This text is being fulfilled today

 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - 30th January 2022

Gospel Luke 4: 21–30

Jesus began to speak to them in the synagogue, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son surely?’ But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’ And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.

‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these; he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’

When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

As I come to pray, I try to put all other concerns to one side for this moment. Reminding myself of God’s presence in and around me, I breathe in his life and love. I ask him to be with me in a special way during this time of prayer.

When I'm ready, I slowly read the text a couple of  mes.

I imagine the scene, Jesus standing in the synagogue and then sitting to teach. The people were approving of him, proud of this local young man.

But he challenges them quite abruptly.

How do I react? Can I see myself being shaken out of my complacency? How or when has something similar happened to me?

I ponder this and speak to the Lord.

Whom do I consider, even unconsciously, as outsiders? I pray for them, for my community, for all the global suffering around differences of religion, ethnicity ... I pray we will not allow Jesus to slip away.

I end my prayer with a slow Glory be ...

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The spirit of the Lord has been given to me

 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sunday of the Word of God) Year C - 23rd January 2022

Gospel Luke 1: 1–4; 4: 14–21 (part)

Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.

He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read, and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’

https://www.freebibleimages.org/photos/jesus-nazareth/

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

Having first allowed myself space to slow down and settle, I ask for the grace to have new light shed on this familiar Gospel passage.

I read the words slowly. Perhaps I imagine being a member of the congregation in the synagogue at Nazara.

What would it be like to hear this young man, who has returned to his home community, speak and teach with such con dence and wisdom?

How do I imagine the elders respond to him?

How do I respond to hearing him?

What is it about Jesus that fulfils the words of the Prophet?

If a young person came into my faith community today and behaved in the same way, how would we welcome them?

Do I and my faith community embody these values of the Good News?

With honesty, I share my thoughts and feelings with Jesus and ask for whatever I need to remain a faithful follower of his Way.

I finish my prayer by making a prayerful sign of the cross.

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

Do whatever he tells you

 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - 16th Year C January 2022

Gospel John 2: 1–11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine’. Jesus said, ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews. Each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water,’ and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’, he told them, ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’

This was the first of the signs given by Jesus; it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

As I come to pray, I try to find a measure of stillness in whatever way is best for me.

When I am ready, I read the gospel story, perhaps several times, until I am familiar with the words and phrases.

Putting aside the text, I try to place myself in the scene. I may like to sit with Jesus as he enjoys the crowded wedding party, hearing the sound of joyful voices, smelling and tasting the wonderful food and drink on offer, seeing the happiness of the wedding couple.

What is it like to sit with Jesus at the feast?

I notice my thoughts and feelings. What would I want to say or to ask him? I take time to listen to what he may say to me.

Then I listen to the conversation as Mary speaks with Jesus. What do I notice now? I stay with Jesus, watching as he instructs the servants. Maybe I speak with the Lord about what he is doing and why.

I imagine Mary as she turns to me. ‘Do whatever he tells you’, she says. What is Jesus asking of me today? What grace or help will I need? After a time, I end my prayer, expressing gratitude to God.

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

You are my Son, the Beloved

 The Baptism of the Lord - 9th January 2022, Year C

Gospel Luke 3: 15–16, 21–22

A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’

 Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’. 

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I prepare for this time with the Lord, as I always do, by becoming still, aware of God’s presence in everything around me. I invite the Holy Spirit to help me settle into my prayer.

I read and re-read this short passage prayerfully, pausing at any word or phrase that draws my attention.

It may help to place myself in the scene, watching what is happening. Who are all those crowding on the banks of the river … ordinary people, families, shepherds, soldiers, Pharisees, tax collectors …?

I notice those jostling to get closer ... the tone of John’s voice as he speaks to them. I see the expressions on their faces. I watch John baptise all the people, Jesus among them.

Perhaps I find myself beside Jesus as he prays afterwards.

As the Holy Spirit descends, the Father speaks. What do these words mean to Jesus ...? to me ...?

I might be drawn to repeat them, inserting my own name: ‘You are my Child, [my name], the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’

I share what is in my heart with Jesus. Perhaps I ask him to help me pray for a greater understanding of what the Holy Spirit is offering me, and asking of me.

I sit in silence for a while, resting under God’s tender gaze, aware of and grateful for his unconditional love for me.

In time, I gently bring my prayer to an end. I may use the words of St Richard of Chichester, asking for the help of the Holy Spirit to see the Lord more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly, day by day.

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

They offered him gifts

The Epiphany of the Lord - 6 January

Gospel Matthew 2: 1–12 (abridged)

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. 

The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

William Morris: The Adoration of the Magi

Gospel reflection from St Beuno's Outreach (adapted)

Settling down to pray today, I might want to revisit the blessings this season has brought me. Perhaps there have been challenging times too?

I thank the Lord for his presence beside me throughout.

When I am ready, I read the Gospel slowly, a couple of times.

If it helps, I may want to put myself in the place where the star halted, and watch and listen as the scene unfolds.

What do I notice as the wise men offer their gifts to the infant Jesus? Gold for the king; frankincense for the Son of God; and myrrh foretelling the sacrifice he will make for our salvation. 

As the wise men kneel before him, I make my own homage in whatever way I am drawn. I might like to use these words by Christina Rossetti: 

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

In time, I gently bring my prayer to a close, asking the Lord’s blessings for the year ahead, and for an ever deeper awareness of his life in me.