A parishioner's Gospel reflection
Christ is Risen!
21 April 2019: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Branwen Jones
John 20: 1-9
It is the little details in this short and intense passage that are so evocative.
After Jesus’ very public trial and crucifixion, with the clamour and the emotional maelstrom that accompanied it, quietly and unseen comes the moment of resurrection. There are no choirs of angels, no fanfare, just an empty tomb.
The atmosphere is subdued – it is ‘very early’ and ‘still dark’ when a grieving Mary Magdalene approaches the garden with its new tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Her immediate reaction is one of horror when she sees the stone has been rolled away from the entrance. Gripped with fear she runs for the men, on the assumption that Jesus’ body has been moved to a different location. She hasn’t even looked inside.
It is Peter and John – ‘the other disciple’ – who dash headlong to see for themselves what has happened. John wins the race but does not actually enter the tomb until Peter catches up with him. Surely if anyone had removed Jesus’ body the grave cloths would not have been discarded. But John and Peter witness the evidence directly – ‘the linen cloths on the ground’ and the cloth that had been placed over Jesus’ head ‘rolled up in a place by itself’. No grave robber would be so neat.
Only now in this instant of revelation do the two men understand, in retrospect, Jesus’ words. ‘Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.’
And what of us? Blessed are they who have not seen, yet believe.
*****************************************************
28 April 2019: Divine Mercy Sunday (Low Sunday) 2nd Sunday of Easter (Cycle C)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder (Cjs)
John 20: 19 to31
Apprehensive and uncertain what course they should now take,
in the upper room disciples did sit and contemplate.
Suddenly dear Jesus stood amongst His friends.
“Peace be with you people, it is I My Father sends.”
He showed them all the wounds, His hands and feet and side,
from the cruel Crucifixion, when in suffering Christ had died.
“Receive the Holy Spirit for all who are herein
I‘m here to give you power to forgive or retain sin.”
Thomas who was absent when Jesus came that day
Refused to listen to them believing nought they had to say.
“Unless I put my hand in the hole that’s in His side.
I simply won’t believe it, for I have got my pride.”
Eight long days did pass then Jesus came again.
Thomas was there with them and Christ He made it plain,
that those who did believe, by faith and not by proof,
are blessed in our God’s eyes and that’s the wondrous truth!
We are like poor Thomas, as cynical as he,
for pride and all our failings, will not set us free.
You gave Your Life for us Lord, unworthy though we are.
Nothing we can do, will Your love for us disbar.
Strengthen our resolve Lord, to follow in your path,
to reconcile all differences, amending any aftermath.
The past we put behind us, we face our lives anew.
We will put Jesus first, in everything we do. Cjs.
Poor Thomas, all he wanted was proof, he did not want to be thought gullible and willing to believe in the unbelievable. Like so many today, who think science can explain everything and anything else is a fairy tale. (Though often people don’t even believe scientific proof!)
The other apostles had seen so they believed.
Would they have done so if they had been in Thomas’ position?
When Thomas at last realised this was the Christ returned from the dead he said
“My Lord and my God!” .
Then Jesus made the wonderful uplifting statement,
“Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
That’s us! Thank you Lord for all the blessings you bestow on us.
Please help us to nurture that belief in You, so we grow ever closer to You. Amen.
**************************************************
5 May 2019: 3rd Sunday of Easter (Cycle C)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Bob Skudder
John 21: 1-19
This is an amazing gospel story.
Let’s take a look at Peter first. He Let his friend Jesus down so many times but Jesus never gave up and he knew that Peter would eventually see the light.
However in this Gospel, Peter stays in character so is the one who continues to bumble around before realising what he is actually called to do. His first act in response to two resurrection appearances, consists of convincing the others to go fishing. His actions follow a typical human pattern. An intense spiritual experience soon fades and one returns to familiar practices, in other words their comfort zones.
Peter fished all night but caught nothing. In the morning their true friend “Jesus” who they did not recognise calls out them. “Friends haven’t you caught any fish?” “No.” they answered, Jesus said “Throw your nets to the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did so they were unable to haul the nets in because of the large number of fish in the net. Then they realised that this was Jesus. He called to them to come and have breakfast with him.
Imagine the scene…. they are having their breakfast with Jesus. It is a Eucharistic event despite the lack of wine and that no Eucharist celebration consisted of fish previously. It is at this meal they receive a recommissioning from the Lord. They are reminded who they are and what they were originally called to be. They are challenged to get back in the boat and try again in more ways than one.
I believe this also applies to each one of us when we attend Adoration or receive the Blessed Sacrament, we are being recommissioned to go out and spread the word.
To help us cast our nets, we are very privileged at Holy Innocents’ as we have been given so many opportunities for spiritual growth, i.e. Alpha, Freedom in Christ and the Parish Evangelisation Cells to name just a few.
