Rich in the sight of God

 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C - 31st July 2022

Gospel Luke 12: 13–21

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance. ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or arbiter of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a person’s life is not made secure by what they own, even when they have more than they need.’

Then he told them a parable: ‘There once was a rich man who having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I will do; I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?’ So it is when a person stores up treasure for themselves in place of making themselves rich in the sight of God.’

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I settle myself ... perhaps in front of a candle or a cross. I may repeat a favourite phrase, or close my eyes. ‘What will you show me today, Lord?’

I read the passage from Luke’s Gospel. It may be familiar, yet I try to approach it as if for the first  me. What strikes me? Maybe there is a phrase I have not ‘heard’ before.

A man is asking Jesus to settle a dispute within his family. I pause. Can I see parallels between this situation and my own?

Have I ever asked the Lord to take sides in a conflict around me?

I speak to the Lord, honestly, telling him what is in my heart. I listen. Perhaps I am drawn to reflect on the parable that follows.

How much does wealth matter to me?

What are my own riches, material and spiritual?

How much do I share them with others?

I consider how everything – wealth or poverty, success or failure – has the potential to lead me to respond more fully to God’s love for me.

If it feels right, I ask for the grace to lead a life which will make me rich in the sight of God.

When I am ready, I go forward ‘In the name of the Father ...’

Click here to read or listen to a One-Minute Homily on today's Gospel from the Jesuit Post

Lord, teach us to pray

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C - 24th July 2022 

Gospel Luke 11: 1–13

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:

“Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come; give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.”

He also said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to them in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on their travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer them”; and the owner answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed;

I cannot get up to give it to you.” I tell you, if the owner does not get up and give it to the friend for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make them get up and give the friend all they want.

‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to them. What father among you would hand his child a stone when they asked for bread? Or hand them a snake instead of a fish? Or hand them a scorpion if they asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I come to the place where I will pray, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide me as I become aware of God’s gaze on me – loving me just as I am.

As I read slowly through the Gospel, it may help to imagine myself with the disciples, listening to Jesus as he responds to their question.

Is there a word or phrase which Jesus particularly wants me to notice?

I return to that place in the text and savour it.

I read the text again. In what ways have my prayers been answered? Has my persistence been rewarded? Have I found what I am seeking?

I speak to the Lord about this, aware, perhaps, that my prayers have always been answered, but maybe not as I wanted or expected. I tell the Lord how this feels, and ask him to explain if I struggle to understand.

As my prayer time draws to a close, I return to Jesus’s own words and pray,

Our Father ...

Click here to read or listen to a One-Minute Homily on today's Gospel from The Jesuit Post

Few things are needed, indeed only one

 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C - 17th July 2022

Gospel Luke 10: 38–42

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha, who was distracted with all the serving, said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said, ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

As I settle to pray, I relax my body and my mind so that I can be attentive to the presence of God in me and all around me.

I breathe in God’s love and life and ask the Spirit to pray within me.

I consider this familiar story. I imagine the scene. How does Jesus seem to be? Is he relaxed or anxious?

I then look at the sisters. With which one do I appear, at first, to identify? Why is that?

I talk to the Lord about this. Do I feel any change in my attitude now? If so, in what way?

How do I respond to the second sister? I speak to the Lord about this too.

As I consider the scene, what do I make of Jesus’s words? What for me is ‘the better part’? I spend some time pondering this.

What do I treasure, and wish not to be taken from me in my relationship with the Lord? I speak to him from my heart.

I think about hospitality. Jesus is my guest. Do I think he wants frenetic service? What does he really want from me?

I move to think of others. How do I welcome them? Do I listen attentively?

I sit silently at Jesus’s feet. Maybe he has something to say to me.

I end my prayer asking the Lord to help me see him today in all those I meet.

Glory be ...

Click here to read or listen to a One-Minute Homily on today's Gospel from the Jesuit Post

Who is my neighbour?

 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C - 10th July 2022

Gospel Luke 10: 25–37

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right’, said Jesus. ‘Do this and life is yours.’

But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus,

‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ’ A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him.

He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them.

He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have’. ‘Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands’ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him,’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

Christ as the Good Samaritan, Dmitry Shkolnik

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I move slowly into this time of prayer. This text is very familiar but there may be a word or phrase that is speaking to me differently just now. I take my time, pausing often.

In time, I might like to ask myself these questions. I ponder them very slowly, pausing to speak to the Lord honestly about anything that is arising.

He who first spoke this parable is with me now.

Who is my neighbour? Is it easier to ‘serve’ those who are far away than those who are much nearer?

Have there been situations or occasions when I have sought to ‘justify myself’? How do I serve without bias or prejudice?

Can I recall times when I have felt in the care of a good Samaritan?

In what ways have I been a good Samaritan to another?

I stay in the company of the One who is, and forever will be, a Good Samaritan to me. When ready, I end with a slow sign of the cross.

Click here to read or listen to a One-Minute Homily from The Jesuit Post

The Kingdom of God is very near you

Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C - 3rd July 2022

 Gospel: Luke 10: 1–12.17–20 (part)

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if someone of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on them; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves their wages; do not move from house to house, and eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, ‘The Kingdom of God is very near you.’

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I help my mind to prepare for prayer by slowing down and settling my body first. I focus my attention on my breathing, following each in and out breath.

When I am stilled enough for prayer, I read the Gospel passage a few times until I become familiar with it. I use my imagination to picture Jesus sending out the seventy-two and giving them his guidance.

What do the followers look like?

I wonder if is there a tone of urgency ... calm confidence ... compassion ... or perhaps something else in how Jesus speaks to his followers?

What am I drawn to in the words of Jesus?

Perhaps I imagine that Jesus comes to my faith community and meets with me and my fellow followers. He is preparing and encouraging us, and wants us to go before him into the streets, neighbourhoods and areas that are familiar to us.

Jesus sends me and his followers out with nothing but ourselves. Why? Do I feel ready to accept his call?

How do I feel about this mission he is giving to me?

I share with Jesus my fears and hopes, asking for whatever I need to be able to set out before him. I listen to what Jesus says to me.

I close my prayer by imagining praying the Our Father with Jesus by my side.