tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78965136570881722752024-03-24T17:40:16.324+10:30Lux VeraBlogsite of Fr David ThoroughgoodFrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.comBlogger870125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-42636001723774325392024-03-22T11:18:00.000+10:302024-03-22T11:18:06.633+10:305th Sunday of Lent (B) 17 March 2024 Sermon<p> 5<sup>th</sup> Sunday of Lent 17 March 2024 Transformation</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> T</o:p>here will be no need for brother no need to say to brother…
(first reading)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Jesus comes to save us, which is always our greatest need.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>His saving is not just some technical matter, like having a
debt removed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><i>Deep within them I will plant my law (Jer 31,31-34)</i> 1<sup>st</sup>
reading, We are being changed by God. All that is negative can be made
positive. Malice to goodness, vice to virtue etc</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A person may be mostly rotten now, but through mercy and
grace become good, not only looking good through external actions, but actually
being good.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A good person is one who never sins and always does what is
good, with all desires, thoughts, passions etc are in the right place and right
amount. Most importantly the will is in conformity with God's will.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>1 Cor 13,1-3: even
if I give my body to be burnt but have not love…I am a gong booming etc.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This means that without the right interior dispositions the
external actions mean very little. What we do for God must be at least some
part motivated by love.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Salvation is complete when we want and do the right thing;
when we do whatever we do for the glory of God, always asking His help..</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many would say that being good all the time and in every way
is too demanding and mostly impossible. Therefore it should not be insisted on.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Granted, weakness is prominent but we can do certain things
to be strengthened.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A combination of prayer, sacraments, liturgy, good deeds
will do much to advance us in spiritual maturity, whereby we are changed as we
go, and what might have been impossible is now seen as reasonably attainable.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When sufficiently immersed in God's love we can see everything
in a clearer light and charity prevails.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God plants His goodness in us, so it is not so hard as it
sounds. God Himself is good in the fullest sense of the word, and has no wrong
thoughts, words or actions.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In His earthly life Jesus always got it right – helped by
the fact that He wanted all the right things anyway.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we trust the real God enough to follow Him into unknown
ways we will be vindicated. The difficult part is that we have to trust in the
good outcome before we see it, or even before we see signs of it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let us work on our weakness and frailties and see what can
be changed. A lot of it is just small adjustments, exercising restraint, changing
orientation .</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whatever is missing can be found. The Salvation story
continues.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We enter the last weeks before Easter, entering them as
participants not just spectators or passers-by.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It involves us. We can commit fully or half or none, but we
must make a decision.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus invites each of us to respond fully to Him. He sees us
individually, not just as a large crowd.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Salvation then can be seen as essentially an act of healing
by God. If we have a physical need we go to whatever source of relief there
might be.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Think of the spiritual life as going to the place where we
can grow in charity. We need charity and all its connections more than we need
health or peace or any other item. Simply wanting what God wants, with all our
thoughts words and deeds in harmony with that. Then everything else will flow
into place. And the whole world will know.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is what we celebrate insofar as we have it, and strive
for what we still need to attain. </p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-58333858385002540372024-03-14T22:20:00.000+10:302024-03-14T22:20:08.750+10:304th Sunday of Lent (B) 10 March 2024 Sermon<p>4<sup>th</sup> Sunday of Lent 10 March 2024 Turning the tide</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="background: white;">For God so
loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3,16). </span></i><span style="background: white;">Words from today’s Gospel<i>.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are approaching Easter, when each year we are reminded of
the fickleness of human nature as when the crowd turned against Jesus (not to
mention Judas’ treachery or that of the Pharisees). How did we get it so wrong?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes footballers miss a goal from very close range, and
we wonder how they can do it. Well, humanity has been missing shots for goal
for thousands of years.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But unlike in football, we still get another shot, even if
we have missed a lot of times already.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The reminders of human frailty are not meant to depress us,
but to encourage us to do better, as we know we can.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God makes it easier for us by Himself taking on human
nature, and showing us how it is done. He does not miss from close range.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we lived before the Incarnation and we were told that God
would become Man, we would probably disbelieve that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we were convinced He would come we would probably think
it was next to impossible that anyone would reject Him. But lots of people did
reject Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And if they did reject Him then they would repent later. Not
necessarily.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And they would kill Him again if they could. And they certainly
still reject, by ignoring or insulting or preventing the Gospel from getting
out.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fortunately, at every point there are those who do believe
and go against the tide. We hope we are among that number, and grow stronger in
our reliability as disciples.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God has not given up on us. He could have turned the power
off a long time ago!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let us turn towards Him: <i>Father forgive them they know
not what they do.(Lk 23,34)</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many of them repented in the sober light of day. We could
say the same for our own sins.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When people neglect to pray they will make bad decisions,
driven by passions. If we maintain our own prayer life we will not add our sins
to His burden.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we stand with those faithful disciples around the Cross,
and are ready to be identified with Him</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We do not mock, or laugh at Him; we do not wish Him dead but
very much alive.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We want to grasp the full extent of what He has done for us;
so that at some point either past or future we will come to the motivation to
go further in His service.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once forgiven we move on to the next stage like a St Paul
who transferred his zeal to the right side of the argument.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The tide can be turned. We want to help others to have that Pentecost
experience: <span class="text"><i>Therefore let all
Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both
Lord and Messiah.” <b><sup> </sup></b>When the people heard this,
they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers,
what shall we do?” (Ac 2,36-37)</i></span><i>.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What can I do to atone for such a sin, but give him equal
and better affirmation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be good, do good, according to one’s life station. It does
not have to be a dramatic change on the surface, but simply take the Gospel
more seriously and make it centralto your life.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The story is still happening - we have not reached the last
page yet. We can make it a happy ending.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the last page? The people did turn around most of them,
all of them, some of them, What will it be?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Laetare Sunday? What is there to be joyful about? That we get
more than one chance, and this is one of them.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-2568771819621961552024-03-07T22:12:00.002+10:302024-03-07T22:12:27.870+10:303rd Sunday of Lent (B) 3 March 2024 Sermon<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><p class="MsoNormal">3<sup>rd</sup> Sunday of Lent 3 March 2024 Commandments<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nothing is too much trouble for one we love. A desire to
please is paramount.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We would do anything for some figure we admire or venerate such
as Mother Teresa, or many others.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We should see God in that light, but it does not always
happen.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Think of obedience to God as ‘nothing is too much trouble’,
and we will see things more clearly.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some will take a defiant attitude as questioning what right
God has to intervene? He made the whole universe and keeps it in being.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They say we should be able to run the world ourselves
without divine interference.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A quick look at the news will remind us of what happens when
we leave it to people to run things!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Instead we can regard God's laws as a way of discovering
more about God Himself. If we humble ourselves before Him we will learn why it
is a good idea to obey Him, and seek Him out as much as possible.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God helps us to love Him as he sets us free from sin, and we
come to value what he values and to deplore sin.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our antipathy to rules is a throwback to original sin, where
Adam and Eve try to blame others for their sin, and so it has been ever since. (Gen
3,12-13).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes the light of realization would break through. The Israelites
would go as far as saying that they <i>loved </i>the laws of God (Ps 119, 97) because
those laws showed how much God cared for them. Other gods did not do that. (See
also Ps 18).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God's laws, we might say, are an acquired taste; they become
more appealing as we see their inner wisdom and how everything leads back to
God, who is the source of all that is good.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>I am the Lord your God</i>, and therefore come the
following commands, the Ten Commandments.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These commands flow out of the nature of God, telling us what
He is like, what He regards as important.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God wants us to know Him, so He comes in ways that we can
digest, such as the sacraments, sacred places, and giving us commandments so we
can live with wisdom and harmony.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The ten commandments begin with our response to God. If we
love Him all else follows naturally. Any sort of false god means we do not love
the real God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Commandments are brief in title there are many levels
within each one. All the clauses and sub-clauses direct us back to <i>I Am the
Lord</i> Every obedience is giving honour to God; every sin an insult to His
majesty.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep the laws and we will mature in understanding, and the
whole society will be better for that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An initial sacrifice may be required to keep the laws, but
great glory will result if we go God's way.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does a loving God punish? Yes, when He sees it as necessary
to call His people back to the right path. Thus today’s episode in the Temple
when Jesus takes a whip to the moneychangers. Somebody was doing wrong and
worse still, it was in the Lord’s house.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The house of the Lord - firstly the Temple, now churches -
require special reverence, such as keeping silence, dressing appropriately,
generally keeping a reverential demeanour.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God will not punish us,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>however, if we make our own way to Him, to honour Him as He is, in His
laws, His word, in whatever way He chooses to reach us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We take the right path voluntarily, trusting ourselves to
His ongoing providence to lead us safely home. Allow yourself to be a stray
sheep and let Him collect you (Lk 15,4-7).</p><p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-37517688628017803972024-02-29T23:47:00.002+10:302024-02-29T23:47:23.270+10:302nd Sunday of Lent 25 Feb 2024 Sermon<p>2<sup>nd</sup> Sunday
of Lent 25 February 2024 The Transfiguration</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Transfiguration was meant to strengthen the apostles for
the sufferings they would endure on Good Friday. If they could recall the glory
of Christ, which they had seen for themselves, they would not have panicked on
seeing the Crucifixion. That was the logical reasoning.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The apostles, however, did not remain constant under
pressure, though they did become strong enough at Pentecost a few weeks later.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With the same idea the Transfiguration is offered to us and
the whole Church.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We do not always react by the laws of logic. We believe in
God, and we believe He can work miracles to rescue us from trouble, but when we
are in the heat of battle we can lose that belief.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have so many miracles we could call upon, yet somehow
they lose their power over us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need a reference point to which we can always return, and
that is Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13,8). We need not just the miracles but the One who
can work the miracles!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How can we be strong enough that we will never lose what we
have gained? Overall victory is assured but we want to win the battles too.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We keep records, at least in our heads; we remember what we
have seen, and then we bring it out when needed. This is one reason why we have
liturgy, the constant re-enactment of a whole host of miracles, centred on
Jesus Christ, what He can do and is doing for us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Under Josehp the Patriarch the Egyptians had enough to
withstand the famine (Gen 41,49). So we put away in storage all our reasons for
believing, and we bring them out when our world appears to be falling apart.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We face many ordeals, and we can buckle under the pressure,
but we have these reserves to call upon. We not only survive, but flourish.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People in general are not outstanding in faith, so it is easy
to operate at that level, and accept that as normal.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But that is not how it is meant by God. He wants us to have
a lively active trust in Him, as a matter of course. And He wants to see the whole Church, buzzing
with faith and other virtues.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can always correct past lapses and grow in strength. If
we ran away on Good Friday we will not run away next time, or the one after
that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Transfiguration could be seen as a kind of pivotal
miracle, around which all others place themselves. It is a certain reference
point which never diminishes.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Think of a time of your life when your faith was at its
strongest. Such times are rare and can be a long time apart; but they don’t get
any less true with the passing of time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We might allow the passing of time to erode our beliefs.
