slip into some chains. If he can shackle us with chains of sin, addictions, compulsions, sloth, fear, apathy, etc., he's kept the Word of God from spreading as far as it otherwise would. Have you let God down? God lets you start a second time. Get out there and get out God's Word.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I be generous in doing Your will and spreading Your Word. Help me to have the courage to take advantage of the opportunities you give me this day to be your messenger. Let me speak words of encouragement and hope that point to Your loving Presence in the life of those I meet this day. I need your help to be Your voice because I am weak and ashamed.

Promise: "The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth." John 3:5

Reflection on today's readings at Mass

Meditation: Why did Jesus perform the miracle of the great catch of fish? (Luke 5:1-11)

Can you imagine the scene? A great crowd of people like those at the Rugby League All Stars game last night who were pushing to see Jesus, a religious leader. You never see that in our churches or synagogues these days. No one is pushing their way to get close to the front in any church I have ever been to. What is the difference? Jesus was giving them something real. He was saying something worth hearing. I am always saddened when I attend a church in the hope of hearing something that is going to inspire and always go home disappointed and sharing often in the boredom of the assembled congregation who show their obligatory presence.
But the crowd we hear about in today's Gospel had something to do with the miracle that Jesus performs. They were very hungry for God and were eager to hear his word. Jesus wanted to use this occasion to teach His disciples an important lesson. Although Simon was wearied from a night of fruitless toil, he still pressed upon Jesus for his word of command: "At your word I will let down the nets". 
When you meet disappointment and failure, do you press upon the Lord, like Simon, to hear His word and to receive His command? 
This incident tells us an important truth about how God works in and through us for his glory. God expects of us greater things than we can do by ourselves. When we cooperate in his works, we accomplish far beyond what we can do on our own.
 Therese of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun who died of tuberculosis at the age of twenty-four, wrote to a friend: 
"Jesus has so incomprehensible a love for us that he wills that we have a share with him in the salvation of souls. He wills to do nothing without us. The Creator of the universe awaits the prayer of a poor little soul to save other souls redeemed like it at the price of all his Blood." 
When God's word is spoken His kingdom is revealed and His power is released. 
When people respond to God's word with faith and obedience they are changed and made "a new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God chooses ordinary people, like you and me, as his ambassadors and he uses the ordinary circumstances of our daily lives and work situations to draw others into his kingdom. 
Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will "catch people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, 
speak, and witness the joy of the gospel. 
Paul the Apostle says, "But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15). Do you witness to those around you the joy of the gospel and do you pray for your neighbors, co-workers, and relatives that they may come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and grow in the knowledge of his love? 
This week try to realise that with just a tiny bit of your effort God can do so much. Cooperate with him and all your human activities will be blessed multiple times over.
I am certain that good things are in store for me this year because I always let go and let God take the reins of my life. I pray and ask His guidance and follow where He leads me this day. This makes me confident that although it looks like I caught nothing all night, more will be visible in the morning!

"Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love and compassion for those who do not know you or follow you. May I be a good witness of your truth and salvation to my family, friends, and co-workers."

The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2013. Their website is located at presentationministries.com

HE TOUCHED ME 

We properly recognize our sinfulness not by comparing ourselves to others, but by truthfully realizing Who God is, how holy and majestic He is, and especially by comparing ourselves to His holiness. Each of today's readings all have in common a man who recognized his sinfulness and unworthiness before God. They also have in common a man who additionally recognized that God was calling him to His service. Isaiah, Paul, and Peter all encountered the Lord personally with a profound experience of the awesome power of God (Is 6:1ff; Acts 9:3ff; Lk 5:5ff). Each man allowed God to cleanse him and make him worthy to serve Him. They responded with a deep commitment to the Lord and with steadfast perseverance for the rest of their lives. God knows we are sinful. That is why He sent us a Savior, Jesus, to save us from our sins. He knows we are sinful and unworthy, but in His wisdom, He has called us anyway. Jesus takes away our sin. He touches our lips, most particularly in the Eucharist, and cleanses us. He commands us: "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men" (Lk 5:10). Even though we are unworthy, His grace in us will not be ineffective (2 Cor 12:10). God doesn't want us to languish in our feelings of unworthiness. Rather, He wants us to jump into the deep ocean of His grace (Lk 5:4), abandoning ourselves into His mercy and His service. Surrender your life to Jesus. Give Him your sins and your life. 

