7th Sunday after Pentecost 15.7.12 Wages of sin
The wages of sin are death, says the epistle. Sin brings death, or at least causes harm. Always sin has a bad effect on the sinner and on everyone else too (through a flow-on effect).
Sin is far more harmful than is generally realized today. Many make light of it, not seeing how deep its damage can be.
If you went for a daily walk on the same route and one day you tripped over a particular place in the path where the ground was uneven, would you not be careful of that same place on future walks? It would be a strange thing if you fell at exactly the same place every day, and made no effort to avoid doing that.
This is because we carefully guard our physical safety and comfort. But we are not so careful about the state of our soul. We don't mind so much falling into the same sin again and again, refusing to avoid occasion of sin; failing to think through what causes our sin and how we could avoid it.
Sin has a way of appealing to us, offering us a short-term pleasure, but the after-effects are deadly.
The damage sin does: Firstly it can send us to hell. Many today do not believe in hell, thinking that a merciful God would not send anyone there; so there is no danger on that score.
But the Scriptures and Tradition remind us constantly that there is a hell and a serious chance of any one of us going there. Yes, God is merciful, but we must ask for His mercy and with serious purpose of amendment. We cannot simply presume on His mercy to save us if we have no real contrition.
Secondly, sin will bring us death in this life, imprisoning us in selfishness and mistrust of each other. Look at the harm that is done by the fact that people lie to each other, break promises, steal from each other, kill each other. There is death here in many forms. Our whole society suffers from sin.
Thirdly, and most importantly though least understood, the damage of sin is that God Himself is offended. Recall the Act of Contrition where we say: I am sorry for my sins ... most of all because they offend Thy infinite holiness.
The worst thing about sin is that it is an injustice to God who is all perfection and goodness.
When we sin we are defacing something beautiful. We would not go into an art gallery and throw mud on the famous paintings. When we sin we are throwing mud directly at God Himself! We are loading another scourge onto Christ’s back. Each time we sin.
Any of these factors should be enough to help us stop sinning. Sin is so normal for us and comes in so many forms that it is very hard to shake it off all at once, but we can make progress, and with God’s grace we will be free.
We need to get to the point that we see sin as foolish as it would be to fall over the same part of the road each day; or as outrageous as it would be to strike our own grandmother.
By the same logic we can develop the positive side of things. If the wages of sin are death the reward of not sinning is life – more life and better life. And certainly happier life.
The logic is there. It makes sense. But we do not yet feel convinced even though our minds tell us so. We need our hearts as well as our minds to be convinced.
Only the love of God acting on us first will bring forth the response our hearts need to make. ‘They will look on the One whom they have pierced and they will mourn for Him.’
When we reach the point of ‘mourning’ for our sins we are on the way to being free from them.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
6th Sunday after Pentecost 8 Jul 2012 Sermon
6th Sunday after Pentecost 8.7.12 Bread from Heaven
Our Lord fed the multitude. He was always trying to get people to see beyond the actual miracle and see it as a sign of something else.
He is saying to them, Not only can I feed you on this one occasion but I can feed you on every occasion; and furthermore I can give you a better kind of bread – from Heaven.
It is hard for people to see that far. If we offered free beer here I suspect the car park would be full. If we advertise eternal life - which we do - only a few come.
What about us? Do we see beyond the sign, or do we also regard God as a kind of private secretary who is meant to look after our needs and meet all obstacles?
He is willing to give us every good thing. It is just that His definition of what is good for us is not the same as ours.
We would tend to go for material physical instant pleasures. He is looking to a larger vision, both in time and in our capacity. I will give you what I think you need, not what you think you need.
We can understand this for a flippant request like millions of dollars, but when it is something more reasonable like a healing of a sickness, and it does not happen - then I might be annoyed with Him.
We can be sure that He has reasons and they are good ones. We need time and grace to see what He has in mind.
At all times we need to trust him. This we need above all because the relationship with Him is more important than any given thing that we might seek.
One thing He is saying to the crowd in this miracle is: Don't think about the bread so much as think about Me. What does this event tell you about Me?
That is where we have gone wrong all along. We have not understood sufficiently that our religion is about relationship to Jesus Himself rather than the things He can do for us. The God of blessings rather than the blessings of God.