Memories can fade.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We face some sad experiences along the way. Loved ones die; we
have other misfortunes and setbacks. And then there is the world and all its
tragedies and troubles.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who can believe under such pressure, but then again who can
fail to believe, given the miracles we have?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In our faith we get used to seeing beyond appearances. We
learn to see the complexities of situations and are not easily swayed,
especially not to sin.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The main temptation we face is to give up our faith as just
too hard, and try to make our own way through life, with maybe some reference
to God, but mostly not.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So many do this and it brings all sorts of disorder, and
still plenty of fear, which is what they were trying to avoid.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Christ we have order, peace, certainty – we have all we
need to see off various problems and to make progress to eternity.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-57993943635684464322024-02-22T23:37:00.004+10:302024-02-22T23:37:43.155+10:301st Sunday of Lent (B) 18 February 2024 Sermon<p> 1<sup>st</sup> Sunday of Lent 18 Feb 2024 Temptations</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lent is a time of waging war on Sin. Jesus was tempted by
the devil to settle for a lesser goal, to be distracted from higher and better
things.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is how the devil tempts us, to take lesser gods and
expend all our desires on them.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It helps if we have a clear concept of life’s having a start
and a finish. We say life is short but then live like it goes forever, ignoring
what happens after death.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many have a vague idea about life after death, but do not
see the urgency of getting this life into order. They become absorbed in this
life, but do not know what it is for!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We live in a world which is ordered by God. He hears our prayers
and He interacts strongly, without
taking away our free will.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People think God is remote. No, indeed. He is aware of
everything. He knows if a sparrow falls from the sky (Mt 10,29). He knows what
we need, but often awaits our asking for it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He wants us to have a lively and continuous conversation
with Him, learning as we go, growing in love and trust towards Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the coming of Christ to the world, God reconciles humanity
with divinity, and this gives humanity the best exposure it has ever had to
true goodness, with all its flow-on effects. Such as peace, happy families,
fulfilling lives etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He give us many blessings from which we can learn, and then
become grateful.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We learn to obey God and to see why that is necessary, and the
best thing to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Choosing our own course may seem the obvious way forward but,
as we see, it leads to more and more trouble.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We live as disciples of Christ with the knowledge that He is
nearby, and never forgetting there will be a day of reckoning.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Instead we read the signs and repent. Like Nineveh, like the
Prodigal Son, like Mary Magdalene, and thousands since, who have come to the Saviour and found
new life.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Reading the signs we have direction and the way to complete
the path.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God knows our human frailty so He does not ask more of us
than we can bear.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, we will find that our capacity to make sacrifices
will increase, and then we will be loaded with more responsibility (cf Mt
25,28, give the one who has ten talents even more). He will also give us many
consolations on the way.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We must not be too attached to the temporary blessings of
this life. They are like refreshment points along the way, but not themselves
the end of the journey.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We give up things in Lent to acknowledge that we want the
heavenly food instead. We do not live on bread along but on every word that
comes from the mouth of God (Mt 4,4).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We learn to live in two worlds at once, this world and the
heavenly world. We live by the laws of the heavenly world, at the same time
being responsible citizens here on earth; doing all we have to do, but inwardly
longing for our true home in Heaven (Ph 3,20).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whenever we came to faith and baptism, that was getting on course.
Everything after that is staying on course – to Heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We make it hard for ourselves whenever we choose to sin. Sin
is like being on a journey and then suddenly going sideways or backwards. It
does not make any sense, but the temptations are strong, because previous sin
clouds our minds and weakens our wills.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A strong dose of clarity from Heaven will enable us to
resume the straight path!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-79652071276479366732024-02-15T22:11:00.003+10:302024-02-15T22:11:39.246+10:306th Sunday Ordinary Time (B) 11 Feb 2024 Sermon<p>6<sup>th</sup> Sunday Ordinary Time (B) 11 February 2024 Inclusion</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not a nice thing to be excluded from communities where
we would like to be included; to be victims of prejudice or bullying. Somehow,
just not one of the gang.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus can heal that sense of exclusion as well as He can
heal our physical complaints. The ‘leper’ is restored to his community. Physical
healing symbolises the spiritual healing which restores our relationship with
God. Sin moves us away from God, and sometimes a long way. Repentance will
bring us back.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God does not want anyone to be excluded; <i>He came to save
sinners (1 Tim 1,15). He came that they might have life, and have it to the
full (Jn 10,10).</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For Him and for us, the Church is the ultimate society to
which we need to belong. The Church is God's family, and where all of us become
one family. We are made one in Christ, brothers and sisters with each other,
whatever other relationships we may have.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Salvation amounts to this: that we are saved if part of
God's family (the Church), and unsaved if not – always with the door open for
any person to enter, or re-enter.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We may not be able to heal physical illness, but it is
always possible to heal the spiritual illness of being separate from God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On this World Day of the Sick, as we pray for all forms of
sickness, we give special priority to the spiritual ‘leprosy’, whereby whatever
separates a person from God and the Church can be rectified.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We all belong in God's family, even if rejected from other
places. Family is one place where they have to take you back! So is the Church,
insofar as we must be prepared to welcome sinners. <i>I have come for the sick
not the healthy (Mk 2,17).</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many would say that they do not need God or the Church; they
have enough human support already. No matter how happy we might be with human
love and friendship we still need the divine connection. <i>Our hearts are made
to rest in God (cf St Augustine)</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Others might say that the Church as they have experienced it,
is not welcoming. We must be charitable to all and at all times. Charity means
that any differences can be handled in concern for each other’s soul - and
under the umbrella of Church teaching, which connects us with Our Lord.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We go to Jesus as the leper did and submitting to whatever
He wants us to do. Jesus wants to save us to the point of complete unity with
His will.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is what makes Heaven heaven; everyone agrees with
Christ, and therefore with each other.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does the Church reject anyone? No, we want to help everyone get
to where they need to be with God. For some a measure of repentance or
instruction may be required, but they are not being excluded. We rejoice with all
heaven (Lk15,7) when a sinner repents or when a prodigal son returns. (Lk 15,
11-32).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unity with each other will emerge as we each draw closer to
God. Then we find what is likeable about each person, even people whom we would
have found it hard to like.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We welcome all who want to find life, just as the Lord let
all come to Him; and they were so numerous the doors and windows were blocked. Cf
when they had to lower the man through the roof (Mk 2,3-11).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus is the leper Himself insofar as He is rejected. In which
case we need to let Him back in – to His own family, <i>He came to His own but
His own did not receive Him (Jn 1,11).</i> We must reverse that rejection.</p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-29818905652758130632024-02-08T23:47:00.001+10:302024-02-08T23:47:20.044+10:305th Sunday Ordinary Time (B) 4 Feb 2024 Sermon<p>5<sup>th</sup> Sunday (B) 4 Feb 2024 Reward</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What is my reward, says St Paul, for preaching the Gospel.
