Saturday 27 November 2021

Stay awake!

 First Sunday of Advent Year C, 28th November 2021


Gospel Luke 21: 25–28, 34–36


Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; people dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’

‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living being on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’




Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach


After becoming still and aware of the Lord’s presence with me, I invite the Holy Spirit to guide me in my prayer. I then carefully read this very dramatic passage through several times. There is no rush: I can take as long as I like.

The words may give me a vivid image of the scene.

Perhaps I picture the Son of Man coming in a cloud in glory.

How would I feel to see this? ... Could I ‘stand erect and hold my head high’? Or would I feel trapped and unready?

Maybe I ponder the ‘cares of my life’ as I reflect over the past year, taking stock, noticing the highlights and low-lights. What am I most grateful for? Is there something that’s made me unhappy?

Is there anything I need to deal with before the year-end?

Perhaps there is something I’d like to leave behind ... or build on? What would I like to accomplish in the coming year?

‘The clamour of the ocean and its waves’ may remind me of recent natural disasters –  floods, tsunamis and rising oceans. I think of all those suffering throughout the world and entrust them to the Lord.

Is there any way, no mater how small, in which I can help?

With a sense of gratitude, I recall the Lord’s help in my own times of sorrow or distress and the strength I’ve been given, maybe through the support of a friend, or the kindness of a stranger.

As I slowly end with a prayer of my choice, I can rest with the Lord.


Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!

Monday 22 November 2021

I came into the world for this

 Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year B - 21st November 2021


Gospel John 18: 33–37


‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Pilate asked.

Jesus replied, ‘Do you say this of your own accord or have others spoken to you about me?’

Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’ Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.’

‘So you are a king then?’ said Pilate.

‘It is you who say it’, answered Jesus. ‘Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear testimony to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’





Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach


Before turning to the Gospel reading, I take a few moments to settle and notice how I am feeling. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me open my ears, my mind, and my heart, as I begin my prayer.

After reading the Gospel a number of times, I may like to put the text aside and enter the scene in my imagination. Perhaps I position myself in the corner of the room from where I can clearly see Jesus and Pilate.

What strikes me about their appearance, their words, the tone of their voice, their gestures?

Perhaps I am drawn to explore the exchange more deeply by being Pilate, and seeing Jesus through his eyes. What impact do Jesus’s words have on him? Does taking this perspective give me a different insight into Jesus the King – the one who came into the world ... to bear testimony to the truth?

I might then also want to imagine myself in Jesus’s place. What do I hear in his voice? What is he feeling as he faces the consequences of having come into the world for our sakes?

Maybe now I hear again Jesus’s words – perhaps speaking directly to me – 'You’ (add my name) ‘who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’

I take some time to reflect on what Jesus means by this.

In what ways do I live my life ‘on the side of truth’? Do I sometimes struggle to know what the truth is?

I take some time to speak to the Lord about what is in my heart and mind, as one friend to another.

Slowly bringing my time of prayer to a close, I ask the Lord to grant me the graces I need to help me live according to his truth.


Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!

Saturday 13 November 2021

Know that he is near

 Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B - 14th November 2021


Gospel Mark 13: 24–32



Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven.

‘Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that he is near, at the very gates. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

‘But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.’



Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach



I allow time to let my body lead my mind into stillness. It may help to listen to soothing music, or to focus my attention on a candle or favourite image.

However I choose to become settled before the Lord, I slowly read through the Gospel passage a couple of times when I am ready, to become more familiar with it.

Using my imagination, I picture Jesus sitting with his beloved disciples at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem just before the Passover festival period is about to begin.

What do I notice about Jesus and the disciples?

What is the mood of the gathering ...  and how do the disciples respond when they hear Jesus speaking to them in this way?

If I were there amongst them, what would I be feeling and thinking?

What words of Jesus remain with me?

Sitting with Jesus, I tell him why these particular words are so important to me. I then ask Jesus for the grace and courage to live my life centred on his Word.

I close my prayer by joining Jesus and the disciples in praying Our Father ...

Sunday 7 November 2021

Everything she possessed

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B - 7th November 2021


Gospel Mark 12: 38–44


In his teaching Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the people who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’



Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach


In preparation for my personal time with the Lord, I give myself the space and time to slow down. I remember how much God loves it when we seek him and desire him. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me be attentive to my Lord, and to hear his voice.

When ready, I read the text slowly, a number of times.

I may want to focus on Jesus’s revolutionary teaching in relation to the behaviour of the scribes. I ponder the implications for our own times. Am I attracted to his teaching, or challenged ... even shocked ... as Jesus opposes the status quo here?

How does Jesus want his followers – and me – to live in the world today?
I note what stirs in me. I speak to Jesus openly about what comes to my mind and heart.
Perhaps I am drawn to sit with Jesus as he watches people in the treasury. I ask him to help me notice what he notices ...

I hear him teach the disciples about a new way of seeing the world. What is his tone as he shares this extraordinary teaching?

I may imagine him speaking directly to me, telling me about his way. Whatever my response to the Gospel, I entrust my thoughts and feelings openly to the Lord. I beg that his life may deepen in me.

I allow myself to rest awhile in his loving presence.

I end my prayer slowly, giving thanks.

Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!

This is what he taught them

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