Category: Deacon Tony reflects

“For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only name by which we can be saved.” These words used by St Peter to the Rulers and the people and the elders in Jerusalem are an extraordinary expression of faith. These words spoken with confidence because he was filled with the Holy Spirit, are a perfect preamble for the Gospel we hear today.

In the Gospel of St John, where Jesus declares himself to be the Good Shepherd, and which we hear every year on this 4^th Sunday of Easter, is a declaration of absolute and unconditional love. Jesus states that he is being prepared to give up his life for his followers and uses the profession of a shepherd as an example. For us, it is inconceivable that a shepherd would sacrifice their own life to protect their sheep. But Jesus is no ordinary Shepherd, He is the Good Shepherd.

Jesus, being prepared to sacrifice himself for us is the greatest act of love which has ever happened; or which will ever happen. Jesus Christ true God and true Man, lowering himself to become one of his own creations and allowing himself to be killed by his own creations so that He could demonstrate that death has no power over Him and that if we follow Him; then death has no lasting power over us.

That is why the second reading used today is also a perfect fit. The Gospel speaks of the greatest love and in the 2^nd reading we hear St John tell us about the love bestowed upon us by the Father by allowing us to be called children of God. But that is not the best bit. Through our baptism we are children of God, but what we are to become has still to be revealed, because “we shall be like him” and “see him as he really is.” By trusting in Jesus, by following him, having faith in him and by loving him, only then we can achieve all that the Good Shepherd calls us to. That eternal pasture where there will be no more mourning or tears; a place filled with love, a place of perfection.

This Sunday we are asked to pray for our brothers and sisters who the Good Shepherd has called to a life of service. That calling or vocation could be to serve the Lord as a priest, a deacon, a religious sister or brother. It could be a calling to be a nurse or a doctor, it could be to be a teacher or maybe even a scientist who finds a medical cure or the key to solving the climate crisis.

A vocation can be a mighty calling, or it can be a calling to do one simple thing. Whatever that calling is, if it is from God, it has to be answered. We know that Jesus called the disciples and they followed Him. Today in 2024, we are his disciples, we are followers of Jesus.  Everyone of us, whether we are young or old, we need to listen for what we are being called to do and more importantly, to respond. We also need to pray that we and our brothers and sisters can have the courage to answer that call and by doing so, help to build the kingdom of God.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Fourth Sunday of Easter

CCC 754, 764, 2665: Christ the Shepherd and Gate
CCC 553, 857, 861, 881, 896, 1558, 1561, 1568, 1574: Pope and bishops as shepherds
CCC 874, 1120, 1465, 1536, 1548-1551, 1564, 2179, 2686: priests as shepherds
CCC 756: Christ the cornerstone
CCC 1, 104, 239, 1692, 1709, 2009, 2736: we are God’s children now

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn. 
• Those contemplating a vocation.
• Those in formation for the Diaconate or the Priesthood or for the consecrated life.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria, Iran and Iraq.
• Those who have suffered from abuse, those who struggle to see themselves as being of value and those who care for them.
• Josephine, Onu & Sofiri who will be baptised this weekend at St Bede’s.

Deacon Tony Darroch   19^th April 2024.

It is difficult for us to comprehend just what the disciples went through that first Easter. They had witnessed their teacher being taken away and brutally executed. For some this was undoubtably too much and some may have drifted away. In fact, at the beginning of the Gospel today, we hear two of the disciples who had left Jerusalem telling their story of how they had encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Were these disciples headed back to their original life and only saved by encountering Jesus, as they recognised him by the breaking of the bread?

We hear in the Gospel that as they were still speaking Jesus stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ We also hear that they were dumbfounded and some thought that they were seeing a ghost. Jesus then goes on to tell them that it is really Him, He has risen.

When I hear the word dumbfounded and try to think about when I ever felt like that, I think of events like 9/11, when the world sat dumbfounded as to what was unfolding before our eyes through the mediums of television and the internet. That was a day when the world stood still and struggled to comprehend the magnitude of what was happening. In short, the world would never be the same again. The resurrection is also like that. Following the resurrection the world can never be the same as it was before that day. Now we have hope because our Saviour has conquered death.