It is this – to be able to do it for free; because he does not need a reward,
possessing the ‘reward’ already insofar as he could not be any happier, already
knowing Christ Jesus.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, the only thing he could have better than he has it now
is that others would take up what he is offering them – that they too will
discover the joy of the Gospel.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We know there is a pleasure in doing good to those in need,
relieving suffering of others, we enjoy giving in itself.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It touches a chord within us and this is understandable if
we reflect that we are created by God in His image, and He certainly likes to
give; He is doing it all the time; it is His nature.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some giving has a cost. If I give you my last piece of bread
then I am foregoing the benefit which that bread would have done me. But is
that not the noblest expression of humanity, sacrificing oneself for another.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We put up statues for people who do that. We do not put up a
statue for someone who spent his whole life looking after himself!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But there is another way we can give, whereby it costs us
nothing. That is, if we have so much of what we are giving it can never run
out. This is what happens in the spiritual world. We can do good for each
other, pray, encourage, evangelize, catechise – all things which can benefit
both the giver and the receiver.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is how heavenly grace works. God can give all day and
still have more to give.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is what St Paul had discovered. He could never run out
of heavenly joy, and the more he gave it to others the more joy he felt.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Apart from making us feel good there will be a deeper effect
on us, as we become more generous by nature; and with that will come other good
qualities like cheerfulness, patience, charity etc,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is generous, and He will make us so as well. We can note
that in Jesus’s case He could have helped people all day long without costing
Himself anything. But to take away the sin of the world He did suffer a huge
cost, in His passion and death.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 8pt;">Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with
the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Lk 6,38).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">One snag we find when people don’t want to receive the free
gift. Free beer they would stop for that but not for Free eternal life!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They know there is a catch with the latter, that it does
require some personal commitment. But even then the fine print is joyful. The joy
of giving outweighs the sacrifice.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We possess the treasure in the field (Mt 13,44), and at
least the beginnings of eternal life. Learning from St Paul’s example, we
cannot be otherwise than happy if we possess a share in the infinite graces of
Heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There will be hard times and bad days, but the overall
direction is Up.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With practice we develop the virtues we need to go through adversity,
when joy is hard to find. As we see in the first reading from Job.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He was in a very low point but he did manage to come through;
so by the end he had his material fortunes restored, and a much deeper
understanding of God's ways.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We hope to come out happy in the end, always happy and never
otherwise. It is not a fairy story; it is just what would have been in place a
long time ago, if enough people had believed it. And a glorious future is achievable
by the same logic.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May His Kingdom come.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-22466832226905852172024-02-01T23:51:00.001+10:302024-02-01T23:51:07.229+10:304th Sunday Ordinary Time (B) 28 January 2024 Sermon<p> 4<sup>th</sup> Sunday Ordinary Time 28 January 2024 Authority</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Unlike the Scribes He taught them with authority. (Gospel
Mk 1,22)</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Authority comes from the same word as Author.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The author of a book has authority over whatever goes in
that book. He can make characters live or die, be old or young, and he controls
the outcome of the story.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God has written a book, we might say, and we are the
characters in it, though in our case we are not fictitious; we actually exist.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The characters on the page have taken on a life of their
own.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we do not always obey the Author. In fact we question
Him and argue with Him, and for many people there is a long-term alienation
from God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For His part, He persists with the work He has begun. He
will not be deflected from His purpose. He came to save, and save He will.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>I have come that they may have life and have it to the
full (Jn 10,10).</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He created us to love Him and so that He could love us. He
wants to share what He has.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God has created many types of creatures. Of them all only
humans and angels have the power to address God directly, with full
comprehension</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We do not understand all the mysteries of God, but we can at
least grasp His existence and its significance for us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is always going to be better for us if we accept His
authority and work with it, rather than against it. This is because He knows so
much better than we do the best way forward.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The whole story of salvation is of people going this way and
that, some coming, some going.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I go my own way I am putting my script over God’s; but I
do not have His authority, only wishing I had.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is a great privilege to relate to Him regarding His plans.
We are not just pawns on the board; we have a voice.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We cannot use our voices to overrule God but we can become
more familiar with His ways of working, and facilitate the flow of His grace
and mercy in all directions.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Jews of Our Lord’s time did not believe in His divinity
thinking him just another human, subject to God. Admittedly it must have taken
a while to sink in, as the idea of God living among us was so strange at the
time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He can do it if He wants. Some will say it is impossible
that God could become Man, but not if He decides to do it. If He is God then of
course He can change things, or intervene, in any way He likes.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He did not make arbitary changes, acting on a whim. He
always knew exactly what He was doing, and what each situation required. He was
working to the Master plan, which was mainly about salvation – winning souls,
turning the hearts and minds of people to worship and obedience to the one true
God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does God's book have a happy ending? We have some say in
that. If we let Him work His wonders upon us and through us we will experience
great happiness in this life and more again in eternity.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It just needs enough humility that we will remember our
created status. We are not gods ourselves, only people looking for God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will help us to find Him and then to work in a creative
partnership whereby we are both part of the story and also helping to write
that story.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We participate in our own salvation and can help others find
their place in the same narrative.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a strange teaching, perhaps, but it has authority
behind it. Its Author is Truth itself.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-87742708560446429882024-01-25T22:42:00.004+10:302024-01-25T22:42:58.354+10:303rd Sunday Ordinary Time (B) 21 Jan 2024 Sermon<p>3rd Sunday (B) 21 Jan 2024 The Kingdom of God</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The kingdom of God is close at hand (Gospel). The kingdom is
not any particular place on the map that we could point to. It is more a matter
of <i>how </i>we live than <i>where</i> we live.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Any place where people are resolved to live by the will of
God, and consciously acknowledge His goodness and primary importance – that
place is the kingdom of God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where the will of God prevails, where there is no stealing,
adultery, blasphemy etc, where indeed God is regarded as King by the people.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have become accustomed to the sad reality that people
deny God the homage and obedience which He should receive.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People talk of a secular Australia, whereby it becomes
increasingly ‘normal’ to push God to the side.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is fighting back! He calls some of the apostles today,
making them ‘fishers of men’. God will speak through the apostles, and later
the disciples, to put His case to humanity.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has created us, and called us, and where necessary
forgiven us – when will we acknowledge that? He is asking us to take Him seriously
and put His words into practice whether we are the only one, or one of many.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether it is easy or hard, whether it looks like we are
winning or losing, we pray without ceasing for good things to happen, always
according to God's will.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God wants us to make Him obvious. People deny God because
they claim they cannot see any evidence. We can give them evidence by the way
we live. And this is how God always wanted it to happen. In the early Church people
wanted to join in the fellowship of the disciples, so many signs and wonders
they worked (cf Acts 5,10-12).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We lost some momentum somewhere along the line. The Church
is always battling on many fronts and often reduced in power, yet that power is
available to us if we call upon it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The kingdom is where God is recognized as King; where His
will is law, where people think the right thoughts, have the right desires and
attitudes, and actively help each other in need.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have some of this now, but need a lot more.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are not here for our own benefit but to do a job for God,
and that job is to make the places we inhabit one part of the Kingdom of God. If
we can get our own house right, or street, or nation - no place too small or
too big.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not easy to do what it says in the second reading – to
be involved in the world but not become engrossed in it. We get better with
practice.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first reading give us a case study of how positive
change can be achieved, even quickly.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notice God's desire to forgive. And Jonah’s desire that the
city not be saved (Jonah, not yet in the sprit of things!). And the people did
come around. We have to want that for others. Usually prayer for the conversion
of others is not so quick in its success, but we chip away as required.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We pray for the kingdom of God to come every time we say the
<i>Our Father</i>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We would not know ourselves if the will of God prevailed
everywhere; it would be a lot happier than it is now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The kingdom will more likely permeate through individual
responses rather than come down ready-made.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is something we have to fight for, as valued achievements
usually are. God will honour any efforts we make in His name.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are the fortunate ones, called before the eleventh hour,
preparing the way for others to join us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May His kingdom come!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-72518881239456316112024-01-18T21:05:00.002+10:302024-01-18T21:05:27.846+10:302nd Sunday Ordinary Time (B) 14 Jan 2024 Sermon<p>2nd Sunday Ordinary Time (B) 14 Jan 2024 Body and soul</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes people wonder why Adam and Eve were punished so
heavily for just one sin. After all, anyone can make a mistake!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It becomes clearer when we realize that before the sin Adam
had perfect control of all his thoughts and feelings; he did not suffer from
the sort of weakness we experience now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So the sin he committed was far more serious than it seems
to us. It was a major breach of the established order which he knew. It was not
just a matter of ‘eating an apple’.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of that sin the harmony the human race had enjoyed
was shattered. From that time on flesh and spirit would be at war with each
other, and concupiscence (sinful desire, tendency to sin) would be a dominant
presence.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is why we experience, as even St Paul did (Romans 7,18-19)
that conflict between what we mean to do and what we actually do. We make good
resolutions, then find that we cannot carry them out. We do not have full
control of our desires and actions.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Should we despair of this? No need. We have a remedy for
disordered desires, and that remedy is Jesus Christ.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He was the Second Adam, the New Man. He restored to us the
fully integrated human nature possessed by Adam before the sin.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus Himself was sinless. This means not only that He kept
all the various rules and commandments, but He did so easily. It was easy
because He had perfect control over all His thoughts, words, actions. He was
not struggling to keep the rules – it came ‘naturally’.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Natural, because Jesus was able, without effort, to want the
same things as God wanted.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We tend to view commandments as an imposition, as hard to
keep, and not very desirable either. We are not allowed to do certain things we
<i>do</i> want to do, and told we must do certain other things we do <i>not </i>want
to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we had what Jesus had, we would never see God’s commands
as a burden, but as a delight. <i>‘Lord, how I love Your law’ (Ps 119, 97</i>).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can come to this same state by joining ourselves to
Jesus. This is what we do when we pray, or receive a Sacrament, and especially
at Mass.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are transformed as we draw closer to Him, study His word,
pray to Him. We take on His mind, His heart, His very nature.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We cannot be divine but we can be human, and Jesus was both.
