They watched him closely

 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C - 28th August 2022

Gospel Luke 10: 1, 7–14

On a Sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this person.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, they may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts themself will be humbled, and the one who humbles themself will be exalted.’

Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay 

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

Settling into stillness, I set aside anything that may be troubling me, entrusting it into God’s safe hands for now.

I read the Gospel slowly and carefully, pausing wherever I am drawn. Perhaps I picture Jesus seated at the table. I notice what’s going on, just as the Pharisees are watching Jesus. The guests, full of their own self- importance, are jostling for the places of honour.

What feelings or memories does this stir within me?

Have there been times when I’ve felt embarrassed or humiliated?

Have there been times when I’ve felt the need to gain the approval of others ... or am I able to be my authentic self, placing my trust in God?

I think with gratitude of times when I’ve been guided by others, and of those who’ve helped me.

I ponder Jesus looking upon me with love, noticing the course of my life.

I speak to him from my heart about any feelings or emotions that arise, and listen carefully to what he might be saying to me.

When ready, I end my prayer with a slow, prayerful sign of the cross, thanking Jesus for this time together.

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

Enter by the narrow door

 Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C - 21st August 2022

Gospel Luke 13: 22–30

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, “Sir, will there be only a few saved?” He said to them, “ Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and not succeed.

“Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ but he will answer, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will find yourself saying, ‘We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets,’ but he will reply, ‘I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked ones!’

“Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And those from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Gospel Reflection from  St Beuno's Outreach

I enter very gently into this time of prayer. As I read the text a few times, what am I noticing? What is drawing me? Am I struggling with anything? I pause to ponder why.

Like this Sunday's earlier reading, the theme here is of universality. Jesus is revealing a kingdom where status and assumptions are turned on their heads. The Father’s reign is one that is freely open to all, but not one that can be earned or claimed by any.

I ponder the priorities of the Lord. Who are the ones invited by God? Who does God open the door to, to gather in?

Do I feel part of this group?

I pause to talk with the Lord about this.

Then, am I open and invitational in response? As I look over my week, have there been occasions when I have felt excluded ... or excluded someone? What are (or who are) my priorities?

I remain with the Lord, getting to know him more deeply, hearing him say in return, ‘I do know you’.

I end with a slow sign of the cross.

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

Blessed is she who believed

 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Year C - 14th August 2022

Gospel Luke 1: 39–56

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

and my spirit exults in God my saviour;

because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.

Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,

for the Almighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name,

and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart.

He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.

He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors –

of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

The Visitation, Giotto di Bondone

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I take time in my preparations for prayer. I place before the Lord all the concerns that I have been carrying with me today.

Once I have settled myself for prayer, I slowly read through the Gospel passage as many times as I need.

I use my imagination to visualise Mary and Elizabeth greeting each other. What do I notice about their joyous meeting?

Can I recall a time when I have had a joyful encounter with a dear friend or family member?

Has there been a time in my own life when I have been anticipating a profound life-giving change?

When I recall those times, how do I feel?

How does God speak to me through such moments?

Perhaps I focus my prayer on Mary’s song of joy. I imagine praying these words with the young Mary. Which phrases bring me hope and joy today?

I share with the Lord how this time of prayer has touched me today, and close my prayer with my own words of thanks.

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

Where your treasure is, there will be your heart be also

 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C - 7th August 2022

Gospel Luke 12: 32–48 (part)

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart be also.

See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like those waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'

Where your treasure is, there will be your heart be...

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

As I settle into my place of prayer, I ask God to bless me ... to give me the grace to slow down and be attentive to him. I pray not to be distracted by my own fears and attachments, but to give all my attention to my Lord.

I read these teachings a couple of times. Perhaps I choose to sit with the disciples, listening to Jesus. Which phrases draw my attention ... my heart ... my imagination ...? I trust that the Lord will help me take from the scripture what he wants me to see.

Perhaps I am drawn today to Jesus’s gentle encouragement and his deep confidence in the Father’s gift of the kingdom?

Or maybe I consider his profound ‘life-questions’:

What is my ‘treasure’? What are the priorities of my own heart?

How ‘awake’ am I to the living presence of Christ?

I ponder on my life and its many gifts, speaking to Jesus about what has arisen in my prayer time. Without trying too hard, I sit with my Lord, trusting in the shared silence of our time together.

I give thanks for God’s endless generosity and mercy in my life, asking forgiveness for the times he finds me, his servant, asleep. Glory be ...

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