In the first reading we hear how the apostles started their work of sharing the Good News. First of all, they took the Good News to the original Chosen People, those chosen by God to have an integral role in the salvation of mankind. It was through these people that the prophets came; those who foretold the coming of the Christ. It was these same people who were chosen by God to be involved in the Crucifixion of Christ. In this passage from the Acts of the Apostles we hear St Peter tell them that they, nor their leaders, had any idea what they were doing; he says that in fact they were carrying out what had been foretold. He now encouraged them to repent so that their sins could be wiped out.

In the 1^st letter of St John, we hear the evangelist pleading with us to stop sinning, but that if we struggle to resist temptation then we need to take those sins to Jesus; the advocate whose sacrifice takes away our sins. This message is supported by the words found in Luke’s Gospel where Jesus is explaining how He had predicted his own death and resurrection and that in His name repentance for sins would be preached to the whole world.

During Lent, like many of you, I went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I found it an uplifting experience. To repent of our sins is a freeing experience, it takes away the enemy’s ability to accuse us; because we have accused ourselves in front of God and sought the forgiveness of our sins. When I attended the Sacrament there was a very long queue. The Pastoral Area Reconciliation Service in Basingstoke was also very well attended, with four priests hearing confessions late into the evening. The following day; after morning Mass at St Bede’s; Fr John was busy hearing Confessions for over an hour. It seems that people are wakening up to the true value of this wonderful Sacrament again. The number of people attending Mass over Easter seemed to be higher than in recent years. It feels like people are responding to God’s call. We for our part, must ensure that when they respond they feel welcome and help them to feel at home. In our everyday life we need to ensure that those we meet know we are Christian; by our actions.

It was very obvious in this last week that organisations were falling over themselves to wish Muslims a happy Eid or Eid Mubarak. How many of these organisations put out similar messages for Easter? Christianity is the largest faith in the world and yet the media would have us to think that we are irrelevant. But if we look at what Christian organisations do around the world in providing aid, education programmes, building of hospitals, schools and communities. Those of us who put our faith into action are the hands and feet of Christ today. Those same hands and feet which were nailed to the cross now help to feed millions around the world and educate others. Those same hands and feet care for the sick and the dying or help to bring new life into the world. Those same hands and feet bring people to the well which flowed from His pierced side; where blood and water flowed washing away our sins, taking us down into the grave with Him and through our Baptism allowing us to rise with Him, so that we humans can become like God.

Last week, the Vatican issued a document on the dignity of man, called Dignitas Infinita,^[1] or Infinite Dignity. The Church has used the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, made by the United Nations in 1948, to “proclaim anew its conviction that all human beings—created by God and redeemed by Christ—must be recognized and treated with respect and love due to their inalienable dignity. The anniversary also provides an occasion for the Church to clarify some frequent misconceptions concerning human dignity and to address some serious and urgent related issues.” If we look around the world now, we can see evil at work. We see the death and destruction in Gaza and in Israel. We can see similar acts of terror in the Ukraine. There are wars in the continent of Africa, which go unreported because the war in Ukraine and in the Holy Land have a greater potential to affect our own nation. In our own country we have people advocating for abortion up until birth and others looking for a change in the law to allow for euthanasia. Abortion and euthanasia, two words which conceal or try to soften the intent, which is to kill.

As Christians we are called to speak up for those without a voice, to feed those without food; to care for those who are shunned by society. Sometimes the problems in the world seem so big that we don’t know where to start or think that what we do can never be enough, but As St Teresa of Calcutta said, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Third Sunday of Easter

CCC 1346-1347: the Eucharist and the experience of the disciples at Emmaus
CCC 642-644, 857, 995-996: the apostles and disciples as witnesses of the Resurrection
CCC 102, 601, 426-429, 2763: Christ the key to interpreting all Scripture
CCC 519, 662, 1137: Christ, our Advocate in heaven

Declaration “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity (2 April 2024) (vatican.va)

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn. 
• All those struggling to feed their families at this time.
• Those working to help others who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Iraq.
• Those who have suffered from abuse, those who struggle to see themselves as being of value and those who care for them.

Deacon Tony Darroch   13^th April 2024.