We become human as He was human, fully obedient to God, fully integrated, a ‘whole’
person (another way of saying ‘holy’).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Salvation is not just a keeping of a whole set of rules,
arbitrarily imposed on us. It is a becoming of the person each of us is meant
to be.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We realize we have not been deprived of anything by being
Christian, but actually enriched. We are the lucky ones to come so close to the
heart of all truth and beauty.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The closer we come to Him the better it gets.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So we joyfully answer His call as demonstrated in the first
reading (Samuel) and the Gospel (Andrew and Peter).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the second reading, (1 Corinthians 6) the Church’s sexual
teaching, so much criticised and questioned, is seen to make sense, as being
the proper understanding of body and soul.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once again the passions and desires are able to be
controlled and channelled according to our true human identity.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Critics of the Church will say we are out of date. No, we
are ahead of the times, being able to find a remedy for disordered passions,
and reclaiming holiness of life as the new normal.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>May we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled
Himself to share in our humanity (Offertory prayer at Mass)</i></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-62441989199935959412024-01-11T23:45:00.002+10:302024-01-11T23:45:32.936+10:30The Epiphany 7 Jan 2024 Sermon<p>The Epiphany 7 Jan 2024 Discovering God</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If Christmas is God's
offer to us; Epiphany is our response to Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need God's help to make the right response. There are a
number of areas where we could go wrong.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God had so much to teach the human race, and He is still
doing that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The people of that time thought there were many gods. The
Jews thought so too, and that the real God who had been looking after them was
mainly for them, not for all the nations of the world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God's plan was to make Himself known to the whole world, but
gradually. He worked first with the Jewish race, demonstrating His loyalty to
them, forgiving them constantly, teaching them new understandings (such as the
need to bless enemies instead of cursing them).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They were the ‘chosen people’, not to the exclusion of
others but as a spearhead to make other nations realize that they also could
possess this same God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God loves all people, as we know, but that was not
well-known in the Jewish world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They thought God was there to fight their battles and put
down all the other people. The idea of converting their warlike neighbours did
not come easily to them.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For us in our time we can see the coming of the wise men as
indicating the Gentile world’s acceptance of the one true God. The wise men
knelt before one greater than themselves and their offerings were accepted.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Every knee should bow before Jesus Christ, and every
tongue confess that He is Lord (Ph 2,10-11). Go and baptize all nations, Jesus
said (Mt 28, 19). </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christianity is often criticised for its missionary past,
seeking to bring the light of Christ to foreign nations.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There were no doubt many things done wrongly, but in
principle it has to be a good thing to offer Christ to others.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He is light to the blind, health to the sick – the answer to
every question, the fulfilment of every need.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It would be a crime not to offer this Good News to others,
keeping in mind that it is only ‘offered’ not forced.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can improve on mistakes and sins of the past, but the
idea of converting people to Christ is something that Christ Himself wants.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This has extra urgency because, as the Jews had to discover,
and so have we – there is only one true God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christianity blows apart the idea of various gods looking
after different areas or purposes. One God is enough for all places and purposes,
and this God is found in Jesus Christ.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That Jesus Christ is God as well as Man has been a stumbling
block for many over the ages.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another problem we face today is belief in NO God, that is,
Atheism. Many deny there is any sort of god running the universe. They base
this, usually, on the number of things that go wrong in the world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Things go wrong not because God is absent, but because the
human race is absent to Him, that is they do not honour and obey Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Epiphany feast invites us to correct all deviations from
the truth, to renew our faith and trust in the true God, found in the baby
Jesus, in His identity and His mission - Who He is and What He came to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The real God's commands are clear, if difficult; He will
help us understand them and put them into operation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Worshipping the Christ child is one part of this giant
pattern in which we are privileged to find ourselves included.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>O come let us adore Him.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-22207324021699084302024-01-04T22:25:00.003+10:302024-01-04T22:25:36.638+10:30Holy Family 31 Dec 2023 Sermon<p>Holy Family 31 December 2023 Standards of holiness</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is an interesting thing about human nature how we find
ways of cutting corners.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For example, in traffic, if the speed limit is 25 most
people will do say, 40. It becomes a kind of unspoken conspiracy that this is
just what one does. It is a sort of compromise we make with ourselves that if
we keep most laws most of the time it is ok to break a few here and there.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This can apply also to matters of the faith: Jesus tells us,
<span class="woj"><span style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">But
to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate
you,</span></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;"> <span class="woj">bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup> </sup></b>If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to
them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt
from them.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup> </sup></b>Give to everyone
who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.</span> <span class="woj">Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Lk 6,27-31)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We translate that as meaning I will treat others <i>as </i>they
treat me. If they are good to me I will be good to them; if they harm me I will
harm them, or at least not do them any good.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus offers us something beyond the normal ways of doing
things. He gives us a way of keeping the rules which will make us happier than
we would be by relaxing them.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The key to the whole operation is that God treats us better
than we treat Him, and He wants us to apply the same logic to each other.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today we honour the Holy family, where the ideal was achieved,
and that family forever becomes the model for all families.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One might protest that the Holy Family is too holy to be a
realistic model. It is true no one else can be that good, but we can at least
learn the principle of how it works.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That principle is that if all members of a family give more
than they receive then an abundance of good things will come from that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If everyone does what he/she should it will work. <i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">cf second reading: Colossians 3,12-21, each give way
to the other.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is how marriage is supposed to work, and all the other
relationships in a family. This is going to be a happy home and fruitful for
the surrounding community.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whatever you are, be the best you can be (father, sister,
grandmother etc). Here there is a danger of watering down the demands, like not
obeying the traffic rules – giving less rather than more.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Being normal, like everyone, is not enough! We must be like
Christ, or Mary, or Joseph. We strive for excellence in other areas (sport,
study, appearance etc). We can do the same at home - we push ourselves harder
in terms of kindness, courtesy etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we do not seek a medal for being good. It is only our
duty (cf Lk 17,9-10). However, there is a ‘medal’ and it comes in the form of
eternal life.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The way of Christ is different from the ways of the world;
His way might seem impossible but is not so. It just takes a little
reorientation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not only possible to go His way but necessary.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All of the above can be forgiven where we fail. So we can think
of ourselves as apprentices, getting it better each time, always aiming higher.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Holy Family welcomes us to come and knock on their door!
They have much to teach us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-61589738698230368712023-12-28T23:47:00.000+10:302023-12-28T23:47:00.206+10:30Christmas Day 2023 Sermon<p>Christmas Day 2023 The kindness of God</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Zachary notes the <i>loving-kindness of the heart of our
God, who visits us like the dawn from on high (Lk 1, 78).</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is generous; He has loving-kindness towards us. It is
His generous loving nature that motivates Him to create whomever and whatever
He does create. He did not need anything extra as to His own existence; He is
all-sufficient, and cannot suffer pain.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But it is in the nature of love to offer itself to others.