We have a lesson from the Our Father. The first part of the prayer is dedicated to God’s view of things coming about, and only half way through do we get to our own personal needs
If we had written that prayer we might have made it much shorter. Our Father, who art in heaven, give us this day our daily bread. Amen! We have to travel a longer route to get what we really need.
We can, with time and grace, adapt ourselves to whatever situation emerges under God’s providence. If we cannot get what we want then want what we get.
Also we can say: I am in union with God and this alone is enough for me. Material blessings are a bonus but I already have what I need.
Sadly many have left already, not comprehending how God could fail to deliver on a particular need. But that is not to read the sign.
Among our other prayers we must pray for the wisdom, patience and trust needed to ride us through our initial difficulties of understanding.
The epistle refers to the Israelites returning to Egypt, or at least they wanted to. This is when we put the comfort of our lives ahead of the will of God.
Sin is when we try to speed things up; to snatch some perceived happiness instead of waiting on God’s idea of our happiness.
If only we had waited for Him – at any point in the last four thousand years.
So we cannot offer free beer but as a consolation have some eternal life instead!
Our Lord fed the multitude. He was always trying to get people to see beyond the actual miracle and see it as a sign of something else.
He is saying to them, Not only can I feed you on this one occasion but I can feed you on every occasion; and furthermore I can give you a better kind of bread – from Heaven.
It is hard for people to see that far. If we offered free beer here I suspect the car park would be full. If we advertise eternal life - which we do - only a few come.
What about us? Do we see beyond the sign, or do we also regard God as a kind of private secretary who is meant to look after our needs and meet all obstacles?
He is willing to give us every good thing. It is just that His definition of what is good for us is not the same as ours.
We would tend to go for material physical instant pleasures. He is looking to a larger vision, both in time and in our capacity. I will give you what I think you need, not what you think you need.
We can understand this for a flippant request like millions of dollars, but when it is something more reasonable like a healing of a sickness, and it does not happen - then I might be annoyed with Him.
We can be sure that He has reasons and they are good ones. We need time and grace to see what He has in mind.
At all times we need to trust him. This we need above all because the relationship with Him is more important than any given thing that we might seek.
One thing He is saying to the crowd in this miracle is: Don't think about the bread so much as think about Me. What does this event tell you about Me?
That is where we have gone wrong all along. We have not understood sufficiently that our religion is about relationship to Jesus Himself rather than the things He can do for us. The God of blessings rather than the blessings of God.
We have a lesson from the Our Father. The first part of the prayer is dedicated to God’s view of things coming about, and only half way through do we get to our own personal needs
If we had written that prayer we might have made it much shorter. Our Father, who art in heaven, give us this day our daily bread. Amen! We have to travel a longer route to get what we really need.
We can, with time and grace, adapt ourselves to whatever situation emerges under God’s providence. If we cannot get what we want then want what we get.
Also we can say: I am in union with God and this alone is enough for me. Material blessings are a bonus but I already have what I need.
Sadly many have left already, not comprehending how God could fail to deliver on a particular need. But that is not to read the sign.
Among our other prayers we must pray for the wisdom, patience and trust needed to ride us through our initial difficulties of understanding.
The epistle refers to the Israelites returning to Egypt, or at least they wanted to. This is when we put the comfort of our lives ahead of the will of God.
Sin is when we try to speed things up; to snatch some perceived happiness instead of waiting on God’s idea of our happiness.
If only we had waited for Him – at any point in the last four thousand years.
So we cannot offer free beer but as a consolation have some eternal life instead!
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Feast of the Most Precious Blood 1 Jul 2012 Sermon
Feast of the Most Precious Blood 1.7.12 His death, our life
If we commit an offence, we feel the need to make things right. If I broke your front window, for example, I would like to offer you money to buy new glass.
In the same way if we offend God we feel the need to offer Him something. People of all ages have had this spontaneous instinct to offer God some atonement for their sin.
For the Jews it was an unblemished offering from their flocks. The better the animal, the greater the sacrifice, because it was worth more. Hopefully God would be more pleased as well.
Then God, having pity on His people, offered them something better which they in turn could offer Him.
He sent His Son, to be the Lamb of sacrifice. No need to go looking in the flocks and herds. Now this one Lamb would atone for our sins.
One of the remarkable things about Our Lord’s sacrifice is that He is offering Himself. Not many lambs would do that, but the Lamb of God does.
It makes the sacrifice (already perfect) more impressive still.