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[1] Declaration “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity (2 April 2024) (vatican.va)

Divine Mercy Sunday [2^nd Sunday of Easter] 2024

[Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 117; 1 John 5:1-69; John20: 19-31]

Thomas, like many of his contemporary Jews, looked for signs. His faith was based on what he could see and what he could read into the signs which he saw. I like to think that Thomas’ initial insistence on seeing evidence was not based on a lack of belief instead, I prefer to think that this was part of the grief he still had in his heart for Jesus. At that time, the only thing he knew for certain was that Jesus had died. As an apostle, he had a great hope and maybe a little less faith that Jesus would do as he had declared; and rise from the dead. While he has been dubbed doubting Thomas, I think his ‘doubt’ was more a reluctance to accept something; which after all; had never been done before, the Resurrection.

When he actually saw the Risen Christ, his declaration; without touching Jesus was an emphatic “My Lord and my God”. This great confession of faith, laid out for us by St John in his Gospel, tell us there were many other signs which also took place, but that he did not feel the need to put them into writing. Those which he did commit to writing; are the ones he thought [guided by the Holy Spirit] would help others to believe.

In the first reading St Luke tells us how the early church combined all of their belongings and used them for the benefit of the community. Today, the church is far larger in size and has many more people in community to look after. We all need to remember this when there are appeals to help others. Everything we can give can be shared out to those in more need than ourselves; and those of us unable to give; need to commit our offering; in prayer.

In the second reading St John explains how Jesus, who came in flesh and blood, and filled with the Holy Spirit, to rescue all those who commit to believing in Him. By believing, we too can be filled with the Spirit; a Spirit who is filled with the truth and bountiful gifts, These gifts help us to stay close to Jesus and can help us to resist temptation as we receive wisdom and discernment, allowing us to know right from wrong and by doing so; keeping Jesus’ commandments.

Some people may ask why today is designated as Divine Mercy Sunday? ‘In a series of revelations to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, our Lord called for a special feast day to be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.  Today, we know that feast as Divine Mercy Sunday, named by Pope St. John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000. 

The Lord expressed His will with regard to this feast in His very first revelation to St. Faustina. The most comprehensive revelation can be found in her Diary entry 699:

“My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy.”

In all, St. Faustina recorded 14 revelations from Jesus concerning His desire for this feast. 

Nevertheless, Divine Mercy Sunday is NOT a feast based solely on St. Faustina’s revelations. Indeed, it is not primarily about St. Faustina — nor is it altogether a new feast. The Second Sunday of Easter was already a solemnity as the Octave Day of Easter^[1]. The title “Divine Mercy Sunday” does, however, highlight the meaning of the day.[1]’ This is taken from the Divine Mercy website which can be accessed at What is Divine Mercy Sunday? | The Divine Mercy and has more information related to Divine Mercy.

Right now, the world seems to be a place without mercy. When we think of how world leaders can make decisions to attack those who are trying to provide food to fellow humans who are starving because of a genocide being unleashed against them. While only one world leader may have been involved in the actual decision to fire missiles at the convoy three times, the other world leaders who have made decisions to supply weapons to either the Israelis or to the terrorists must share some of the blame for this continued assault on a largely civilian population. Those leaders who continue to supply weapons, which are being used indiscriminately, must have a change of heart. Those leaders who fail to bring mercy to the people of Gaza must know that history will not judge them well. They must also realise that on their final day when they have to face their final judgement, how can they ask for mercy when they have denied it to others?

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Second Sunday of Easter

CCC 448, 641-646: appearances of the risen Christ
CCC 1084-1089: sanctifying presence of the risen Christ in the liturgy
CCC 2177-2178, 1342: the Sunday Eucharist
CCC 654-655, 1988: our new birth in the Resurrection of Christ
CCC 976-983, 1441-1442: “I believe in the forgiveness of sins”
CCC 949-953, 1329, 1342, 2624, 2790: communion in spiritual goods

What is Divine Mercy Sunday? | The Divine Mercy

 Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn. 
• All those struggling to feed their families at this time.
• Those working to help others who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
• Those discerning a vocation and those considering coming into the Catholic Church.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Iraq.
• That all of our school children and staff have a good break and that they remain safe.

