‘I am the handmaid of the Lord’

 Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B - 20th December 2020

Gospel Luke 1: 26–38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid: you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you,’ the angel answered, ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary, ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

Amidst the busyness of these last few days before Christmas, I find some precious time in a comfortable place to spend with the Lord. I become still and slowly settle into prayer. I note how I am feeling. Is there anything in particular I am bringing with me into my prayer today..? Fears, joys, anxieties, consolations..?

I entrust any concerns to the Lord for now, so that I can focus my attention on this time with him. Maybe I sense the warmth of his loving gaze, and his delight in my desire to spend time with him.

In time, I read this familiar Gospel prayerfully, pausing wherever I feel drawn. Perhaps I place myself in the scene, noticing what Mary is doing in her house ... the expression on her face and eyes as she sees the angel.

Gabriel’s first word is ‘Rejoice’. I ponder those things that bring me joy, or the ways in which I am, or have been, a joy to others.

What comes to mind as I hear the words ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour’? I bring to the Lord any fears or doubts troubling me, or any grace I feel I need. I speak freely from my heart.

Maybe I hear Gabriel giving God’s message to me now. How would I like to respond?

I may choose to stay with Mary and speak with her about her inner strength and trust in God. Or perhaps I talk to Jesus, asking him for the grace of Mary’s courage and faith, so that I may respond even more deeply to his call.

With a deep sense of gratitude, I end my prayer with ‘Glory be ...’

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A voice that cries in the wilderness

 Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday - Year B, 13th December 2020

Gospel John 1: 6–8.19–28

A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light.

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’, he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked, ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’, he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesised: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’

Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him. ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal strap’. This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

It may help me to prepare to pray by focusing my attention on some image that speaks to me of Advent: perhaps an Advent wreath or candle, or an Advent carol or some other music that speaks to me of watching ...

     of longing ... of waiting.

I take time to settle my mind and body in whichever way suits me best.

I gently notice the distractions of my thoughts, and with compassion place them before God.

I wait ... in silence ... and in stillness.Once I feel settled and prepared to pray with the Gospel, I read it slowly and prayerfully.

The text has two parts. The first paragraph is a short theological introduction; the rest is more descriptive. It may help my time of prayer to pause, and then focus on each part separately.

In the first part, what do I notice about the way the Evangelist introduces John the Baptist?

In the second part, I may like to use my imagination to put myself in the scene on the banks of the river Jordan. What do I notice about John, and about the devout Jewish leaders who come to question him?

What seems to be their intention towards him, and what is John’s intention towards them?

What is John trying to teach them..? and what might this scripture be teaching me about Christ?

I share with the Lord whatever is in my heart, as with a dear and trusted friend. I close my prayer with a slow sign of the cross.

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The beginning of the Good News

 Second Sunday of Advent Year B - 6th December 2020

Gospel Mark 1: 1–11

The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:

Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;

he will prepare your way.

A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

And so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

All Judea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him,

and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, ‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I enter into prayer slowly, humbly aware that God desires my company right now. I ask that his living Spirit might pray in me, with me, through me.

I read the text with a receptive mind and spirit.

What do I notice ...? What draws my attention ...?

Maybe I sense Jesus’s presence beside me. I ask how scripture spoke to him as he grew in understanding of his calling, perhaps experiencing confusion and uncertainty himself.

I allow Jesus to share his very self, and speak intimately to my inner being. In this time of Advent, perhaps I, too, am drawn to make my way into a ‘wilderness’ to prepare to receive the Lord ...

I beg for God’s help to create a time of quiet preparation to receive the Holy Spirit anew ... asking the Lord to bring to my attention any fears, hurts, or the need for a changed heart. Whatever arises, I take care not to judge harshly, but allow God’s infinite, healing mercy to wash over and through me.

I share with my loving Lord whatever has arisen. I acknowledge and give thanks for my own worth in God’s eyes ... aware that I am his beloved child.

I ask for the grace I need to be a messenger of the Good News in my life.

Glory be ...

Stay awake

 First Sunday of Advent Year B - 29th November 2020

Gospel Mark 13: 33–37

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!’

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I come to my place of prayer. Perhaps I light a candle.

I take the time to relax my body and still my mind. I breathe gently, slowly becoming aware of being held in God’s presence.