It is pleasing to the Father, not only because of who/what is sacrificed, but the generous impulse behind the sacrifice.
This blood is precious because it is divine, and because it is given from a motive of love.
The Jews on occasions were offering dodgy lambs, trying to cut corners, as if God could be deceived.
There were no corners cut with the Lamb of God. His blood was infinitely valuable, and His offering was infinitely generous.
God is offended by human sin, but more than appeased by this supreme act of love and generosity.
We do not deserve this from Jesus, but we are grateful for it.
His blood, given in death, brings us to life - first by saving us from the death that we deserve (eternal death);
Then, by our communion with this blood, we learn to become like the One we receive. That is, we become people ourselves willing to lay down our lives for others.
If we let His blood mingle with ours we are going to be changed, for the better.
The martyrs give testimony to this. They are the ones who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb; who have learnt to love as Jesus did.
This is a natural consequence if we let things go that far. (See 1 Jn 3,16: how much as a matter of course he tells us we should be willing to lay down our lives for the brethren!)
So we offer this blood to be saved from death. We drink the blood to be brought to a fuller kind of life.
Whatever weaknesses we have; whatever is lacking; each of us can get to a better place – whether we need to be encouraged, consoled, strengthened, inspired... whatever it needs. All the rough edges are smoothed out.
Can you drink the cup that I must drink, Jesus asks. There is a commitment implied if we drink His blood. But then the same drink will strengthen us to be able to make that commitment.
Fear, selfishness and all the rest, will be swept away in the force of this greater love. We might be timid disciples shivering in the corner to begin with; but we will be fortified and made able to do great things - if we drink that cup.
On this feast we give thanks for what has happened; and for what still needs to happen we seek the necessary strength.
If we commit an offence, we feel the need to make things right. If I broke your front window, for example, I would like to offer you money to buy new glass.
In the same way if we offend God we feel the need to offer Him something. People of all ages have had this spontaneous instinct to offer God some atonement for their sin.
For the Jews it was an unblemished offering from their flocks. The better the animal, the greater the sacrifice, because it was worth more. Hopefully God would be more pleased as well.
Then God, having pity on His people, offered them something better which they in turn could offer Him.
He sent His Son, to be the Lamb of sacrifice. No need to go looking in the flocks and herds. Now this one Lamb would atone for our sins.
One of the remarkable things about Our Lord’s sacrifice is that He is offering Himself. Not many lambs would do that, but the Lamb of God does.
It makes the sacrifice (already perfect) more impressive still.
It is pleasing to the Father, not only because of who/what is sacrificed, but the generous impulse behind the sacrifice.
This blood is precious because it is divine, and because it is given from a motive of love.
The Jews on occasions were offering dodgy lambs, trying to cut corners, as if God could be deceived.
There were no corners cut with the Lamb of God. His blood was infinitely valuable, and His offering was infinitely generous.
God is offended by human sin, but more than appeased by this supreme act of love and generosity.
We do not deserve this from Jesus, but we are grateful for it.
His blood, given in death, brings us to life - first by saving us from the death that we deserve (eternal death);
Then, by our communion with this blood, we learn to become like the One we receive. That is, we become people ourselves willing to lay down our lives for others.
If we let His blood mingle with ours we are going to be changed, for the better.
The martyrs give testimony to this. They are the ones who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb; who have learnt to love as Jesus did.
This is a natural consequence if we let things go that far. (See 1 Jn 3,16: how much as a matter of course he tells us we should be willing to lay down our lives for the brethren!)
So we offer this blood to be saved from death. We drink the blood to be brought to a fuller kind of life.
Whatever weaknesses we have; whatever is lacking; each of us can get to a better place – whether we need to be encouraged, consoled, strengthened, inspired... whatever it needs. All the rough edges are smoothed out.
Can you drink the cup that I must drink, Jesus asks. There is a commitment implied if we drink His blood. But then the same drink will strengthen us to be able to make that commitment.
Fear, selfishness and all the rest, will be swept away in the force of this greater love. We might be timid disciples shivering in the corner to begin with; but we will be fortified and made able to do great things - if we drink that cup.
On this feast we give thanks for what has happened; and for what still needs to happen we seek the necessary strength.
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Birth of John the Baptist sermon
Birth of John the Baptist 24.6.12
John the Baptist is exalted as one of the greatest saints in our Church history because of his closeness to Christ.