Deacon Tony Darroch   5^th April 2024.

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[1] What is Divine Mercy Sunday? | The Divine Mercy

Jesus is raised up on the cross as a vehicle for his descent into the darkness of death. The cross, being the weapon of humiliation and shame is transformed into a sign of salvation. Jesus, clearly mirroring the old Covenant becomes the Paschal Lamb for all generations. Now there is no need for other sacrifices; Jesus, the Lamb of God creates a new Covenant.

Today, we venerate the Cross. On Sunday we will celebrate the Resurrection. Those initial disciples did not have the certainty that we have; even though they saw Jesus in the flesh and heard him preach first hand. On that first Good Friday, they must have been horrified at what happened to their beloved teacher, and we know that some of them scattered. But we also know, that in a few short days they would see him again; risen from the dead.

This time of year, gives us the opportunity to think about what Jesus did for us. The liturgy is so rich in detail; the story of how Jesus was tried, beaten and executed is etched firmly on our minds. We have all probably watched film versions of the life and death of Jesus, but I would guess that very few of these films comes remotely close to what Our Lord went through for us.

Last night we had the chance to stay with the Lord, watching and waiting for this day to come. Today we have the opportunity to recall the events of that first Good Friday and tomorrow at the Vigil we can be present as the darkness formed on Good Friday is illuminated by the Easter fire, and the Easter Candle burns; lighting up the area around where the Word of God is read. But today is a time to ponder; to think about the sacrifice Jesus made for us and to marvel that if we were the only person in the world, Jesus would still have died to save us and that applies to everyone. If that isn’t a great reason to reflect and be thankful, I’m not sure what is.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Friday of the Passion of the Lord

CCC 602-618, 1992: the Passion of Christ
CCC 612, 2606, 2741: the prayer of Jesus
CCC 467, 540, 1137: Christ the High Priest
CCC 2825: Christ’s obedience and ours

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn.
• All those struggling to feed their families at this time.
• Those working to help others who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
• Those discerning a vocation and those considering coming into the Catholic Church.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Iraq.
• Those preparing for Sacraments this Easter.
• For all travelling at this time; may they remain safe and return refreshed.
• That all of our school children and staff have a good break and that they remain safe.

Deacon Tony Darroch 29^th March 2024.

Growing up, I was sometimes involved in school productions; this usually meant weeks, if not months of preparation and as we got closer to the actual events a great sense of anticipation and excitement. More often than not, however, once the production happened there was I felt a sense of anti-climax; almost as if the event itself never quite reached the levels of my expectations. I found there always seemed to be a contrast between my expectations and hopes, and how things actually turned out.

I see some of that contrast in the readings used during Palm Sunday. At the beginning of our Liturgy, we have the triumphant entry into Jerusalem of Jesus, hailed as the one coming from the Lord; the one the Jews had waited so long for. The thoughts and feelings of his disciples at that time must have been so exhilarating. They were all together with their teacher as he entered the Holy city. The crowds were with them crying out Hosannah, they were on an upward trajectory; this was their moment. The moment they and the Jewish people had looked forward to for so long.

Contrast that, however, with the Passion narrative, where the crowds have turned against Jesus and the disciples have scattered, instead of Hosannah the crowd now cry out ‘Crucify him!’ The disciples must have had serious doubts as their dreams and hopes seemed to be shattered by the blows Jesus took on [their and] our behalf. The king of Israel; on whom they had hoped so much; given a crown of thorns and mocked by the Romans and the Jewish people; and finally nailed on a cross and killed before being hastily put into a tomb. At that time, they must have thought it was all over. At that time, they must surely have wondered what Jesus was preparing them for.

Their feelings of anti-climax must have been so deep and painful, and yet as we know this was not the end. Three days later they would experience a far greater exhilaration than that entry into Jerusalem. But for now, as our Lenten journey approaches the end, we share in their highs and lows, and we anticipate the Easter celebrations.

