Parishioner's Gospel reflection
Jesus foretells what is to happen
25 July 2021: 16th Sunday of the Year (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Ian Insley
Mark 6:30-34
This is a bit of a change from last week’s gospel – about Jesus teaching the crowd before the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Here we have Jesus in his long discourse before his Passion. Fr Henry Wansborough talked about Jesus being in control in John’s version of the Passion. This, to me, is an example of this. He has just finished telling the disciples that although they are in the world, they are not of the world i.e. motivated by worldly desires. He tells them that he is going away and that this has to happen so that the Paraclete will come to them.
Jesus knows what is going to happen to him – he knows the Scriptures well enough to know what will happen to the Messiah, but there is no despair or anger. He is calmly telling his disciples that when he goes they will have the benefit of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. I am not sure the disciples really understood what Jesus was talking about: what does he mean “he is going away”? What is this Paraclete?
This word can be translated in many different ways: my favourite is the large ship that comes to the help of a small ship struggling in heavy seas by coming alongside it and sheltering it from the worst of the weather.
The Holy Spirit works in the same way; it does not prevent us having troubles in this life but it comes alongside us and helps us through the storms.
It was probably not until Pentecost that the disciples fully understood what Jesus was talking about.
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1 August 2021: 18th Sunday of the Year (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Caroline Grainger
John 6:24-35
After the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus gets away with his disciples but the crowd again follow him.
We can only imagine how exhausting it must have been to be followed by so many people wanting attention and how frustrating that they don't seem to be listening to what he really wants them to understand. Jesus suggests they have followed him looking for more food miracles and the conversation soon turns to discussing how the followers of Moses received manna in the wilderness.
What do we need to do?- they ask (in order to get a ready supply of loaves?). How easy it would be to have faith if it always meant being rewarded with miracles. Be good, follow these rules and life will be easy. But it doesn't work like that.
As Jesus tries to explain it is not earthly food (or other material goods) that matter but the bread he offers is that which endures or eternal life l. 'I am the bread of life' he tells them and the same invitation is made today.
Much less immediate than our physical needs but how much bigger the reward if our soul will never need to hunger or thirst again.
The only question is whether we want to take up this offer?
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Ian Insley
Mark 6:30-34
This is a bit of a change from last week’s gospel – about Jesus teaching the crowd before the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Here we have Jesus in his long discourse before his Passion. Fr Henry Wansborough talked about Jesus being in control in John’s version of the Passion. This, to me, is an example of this. He has just finished telling the disciples that although they are in the world, they are not of the world i.e. motivated by worldly desires. He tells them that he is going away and that this has to happen so that the Paraclete will come to them.
Jesus knows what is going to happen to him – he knows the Scriptures well enough to know what will happen to the Messiah, but there is no despair or anger. He is calmly telling his disciples that when he goes they will have the benefit of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. I am not sure the disciples really understood what Jesus was talking about: what does he mean “he is going away”? What is this Paraclete?
This word can be translated in many different ways: my favourite is the large ship that comes to the help of a small ship struggling in heavy seas by coming alongside it and sheltering it from the worst of the weather.
The Holy Spirit works in the same way; it does not prevent us having troubles in this life but it comes alongside us and helps us through the storms.
It was probably not until Pentecost that the disciples fully understood what Jesus was talking about.
************************************
1 August 2021: 18th Sunday of the Year (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Caroline Grainger
John 6:24-35
After the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus gets away with his disciples but the crowd again follow him.
We can only imagine how exhausting it must have been to be followed by so many people wanting attention and how frustrating that they don't seem to be listening to what he really wants them to understand. Jesus suggests they have followed him looking for more food miracles and the conversation soon turns to discussing how the followers of Moses received manna in the wilderness.
What do we need to do?- they ask (in order to get a ready supply of loaves?). How easy it would be to have faith if it always meant being rewarded with miracles. Be good, follow these rules and life will be easy. But it doesn't work like that.
As Jesus tries to explain it is not earthly food (or other material goods) that matter but the bread he offers is that which endures or eternal life l. 'I am the bread of life' he tells them and the same invitation is made today.
Much less immediate than our physical needs but how much bigger the reward if our soul will never need to hunger or thirst again.
The only question is whether we want to take up this offer?