Most saints follow Christ; John preceded Him. It was harder in that sense for John to do what he did because he did not have the benefit of the sacraments or of the knowledge of Jesus’ life.
It is hard enough for us to imitate Jesus once we know what He did, but how to do what He did in advance!? That is John’s glory.
In his birth, in life, and in death John shows forth a very different way of doing things from the normal worldly view. In all three areas he reflects or highlights the greater glory of Jesus, who did the same things a little later.
The birth of John, today’s special focus, was an event surrounded by strange wonders. The appearance of the angel, the message of the angel, the naming of the child, the fact that he was born to parents who would not be likely to have a child. All of these things applied also to Jesus.
John led the way; he was the precursor.
In his life he lived apart from men, in a strange way, intensely holy. He was different from others so that they could become like him. We do not all have to live in the desert and eat locusts but we do all have to give our whole attention to the will of God.
In his death, he was put to death unjustly. An innocent man being murdered by guilty men, in the name of the law; for political expediency.
And he did all this without actually knowing what was to follow.
In this he can be a help to us. We have the knowledge of Jesus Christ and all that He did. We also have the help that comes to us through the sacraments and the Mass. Yet still there are things in the future that we do not understand; and we never know what is going to happen next in our own lives.
Thus we also have to know how to live a certain way without knowing fully how it will turn out.
This takes faith, as well as hope. It takes trust in the goodness of God.
From John we learn what happens when someone gives himself fully to the will of God, in humility and trust, and letting God do the rest.
Four lessons in particular:
One, that as Zachary and Elizabeth had to wait for their son, God will sometimes make us wait before He answers our prayers.
When we really want something we pray harder for it; so by withholding things from us for a time God is forcing us to pray harder, which is good for us.
Two, that when He does answer a prayer He will answer it beyond our expectations.
Zachary and Elizabeth did not know what God was planning, but they prayed for a child and got more than they expected; more than they would have dared to hope. And so it will be for us, if we persevere.
Three, that only to the humble will He grant such favours. Zachary and Elizabeth were humble, not powerful on the world stage. God uses the little and the obscure. Not those with military power or brilliant intellect etc, but just humble people doing the right thing, trusting in God, cooperating with His will.
As with the Loaves and fishes: bring what you have and let Him multiply it.
Four, that once we have made ourselves available for His purposes He will do the heavy work. All we have to do is stand there and let His power work through us. If we do not impede Him through sin or obstinacy He will work wonders through us too.
May the voice in the wilderness finally be heard, and Christ be welcomed as never before.
John the Baptist is exalted as one of the greatest saints in our Church history because of his closeness to Christ.
Most saints follow Christ; John preceded Him. It was harder in that sense for John to do what he did because he did not have the benefit of the sacraments or of the knowledge of Jesus’ life.
It is hard enough for us to imitate Jesus once we know what He did, but how to do what He did in advance!? That is John’s glory.
In his birth, in life, and in death John shows forth a very different way of doing things from the normal worldly view. In all three areas he reflects or highlights the greater glory of Jesus, who did the same things a little later.
The birth of John, today’s special focus, was an event surrounded by strange wonders. The appearance of the angel, the message of the angel, the naming of the child, the fact that he was born to parents who would not be likely to have a child. All of these things applied also to Jesus.
John led the way; he was the precursor.
In his life he lived apart from men, in a strange way, intensely holy. He was different from others so that they could become like him. We do not all have to live in the desert and eat locusts but we do all have to give our whole attention to the will of God.
In his death, he was put to death unjustly. An innocent man being murdered by guilty men, in the name of the law; for political expediency.
And he did all this without actually knowing what was to follow.
In this he can be a help to us. We have the knowledge of Jesus Christ and all that He did. We also have the help that comes to us through the sacraments and the Mass. Yet still there are things in the future that we do not understand; and we never know what is going to happen next in our own lives.
Thus we also have to know how to live a certain way without knowing fully how it will turn out.
This takes faith, as well as hope. It takes trust in the goodness of God.
From John we learn what happens when someone gives himself fully to the will of God, in humility and trust, and letting God do the rest.
Four lessons in particular:
One, that as Zachary and Elizabeth had to wait for their son, God will sometimes make us wait before He answers our prayers.
When we really want something we pray harder for it; so by withholding things from us for a time God is forcing us to pray harder, which is good for us.