For Easter to have any meaning for us we need to experience the sadness and pain of that first Holy Week. We need to witness the Last Supper where the Son of God got down on his hands and knees to wash the feet of his followers as well as ask us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. We need to remember the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and ask ourselves how many times we have betrayed Jesus? We will sit and pray, watching on Thursday night, hoping for the energy to stay awake as we pray. We will remember the three denials of Peter and ask ourselves how many times we have denied Jesus before the cock crows for us? We have to watch as Jesus is taken away to be tried and scourged and ridiculed knowing that our sins added weight to the cross He carried. We, as Christians will venerate the Cross, the weapon used to kill our Saviour and remember that he did all of this for us.

This week, we will experience contrast, and while there will be lows, we know that there will be highs. For me those highs are enhanced by our experiences of the lows. I wish you all a good Holy Week.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

CCC 557-560: Christ’s entry into Jerusalem
CCC 602-618: the Passion of Christ
CCC 2816: Christ’s kingship gained through his death and Resurrection
CCC 654, 1067-1068, 1085, 1362: the Paschal Mystery and the liturgy.

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn.
• All those struggling to feed their families at this time.
• Those working to help others who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
• Those discerning a vocation and those considering coming into the Catholic Church.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Iraq.
• Those preparing for Sacraments this Easter.
• Those families who will complete the Baptism preparation programme this weekend at St Bede’s.

Deacon Tony Darroch 23^rd March 2024.

This reflection is for the readings for Year B, which are used in places where no Scrutinies are taking place this Sunday.

Last week we heard that at his Transfiguration, Jesus met Moses [representing the law] and Elijah [representing the prophets] and we know from another Gospel [Luke 9:31] account of the Transfiguration, that Jesus discussed with them what was going to take place in Jerusalem.

This week in our first reading we hear how God told Moses about the laws the people were to live by; these laws still apply for us today. The ten Commandments set out how we are to love God and love our neighbour and they are the foundation stone for many of the laws of many countries; as they also set out reasonable and practical ways for people to live in community. History has shown that when communities or civilizations move away from these laws; the days of those communities are numbered as discord breaks out and anarchy reigns.

The psalm used today, is an indication and an instruction for us ‘You, Lord, have the message of eternal life’. The verses of the psalm encourage us to trust in God, because the laws of the Lord will give us true happiness, they light up our life, they are worth more than gold and taste sweeter than the sweetest of honey.

St Paul tells us that Christ’s resurrection defies human logic; but that this is okay because God’s foolishness is wiser than the wisest of human minds.

In today’s Gospel we hear how Jesus reacted to the misuse of the Temple. It had been turned into a marketplace, with money changers and sellers of birds and livestock. No doubt the temple officials were receiving an income from those based there. They asked him for a justification of his actions and what sign he would give. Jesus said that he would destroy the temple and raise it up again in three days.

As Christians we know the temple he was speaking about was his own body. We know that the whip He made out of cords would be replaced by the sound of the soldiers whips as they scourged Jesus. We know that the animals originally meant for sacrifice and now set free would no longer be needed as a sacrifice; as the innocent Lamb of God would take their place and become the Paschal Sacrifice for the New Covenant. We are told that at the hour when Jesus died, the curtain of the temple would be torn, lightning would flash across the sky and thunder ring out throughout the land as God sees what mankind; his creations; could do to his beloved Son.

During Lent we are given these readings to ponder, we are reminded of the laws, and asked to look at our conscience, when we think about the laws handed down to us from God, via Moses, we are asked to repent the sins we have committed and to turn away from them. Instead turn back towards the Lord. When we think about St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we are to ask ourselves, are we like the Jews who demand to see miracles, or the Greeks who look for wisdom, or are we like St Paul? Do we preach the crucified Christ by what we do and what we say?

When we think about the Gospel, how do we react when we see something which is not right? Are we passive about it or do we react? Jesus was not passive, Jesus stood up for what is right and obeyed his Father.

What do we need to do today, to obey our Father in heaven? When I visited Fr Patrick during this week to plan with him the Liturgy in Tadley and Burghfield Common this weekend, he gave me a couple of cards to sign. These were both related to protecting unborn children from abortion. There are moves within this country to make abortion up until birth legal. This cannot be right. When we look at today’s Gospel and see how Jesus reacted to the misuse of the Temple, we realise that we are called to be people who put our faith into action. We have a voice, the children in their mother’s wombs do not. We need to use our voices to speak for those children. Abortion breaks one of God’s laws. God said we are not to kill.

