2nd Sunday of Lent

In our encounter and communion with Christ on a Sunday at Mass do we ever think: "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here." (Mk 9: 5)? Is the Mass a joyful experience that allows us through mystery to access spiritual realities? I hope so, but if not, perhaps we need to prepare more positively for our Sunday experience by reflecting on the Sunday readings through the week, discussing after Mass the homily with our children and/or spouse and/or fasting prior to Mass more than the minimal one hour. It is also the case that transfiguration moments in our lives can come not only in church but also through prayer and moments of spiritual intimacy with God. If we take time for quiet prayer, praying the rosary or reflecting on the beauty of creation  the presence of God comes close to us. Nevertheless, these powerful experiences of grace do not endure indefinitely. It is true that life continues to be difficult and stressful and that this reality is not miraculously removed from us. In fact, like the disciples, we have to descend the "mount of transfiguration" and encounter failure. The other disciples, who were not with the other three, know failure as they find themselves powerless over the boy afflicted with an evil spirit (Mk 9: 14-29). Jesus is clearly exasperated with them saying: "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you?" (Mk 9: 19) To this end we need to stay close to Jesus just as Peter, James and John did and thus get a privileged glimpse of his glory. In addition, during this time of Lent, we have an opportunity to increase our devotion since with the disciples we may well ask: "Why could we not cast it out?" (Mk 9: 28) and hear the reply: "This kind can only come out through prayer." (Mk 9: 29)

1st Sunday of Lent

In Mark's gospel there are four elements to the mission of Jesus, as he emerges from his testing in the desert: "the time is fulfilled" - the prophecy and message of what we know as the Old Testament is coming to fruition. God has not forgotten his people, who labour under Roman oppression, rather this is the time for salvation. St Paul later writes: "See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor 6: 2); "and the kingdom of God has come near" - the reign of God promised in which sins will be forgiven is breaking into our reality. It has not fully been revealed but the power of God is here to free people from the power of evil: "But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you." (Lk 11: 20) and "For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rm 14: 17); "repent" - turn around, open your eyes, open your ears and see who Jesus is so that you may change your ways and be ready to welcome the Messiah into your life: "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather the wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." (Mtt 3: 11-12); "and believe in the good news" - the opening of your hearts will enable you to believe that Jesus is the Good News both in his words and deeds: "He has sent me to proclaim release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." (Lk 4: 18-19). This message is as valid for us now as it was for the people listening to Jesus or in St Mark's community. Lent is the season to turn again to God and invite his liberating power into our lives.

Ash Wednesday

This ceremony, along with the blessing of Advent wreaths on the First Sunday of Advent, is one of the longstanding ecumenical liturgies with which many parishioners have become familiar. The sharing of the Word and the desire to change and turn back to God is common to all Christians. The stress of Vatican II was to look at what we hold in common before looking at the differences. That goes for the relationship of the Catholic Church to non-Christians as well as other ecclesial communities or churches not in full communion with Rome. It is a reality that there is work that remains to be done. The Joint Declaration on Justification in 1999 was a major step forward but much of the implications of that document are yet to emerge. A shared idea of authority and the sacraments are examples of that. For the moment we should rejoice to share in prayer as we are all Christians. Nevertheless, there should be no false ecumenism which dilutes the faith or papers over the cracks that exist in the minds of the faithful as well as the theology of the academics and clergy. As attitude of repentance and sorrow for the outrages and bigotry of the past is appropriate however it is not a substitute for the truth when it comes to doctrine.

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

What strikes me in the gospel for today is the element of choice. The leper kneeling before Jesus plaintively begs: "If you choose, you can make me clean." (Mk 1: 40) In contemporary society I argue that we have a "religion" of choice. A woman can choose to kill her unborn infant through abortion. A seriously ill or elderly person can choose to be killed by a medical practitioner. Advertising glorifies the power of the customer (who is always right) to choose the product of his or her choice. An individual can choose to identify as male or female and even oblige others to acknowledge that choice by using the pronouns consequently accepted by that individual. Choice is important because it presumes freedom. Freedom as personal autonomy or self-determination, however, is not, according to Catholic moral theology, random. human beings are free to choose the good. It is not permitted to choose or discern between good and evil. Evil is the absence of the good and thus is corrosive of freedom or autonomy. Sin is an abuse of freedom that means we are held in thrall to evil and the more serious the sin the more serious the impediment of our freedom. In the gospel today Jesus, "moved with pity," makes a choice: "I do choose. Be made clean!" (Mk 1: 41) Amazingly, he also chooses to touch the leper and thus be made unclean. The question for us today, who have chosen: to come to Mass, to follow Jesus, to listen to his Word, to receive his Body and Blood in the Blessed Sacrament is - what do I choose to do in response to this incredible love? Do I choose to allow the Holy Spirit to mold me and conform me in the image of Christ? Do I have the courage to make the choice to "live as Christ"? 

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

St Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "... woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!" (1 Cor 9: 16) How many of us feel such an impulse to share the gospel? certainly, St Peter Chanel, Ven. Suzanne Aubert and St Mary of the Cross felt a similar obligation. When I find a good offer at the shops or some music that I think is tremendous, do I not share the opportunity with my friends so that they too can benefit? The "messianic secret" in the Gospel of Mark is a rhetorical device which tells us that the Good News of Christ Jesus cannot be hidden. Even when told not to individuals who encountered Jesus and were healed by him felt it necessary to tell others. Let us be prepared to witness to our faith and tell others how being Catholic has such a value in our lives. If I am reluctant to do that maybe I need to look deeper and discover more about how God has changed my life and renew my commitment to trust, love and follow Him, not only in going to Mass on Sunday but in every facet of my life. I encourage all parishioners to take advantage of the Alpha course and other prayer and Scripture groups in the parish where there is opportunity to discuss and share testimony of how God is living and active in our lives.