Prayer: Father, I will go wherever You send me. 

Promise: "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men." —Lk 5:10 

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who bears the marks of His death as a sign of His great love for us. 


On a personal note (today):

God is good. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Sure, sometimes you don’t get what you ask for but you always get what you need. I have been lacking something which I have hesitated to purchase because it’s a costly item & not necessarily something I can’t entirely live without (Mark Nielsen knows what I am talking about..) but today I opened a box of stuff (I am still living out of boxes) and there it was! I didn’t even know I had that particular item! Then a few minutes later in the same box I found the remote to the TV! You don’t know how much easier my life is not having to jump up and manually change the channel every five minutes (you know us men can’t stay focused on one channel for long). I can’t believe it. I also found other great stuff that I had completely forgotten I had. I don’t want to sound like I am boasting, but I always follow Padre Pio’s advice and my life just keeps on getting better. For those of you who don’t know it, whenever someone used to come to him and say, “Padre Pio, I have this particular problem and I don’t know what to do about it. Would you please ask God to help me?” HE would invariably reply, “Just pray to God about it. Know that He hears you and will help you. Have hope in God’s divine assistance and care for you. And then, don’t worry! Leave it all in His hands.” The summarised version of his advice which has become my mantra is “Pray! Hope! And Don’t Worry!” God is good and able to do anything. But you have to ask! And that takes humility. Some people are too proud to get on their knees and ask for God’s assistance. Inevitably, they are missing out on some pretty amazing things! I love you God and feel so blessed every day when I take inventory of your blessings: my family, my faith, my friends, my health, my wife and now my baby! 

Thank you Lord! Salamat sa Diyos, Ta on Chua! Merci! Muchas Gracias Senor!

Read even if you never usually read religious Meditations

OK so you have given up on organised religion. Why try and do it without God? Even if you are not in the habit of reading religious messages, take the time to read this short Meditation on the readings of today’s Mass (the readings follow the reflection):
What is the worst that can happen? You lose three minutes of your valuable day? But the best that can happen is you feel God's Presence guiding your life!

What does the image of a shepherd tell us about God's care for us?

Shepherding was one of the oldest of callings in Israel, even before farming, since the Chosen People had travelled from place to place, living in tents, and driving their flocks from one pasture to another.
Looking after sheep was no easy calling. It required great skill and courage.
Flocks were quite small, (no one shepherd would ever have control of more than fifty sheep) but the dangers were many.  The flocks spent a good part of the year in the open country. Watching over them required a great deal of attention and care. Sheep who strayed from the flock had to be sought out and brought back by the shepherd. Since hyenas, jackals, wolves, and even bear were common and fed on sheep, the shepherds often had to do battle with these wild and dangerous beasts.
A shepherd literally had to put his life on the line in defending his sheep.
Shepherds took turns watching the sheep at night to ward off any attackers.
The sheep and their shepherds continually lived together. Their life was so intimately bound together that individual sheep, even when mixed with other flocks, could recognize the voice of their own shepherd and would come immediately when called by name.

The Old Testament often spoke of God as shepherd of his people, Israel.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1).

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1)
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).

The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed His flock
like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11).

Jesus told His disciples that He was the Good Shepherd who was willing to lay down His life for his sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4, John 10). This was not just the ones who were with Him at the time, but all people who dare to trust in His promise to be with them until the end of time!
When Jesus saw the multitude of people in need of protection and care, he was moved to respond with compassionate concern. He always is moved to compassion when He sees a person struggling in life and calling out to Him. But He will not intervene in your life unless you ask Him humbly like a child.
Jesus' love was a personal love for each and every person who came to him in need. Peter the apostle called Jesus the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).

How is your life going right now? Are you happy with what you have achieved? Are you comfortable about the future? Do you know that God is willing and eager to give you His added help and comfort?
Do you know the peace and security of a life freely submitted to Jesus, the Good Shepherd? In the person of the Lord Jesus we see the unceasing vigilance and patience of God's love. In our battle against sin and evil, Jesus is ever ready to give us help, strength, and refuge. Do you trust in his grace and help at all times?
Well now you can! Start today by praying this prayer.