Love implies the need for a <i>beloved</i>. God had His own community of love
in the Three Persons of the Trinity, but wanted to go further, to include human
beings.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is what God was looking for. He did not need us, but He
takes pleasure in seeing us receive what He is giving. So He gives us a chance
to do that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We hear of something being the ‘chance of a lifetime’. Well,
we have it here – the chance to base our lives around the will of God, to
experience a share of the perfection of life found in God Himself.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God makes this possible by creating us, and all else that is
needed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To enable a more loving response from us, God gives us free
will. It is a great privilege but it can be used wrongly.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And if it is used wrongly there will be all sorts of trouble,
as we have seen in our time and in all ages of human history.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will God abandon us because we have been so ungrateful? No, He
has another card to play. He brings into operation another dimension of love,
and that is Mercy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mercy is when Love gives itself even when not returned, even
when brazenly rejected.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today at Christmas especially we express our own sense of
wonder at God's goodness.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are moved to gratitude for His goodness, and shame for
our lack of appreciation up to this point; not to mention the ongoing
ingratitude of much of the world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christmas is part celebration of what we have achieved, and
part prayer for what is still lacking.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God initiates, we respond.
The more we respond, the more the love of God can take hold in our world
and its fortunes.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A world which truly seeks God would have many blessings
presently unattainable.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love enables more love.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This Love or Mercy will move sinners to repentance. They
will see their sins in a new light and be ashamed of them; and they will have
sufficient desire to renew their lives.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can think of Jesus in the Crib, an apparently small
presence, but all of God's infinity was concentrated at that moment – one place
and one time; and those who could discern His presence and what it promised
were filled with joy and hope.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We come along much later but we can benefit from Christ’s coming
as much as those who were there that night.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have been attempting to capture that scene ever since,
and especially on this day of the year – to be as humble and focused as were
those gathered around the Christ-child.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many have lost belief in God's coming among us; they see the
suffering but not the relief that comes with it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thing we can say: if more would obey more relief would
be evident.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can also say that God's plans take time, as He is working
on such a grand scale, seeking to save every person on earth.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We must be patient if we want to see better days. Meanwhile
we give God the chance to work His plans in us and through us, and we do as we
sing to each other: <i>O come let us adore Him.</i></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-69361493629582781072023-12-21T23:58:00.000+10:302023-12-21T23:58:04.811+10:303rd Sunday of Advent (B) 17 Dec 2023 Sermon<p>3<sup>rd</sup> Sunday of Advent (B) 17 Dec 2023 Gaudete Sunday</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We hear<span style="color: #00b050;"> </span>of people who have won the lottery but
do not know it, and everyone is trying to work out who it is.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We could say
such a person is in a happy state but does not know it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We could say
the same thing for the human race, only that we have done better than win the
lottery by receiving the offer of salvation. Many do not know it; they do not
know that God is their Creator and Saviour who is offering them daily help in
this life, and then a glorious future life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Too good to
be true, perhaps? But it is true anyway.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Only a few
can win the lottery but everyone can win eternal life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps
hardened by so much disappointment many cannot bring themselves to trust in
such a happy prospect.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this life
we know so much and so many kinds of suffering that indeed it is easy to sink
into a blend of cynicism and scepticism</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God knows we
find it hard so He keeps telling us how well-disposed to us He is. He
encourages us to approach Him and place our needs before Him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is
normally easy to tell someone good news. The one who receives the news is
grateful and all is well.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In our case
it is not so simple. We tell the good news to people that they can be saved and
they might react angrily, or in any case simply refuse to believe.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is
complicated because our offer of good tidings requires a response which will
include giving up of false gods, sinful ways – and this can be painful.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So it comes
to this: receive the Good News which is free and forever. The only bit of small
print is that you will need to live a regular life, keeping the commandments,
loving one’s neighbour etc.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some will
refuse on the basis of that small print, but really we are streets ahead in
terms of happiness if we go with God's offer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are
accepting what He asks of us and what He offers by being here today. Our response
may not be as complete as it needs to be but we are at least on the way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today is
Gaudete Sunday, a day to take stock of where we stand with God and how happy we
can be if we accept His terms.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second
reading tells to be happy at all times.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How can we be
happy when so much is wrong with the world, and all of us could probably
produce a list of things not to be happy about.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, we can
be happy and sad at the same time.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An image that
may help is that of a pool of water. The surface of the water can be turbulent,
but deeper down the water is still.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We deal with
turbulence in our lives, but we do not say that all of life turbulent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Deep down we
are calm, because joined to Jesus Himself, and He has the answers for every
problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 1: we draw
on His grace like a tree does from water.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So the
reading goes on to say that we should give thanks to God for all things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are giving
thanks not so much for the ‘things’ but for Christ who manages all things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We regularly
express our trust in Him to bring all things around to where they need to be.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Having Him on
our side how can we not be happy?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He helps us,
not necessarily removing all our troubles, but helping us to come through them in
the best possible way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This will
include that we see our sins in a new light and are therefore able to change
our attitudes or behaviour without regret. Even the sacrifices asked of us
start to seem very small along side of the joy which is available to us.</p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-56367052144407618542023-12-14T22:52:00.000+10:302023-12-14T22:52:01.632+10:302nd Sunday of Advent (B) 10 December 2023 Sermon<p>2<sup>nd</sup> Sunday of Advent 10 December 2023 Character</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we are in trouble, among other things, we pray to God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We know He can help us in every need, and has helped us a
million times before.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He can help us in two ways – He can remove the trouble, or
He can leave the trouble in place, and give us the necessary strength to deal
with it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Either way we come out happy. While we are enduring the
trouble, however, it can seem like there is no help coming.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many lose faith in God when the troubles seem too many and
too hard to bear.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We might face the same temptation. Can we guarantee that we
will not abandon our faith, even under great pressure?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God will rescue us, or strengthen us, or a bit of both. If
we recognize this pattern in His ways of dealing with us we will feel a lot
more secure.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As to rescuing us, we have guardian angels, who are known to
have intervened supernaturally in saving lives and injuries. Many of these
occasions we would not know because we do not see them, yet they do arise.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>A</o:p>s to giving us the strength to deal with troubles, this
also is a largely invisible thing, yet it is what God wants to do for us. He
builds up our characters so that we become stronger people.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This way we become more able to cope with difficulties and
overcome them – because we have more grace operating in us than before.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This can explain why God lets us suffer, always a sore point
with the human race!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even the good suffer, the best people (saints) most of all.
This seems the wrong way round from one point of view. The good people should
get it easy and the bad people hard (so human wisdom would have it). Eventually
it will be that way, but God is acting to make the good people better, and grow
to their full potential.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider your own life to this point. Can you recall a time
when you felt God was letting you down? Can you see how you have benefited from
going through such a time and you are still believing?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We learn and we become stronger through meeting adversity
and overcoming it. We are stronger to deal with life, able to answer new
challenges.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Advent season we hear of John the Baptist. He lived a
hard penitential life, seeking in all things to do the will of God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is good to be comfortable, but better still to be pushing
ourselves harder in seeking self-discipline, aided by God's grace.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God wants to make us stronger, and we find that we want it
too.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is much easier to live a happy life if we are strong. We
can endure the pain more easily and do more good at the same time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John denied himself much of what other people sought. And
look at all he achieved. If he had been like everyone else, none of that would
have happened.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over a lifetime, it is what we have become that counts. What
sort of a person am I, which way have I been heading?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God does not want us to see Him as just a fixer of problems,
someone we call in an emergency, but <i>only</i> in emergencies (like a plumber
or electrician).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His objective is that we come to know Him as He is, and not
just what he can do for us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Further, His objective is to make us good people, in His
image; not just doing good but <i>being </i>good. <i>Be you perfect, as your
heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5,48).</i></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-43689993697338252802023-12-07T21:26:00.002+10:302023-12-07T21:26:37.558+10:301st Sunday of Advent (B) 3 December 2023 Sermon<p>1<sup>st</sup> Sunday of Advent 3 December 2023 The coming of Christ</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead</i>
- from the Apostles Creed</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We believe it, but we may have trouble with this belief as
it concerns the future. When things are in the future we can have difficulty
trusting they will actually happen; or we find it hard to visualise something
so far outside our experience.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are on the adventure of our lives here, and for some
things we just have to wait to see what they are like. Our concepts, our
vocabulary are too limited to be able to see all that is coming.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>What no eye has seen nor ear heard what God has prepared
for those who love Him</i>. (1 Co 2,9)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To add even more mystery we do not know the time of this
event. There will be many who predict it too early, as many proposed dates have
already gone by.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No amount of time or wrong predictions, however, can take