I remain silent in his love for some time.

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

I reflect on what ‘the time’ means for me.

A time of grace ... of awareness of God working in my life ...

of reconciliation ... of an important insight ... of the unexpected ...? Or a time of something more momentous?

I ponder the occasions, people, events that have struck me this week. Perhaps I can give thanks for being aware of God’s presence there.

I consider the little parable and the role of the doorkeeper. How easy is it to stay attentive?

How do I cope with waiting, especially with delays and false alerts? In what way is my waiting a prayer in itself?

Maybe I pray to remain faithful and responsible. As doorkeeper, I open the door of my heart to the Lord.

In what ways can I encourage others to do likewise?

We wait together. I speak to the Lord of what this means in my life.

In my prayer perhaps I can watch with all those who wait in our world, enduring oppression of all kinds, those who struggle to work for solidarity and reconciliation.

Advent is a time of hope – the Lord will come. I end my prayer asking the Lord to deepen my faith and enable my hope to grow.

Our Father...

When did we see you?

 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Year A - 22nd November 2020

Gospel Matthew 25:31–46 (shortened)

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory ... he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats ...

‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these of mine, you did it to me.”

‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you ... and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.” ‘And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.’

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I begin by asking the Holy Spirit to help me reach the heart of this challenging gospel. I read it slowly and gently, remembering that the Son of Man (and King) is the one and same true shepherd.

I can trust his call, guidance, teaching and his judgements.

What is stirring within as I read? If I am feeling any fear or unease, I could ponder where this might be coming from. Or maybe, I am remembering times when I have received help, or been of help? I stay with these memories.

In the First Reading, Jesus, the true shepherd, has kept me within his gaze. Here, Christ the King desires to invite me to the feast.

How can I respond to this invitation in the here and now?

I ask to see, ever more keenly, Christ present to me in all circumstances. Perhaps I feel drawn to stay with Christ for a few moments, who appears to me both in glory and power ... but also, as one who is vulnerable and in need. When ready, I end with the sign of the cross.

NB - See the new page, "Going to Mass Online" above.

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Well done, good and faithful servant!

 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 15th November 2020

Gospel Matthew 25: 14–21 (abridged)

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third, one; each in proportion to their ability. Then he set out.

‘The one who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The one who had received two made two more in the same way. But the servant who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

‘Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more, saying. “Sir, you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.” The master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”’

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

After coming to some inner quiet in the way that works best for me, I read the shortened version of this well known parable several times. I may want to read the full version in my missal or bible at a later time.

What strikes me as I read the text? Perhaps there’s a phrase I haven’t ‘heard’ before? I stay with it for a few moments ...

I may want to consider my own ‘talents’. I notice that everyone has been given at least one talent. Can I name mine?

What have I done with my talents? ... What do I do with them? ... What will I do?

In what ways have others been affected as I use them? I ponder, and tell the Lord how I feel.

I listen to the Lord calling me his good and faithful servant, giving me his trust, and inviting me to share in his happiness.

How do I want to respond? With gratitude, disbelief, yearning ...?

In time, I slowly conclude my prayer: Glory be to the Father ...

Stay awake!

 Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 8th November 2020

Gospel Matthew 25: 1–13

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible; the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘The bridegroom is here!

Go out and meet him.’ At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.’ But they replied, ‘There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and get some for yourselves.’ They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us.’ But he replied. ‘I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.’ So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.”

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

This week, I ponder this parable. It may take several days to explore the richness of Jesus’s words. In whatever way I am drawn to pray, I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me.

I may like to picture myself as one of the bridesmaids, or perhaps as someone waiting with them. Noticing what happens as the story unfolds, allowing myself to be drawn into the events, I share my thoughts and feelings with the Lord as I am moved.

What does it mean for me to wait?

Am I patient and prepared for whatever may happen?

Or am I anxious, tending to give up, or to try to sort everything out in my own way? I talk with the Lord about these moments in my life.

What has the Lord to say to me?

What happens when I hear the cry, ‘The bridegroom is here!’?

I may visualise the joy, the agitation, the different reactions of the girls.

Am I ready to meet the Lord as he comes to me in my life?

Again, I speak with the Lord from my heart and listen to what he says to me.

I end my time of prayer asking the Lord for whatever grace I need. I thank him. Glory be ...

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