"Lord Jesus, you guard and protect us from all evil. Help me to stand firm in your word and to trust in your help in all circumstances. I need your Divine Assistance because I am unable to do this alone and without you. From this day on, may I always find rest and refuge in the shelter of your Presence. Please send us better shepherds to guard your Church on earth and please rid us of those false shepherds who don’t care for the sheep but only are concerned with hurting them or taking advantage of their innocence. Allow me to find such a good shepherd who will help encourage me when I feel lost and be encouraged to know that You are always willing to help me in my need. I ask this in your name Jesus, my Lord and Saviour! Amen!"

(here are the readings of today's Mass)

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.



Responsorial Psalm Ps 23 R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.



The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.



You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.



Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Mark 6:30-34

The apostles returned to Jesus, and told Him all that they had done and taught.  And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.  And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.  Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them.  As He stepped ashore he saw a great multitude, and He was moved with pity for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

Jesus can make miracles

Readings of today’s Mass with Reflections

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr 

Reading 1 Heb 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Responsorial Psalm They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

I will fulfil my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
“May your hearts be ever merry!”
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth;
Before him shall bend
all who go down into the dust.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

And to him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

Gospel Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with haemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to him,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc.

 

 

Do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith or with scepticism and doubt?

 

People in desperate or helpless circumstances were not disappointed when they sought Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus? Was it hope for a miracle or a word of comfort in their affliction? What did the elderly woman who had suffered greatly for twelve years expect Jesus to do for her? And what did a grieving father expect Jesus to do about his beloved lost daughter? Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no human cause for it because his hope was directed to God. He spoke words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!).

A 4th century church father, Ephrem the Syrian, comments on this miracle:

“Glory to you, hidden Son of God, because your healing power is proclaimed through the hidden suffering of the afflicted woman. Through this woman whom they could see, the witnesses were enabled to behold the divinity that cannot be seen. Through the Son’s own healing power his divinity became known. Through the afflicted women being healed her faith was made manifest. She caused him to be proclaimed, and indeed was honoured with him. For truth was being proclaimed together with its heralds. If she was a witness to his divinity, he in turn was a witness to her faith...He saw through to her hidden faith, and gave her a visible healing.”

Jesus also gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbours and kin. Even the hired mourners laughed at him in scorn. Their grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp of death. Peter Chrysologus, a 5th century church father comments on this miracle: “This man was a ruler of the synagogue, and versed in the law. He had surely read that while God created all other things by his word, man had been created by the hand of God. He trusted therefore

in God that his daughter would be recreated, and restored to life by that same hand which, he knew, had created her...He who laid hands on her to form her from nothing, once more lays hands upon her to reform her from what had perished.”

In both instances we see Jesus' personal concern for the needs of others and his readiness to heal and restore life. In Jesus we see the infinite love of God extending to each and every individual as he gives freely and wholly of himself to each person he meets. Do you approach our Lord with confident expectation that he will hear your request and act?

"Lord Jesus, you love each of us individually with a unique and personal love. Touch my life with your saving power, heal and restore me to fullness of life. Help me to give wholly of myself in loving service to others."

The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2013. Their website is located at presentationministries.com

APPROACH WITH GREAT AWE

"Fearful and beginning to tremble now as she realized what had happened..." —Mark 5:33

I had a good laugh the other day when I passed by a church sign that said, "NOW OPEN BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND EASTER!" The parish was clearly targeting the once-or-twice a year church attendee by copying a common retail marketing idiom, and it seemed humorous in front of a church. Of course they are open! Why aren't people flocking there every week of the year? There was some deep theology worth contemplating in that simple sign. After laughing about it last week, the Holy Spirit brought this memory back as I listened to today's Gospel. We can learn so much from the haemorrhaging woman's expectant faith (Mk 5:28) as we approach the sacraments, especially the amazing gift of the Holy Eucharist. We can either be like the crowd, which pushes in on Jesus to try to get something from Him (Mk 5:31), or we can approach Jesus like the faith-filled woman. Approach the sacraments with trembling, awe, and expectant faith (Mk 5:33). Through the sacraments, Jesus will help you in ways that transcend the ways of the crowd and the world.