Two, that when He does answer a prayer He will answer it beyond our expectations.
Zachary and Elizabeth did not know what God was planning, but they prayed for a child and got more than they expected; more than they would have dared to hope. And so it will be for us, if we persevere.
Three, that only to the humble will He grant such favours. Zachary and Elizabeth were humble, not powerful on the world stage. God uses the little and the obscure. Not those with military power or brilliant intellect etc, but just humble people doing the right thing, trusting in God, cooperating with His will.
As with the Loaves and fishes: bring what you have and let Him multiply it.
Four, that once we have made ourselves available for His purposes He will do the heavy work. All we have to do is stand there and let His power work through us. If we do not impede Him through sin or obstinacy He will work wonders through us too.
May the voice in the wilderness finally be heard, and Christ be welcomed as never before.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
3rd Sunday after Pentecost 17 Jun 2012 Sermon
3rd Sunday after Pentecost 17.6.12 God searches for us
We have just had the feast of the Sacred Heart and the Gospel today reinforces the same theme of the great mercy of God, and His intense desire to save us.
He is not content to leave people for lost while there is still a chance of finding them.
We feel sympathy for other people in proportion to how well we know them or love them.
Most people in the world we do not know; but God knows them all! And if something bad happens to anyone anywhere He feels the pain of that person. (Even if He is punishing them.)
Add to this the much greater grief He would feel when a person commits sin, or stays defiant against the offer of grace and mercy. (We should feel worse about that too but we tend to focus only on the physical suffering of people.)
If someone we loved was lost we would go looking for that person. Since God loves every person He therefore does the same thing; only His version of ‘looking’ is much more detailed than ours. He does not rest with restoring bodies; He wants the soul as well.
We can easily visualize the Good Shepherd going in search of sheep. But how in practice does Our Lord ‘go out’ looking for sinners?
He speaks through the Church; through the Bible; through other people; through circumstances; in all sorts of ways. Also He can plant thoughts in our heads and sometimes strong emotions in our hearts. We have to discern all these things because it may not be God talking but sometimes at least it certainly is the Shepherd seeking us out.
Human ‘sheep’ are much harder to catch than actual sheep. The different ways in which a person can shake off one of these messages, or even years of them, are many.
How many times would a person express something of a sentiment that ‘I must get around to that sometime, go to Confession, or go back to church, or be reconciled with my brother etc...’
It is easy to snap out of one of these resolutions and come back to ‘reality’ so called. The true reality is found in the spiritual world. When God speaks to us we have reality at its fullest and we should respond.
People say sometimes, If God would show Himself to me and tell me what to do then I would do it. They demand a miracle or something spectacular when they should be reading the signs that God puts before them every day.
If I come across a poor man at my gate I don't need a revelation from God to know that I should do something to help him.
If my life is in disorder because I am breaking all the commandments, I don't need a special announcement that I should repent. The message is there, in the circumstances themselves.
It is difficult to reach lost sheep but it does happen, and many have come to the Good Shepherd when He has called.
We can help the process by responding ourselves to His call in our own lives, getting rid of what sin still lurks there.
Further we can help by adopting the Heart of the Shepherd that feels such love for every stray person.
We cannot directly love every person but we can at least desire their salvation and many of our prayers are geared towards that, eg the Fatima prayer... lead all souls to heaven.
Our prayers for fellow travellers in this earthly life will help them to find the right path, also ensuring that we do not ourselves lose it.
The Sacred Heart is not just a statue. It is a Heart that moves with its own intensity. It goes out to sinners and speaks to them in their hearts as well as minds. Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest.
We have just had the feast of the Sacred Heart and the Gospel today reinforces the same theme of the great mercy of God, and His intense desire to save us.
He is not content to leave people for lost while there is still a chance of finding them.
We feel sympathy for other people in proportion to how well we know them or love them.
Most people in the world we do not know; but God knows them all! And if something bad happens to anyone anywhere He feels the pain of that person. (Even if He is punishing them.)
Add to this the much greater grief He would feel when a person commits sin, or stays defiant against the offer of grace and mercy. (We should feel worse about that too but we tend to focus only on the physical suffering of people.)
If someone we loved was lost we would go looking for that person. Since God loves every person He therefore does the same thing; only His version of ‘looking’ is much more detailed than ours. He does not rest with restoring bodies; He wants the soul as well.