anything away from the event itself.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What will happen on this day? Every person who has ever
lived will come back to life. The cemeteries will be emptied; the sea will give
up its dead.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then each person will be judged according to the life he/she
has lived. Have we lived as disciples of Christ? Or failing that, have we
reached a state of true sorrow for not doing so?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are judged when we die – this is called the <i>particular</i>
judgment; and this judgment is ratified at the <i>general</i> judgment.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus desires to save all, or as many as possible. Those who
approach Him with sincere repentance He will forgive freely.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And joyfully<i>: There is more joy in Heaven over one sinner
who repents (Lk 15,7)</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can prepare for this event by seeking always to come closer
to Jesus Christ – asking him for mercy, grace, and reassurance that He is with
us to the end of days.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we have lost any enthusiasm along the way it can be
replenished.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we have taken any wrong turn it can be made straight. (Lk
3,4-6)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will come once more, in this spectacular way, but we can
say He makes many other comings in the form of the Eucharist, in His word, in His
hearing the prayers of all His disciples. He interacts with us in many ways,
especially if we ask Him to do so.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need these more subtle comings to help us stay on course
for the final coming.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Salvation is a process rather than a moment. We make a
commitment to seek a deeper union with Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Advent wreath
reminds us that salvation takes time to sink in. Each week brings us closer to
the fulness of His intervention. A little more light dawns on us as time goes
by.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are being prepared for Heaven and we have to get rid of
whatever will not belong in Heaven. A clean-out of the soul is required.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The more we pray, the more we seek to be transformed, the
more that clean-out will happen.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Advent is a season to raise our expectations. Advent reminds
us why we need Christmas. We need God among us, and we need to be obeying Him,
and thanking Him, and all else that goes with it. This will make the world more
like the desired Kingdom of God. The more we recognize we need saving the more
saving can take place.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So we pray constantly, Come, Lord Jesus!</p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-12332265596182622752023-11-30T23:47:00.004+10:302023-12-30T14:19:20.412+10:30Christ the King 26 November 2023 Sermon<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Christ the King (A) 26 Nov 2023 Life prevails<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In November we think particularly of the Holy Souls, the
Faithful Departed, and express our strongest hope that each and all can find
eternal happiness.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> It is comforting, then, to have such passages as today’s
second reading (1 Co 15,20-28) which
remind us how the powers of Life and Goodness are in control. Adam brought
death into the world through his sin; now Jesus, the Second Adam brings life.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Jesus Christ we have the vulnerable victim, the
sacrificial Lamb, who goes freely to His death, so He can achieve a complete
victory over all death.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He not only breaks the hold of death on the human race, but also
of what causes that death, which is Sin.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By living a sinless life in complete union with the will of
His Father, Jesus draws down upon the human race a stronger than ever
experience of life; this time a life that can never die again <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(cf He who eats this bread shall never die. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jn 6,51).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He absorbs death and radiates life. He has complete
authority over death, part of His kingship which we celebrate today.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is always so much sad news around: wars, murders,
accidents, disease – and these things can dampen our hope. We come here to find
some good news, and also to make some good news! We can find life in Jesus
Christ. The physical life restored, but even better the spiritual life – we are
living good lives, participating in the life of Christ.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has become the source of eternal life. All who are united
with Him will experience that life. It is all concentrated in Him, the Saviour
and the only Saviour.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He helps us with all our troubles, but most of all with the
handling of death, because that is a battle on a much grander scale than the
others.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We worry about many things, but nothing can equal the issue
of whether or not we live in union with God in Heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He offers us a share in His life-giving power, to rise from
death ourselves at the appointed time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The coming of Christ in judgment is not meant to frighten
us, but to give us hope.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We see His coming more as a victorious liberation than a
harsh retribution.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This theme will continue into the Advent season when we are
encouraged to hope for the final part of the salvation which has already begun.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we are to be close to Him; if we want to discover the
source of eternal life, we can find it in the practical expression of charity
listed in today’s Gospel (Mt 25,31-46)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord, the Judge, will confirm our hopes that we have
learned to love<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Him in our service of
neighbour.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And He will say to us, enter into the joy of the Lord, <i>for
I was hungry and you gave Me to eat, etc.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Charity is the ultimate expression of life. We are really
alive when we are charitable, and dead if not charitable. St John spells this
out in his epistle: <i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ligatures: none;">If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a
liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love
God, whom he has not seen. (1 Jn 4,20)</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today we praise Jesus’ victory over sin and death, and in
gratitude we re-commit to a life of charity – practical help and also a humble
merciful attitude to one another in the Body of the Church.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not least in our prayer we ask Jesus to help us focus on Him
as our main hope and source of life, now already and in eternity.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">King of kings and Lord of lords, have mercy on us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-59728574305363355222023-11-23T23:44:00.004+10:302023-11-23T23:44:55.170+10:3033rd Sunday Ordinary Time (A) 19 Nov 2023 Sermon<p>33rd Sunday Ordinary Time (A) 19 November 2023 Adventure</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are people in life who seek challenges. They want to
try everything especially dangerous and exhilarating things. Like skydiving,
hiking, anything with speed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Others want to avoid all that adventure and have a nice quiet
life at home, with regular habits.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wherever you fit in with that spectrum, you probably have a
fairly high degree of choice. So, for instance, no one will make you go
skydiving if you do not really want it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is one adventure, however, to which we are all called
to participate, and with this particular adventure we do not really have a
choice.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the adventure of being created and then called to
salvation. Coming to life, and then coming to eternal life.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God made us without our consent; He did not ask us first. If
He had asked we might have refused. In any case, here we are!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People sometimes say: I never asked to be born. This is said
as a kind of complaint, implying that the person concerned would have preferred
not to exist.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, it is only in bad moments we would say that. who
really would regret tasting of this life, given all its joyful moments, and the
prospect of eternal happiness?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that is just being alive. There is more to come. Each
one of us is challenged to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We did not ask for that either, but how can we refuse? <i>Lord,
to whom shall we go? (Jn 6,68).</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are here, however we got here, so why not make the best
of it? We can make this thing work.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God did not just make us and then throw us to the wolves. He
gives us all the necessary support in the form of the Church, the sacraments,
fraternity among ourselves, individual talents etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are challenges, and many of them, but none of them
beyond our reach (cf 1 Cor 10,13). We have to give up various bad habits and
replace them with the corresponding good habits.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is easy to see why one might think it is too hard, but if
it leads to greater happiness, how can we lose?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As to the matter of suffering if more people obeyed God's
laws there would be a lot less suffering in the world. So that is another
incentive to be good.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even those without faith would probably like to have more
self-control for instance. These days there is much emphasis on wellness and
living the best life, and the like.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Carefully devoid of religious reference these pursuits are
designed for happiness, and would succeed to a degree, but there is still a
void to be filled, which only knowledge of God can fill.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ask the Apostles if they are glad now that they followed
Jesus when He called them.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God calls some to a harder task than others cf parable of
the talents.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Again if you have more talents more is expected of you; and
you might say that is unfair too! But here again the more we multiply our gifts
the more happiness goes with that. Ask Our Lady, or any saint.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Instead of complaining we give thanks, for making us, for
saving us; for being strict with us, so that we can discover real joy, not just
the passing pleasures of this life.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We do have a choice how deep we go, but once we know God's importance
we might as well go as far as possible.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The ‘burden’ of existence cannot be helped, but can be
enjoyed!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stick with it, and you will hear one day the very welcome
words: <i>Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord (Mt
25,23).</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-64663808467019961852023-11-17T13:04:00.005+10:302023-11-17T17:09:24.863+10:302nd Sunday of Advent 2017 Sermon (from the Archives)<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">I did not preach last Sunday, so here is one from the archives, to help prepare for Advent, which gets somewhat displaced by early celebrations of Christmas.</span></p><p><u>2<sup>nd</sup> Sunday of Advent 10 December 2017 Salvation</u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a deep longing in us for things to be right, to be
as they are meant to be. We have an instinct to want justice, for example, or
an end to cruelty and violence. Certain things we see or hear will immediately
bring a reaction from us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The same longing applies to us, though it may not be so
apparent. We would like to be as we are meant to be. This comes from the fact
that God has planted in us a desire to be at one with Him. to share in His
created order.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When God created the world He naturally saw how all things
would fit in with each other. Sin has ruptured that order, but it can be
retrieved, and that is the essence of Our Lord’s saving mission.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christ came to help us to sort out our desires, to steer us
in the right direction.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John the Baptist was a part of that process. He told the
people what they wanted, even if they did not know they wanted it. He awakened
in them, from somewhere deep down, this desire that they could be better. Even
the wicked Herod liked to hear John speak (Mk 6,20).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are torn between the selfishness we have inherited and
learnt, on the one hand, and on the other hand a new freedom from sin, and
purity of intention.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We choose between self-indulgent pleasure-seeking, or the
ability to exercise restraint, working to a higher goal.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We know we would rather be the latter. But it takes a
certain effort to sustain that vision.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Still it explains how we can be attracted to a harder life.