Prayer: Jesus, You did something amazing all because of the expectant faith of that woman in the Gospel. Give me increased and expectant faith (Lk 17:5).

Promise:

"Daughter, it is your faith that has cured you. Go in peace and be free of this illness." Mk 5:34

 
Praise: Even while enduring tortures, St. Agatha remained faithful to her Bridegroom, Jesus.

 

 

reflection on the readings at Mass on 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.. LOVE IS PATIENT LOVE IS KIND..

I had a strange feeling during Mass today as I heard the second reading which is passage 1 Corinthians 13. I have heard it read at almost every wedding I have presided at over the last twenty years and I was suddenly transported to a wedding ceremony and imagined I was listening to it during my own wedding. It was a strange almost out-of-body experience because myself and Josefina are yet to have a ‘proper’ church wedding (I am waiting for the official dispensation from the Catholic church). But in that instant I felt like I was at the altar and those words were being read at our wedding. I think you will probably have realised, I feel that the love myself and Josefina have for each other is the ‘perfect love’. I would not have left the priesthood for anything less than the best!

The reading today is a beautiful passage that has reality if you are in a truly loving relationship.

It is one of the best texts on love that you can find in the Bible. I used to tell couples preparing for marriage if you want to know what true love is, read that chapter over and over again. In the church we speak about the importance of love in almost every sermon. In fact, we cannot speak too much about love because in the Christian life, love seems to be everything. St John in one of his letter said that God is love. Today, however, I would not like us to propose another meditation on love. I would rather like to suggest to you some practical exercises on love.

A Checklist on Love

How much of a loving person are you? An exercise based on this reading helps us to find that out easily. The text, taken from the New International Bible, version reads:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Now let us read the passage again putting “JESUS” and “HE” wherever we find “LOVE” and “IT.” You can see that it read smoothly. You can still agree with every line of the passage.

Next read the passage again, this time substituting your name, e.g. “Kevin”, and the pronoun “I”. Do you still agree with every line in the passage? How do you score yourself on a scale of 1 to 10? That shows how loving a person you are.

A Homework on Love

(Adapted From A Second Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, 46-48.)

An adult education teacher once gave his class an assignment to go to someone they love before the following week's class and tell them that they loved them. They would then give their report at the next class. It had to be someone to whom they had never said those words before, or at least not for a very long time. At the next class, one man stood up and recounted his story to the class. "I was quite angry with you last week when you gave us this assignment. I felt like, who were you to tell us to do something so personal? But as I was driving home, my conscience started talking to me. It was telling me that I knew exactly who I needed to say “I love you” to.

Five years ago, my father and I had a terrible argument which we have never resolved. We have avoided seeing each other unless it was absolutely necessary and even then we hardly spoke to each other. So last week by the time I had gotten home after class, I had convinced myself to tell my father that I loved him. It’s strange, but just making the decision seemed to lift a heavy load off my chest. When I told my wife, she jumped out of bed, gave me a big hug and for the first time in our married life saw me cry. We sat up half of the night talking and drinking coffee.

The next day I was up bright and early as if I had slept soundly all night. I got to the office and accomplished more in a couple of hours than I had the whole day before. At 9AM, I called my father to tell him I wanted to come over after work and talk to him. He reluctantly agreed. By 5:30, I was at the house. When my father answered the door, I didn't waste any time. I took one step inside and blurted out “Dad, I just came over to tell you that I love you.” Well, it was as if a transformation had come over him. Before my eyes, his face softened, the wrinkles seemed to disappear and he too began to cry. He reached out and hugged me, saying “I love you too, son, but I’ve never been able to say it.” My mother walked by just then with tears in her eyes. I didn't stay long, but I had’'t felt that great in a long time.

Two days after my visit, my dad, who had heart problems but hadn’t told us, had an attack and ended up unconscious in the hospital. I still don’t know if he’ll make it. So my message to all of you in this class is: don’t wait to do the things you know need to be done. If I had waited, I may never have another chance to do what I did."

And so my Blog reading friends, your homework for this week is, go home and tell someone you love them before next Sunday. And it has to be someone you really love, but to whom you have never said those words before, or at least not for a very long time now. One day it will be your turn to tell us your own wonderful story of love.