We can easily visualize the Good Shepherd going in search of sheep. But how in practice does Our Lord ‘go out’ looking for sinners?
He speaks through the Church; through the Bible; through other people; through circumstances; in all sorts of ways. Also He can plant thoughts in our heads and sometimes strong emotions in our hearts. We have to discern all these things because it may not be God talking but sometimes at least it certainly is the Shepherd seeking us out.
Human ‘sheep’ are much harder to catch than actual sheep. The different ways in which a person can shake off one of these messages, or even years of them, are many.
How many times would a person express something of a sentiment that ‘I must get around to that sometime, go to Confession, or go back to church, or be reconciled with my brother etc...’
It is easy to snap out of one of these resolutions and come back to ‘reality’ so called. The true reality is found in the spiritual world. When God speaks to us we have reality at its fullest and we should respond.
People say sometimes, If God would show Himself to me and tell me what to do then I would do it. They demand a miracle or something spectacular when they should be reading the signs that God puts before them every day.
If I come across a poor man at my gate I don't need a revelation from God to know that I should do something to help him.
If my life is in disorder because I am breaking all the commandments, I don't need a special announcement that I should repent. The message is there, in the circumstances themselves.
It is difficult to reach lost sheep but it does happen, and many have come to the Good Shepherd when He has called.
We can help the process by responding ourselves to His call in our own lives, getting rid of what sin still lurks there.
Further we can help by adopting the Heart of the Shepherd that feels such love for every stray person.
We cannot directly love every person but we can at least desire their salvation and many of our prayers are geared towards that, eg the Fatima prayer... lead all souls to heaven.
Our prayers for fellow travellers in this earthly life will help them to find the right path, also ensuring that we do not ourselves lose it.
The Sacred Heart is not just a statue. It is a Heart that moves with its own intensity. It goes out to sinners and speaks to them in their hearts as well as minds. Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
2nd Sunday after Pentecost 10 Jun 2012 Sermon
2nd Sunday after Pentecost 10.6.12 The greatest miracle
Today, in the wake of the feast of Corpus Christi, the Gospel parable of the Banquet invites us to further reflection on this great reality of the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is the greatest miracle of them all insofar as other miracles are only what God does; while the Eucharist is what He is.
The ease of the miracle may deceive us as to its importance. Most miracles are hard to come by but the miracle of transubstantiation occurs all over the world every few moments.
The fact that it is so common should not devalue it in our eyes. It is vital, if this miracle is to take its full effect, that we maintain a sense of wonder in its presence.
Objectively, Our Lord is present whenever the bread and wine are changed into His body and blood.
Subjectively, His presence will act on us according to how each person responds. Our disposition is everything as we deal with this sacrament.
We need a hunger for this food, for the bread from heaven.
Many would think they have no need of this food because they have enough satisfaction from the earthly pleasures they are pursuing.
For us who do come to Mass regularly there is a danger that we will see the Mass and Holy Communion as just another routine, not really expecting anything to change, either in our own lives or in the world.
But each Mass is a whole new miracle; and each Holy Communion is a new encounter with Our Lord with all sorts of possible effects for the individual receiving Him.
We need to be as engaged as possible in the process, hoping to improve each time our degree of commitment at the Mass and our hunger for the things of heaven in receiving Holy Communion.
God is there on the altar – but are we present in the pews? Many are not here even physically. The rest of us may be present in body but not in mind and heart. We have to make sure we have really turned up before the full power of the eucharistic miracle will take effect in us.
People say that God is remote and silent and that He leaves us to our own devices. But we have His presence close to us, as close as food which can be eaten.
Yet we may not be hungry for that food. Good will follow only if we receive in the right way, interacting with Our Lord, humbly and expectantly.
We cannot be just spectators at a Mass, looking on as though what is happening does not concern us. Although a church might look something like a theatre with the pews being where the ‘crowd’ sits and the sanctuary being where the ‘stage’ is – in fact each member of the ‘crowd’ is a direct participant in the sacrifice and the sacrament; both offering and receiving Our Lord.
What change can we expect from this miracle? Growth in personal qualities such as charity, trust, generosity... a greater faith, a greater hunger for the things of God, leading to further encounters.
Also a greater love for God, appreciating Him for His own sake.
What is the good of adoring the Blessed Sacrament, some will ask. Could we not spend our time better mowing our neighbour’s lawn or otherwise helping someone in need?
