25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 In the Gospel of Mark there are three predictions of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. After the first we hear that: "... Peter took him (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him." (Mk 8: 32) Jesus replies: "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." (Mk 8: 33) Today is the second prediction which leaves the disciples dumbfounded: "But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him." (Mk 9: 32) However, they soon reverted to their worldly ways: "But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest." (Mk 9: 34) After the third foretelling their jealous rivalry is revealed as James and John look to oust Peter: "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one on your left in glory." (Mk 10: 37) I must ask myself - how much of my faith and religion is taken up with worldly considerations? The key to true faith is not to look to my advantage but to serve others as Christ did, especially in the vulnerable since: "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." (Mk 9: 37)

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Today's gospel is very relevant for a church which is called to be informed by missionary discipleship. In New Zealand the Irish descended and culturally formed church has, or is, dying off. It is no longer a question of maintenance because shortly there will be nothing to maintain. What is going to take its place? It is a church of mission. This church understands that: encounter with Christ, conversion, discipleship. communion and mission, are all essential dimensions of Christian life. To fully, consciously and actively participate in this reality, which is actualized in adult baptism, requires a personal decision to acknowledge Jesus as the risen Saviour, to whom I give my loyalty, obedience and love. St Peter makes such an act of faith when he responds to Jesus' question: " 'You are the Messiah'." (Mk 8: 29) This, of itself, is insufficient. Such adherence can still succumb to temptations to worldly power or prosperity as the individual or collective leverages Jesus' image and power for its own benefit. To this end, the cross is essential. It calls us not only to follow Christ but also to imitate him in his life giving, sacrificial love: "For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Heb 13: 15-16)   

  

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Today has been designated as Social Justice Sunday by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. The imperative of the gospel to not only proclaim the Good News but to act on its implications in a practical way is always present. To this end the second reading is most relevant. James critiques his congregation for how they show favoritism to the rich. This causes him to think: "... have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" (Jm 2: 3-4) Last Sunday we also heard the words: "But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves." (Jm 1: 22) Thus, the obligation to work for social justice applies not just to religious and civil institutions. Let us all work for peace and justice in our communities. Such efforts are not political statements rather they reflect the hope we have in the Kingdom of God that God's justice will reign not just in the next world but here and now.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

 The Gospel of Mark was written for a predominantly Gentile, that is, non-Jewish community. Many, if not all, of the church would never have encountered a Pharisee. Yet, the evangelist records the conflicts and disputes between Jesus and this group of Jews. There were Essenes, Sadducees, Zealots and other factions at that time, yet the Pharisees is the one we hear about. I do not propose that we focus on the historical setting rather we need to look at the message. In this way the critique of the Pharisees can be taken as a stern warning to missionary disciples who obsess with outward appearance or religion while neglecting to strive for the inner transformation that religious practice is meant to achieve. Hence, Pope Francis stress on the joy of the Gospel. Let us be open, therefore, to self-critique. Does my practice of the Catholic faith bring me joy?  Does going to Mass soften my heart such that I can see others as Christ sees them and draw me to love them even when they annoy me? Are my words and/or actions, harsh, judgmental or self-righteous? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes" I am challenged by Christ to invite the Holy Spirit into my heart so that I may be healed, forgiven and ultimately transformed by God's love. May it not be the case, when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ (2 Cor 5: 10), that we hear the words: "This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me..." (Mk 7: 6)

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

 There is a significant development in this final installment from chapter six of St John's Gospel. Recent weeks relate how the Jews were murmuring and then disputing among themselves as Jesus revealed the full implications of his messianic identity. Their response to his saying "I am the Bread of Life" was to exclaim: "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph..." (Jn 6: 41). The disciples now complain, in response to Jesus telling them that "For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink" by saying: " 'This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?' " (Jn 6: 60) Indeed, who can accept it? If we are dealing solely with the spoken word that would be the case. However, Jesus has shown us with the signs manifested in the rest of the Gospel that his deeds are wondrous and his word is true. He is inviting us to faith. Peter replies, speaking for the Twelve and all subsequent Christians: " 'Lord, to whom can we go? You have the word of eternal life, We have come to believe and know, that you are the Holy One of God'." (Jn 6: 69) Can I make this profession of faith my own? Or am I going to complain as the disciples did?

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 Today's feast invites us to go deeper into the mysteries of sin, death and the resurrection itself. As human beings, enfleshed spirits, we are not complete without our bodies. The mystery of the resurrection, with Christ as the first fruits from the dead, reveals that Jesus of Nazareth, born of the Virgin, could not be held by the grave. He rose triumphant the revealed in his person the meaning of Creation. The question arises as to what happens to other human beings and the implications of the cosmic event of the resurrection? The answer lies in the feast we celebrate today. God's intention for the human race was always that it would share fully in his divine life which we describe as the Holy Trinity. Yet, our first parents derailed this plan leading to disordered appetites, damaged intellect and death as the state for all human beings from whom they are descended. The remedy for this state of affairs is to be had in proximity and obedience to Christ who fully reveals the Father with them both sending the Holy Spirit. Mary of Nazareth, in perfect trust and obedience, was joined with her Son from the beginning and was present at Pentecost to the revelation of the Church. For this she shares completely in the reality of the resurrection which is the glorification of the whole of her being - body and soul. She is, therefore, able to act as role model, mentor, intercessor, mediatrix, Queen and Mother to those who believe in and follow her divine Son, striving to imitate her virtues. 

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 The gospel narrative today shows us that the group who had followed Jesus has gone from admiring his healing power to murmuring against him and now disputing among themselves. Jesus has been progressively revealing the full implications of his messianic identity. His mission is not only about healing, politics and feeding but also giving his life for the sake of the world. This is most radically revealed in the communion with him through partaking of his flesh and blood: "... for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them." (Jn 6: 54-56) This is amazing for us even post resurrection and with the evidence of all the Eucharistic miracles even up to the present day. How much more difficult it would have been for Jews in the First Century. the indwelling of Christ through the Holy Eucharist is a mystery that we should never cease to be in awe of. Pope St John Paul II tells us that the Eucharist is a sacrifice-sacrament, a presence-sacrament and a communion-sacrament. In our celebration today let us recommit to opening ourselves to Christ and receiving the fruits of this amazing sacrament so that the joy of the Gospel my truly be manifested in our lives.