Finally, I’d like to remember the people who are taking part in the Scrutinies throughout the world today. I’m told that at the recent Rite of Election Portsmouth Cathedral was full of people looking to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. These are new people coming into the Church. The world will tell us that we are irrelevant, however, as a Church we are still growing. I have noticed this in the churches where I serve. The number of people attending seems to be growing. God is still calling people to Him; our part is to help with the call by living out the message of the Gospel and ensuring that when we see someone new that we help them to feel welcome.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Third Sunday of Lent

CCC 459, 577-582: Jesus and the Law
CCC 593, 583-586: Temple prefigures Christ; he is the Temple
CCC 1967-1968: the New Law completes the Old
CCC 272, 550, 853: Christ’s power revealed in the Cross

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn.
• All those struggling to feed their families at this time.
• Those working to help others who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
• Those discerning a vocation and those considering coming into the Catholic Church.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Iraq.
• Those preparing for Sacraments this Easter.

The thought of anyone being prepared to sacrifice their son for any reason is extraordinary. In today’s first reading we hear that Abraham was prepared to follow the will of God and sacrifice his son Isaac. We hear how Isaac carried the wood up a mountain in preparation for the sacrifice and how God intervened once He knew that Abraham feared him enough to go through with his instruction.

In a few weeks we will hear how God sacrificed his Son for the sake of mankind and this time there would be no intervention to stop the sacrifice. Jesus, the Lamb of God, carried another piece of wood up a hill and became the sacrifice offered up for the Father, by the Father to atone for the sins of mankind. Following this sacrifice there would be no need for any other blood sacrifice to atone for sins. Many others, however, would shed their own blood and continue to shed their own blood today, through faith in Jesus Christ. For those who have been martyred, they will see Christ in all His glory. For us, here in 2024, we need to rely on the account in today’s Gospel to get a glimpse of what that glory looks like when we are reminded of the Transfiguration.

That day when Jesus took the apostles up a high mountain and they encountered Moses and Elijah, two key figures from the Old Testament who had their own encounters with God on mountains. Moses representing the Law and Elijah representing the prophets. Imagine being there that day, imagine it from the apostles’ perspective. They were asked to go for a walk with their teacher, he took them up a high mountain and when they got there, there was this almighty light, brighter than anything they had ever seen before. Their teacher was illuminated and there before their eyes they saw two of the greatest men in their history, talking with their teacher. They were obviously well versed in their history, to be able to recognise these men, who had died centuries earlier. Peter, while being extremely frightened, offered to make tents for Jesus and the holy men. But just as they thought nothing else could top what they were seeing there came a voice from heaven, declaring that Jesus is the Son of God. Then as quickly as it had all started, it was over.

As they made their way down the mountain, they were told to keep what they had seen to themselves until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. An expression they had not heard before, so they discussed what that could mean amongst themselves.

This is quite a short Gospel, but there is so much in it. I think, there is a risk that because we hear some of the Gospel stories so often that there is a danger that the impact is lost for us. Nowadays, no doubt, some clever people could recreate the Transfiguration with fancy graphics, special lighting and hidden speakers and maybe they could convince some people that what they have created was real, although the vast majority of people would probably scoff at the idea. But 2000 years ago, there was no technology that could have replicated what has been recorded in the Gospel. We are told to ‘listen to Him’, and we are told this by God the Father.

On that mountain, Jesus allowed his glory to be seen, and God proclaimed Jesus as his Son. As we leave Mass we are asked glorify the Lord by our lives or to go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. We do this by how we interact with those we encounter, we don’t have to stand on a street corner with a bible in our hand. We announce the Gospel of the Lord by loving God and loving our neighbour and when people feel the love we share with them, they will ask us why do we do what we do? Through those encounters we can introduce people to Jesus and glorify His Name.