If we get in touch with our Father, our Saviour, our God we can still mow the lawn and all the rest, but whatever we do we will do it better; and we will make better decisions in general about how to use our time.
Let the question be: What’s the good of ignoring the Blessed Sacrament, missing the most important thing of all as we chase after less important?
The Eucharist is a mystery; we have to move into it at our own speed, growing in both understanding and love.
Many reject what they do not understand, simply because they do not understand it. We must rather let ourselves be taken up into the Mystery, going through the veil of outward appearances to the great goodness within.
Today, in the wake of the feast of Corpus Christi, the Gospel parable of the Banquet invites us to further reflection on this great reality of the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is the greatest miracle of them all insofar as other miracles are only what God does; while the Eucharist is what He is.
The ease of the miracle may deceive us as to its importance. Most miracles are hard to come by but the miracle of transubstantiation occurs all over the world every few moments.
The fact that it is so common should not devalue it in our eyes. It is vital, if this miracle is to take its full effect, that we maintain a sense of wonder in its presence.
Objectively, Our Lord is present whenever the bread and wine are changed into His body and blood.
Subjectively, His presence will act on us according to how each person responds. Our disposition is everything as we deal with this sacrament.
We need a hunger for this food, for the bread from heaven.
Many would think they have no need of this food because they have enough satisfaction from the earthly pleasures they are pursuing.
For us who do come to Mass regularly there is a danger that we will see the Mass and Holy Communion as just another routine, not really expecting anything to change, either in our own lives or in the world.
But each Mass is a whole new miracle; and each Holy Communion is a new encounter with Our Lord with all sorts of possible effects for the individual receiving Him.
We need to be as engaged as possible in the process, hoping to improve each time our degree of commitment at the Mass and our hunger for the things of heaven in receiving Holy Communion.
God is there on the altar – but are we present in the pews? Many are not here even physically. The rest of us may be present in body but not in mind and heart. We have to make sure we have really turned up before the full power of the eucharistic miracle will take effect in us.
People say that God is remote and silent and that He leaves us to our own devices. But we have His presence close to us, as close as food which can be eaten.
Yet we may not be hungry for that food. Good will follow only if we receive in the right way, interacting with Our Lord, humbly and expectantly.
We cannot be just spectators at a Mass, looking on as though what is happening does not concern us. Although a church might look something like a theatre with the pews being where the ‘crowd’ sits and the sanctuary being where the ‘stage’ is – in fact each member of the ‘crowd’ is a direct participant in the sacrifice and the sacrament; both offering and receiving Our Lord.
What change can we expect from this miracle? Growth in personal qualities such as charity, trust, generosity... a greater faith, a greater hunger for the things of God, leading to further encounters.
Also a greater love for God, appreciating Him for His own sake.
What is the good of adoring the Blessed Sacrament, some will ask. Could we not spend our time better mowing our neighbour’s lawn or otherwise helping someone in need?
If we get in touch with our Father, our Saviour, our God we can still mow the lawn and all the rest, but whatever we do we will do it better; and we will make better decisions in general about how to use our time.
Let the question be: What’s the good of ignoring the Blessed Sacrament, missing the most important thing of all as we chase after less important?
The Eucharist is a mystery; we have to move into it at our own speed, growing in both understanding and love.
Many reject what they do not understand, simply because they do not understand it. We must rather let ourselves be taken up into the Mystery, going through the veil of outward appearances to the great goodness within.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Trinity Sunday 3 Jun 2012 Sermon
Trinity Sunday 3.6.12 Quest for unity
Many people are searching for God; many others are not sure if He exists or not.
There is much confusion about His existence; His nature; the way He intervenes or not in human affairs; the way it all works.
Many would say they believe in a God ‘of some sort’ but would not know how to describe or define Him.
Nor would they know how to approach Him with any confidence.
With so much confusion about it might seem that to explain the workings of the Blessed Trinity could make matters even less clear – if we bring in a lot of difficult terms and phrases.
The technical information might seem dry and unhelpful but it all has its place.
The best way to understand God for most people would be in terms of how He impacts upon us.
In evangelising others we would tell people that God is personal, something like we are, only much better.
The Persons of the Trinity are perfect in every way, not subject to the frailties and changing moods and whims which we experience.
