SOCL, Sunday23B

Sunday September 08, 2024

Jesus said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened”

See

The five senses enable us to engage with others, with the world and with reality in general. We realise their significance when for whatever reason our senses no longer “work” as well as before. The senses are also used in a transferred meaning, especially hearing and seeing, to point to faith. Hence it is that at Baptism a special and quite beautiful prayer is said over the newly baptised. It is prayer we can use again and again all our lives.

Listen

Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146 (145); James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37

Reflect

(Mark 7:31-37)

-The healing of the deaf mute provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the importance of communication in our lives. The healing touch of Jesus brought the man from isolation into community. Who have been the people who touched you when you felt isolated and alone and helped you to come out of painful aloneness? For whom have you done this?

-Deafness is symbolic of being unable to hear what is being said to us. What a difference when our ears are opened! Perhaps you can recall a time when your ears were opened and you heard in a new way that you were loved — by God or by another person.

-Words are not the only form of communication. Actions can speak louder than words. Recall times when this was brought home to you.

-Being able to say what is in you is the other side of communication. Perhaps there have been occasions when you have struggled to find words to express what is deepest in you—your faith, your values, your love. Then something changed and you found the words. What was it like to be able to express your deepest self ?

Pray

Open our ears to your redeeming word and move our hearts by the strength of your love, so that our every word and work may proclaim as Messiah, Jesus the Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

References

Praise the Lord, My Soul! (Or Alleluia)

SOCL, Sunday22B

Sunday September 01, 2024

This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

See

As disciples, we all need a kind of personal “rule of life” and we are supported by the community of faith and its practices. But the externals of religions—the very supports we need— risk becoming merely cultural, an empty shell, if our heart is not in it. All three readings this Sunday underline the point: Pure, unspoilt religion is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it.

Listen

Deut 4:1-2, 6-8; Ps 15 (14); James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Reflect

(Mar-k 7:1-8; 14-15; 21-23)

-Certain sections of the Jewish people put great store on the importance of rules and conventions as a measure of the goodness of a person. Jesus challenges this view. How have you found that getting appearances right did not necessarily make you a good person?

-Even fidelity in religious practice is not enough. “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”. How have you experienced the importance of carrying your faith beyond attendance on Sundays? When have you seen that in others? What brought this home to you?

-What Jesus seeks are followers whose faith is whole-hearted and warm, people whose religion is not primarily in dutiful observance but in their enthusiasm for life and their care for one another. It is good to be with them. Think of the contrast between a dinner party at which everything is just right but very formal, and another party which is rather haphazard and casual but full of great warmth.

-“It is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come.” It is also from within that good intentions come. We do have choices. When have you been faced with the choice between good and evil? When did you realize the importance of accepting responsibility for your own life and choices? How has this helped your growth as a person?

Pray

Father of light, giver of every good and perfect gift, bring to fruition the word of truth sown in our hearts by your Son, that we may rightly understand your commandments, live your law of love, and so offer you worship that is pure and undefiled. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

References

The One Who Does Justice

SOCL, Assumption

August 15, 2024

Mary is taken up to heaven; a chorus of angels exults.

See

While it is quite common for us to consider Mary as a figure who enjoys extraordinary privileges and blessings as a human being, on this particular day, the extraordinary event that unfolded for her, which involved being in the divine presence of God as a complete and whole human being, serves as a profound prefiguration of the glorious future that awaits us as well. Therefore, this celebration is not merely a reflection on the immense grace that Mary experienced in her life, but it simultaneously gazes forward with hope and anticipation toward our own future existence in the divine presence of God. We, too, hold a steadfast belief that in the fullness of time, we will stand before God alongside all the saints, fully present and encompassed by the divine essence of God. Even though we may find it challenging to truly envision such a magnificent future, we nonetheless maintain our faith in a God who deeply cherishes every aspect of our being, including our physical bodies, our interpersonal relationships, our shared history, and our active participation in the tangible realities of the world around us.

Listen

Apocalypse 11:19,12:1-6,10; Ps 45 (44); 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56

Reflect

(Luke 1:39-56)

-The story of the Visitation is a story of two pregnant women reaching out to one another. For those of you who are mothers, perhaps you have been in that situation. What blessings do you recall in such encounters?

-The story and the song of Mary are both celebrating the work of God in their lives. When have you been particularly grateful for what was happening in you life? How did you express and celebrate your thanks?

-Mary is praised for believing that God’s promise to her would be fulfilled. How has your trust in God’s promise to be with you helped you in your life?

-Read the Magnificat a few times slowly and let your attention stay with whatever words or phrase you are drawn to. Place yourself in the position of the one saying the prayer. Let it be your prayer of thanksgiving for your own life.

Pray

Faithful to your promise, O God, you have lifted up the lowly, clothing with heavenly splendour the woman who bore Christ, our life and resurrection. Grant that the Church, prefigured in Mary, may bear Christ to the world and come to share his triumph. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

References

The Queen Stands At Your Right Hand