Another way of showing our love is in how we treat the poor. Last Friday was our voluntary Fast Day for CAFOD. If we remembered to fast [and even if we forgot to] we can donate the money we would have used for our food to CAFOD. Their appeal this Lent is concentrating on helping hard working families. Their website mentions James, who is a fisherman¹, he is aware that many of his colleagues are lost at sea each month, but he still needs to go out onto the ocean to work so that his family can eat. He cannot afford the equipment that would keep him safe or warn him about storms. He still goes out, because if he doesn’t, quite simply, his family does not eat. People like James and his family are reliant on our generosity; every penny and pound counts in the fight against poverty. If you are able to donate that would be wonderful, but even if you are unable to donate, please pray for our brothers and sisters who find themselves in this position and thank God for the many blessings He bestows on us.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Second Sunday of Lent

CCC 554-556, 568: the Transfiguration
CCC 59, 145-146, 2570-2572: the obedience of Abraham
CCC 153-159: characteristics of faith
CCC 2059: God manifests his glory to make known his will
CCC 603, 1373, 2634, 2852: Christ is for us

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn.
• All those struggling to feed their families at this time.
• Those working to help others who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
• Those discerning a vocation and those considering coming into the Catholic Church.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Iraq.
• Those preparing for Sacraments this Easter.
• Those working for CAFOD and other agencies to support the poor all over the world.

1 Lent Appeal 2024 (cafod.org.uk)

We hear a snippet of the rules surrounding leprosy in the first reading this week. If we were to go to the book of Leviticus there are over 100 verses regarding leprosy in the Law of Moses. One of the main consequences is that someone suffering from leprosy had to live apart from the camp, away from the rest of the Community. The leper in the Gospel reading seems quite forward in his approach to Jesus. ‘If you want to, you can cure me’, are the words he used to Jesus, quite presumptive in fact. Jesus quite happily obliges, and ordered the man to say nothing to anyone; but to do as the law of Moses called him to do and go show himself to the priest.

The irony here is that because the man was so overjoyed by being cured he told everyone, forcing Jesus to live outside of populated areas, in one sense exchanging places with the leper; losing some of his freedom to go where he wanted to.

In Biblical days people with disabilities or who were different were shunned, left to beg for their needs. Jesus did not shun the leper; he found a way to bring the man back into the community. Surely this is a message for us too.

In our community, who do we shun?

Who would feel excluded by us?

Are they not the very ones, who Jesus would invite into our community?

Whilst leprosy is still a disease nowadays, and people still work to find a cure, we can also see leprosy as being like sin. Sin cuts us off from our community, and from the source of holiness, just like the lepers were cut off in Jesus’ time. As we approach the beginning of Lent, we are reminded that this is a time of penance, a time for us all to prepare for the 40 day journey which takes us towards Easter. We can only experience the full joy of Easter if we take part fully in the season of Lent.

I pray that this Lent we all find the time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, that we can all look at ways to uphold the three pillars of Lent – fasting, prayer and almsgiving and that by taking part in that wonderful Sacrament, we may all be reconciled to each other and to God.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 1474: living in Christ unites all believers in him
CCC 1939-1942: human solidarity
CCC 2288-2291: respect for health

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn.
• All those struggling to feed their families at this time.
• Those working to help others who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
• Those discerning a vocation and those considering coming into the Catholic Church.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Iraq.
• Those preparing for Sacraments this Easter.

There is a sense of urgency in the Gospel we hear today. We hear that when Jesus, James and John left the synagogue, they went straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. When they arrived there, he was told straightaway that Simon’s mother-in-law was ill. Jesus went to her and helped her up, and the fever had left her allowing her to begin to wait on them. After they had eaten it seemed like the whole town had come out to meet them and Jesus cured many people including those who were possessed. We hear that Jesus, long before dawn, got up and left the house to find a lonely place to pray. When the disciples caught up with him, they said that ‘everyone is looking for you’. Jesus, not wanting to stay in one place for too long said “let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring towns, so that I can preach there too.”. Jesus is literally a man on a mission, in fact he is the Son of Man on a mission. He has a job to do, and he wants to get on with it.

There are so many examples set for us within this short Gospel reading. The first is that when we leave our church building, we must take Jesus with us. Our Sunday obligation is only partially fulfilled by being at Mass; if we listen to the words at Mass, we must take what we have heard out into the world so that more people can be saved. This is part of our Baptismal duties. The next example for us is to try and find some quiet time or space when we want to pray; Jesus did this so often in the Gospels, and it is in these quiet times when we can listen for the Word of God. The next example is that all the people were looking for Jesus;

How do we look for Jesus in 2024?

