“one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

Just a few thoughts

·        Can it be said that part of the problems of the Church in certain parts of the world where Christians are falling away can be traced to our unwillingness to let go of old wineskins?

·        Jesus was talking about new wineskins 2000 years ago. Now 2000 years later, when life is lived in a vastly different context what would our new wineskins look like? Vatican II is our best pointer, isn’t it?

Reflection.

ü Prayers of the people: Encountering Jesus

ü Perfected Revelation - A Sunday Reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø  Who’s calling?

Musical Reflection

¯ Here I Am, Lord,” Michael Ward

¯ The Summons

Bits & Pieces

v  “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”– Charlie Chaplin

 

Come and see.

Reflection.

ü  What is God calling me to do, to be – NOW, today?

ü  God waits in silence for us to give our own muffled replies. Will it be to stay with Christ the teacher and to seek God’s mercy and his?

The Signs Of The Times

Here is a prayer from an organisation that takes note of the signs of the times as foreshadowed by Vatican II.

Grant us, O God,

A vision of your world as your love would have it:

A world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor.

A world where the riches of creation are honored and shared so everyone might enjoy them.

A world where different races, cultures and creeds live in peace and harmony, with equal regard.

A world where peace is built with justice and justice is guided by love

Give us the inspiration and courage to go forth with willing hearts, minds, and bodies to build such a world, through Christ Jesus.

And may the God of hope fill us with every comfort and joy in believing. May the peace of Christ abound in our hearts and minds. and may the Holy Spirit gift and guide us (making Sign of the Cross) now and forever.

AMEN.

Musical Reflection

¯ "Lead Me, Guide Me"

¯ The Peacemakers -  Healing light: a Celtic prayer

¯ Precious Lord, Take My Hand  --  Jim Reeves

Bits & Pieces

J “Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.”– Charles M. Schulz

 

“I did not come to call the virtuous but sinners.”

Just a few thoughts

·         An interesting Gospel story - One can well ask if those judging Jesus were not also sick and in need of healing themselves.

Reflection.

ü  Jesus is only interested in what people can be now and in the future.

The Signs Of The Times

Ø  A Hopeful Story   -  Fr Richard Rohr

Ø  What Is Love Asking Of Us Now?  -  Fr Ron Rolheiser

Musical Reflection

¯ We Belong to You

¯ Be Thou My Vision

Bits & Pieces

v  1851 -  George Fife Angas and John Howard Angas

 

Rise, take up your mat and walk

Just a few thoughts

·         The graphic today may puzzle some. Those of you who attended the 2020 Catholic Women’s League World Day Of Prayer will recall “Rise, take up your mat and walk” was the theme of the celebration that was focused on the nation of Zimbabwe.

Reflection.

ü  They don’t see because they do not want to see, because – even worse – they think they can see. (We meet Christians like that too, who are convinced they and they alone are in sole possession of the ‘truth’.)

The Signs Of The Times

Ø  A New Story  --  Fr Richard Rohr

Musical Reflection

¯ Here I Am, Lord  --  White Chapel UMC Choir

¯ Spirit And Grace  --  Ricky Manalo

Bits & Pieces

v  1842 - Australia’s first saint, Mary of the Cross was born in Fitzroy, Victoria.

v  1915 – John Dowie

 

He touched the leper!

Just a few thoughts

·         Sheila and I toured the spectacular scenery of the Fleurieu coast yesterday - the fabulous beaches and towering cliffs, the coves and caves, the golden hills and blue waters of the Reservoir. No wonder it is all so beautifully awe-inspiring when we found the prominent statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy overlooking it all from her Sellicks hills vantage point and learnt that her presence would bring “peace, harmony, prosperity and wealth to SA.”  Isn’t it wonderful how we can walk humbly and in awe with our God via such powerful expressions.

·         Photo

Reflection.

The Healing of the Leper gospel was told on January 8
Here is a reflection from a different source

The Signs Of The Times

Ø  The Baptism of the Lord and the watery grave  --  Fr Richard Leonard

Musical Reflection

¯ Here I Am, Lord (Schutte/Hayes) - Choir & Orchestra of St. Lillian

¯ Create In Me  -  a capella

Bits & Pieces

J “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.”– Billy Sunday

 

He went off to a lonely place and prayed there

Just a few thoughts

A nice day for a scenic drive down south…….

Reflection.

ü  Jesus needs time for himself to renew his spiritual energy and be in contact with his Father, and  has to think of the needs of other people as well.

The Signs Of The Times

Ø  Pope Francis: We need unity in the Catholic Church, society, and nations

Ø  Stories Are Essential  -  Fr Richard Rohr

Musical Reflection

¯ In Christ Alone - BYU Vocal Point

¯ The Living Years  -  The Isaacs

Bits & Pieces

v  “The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.”– Bertrand Russell

 

A new teaching—with authority!

·         For the last few years Catholics in Australia have been preparing for Plenary Council.
Lay catholics have been encouraged to provide input into the preparatory stages of the Council.
There will be lay catholics taking part on our behalf at the actual Plenary Council, although decisions will be made by the bishops.
Many parishes have organised gatherings to learn more about the Plenary Council and how it works.
Not in our parish it seems.

·         Pope Francis has called for a Synod in 2022.
Pope Francis has repeatedly said he wants us to be a "synodal" church, where the faithful walk together side by side with the priest and bishops.
The Synod of Bishops in October 2022, has the theme, “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”.
Let us pray Pope Francis will succeed in making it a Synod of all the faithful.

A synod we would like to see.

Reflection.

ü  “Sometimes preachers disable people, by a habit of denunciation, by forever enjoining obedience, quoting rules.... But listen to Jesus preaching. And also look. See what happens when he comes near people.”
One of the most learned homolist our parish has had the privilege of hearing was Mgr Denis Edwards.
His homilies were powerful, but lasted less than 10 minutes. Inspirational and affirmative reflections about personal transformation into service and love.

Musical Reflection

¯ In Christ Alone - Celtic Worship

¯ Yesterday’s video clip from Barcelona led me to another one organised by the same “la Caixa” Foundation Participatory Concerts using choirs of amateur singers. What a lively performance of the Halleluiah Chorus

Bits & Pieces

v  "Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become."  --  -- Barbara Geraci