It is the not the ‘hardness’ we want, so much as the ‘betterness’. Thus we are
inspired by the lives of the saints. They sacrificed so much, always driven by
a higher goal.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Young people in particular feel this dichotomy. This would
explain their willingness to make sacrifices, when sufficiently inspired: for
example, the desire to join strict religious orders, and seminaries.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We get tired of too much pleasure, leading nowhere. As Our
Lord points out to the crowd: You did not come out into the desert to see those
who live in luxury. You came out to see a man who lived a severely penitential
life, and who spoke the plain truth. This is what you are hungering for.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This applies to us with the same force as to the people in
John’s time. We seek the better life, and we find it in more prayer, especially
the Mass; doing penance, good works, pushing ourselves a little harder, and
that continuously.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is that inner voice calling each one to something
great, or at least greater.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can hear that voice if we turn off enough of the surrounding
noise.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether old, young, or in the middle, we are always refining
and deepening our response.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we are life-long disciples (or most of our lives), it may
seem a long time to stay faithful; but it becomes easier when the
attractiveness of a holy life becomes apparent.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not giving up happiness to be miserable instead; but
giving up one sort of happiness for a much better one.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John showed the way, and Our Lord took it further still. He
shows us, and He equips us to take it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We do not just admire holy people, as we might look at an
exhibit in a museum; but rather we are stirred to imitate them, and so we
present ourselves now, to be stirred into true discipleship of Christ.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To live a harder life for the sake of a better life.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-14242294974248166472023-11-09T22:29:00.000+10:302023-11-09T22:29:06.129+10:3031st Sunday Ordinary Time (A) 5 November 2023 Sermon<p>31st Sunday Ordinary time (A) 5 November 2023 Holy Souls</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The mercy of God is infinite and inexhaustible and always
there for us to call upon. No matter how many sins or wrong turnings it can all
be restarted.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the physical realm we can have repairs but generally
there is a diminishing over time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the spiritual realm we can not only repair what was wrong
but improve on any previous state.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Replenished, refreshed, improved, we can get better at all
the things we do, have a better understanding of God, greater love for Him,
sensitivity for His will, increased obedience.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even great sinners can be retrieved and restored, provided
there is sufficient repentance.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We rely heavily on God's mercy. At this time of year we
focus on Purgatory, a place where souls are healed and polished, made ready for
Heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While we think about the faithful departed we apply the
appropriate lessons to ourselves, as we constantly call on God's mercy to set
us on a straighter path.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The souls in Purgatory cannot advance their own salvation
through sacraments and good works. They rely on the living to pray and make
sacrifices for them.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The souls in Purgatory will come to feel a deep contrition
for their sins, and in doing that they see things in a new light and so can be
ready for Heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>I came that they may have life and have it to the full
(Jn 10,10). </i>Our Lord did not mean an
increase in life expectancy, but in the moral or spiritual dimension of life.
He came so that people could live <i>better</i> lives in union with God's will.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He sets people free from false attachments, and as they do
that they become more alive.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This can be our prayer to Him on our own account - that we
be willing to take whatever He wants to give us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many do not give much thought to God or related matters,
such as death and judgment. These matters never become any less important, it
is just that they can be put on hold, and never clearly faced. Much prayer is
needed around this matter too.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We pray for the living as well as the dead.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God likes to see us taking charitable concern. As in a physical
rescue, we would pull people out of whatever difficulty they are in; so spiritually
we can help those who need prayer, but cannot do it on their own.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many people die suddenly, without the benefit of time to
reflect on their lives and come to a serious assessment of where they stand.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They will need prayer to help them readjust.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Charity is the quality that makes things happen in the
spiritual world. If we have genuine charity for the dead it will help them come
to the necessary state for progress to higher levels.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we benefit, as it is always good for us spiritually when
we help someone else in need, living or dead.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Death may be a depressing topic, but we see there is a lot
of good in the subject too, when we see the spiritual and eternal aspects of it
all.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many try to exclude the spiritual but that is exactly where
the strongest comfort is found.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Each person must reach the point of voluntary surrender,
being aware of their true status before God, and the right options they face.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We seek the best outcome for every person. The Good Shepherd
searches the whole earth for any sheep needing rescue (Lk 15,4-7). There are a
great many of these sheep, on earth and
in purgatory. Our prayers and sacrifices will make up some part of what needs
to happen. Let us keep to the task.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-59255129140717317442023-11-02T22:47:00.001+10:302023-11-02T22:47:08.141+10:3030th Sunday Ordinary Time (A) 29 October 2023 Sermon<p>30th Sunday Ordinary time (A) 29 October 2023 Knowing God</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Loving God is an obligation, and that may seem strange as
love is usually seen as a matter more concerned with feelings, not the stuff of
commands.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We find, however, that we want to keep this command. We go
beyond loving God because we have to, and find ourselves wanting to love Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is what He wants us to discover. And from that we will
find the same thing happening as regards loving our neighbours. We actually
want to do it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fulfilment of loving God will probably not happen until
we reach Heaven, but in the meantime we can grow from one day to the next.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We might say that God is too far away to love, too hard to
connect with, as He is beyond sense experience. We cannot see or hear or touch
Him, and that can make Him seem remote.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then there can be a sense of estrangement from God, or even
bitterness towards Him due to the sufferings of this life. Why does He let us
suffer, when He could easily work a few miracles to make it easy for us? So we might reason.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The way to see God more clearly and to understand His ways
more fully is to get to know Him better.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a song: <i>To know know know you is to love love
love you</i>. If we really knew what God is like we never for a moment doubt
His existence, His closeness, His wisdom and good intentions towards us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is only the limits in our own perception that make it
seem as though He has forgotten us, or whatever the difficulty is.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Think of Romeo and Juliet. If you say to Romeo that he had
to go to Mass every Sunday he might say that is too boring, or too hard etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you told him he had to see Juliet for one hour every week,
it would be a different matter! He does not regard that as an imposition or a
task.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Plainly, he loves Juliet more than he loves God - yet God
created Juliet, and all that goes with her. Whatever and whomever we love in
this life can be seen as coming from God, and therefore God must be better.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To know Him is to love Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is still mystery with God but there are things we can
know, and once we do know them we will come towards a response of love.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We seek the essence of God, and we can find it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We see His signature all around us – in what He has made,
the work of His hands.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we move towards Him He will make Himself better known. <i><span style="background: white; color: #001320;">Seek the LORD while He may be found;
call upon Him while He is near (Is 55,6).</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we experience in various ways the goodness of God we
naturally reflect back to Him with gratitude, trust, hope etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We love what He has made, so why not Him? It is only because
we do not know Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can come through the clouds of doubt, fear, resentment or
whatever else may obscure our vision.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It might sound abstract at first, but with continuous prayer
and sacrament we perceive God's presence
not far behind.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 10pt;">For
the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong
support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. (2 Chron 16,9)</span><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-18612025064356655672023-10-26T21:48:00.003+10:302023-10-26T21:48:33.414+10:3029th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A) 22 October 2023 Sermon<p>29th Sunday Ordinary time (A) 22 October 2023 One
God</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Give to God what is God's. What would that be? We cannot
give God anything that He does not have, as all the world is His anyway. But we
can give Him our hearts and minds in paying Him homage and giving Him obedience.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Apart from Me all is nothing I am the Lord unrivalled.
(cf Is 45,1 and 4-6). </i>From the rising to the setting of the sun. God is the
greatest, unrivalled by a long way.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To think that the entire universe comes from one God. We say
in the Nicene Creed that we believe in one God, not just God but <i>one </i>God.
It is important to say that because it means we believe in no <i>other</i> god.
<i>Do not have false gods before Me,</i> says the second commandment. <i>‘I am
a jealous God’</i> says the Lord (Ex 20,5).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One God is more than enough because He can do everything; and
again, all the world is His. (cf Ex 19,5-8).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we see God's creative power and its diversity, we get some
idea of His grandeur.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is nothing He cannot do. He is far and away above and
beyond us; but not so far as to be out of our reach in terms of prayer and
sacrament, getting to know his will and presenting him our problems.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We may have a fear in a pluralistic age that we will offend
other religions if we assert the truth of our own. But God wants to be made
known. The great missionaries like St Paul and St Francis Xavier did not hold
back. It is to everyone’s advantage to have the most accurate knowledge
possible about the one true God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He does not need our praise but he does want it. And it does
us a great deal of good if we express these things to God, because it cleanses
us from false gods and false ways. We become immersed in truth.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And it helps us to live our lives the right way up.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God can see that we damage ourselves when we turn to false gods.