Do we actively look for Jesus or are we hoping to stumble across him by chance?

The last example is that we are not to keep what we learn to ourselves. After preaching in that Synagogue in Capernaum and healing the sick, Jesus sought out other places to take the Good News; telling us that the Good News is meant to be shared, we have not to keep it for ourselves.

The reading from St Paul in the second reading today, should be the top of our list of ‘go to’ readings for when we are feeling a little bit downhearted or overwhelmed on our mission for Jesus. As someone who preaches, I think this extract from the 1^st letter to the Corinthians, sets a good example for me. I am not to boast about preaching the Gospel, after all, I didn’t choose to do it, I have been called to do it. I have got to put effort in; I can’t do this in a half-hearted way because preaching is not only a privilege, but it is a responsibility that I have been given, for which I will be held to account on my judgement day. It is also telling me that I need to be all things to all men to try and win them over to Christ.

For me this is similar to what Pope Francis said about priests [even though I’m clearly not a priest] encouraging them to be like shepherds who ‘smell of the sheep’. Pope Francis said that preachers should not be going into areas with some theoretical idea of what the field they are working in is, as preachers we need to get to know our environment by getting out and about within our community¹. This is what I try to do; I live and work in our community, I am a married man, I have children and grandchildren, all living within this Pastoral Area. St Paul also rejoices in his work; this is something else I need to remember in the times when I lack energy and enthusiasm.

In the first reading we hear Job, sounding extremely fed up, he has suffered greatly and is resigned to never experiencing joy again. In all of his troubles he never blames God. If we read the book of Job, we will see that this part is in response to one of his friends who has come to console him in his misery. Instead of consoling, he, and his other friends seem to pile on the agony more by insisting that Job must have done something to upset God and has brought his misfortune upon himself through his own actions. Job knows he is innocent and in this exchange he is letting his friends know that he is accepting of his lot; he doesn’t like it, but he is still accepting of it. How we can learn from Job? Throughout all of the exchanges he displays tremendous faith. His trust in God never waivers.

That trust in God is also evident in our Gospel when we hear of all of the people who sought out Jesus to be healed.

When we pray for friends who are sick, where do we set our expectations?

Do we pray with genuine hope?

Or are we resigned to whatever the medical opinion has stated?

When I looked back at what I had written for this weekend three years ago, I came across an observation from St Bede on how St Peter’s mother-in-law responded when Jesus healed her. He said, “The health which is conferred at the command of the Lord returns at once entire, accompanied with such strength that she is able to minister to those of whose help she had before stood in need.” ²

When we experience the healing power of Jesus or any other assistance of Jesus, are we ready to respond immediately to serve Jesus?

I’d like to encourage us this week to actively seek out Jesus in the same way as the people in this week’s Scriptures did. Put our trust in Jesus, take inspiration from Job who maintained his faith through the most trying of circumstances, share the joy of Paul in carrying out our mission for Jesus and respond like Peter’s mother-in-law by looking for ways to serve Jesus as a thank you for prayers answered. In that way we will be taking the Word of God out into our community and surely that can only be good for all of us.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 547-550: healing as a sign of messianic times
CCC 1502-1505: Christ the Healer
CCC 875, 1122: the urgency of preaching

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, those recovering from surgery, those who are dying, the recently deceased and those who mourn.
• All those struggling to feed their families at this time.
• Those working to help others who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
• Those discerning a vocation and those considering coming into the Catholic Church.
• The innocent people caught up in wars and conflicts around the world, but especially those in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Iraq.
• Persecuted Christians everywhere, especially the two priests kidnapped in the Plateau state in Nigeria.
• For Ho Yi Ann, Leona, Brian, Nikodem, Charles, Favour, & Hunter due to be Baptised at St Bede’s on Sunday.

1 Pope to priests: Be “shepherds with ‘the smell of the sheep'” – Vatican News

2 Bible Alive – January 2021, (Alive Publishing, Stoke-on-Trent, 2021)53.