Use them and enjoy your fishing.
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Branwen Jones
John 20: 1-9
It is the little details in this short and intense passage that are so evocative.
After Jesus’ very public trial and crucifixion, with the clamour and the emotional maelstrom that accompanied it, quietly and unseen comes the moment of resurrection. There are no choirs of angels, no fanfare, just an empty tomb.
The atmosphere is subdued – it is ‘very early’ and ‘still dark’ when a grieving Mary Magdalene approaches the garden with its new tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Her immediate reaction is one of horror when she sees the stone has been rolled away from the entrance. Gripped with fear she runs for the men, on the assumption that Jesus’ body has been moved to a different location. She hasn’t even looked inside.
It is Peter and John – ‘the other disciple’ – who dash headlong to see for themselves what has happened. John wins the race but does not actually enter the tomb until Peter catches up with him. Surely if anyone had removed Jesus’ body the grave cloths would not have been discarded. But John and Peter witness the evidence directly – ‘the linen cloths on the ground’ and the cloth that had been placed over Jesus’ head ‘rolled up in a place by itself’. No grave robber would be so neat.
Only now in this instant of revelation do the two men understand, in retrospect, Jesus’ words. ‘Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.’
And what of us? Blessed are they who have not seen, yet believe.
*****************************************************
28 April 2019: Divine Mercy Sunday (Low Sunday) 2nd Sunday of Easter (Cycle C)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder (Cjs)
John 20: 19 to31
Apprehensive and uncertain what course they should now take,
in the upper room disciples did sit and contemplate.
Suddenly dear Jesus stood amongst His friends.
“Peace be with you people, it is I My Father sends.”
He showed them all the wounds, His hands and feet and side,
from the cruel Crucifixion, when in suffering Christ had died.
“Receive the Holy Spirit for all who are herein
I‘m here to give you power to forgive or retain sin.”
Thomas who was absent when Jesus came that day
Refused to listen to them believing nought they had to say.
“Unless I put my hand in the hole that’s in His side.
I simply won’t believe it, for I have got my pride.”
Eight long days did pass then Jesus came again.
Thomas was there with them and Christ He made it plain,
that those who did believe, by faith and not by proof,
are blessed in our God’s eyes and that’s the wondrous truth!
We are like poor Thomas, as cynical as he,
for pride and all our failings, will not set us free.
You gave Your Life for us Lord, unworthy though we are.
Nothing we can do, will Your love for us disbar.
Strengthen our resolve Lord, to follow in your path,
to reconcile all differences, amending any aftermath.
The past we put behind us, we face our lives anew.
We will put Jesus first, in everything we do. Cjs.
Poor Thomas, all he wanted was proof, he did not want to be thought gullible and willing to believe in the unbelievable. Like so many today, who think science can explain everything and anything else is a fairy tale. (Though often people don’t even believe scientific proof!)
The other apostles had seen so they believed.
Would they have done so if they had been in Thomas’ position?
When Thomas at last realised this was the Christ returned from the dead he said
“My Lord and my God!” .
Then Jesus made the wonderful uplifting statement,
“Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
That’s us! Thank you Lord for all the blessings you bestow on us.
Please help us to nurture that belief in You, so we grow ever closer to You. Amen.
**************************************************
5 May 2019: 3rd Sunday of Easter (Cycle C)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Bob Skudder
John 21: 1-19
This is an amazing gospel story.
Let’s take a look at Peter first. He Let his friend Jesus down so many times but Jesus never gave up and he knew that Peter would eventually see the light.
However in this Gospel, Peter stays in character so is the one who continues to bumble around before realising what he is actually called to do. His first act in response to two resurrection appearances, consists of convincing the others to go fishing. His actions follow a typical human pattern. An intense spiritual experience soon fades and one returns to familiar practices, in other words their comfort zones.
Peter fished all night but caught nothing. In the morning their true friend “Jesus” who they did not recognise calls out them. “Friends haven’t you caught any fish?” “No.” they answered, Jesus said “Throw your nets to the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did so they were unable to haul the nets in because of the large number of fish in the net. Then they realised that this was Jesus. He called to them to come and have breakfast with him.
Imagine the scene…. they are having their breakfast with Jesus. It is a Eucharistic event despite the lack of wine and that no Eucharist celebration consisted of fish previously. It is at this meal they receive a recommissioning from the Lord. They are reminded who they are and what they were originally called to be. They are challenged to get back in the boat and try again in more ways than one.
I believe this also applies to each one of us when we attend Adoration or receive the Blessed Sacrament, we are being recommissioned to go out and spread the word.
To help us cast our nets, we are very privileged at Holy Innocents’ as we have been given so many opportunities for spiritual growth, i.e. Alpha, Freedom in Christ and the Parish Evangelisation Cells to name just a few.
Use them and enjoy your fishing.