Month: November 2019

From Marist Messenger https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2019/11/15/friday-15-november-2/Friday 15 November Wisdom 13:1-9; Psalm 19; Luke 17:26-37 A place in time We naturally think of ourselves as New Zealanders living in the 21st century. Such is our place, our time. Yet the Kingdom that Jesus invites us to enter is not about a place in time. His kingdom is about conversion of heart, about commitment and fidelity. That is the point about Lot’s wife. She lost everything by longing for the security of Sodom, her place in time. To enter God’s Kingdom we need to open up our hearts to His Word. This kingdom is far more important than any place in time! Marist Messenger – A Catholic Monthly Magazine

From Marist Messenger https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2019/11/14/thursday-14-november-2/Thursday 14 November Wisdom 7:22-8: I; Psalm 119N; Luke17:20-25 The mystery of the Kingdom Do we realize the significance of what we already have, the experiences we cherish? Can we see the extraordinary hidden in the ordinary? This is the challenge Jesus sets before us today. There is much that is wrong and disappointing in our world. But there is goodness and beauty too. And this should make us stop and think. Then there is love. What is the meaning of the loves that carry us along and give us hope? What is the source of all this goodness and beauty and love if not the Kingdom of God? Marist Messenger – A Catholic Monthly Magazine

From Marist Messenger https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2019/11/13/wednesday-13-november-2/Wednesday 13 November Wisdom 6:1-11; Psalm 82; Luke 17:11-19 Give thanks! To be a leper in the time of Jesus was to be an outcast, someone totally shunned, alone. To be cured of this affliction then was like being given an unexpected second chance. In such circumstances it would seem natural to be grateful. But only one of the ten came back to Jesus and thanked him. How often are we like the nine who never thanked Jesus? How often do we forget that everything we have – even life itself! – is a gift? Shouldn’t we spend a few moments each day counting our blessings and giving thanks to God for them? Marist Messenger – A Catholic Monthly Magazine

From Marist Messenger https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2019/11/12/tuesday-12-november-2/Tuesday 12 November St Josaphat [M] Wisdom 2:23-3:9; Psalm 34; Luke 17:7-10 Serving others brings life The Christian faith is built upon a paradox: die and you will live; give and you will receive. Our culture no longer sees the truth in that apparent contradiction. The emphasis is more on the individual: my rights, my personal development, my desire to get ahead. Today Luke has Jesus telling us something that may strike many of our contemporaries as strange – human fulfilment lies in service. The paradox of our faith is hidden here: the more we obey God’s call to serve others the more we will be truly fulfilled. Do we believe this? Marist Messenger – A Catholic Monthly Magazine

From Marist Messenger https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2019/11/11/monday-11-november-2/Monday 11 November St Martin of Tours [M] Wisdom 1:1-7; Psalm 139; Luke 17:1-6 Scandal in the community What should we do when we are faced with scandal in our Church community? It is a very pertinent question. Painful to admit, yet we must: members of our Church, in whom we placed great trust, have betrayed that trust. What should we do? As citizens, we must obey the laws of our country; as Christians, we must both rebuke and forgive, according to circumstances. To be both just and merciful we need the wisdom of a deep, penetrating faith. Let us pray for this wisdom so that we can be both just and merciful. Marist Messenger – A Catholic Monthly Magazine

From Marist Messenger https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2019/11/10/sunday-10-november-2/Sunday 10 November 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17;2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38 Listening to Jesus Sometimes our expectations get in the way of really appreciating an experience. It might be a TV series or a film we were excited about. It might be a holiday we have looked forward to for a long time. Disappointment can cloud our judgement. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection; hence their confusion and disappointment with the teaching of Jesus. Do we approach Jesus like the Sadducees? Do our wants and expectations prevent us from accepting what Jesus is offering us? Marist Messenger – A Catholic Monthly Magazine

From Marist Messenger https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2019/11/09/saturday-9-november-2/Saturday 9 November Dedication of St. John Lateran [F] Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22 Union with Pope Francis St John Lateran is one of the four great basilicas in Rome. The other three are St. Peter’s, St Paul’s outside the Walls and St Mary Major’s. St John Lateran is, in fact, the official church of the Bishop of Rome. And that is the reason why there is a special liturgical feast honouring this church. Jesus chose St. Peter to maintain unity in the faith amongst his apostles. This ministry is now the responsibility of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. Today we pray for Pope Francis that we will maintain our unity with him in the faith. Marist Messenger – A Catholic Monthly Magazine