If this seems to put God beyond reach it is not the intention. His perfection is not a barrier so much as an invitation for us to join Him.
We like the idea of a personal God, to whom we can relate. But we have to accept that we must relate on His terms rather than our own.
If we are to seek a personal relationship with God we must see such a relationship as He sees it.
In general we could say the human race settles for too little in the manner of personal relationships and of love.
Many people would think that the highest form of love is with another human person, usually to be sought in marriage. In books and films the story often ends with a marriage and that is seen as self-evidently the right place to end the story. The greatest possible happiness has been reached. What more is there to say?
Nothing, except that marriage is not the ultimate happiness even if it is the happiest marriage ever - because we are made for God, and our hearts cannot rest until they rest in Him. Of course it is better if we have good human relationships but they are never enough as such.
Our ultimate need, whether we realize it or not, is to be in union with God, loving and being loved by Him. If we have this we have discovered the Trinity. To be in relation to God is to share in the love of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We are doing this even if we do not understand all the technical terms.
We find God through prayer, sacraments, reading the signs, trusting Him to steer us through each event, finally coming to see Him face to face, but preparing all the time for that encounter.
The more seriously we seek Him in this life the more we will understand Him and the more ready to spend eternity with Him.
We already relate to Him personally. The images of the Trinity can help but would never be enough by themselves.
God is not a triangle. Nor a perfect circle. He is much better than any image we can think of.
It is all about getting us closer to God than we otherwise were. Far from thinking that God is distant we learn more and more that we have no life apart from Him. We are not only created by Him; not only to return to Him; but nothing even in our non-religious activity falls outside His holy will.
The Trinity was not invented for our purposes but we are glad all the same to be included. God does not need us but He is happy to have us along.
May He help us to know Him better, both personally and technically, and finally to live in perfect union with Him. Glory to the one God and three Persons. Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Many people are searching for God; many others are not sure if He exists or not.
There is much confusion about His existence; His nature; the way He intervenes or not in human affairs; the way it all works.
Many would say they believe in a God ‘of some sort’ but would not know how to describe or define Him.
Nor would they know how to approach Him with any confidence.
With so much confusion about it might seem that to explain the workings of the Blessed Trinity could make matters even less clear – if we bring in a lot of difficult terms and phrases.
The technical information might seem dry and unhelpful but it all has its place.
The best way to understand God for most people would be in terms of how He impacts upon us.
In evangelising others we would tell people that God is personal, something like we are, only much better.
The Persons of the Trinity are perfect in every way, not subject to the frailties and changing moods and whims which we experience.
If this seems to put God beyond reach it is not the intention. His perfection is not a barrier so much as an invitation for us to join Him.
We like the idea of a personal God, to whom we can relate. But we have to accept that we must relate on His terms rather than our own.
If we are to seek a personal relationship with God we must see such a relationship as He sees it.
In general we could say the human race settles for too little in the manner of personal relationships and of love.
Many people would think that the highest form of love is with another human person, usually to be sought in marriage. In books and films the story often ends with a marriage and that is seen as self-evidently the right place to end the story. The greatest possible happiness has been reached. What more is there to say?
Nothing, except that marriage is not the ultimate happiness even if it is the happiest marriage ever - because we are made for God, and our hearts cannot rest until they rest in Him. Of course it is better if we have good human relationships but they are never enough as such.
Our ultimate need, whether we realize it or not, is to be in union with God, loving and being loved by Him. If we have this we have discovered the Trinity. To be in relation to God is to share in the love of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We are doing this even if we do not understand all the technical terms.
We find God through prayer, sacraments, reading the signs, trusting Him to steer us through each event, finally coming to see Him face to face, but preparing all the time for that encounter.
The more seriously we seek Him in this life the more we will understand Him and the more ready to spend eternity with Him.
We already relate to Him personally. The images of the Trinity can help but would never be enough by themselves.
God is not a triangle. Nor a perfect circle. He is much better than any image we can think of.
It is all about getting us closer to God than we otherwise were. Far from thinking that God is distant we learn more and more that we have no life apart from Him. We are not only created by Him; not only to return to Him; but nothing even in our non-religious activity falls outside His holy will.
The Trinity was not invented for our purposes but we are glad all the same to be included. God does not need us but He is happy to have us along.
May He help us to know Him better, both personally and technically, and finally to live in perfect union with Him. Glory to the one God and three Persons. Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
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