Parishioner's Gospel reflection
The Assumption of our Blessed Lady into heaven
16 August 2020: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Cycle A)
Parishioners’ Gospel
Contributor: Andrew Jones (RIP) (From Archives)
Luke 1:39-56
Having been told of Elizabeth’s pregnancy Mary went with haste to Elizabeth’s home in a Judean town in the hill country. It is not surprising that she travelled there quickly, for she must have been quite astonished by the words of the Angel Gabriel who revealed the news of both her own pregnancy and that of her relative Elizabeth. Indeed she may have been driven both by the stunning excitement of the moment and a humble realisation that unique history was being made and that she was playing an important and blessed role in its unveiling.
The Catholic Encyclopedia tells us that nothing certain is known about the Assumption before the 5th Century with the exception that there is an earlier reference in the Greek Orthodox Church. Indeed the scholar Epiphanius d 403 wrote that he knew nothing definite about it. However that comment suggests that he did at least know something about it.
The Catholic Encyclopedia also explains that the feast has a double purpose.
First to give Our Lady a happy departure from earthly life and second to present the Assumption of Her body into heaven.
When Mary arrived at the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth and the two women greeted each other, the Bible tells us that the child (St John the Baptist) leapt in her womb and Elizabeth pronounced the words we have come to know as the Hail Mary (Blessed is the fruit of your womb).
Catholics believe that Mary is the Mother of God and so She will share eternity with The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit in Heaven and so Her Assumption took her to the Family which awaits us.
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23 August 2020: 21st Sunday of the Year (Cycle A)
Parishioners’ Gospel
Contributor: Tony Luis
Matthew 16: 13-20
Peter Declares that Jesus is the Messiah
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of man is?
What a difficult question to answer! Here was Jesus, a man in their eyes like no other. A teacher, a prophet, a miracle worker with super natural powers, a preacher, a friend and master. Jesus chooses Caesarea Philippi to ask the question. A territory where pagan gods were worshipped, a non-believing location not a safe territory. We as Christians today have to answer the same question on a continual basis. Who do YOU say I am? We also have to answer the question in a world sometimes hostile to Christianity that has caused many martyrs to lose their lives for affirming who the Messiah is.
The answer by some of the disciples is interesting and understandable. They say that people compare Jesus to the great prophets like John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Jesus then asks ‘But who do YOU say that I am?
Simon Peter answers directly and unhesitatingly,’ You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’. What a powerful declaration, something the disciples may have suspected for some time but were reluctant to openly declare. I think it was God that put those words into Peter’s mind and mouth. God’s actions were a product of Peter’s faith. The revelation that opened Peter’s eyes to see and his tongue to proclaim Jesus as ‘’the Christ, the Son of the living God’’ is a gift that we share too through Baptism. Peter took a big leap of faith when he answered Jesus’ question. We also are called upon to take a big leap of faith when we answer the same question today.
Jesus blesses Peter, telling him and others that it was his Father in heaven that revealed this to him. Then Jesus rewards Peter with the words ‘You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. These keys that Jesus promises Peter and the church must be used wisely and are designed to open the door of faith to the world. It is our duty to keep that door wide open to everyone not just the chosen few.
Then Jesus ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Why would Jesus say that having confirmed Peter’s belief and that of his other disciples? Jesus had a special sense of timing about his ministry. He did not think it was time to reveal his true identity to the world. He was well aware that his claim was volatile in nature, and it was the claim that ultimately led to his crucifixion.
However today, Jesus calls on each and every one of us to answer the question, ‘Who do you say that I am’? He is not interested in dispassionate, hypothetical views regarding his life and work. He wants us to tell everyone that he is the Messiah, the way, the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through him.
Parishioners’ Gospel
Contributor: Andrew Jones (RIP) (From Archives)
Luke 1:39-56
Having been told of Elizabeth’s pregnancy Mary went with haste to Elizabeth’s home in a Judean town in the hill country. It is not surprising that she travelled there quickly, for she must have been quite astonished by the words of the Angel Gabriel who revealed the news of both her own pregnancy and that of her relative Elizabeth. Indeed she may have been driven both by the stunning excitement of the moment and a humble realisation that unique history was being made and that she was playing an important and blessed role in its unveiling.
The Catholic Encyclopedia tells us that nothing certain is known about the Assumption before the 5th Century with the exception that there is an earlier reference in the Greek Orthodox Church. Indeed the scholar Epiphanius d 403 wrote that he knew nothing definite about it. However that comment suggests that he did at least know something about it.
The Catholic Encyclopedia also explains that the feast has a double purpose.
First to give Our Lady a happy departure from earthly life and second to present the Assumption of Her body into heaven.
When Mary arrived at the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth and the two women greeted each other, the Bible tells us that the child (St John the Baptist) leapt in her womb and Elizabeth pronounced the words we have come to know as the Hail Mary (Blessed is the fruit of your womb).
Catholics believe that Mary is the Mother of God and so She will share eternity with The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit in Heaven and so Her Assumption took her to the Family which awaits us.
***************************
23 August 2020: 21st Sunday of the Year (Cycle A)
Parishioners’ Gospel
Contributor: Tony Luis
Matthew 16: 13-20
Peter Declares that Jesus is the Messiah
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of man is?
What a difficult question to answer! Here was Jesus, a man in their eyes like no other. A teacher, a prophet, a miracle worker with super natural powers, a preacher, a friend and master. Jesus chooses Caesarea Philippi to ask the question. A territory where pagan gods were worshipped, a non-believing location not a safe territory. We as Christians today have to answer the same question on a continual basis. Who do YOU say I am? We also have to answer the question in a world sometimes hostile to Christianity that has caused many martyrs to lose their lives for affirming who the Messiah is.
The answer by some of the disciples is interesting and understandable. They say that people compare Jesus to the great prophets like John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Jesus then asks ‘But who do YOU say that I am?
Simon Peter answers directly and unhesitatingly,’ You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’. What a powerful declaration, something the disciples may have suspected for some time but were reluctant to openly declare. I think it was God that put those words into Peter’s mind and mouth. God’s actions were a product of Peter’s faith. The revelation that opened Peter’s eyes to see and his tongue to proclaim Jesus as ‘’the Christ, the Son of the living God’’ is a gift that we share too through Baptism. Peter took a big leap of faith when he answered Jesus’ question. We also are called upon to take a big leap of faith when we answer the same question today.
Jesus blesses Peter, telling him and others that it was his Father in heaven that revealed this to him. Then Jesus rewards Peter with the words ‘You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. These keys that Jesus promises Peter and the church must be used wisely and are designed to open the door of faith to the world. It is our duty to keep that door wide open to everyone not just the chosen few.
Then Jesus ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Why would Jesus say that having confirmed Peter’s belief and that of his other disciples? Jesus had a special sense of timing about his ministry. He did not think it was time to reveal his true identity to the world. He was well aware that his claim was volatile in nature, and it was the claim that ultimately led to his crucifixion.
However today, Jesus calls on each and every one of us to answer the question, ‘Who do you say that I am’? He is not interested in dispassionate, hypothetical views regarding his life and work. He wants us to tell everyone that he is the Messiah, the way, the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through him.