It is not out of vanity that He insists on being known, but to help us find the
right path.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are other ways of rejecting God besides pursuing false
gods. The biggest problem in our society would be apathy, and just not taking
anything seriously in the spiritual line.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are offered a comfortable vagueness that relieves
pressure on us to behave according to any particular way. <i>There is probably
something out there but we don’t really know, nor can we know.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are many obstacles, but there has been considerable success
in the Church’s missionary effort. Many have converted over the centuries, and
this is great news. God will make Himself known if people seek Him out</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We say the creed without fear, and without conditions – such
as, we believe in one god,<i> </i>but only when things are going well!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We may not be greatly confident in our faith but we can work
on that. The solution lies in developing the true faith not taking up a false
one.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Creed can be a prayer – <i>Lord, help me overcome my
doubts and fears. Help me to live in the right way; help others with their doubts
and fears, and offer them the certainty of the faith.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Finally it
will all fall into place for us: </span><i style="background-color: white;">And the <span class="sc"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span></span> will be king over all
the earth. On that day the <span class="sc"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span></span> will
be one and his name one. (Zech 14,9)</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-77065477030470149672023-10-20T00:05:00.007+10:302023-10-26T21:52:04.430+10:3028th Sunday of Ordinary time (A) 15 October 2023 Sermon<p>28th Sunday Ordinary Time (A) 15 October 2023 Every tear will be wiped away</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The recent massacre in Israel and its flow-on effects are
presently in the news. (Hamas attack 7 October 2023).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is much grief and anger surrounding these events. We
can look at them from a Christian perspective.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the first reading (Is 25,6-10) we hear the promise from
God that the ‘mourning veil’ will be removed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That God will act to restore what has been lost, and to
bring justice where it has been denied.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is not only for Israel and not only now. Always in our
sad world there is trouble. Always and everywhere. We need some consoling,
certainly.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is promising to give us that consolation we seek, not
just in words but physical reality.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will wipe away every tear from our eyes.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are two ways we can understand this:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One way is to see these passages referring to the end of
time – the second Coming of Christ, the Last Judgment, the resurrection of all
the dead.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Think how many people have been murdered, massacred,
suffered genocide, and other injustices such as slavery, torture, rape. Not one
sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father knowing it (Mt 10,29)–
so what about all the people, many of them defenceless children?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The last days are a major part of our belief but so much
outside our experience that we have trouble forming any clear picture of it. We
know one thing for certain, that the innocent will be compensated for their
sufferings - injustices set right, dignity restored for all those shamefully
treated. Those whose lives were cut short will have life restored.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The tears shed by them and on their behalf will be wiped
away.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This much is for the long term. God will fulfil these
promises but we do not know when.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can also see these promises in a more immediate sense and
some of it right now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When people convert to Christ they are immediately happy. The
close experience of God will do much to take away the pains that otherwise
press upon us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we have come to faith and baptism we can draw consolation
directly from Christ, crucified and risen.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At any time God can intervene in His own creation and give
us some extra grace to call us back to the right path.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have just had the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun
at Fatima, and that was definitely a special intervention by God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We hope the human race responds to such signs, even if a
little late, and we can see some of those promised consolations in our own
time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is worth the long wait we have had, and may still have. Such
outcomes are worth waiting for; but many get distracted and confused and they abandon
the faith thus weakening themselves and the whole Church.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need the discipline of a St Paul who can thrive on full
stomach or empty (Ph 4,12). He can take any which way. Following that example
we battle on through the hard times and eventually it will be always easy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though there are many difficulties we still never give up.
Never means never.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether we succeed or fail in the short term we are pursuing
the only sane course. The victory is assured, but we need to draw upon it more
confidently.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Getting back to the Middle East crisis, we can help dissolve
the hatred so that swords are turned in ploughshares (Is 2,4).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Words are not enough; missiles do not help; only full union
with Christ will do it. We ask Him to make His presence felt and to resolve the
current trouble and all the others.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To wipe away the tears from our eyes.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-37949309619369805892023-10-12T21:43:00.003+10:302023-10-12T21:43:31.171+10:3027th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A) 8 October 2023 Sermon<p>27<sup>th</sup> Sunday Ordinary time (A) 8 October 2023 Do not
worry</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>There is no need to worry</i>, from today’s second
reading (Ph 4,6-9).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It depends a bit on what we mean by <i>worry.</i> We can
take it to mean <i>unnecessary</i> anxiety about something.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some things require what looks like worry, though we might
call it ‘concern’.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Trust in God does not mean we ignore serious matters. If we
have a fire or a flood chasing us we have to be concerned by that. It would be
irresponsible to ignore a situation where we need to take some course of
action, eg to warn people of danger.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An informed and charitable concern would be a good thing in
that case, and is something that is required of us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>If there is anything you need pray for it</i> (second
reading continued).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prayer will bring God's healing and transforming power into
operation. Sometimes it will be a miracle as He overrides His own laws of
nature; most times it will be just the smooth and normal running of events.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A lot of our prayer is asking that things don’t go wrong.
That will help too.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So for example, with bushfires we pray for people who are in
trouble with a fire, but we also pray for the fires not to start.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God will bring all the elements together, especially when we
ask Him to intervene.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first rule is: Don’t panic! We cultivate an awareness of
God's presence and closeness.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Each time we escape some trouble we can record that one for
future reassurance.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet one more time God has come to our assistance. We
reaffirm God's goodness and power constantly - which is one reason why we
repeat prayers.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If anyone asks why do you say the same things over and over,
it is because we need God's protective power operating at all times. Prayer
could be seen in the same light of necessity as we need to breathe, or we need
our hearts to keep beating.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is good to trust God but we cannot manipulate Him, or put
Him to the test. For example, by driving recklessly, expecting God to cover my
mistakes.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The instruction not to worry applies also to the whole
Church. As the Church we face many crises, and trust the Lord to get us
through, to cross the Red Sea.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What makes trust possible is the quality of those in whom we
place that trust.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we speak of God, or Our Lady, or the saints, we will
find no deception there, and total goodwill on their part towards us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They will not let us down. God may have other plans in mind
than we have, but taking the overall view we trust His holy will, and are prepared
to go along with it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We do not abandon God because we think He has abandoned us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320;">Oh, the
depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his
judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Rom 11,33) </span>)</i> We cannot
understand all His ways but we can learn at least the main points He wants us
to know.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He wants us to trust, but also to ask for what we need. This
is so that we will articulate our faith and thus come to a clearer
understanding of our position.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we could know that the amount we pray and the intensity
of our prayer actually changes things, more people would be praying than is
usually the case.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have it in our power to change what happens next - to
make something good happen, or prevent something bad. We may not know what it
is we are influencing but the influence will be real all the same.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Far from worrying we go onto the front foot; we turn every
situation to victory. Thanks be to God for looking after us so well!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896513657088172275.post-53422433981972361812023-10-06T00:31:00.002+10:302023-10-06T00:31:49.001+10:3026th Sunday Ordinary Time (A) 1 October 2023 Sermon<p>26<sup>th</sup> Sunday Ordinary Time (A) 1 October 2023 Freedom of choice</p><p>Two sons give different responses. One says he will not but
then reconsiders; the other says he will but does not (Mt 21, 28-32).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The one who does obey, albeit after a delay, is the one for
us to follow.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Delay is not recommended but God in His infinite mercy
allows some leeway there.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It can take many years for some people to bring their lives
under God's authority, even when they know they should have acted sooner.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ultimately, God wants every person in the world to be united
with Him, as child of the Father, disciple of the Son. There are a lot of
people in the world, but the same principle applies to all.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Being in union with God will mean that we have to obey Him
when He commands or forbids something. And this we can find daunting.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whereas the alternative is to do as we please, without
reference to God or any other restraints which might be in place.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This latter way is appealing because it offers instant
happiness without requiring restraint or discipline. There will be an account
rendered, however!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It really comes to a battle of viewpoints - short term
versus long term. In the short term the way of sin looks good; in the long term
the way of God is much more rewarding.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether sooner or later we must put our lot with God; there
is no salvation anywhere else.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the parable the two sons have only one choice to make. In
life we have hundreds of occasions to decide good or evil. If we are conscious
of the choice we can ensure we are moving towards God rather than away from
Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why is it so hard to see all this? It is because of previous
sin which has warped our capacity to judge. Sin darkens the mind and weakens
the will.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We either do not see what is right (intellect) or lack the
desire to carry it out (will).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Humans are complicated because we have rationality, the
ability to reflect on our actions, and on such things as the meaning of life.
We have free will, a privilege shared only with angels of all God's creation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With God's help we can exercise the free will towards the
better alternatives.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The best outcome is where we obey God, we do His will, yet
it is because we want to, not because we have to. We realize how good God is to
us, and embrace His will for us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The command to children: <i>Eat your vegetables first,
before dessert</i> – this is what it comes to. One can come to like vegetables,
and so one can come to ‘like’ God's commands – because they are good for us!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we have union between two minds, two hearts.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With full freedom we do the best thing, and this as a matter
of habit.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile God's grace will go to work on all the people who
hold out against Him, who refuse to recognize or obey Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He reaches some and not others. We hope for a time when
conversions flow more quickly than at present. And we pray that people who are
not so clear will see things in a new light and make that happy change for the
better.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What we are at the point of death decides our eternal
destiny. We can do a lot of things to make that moment as it should be. Prayer,
Sacraments, Good works, Penance.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the time we are learning what it means to be a disciple
of Christ; trusting that He will lead us to the right way of seeing things.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That we have a choice increases our glory and gives glory to
God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Yes, Lord</i>, we say, and we do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>FrThoroughgoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602547212398105998noreply@blogger.com0