Fr. Raymond Sunday 10th, Homily

Reception 3 p.m.
Raymond at crossword

Gospel   John 15:9-17

 

Sun 6 Easter 2015
Fr. Raymond Homily

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you." Then he launches into an all embracing description of love. His description covers not only love as found among men, love as the world knows it, but also that love which is the source and the origin of all love: the love that is the inner life of the blessed Trinity itself; This is as much as to say that "The Love that binds the Blessed Trinity itself together is the blueprint for all created love, whether it is found among men or even among angels. There is no other source or fountain of true love. There is no other way we can genuinely love other than as the Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father.
We are made in God’s image and likeness.

The next point Jesus makes is to say that love and joy go together, where one

is loved and knows oneself to be loved, then although the whole world may collapse around us, we will still be at peace deep within ourselves, because the very groundwork of our existence, the sense of our self worth is assured for us. "My joy will be in you" He says.

But then comes another aspect of the picture of love: Jesus teaches us the essential altruism of love. "A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends" he says. Love gives and doesn't count the cost, and who was to be a greater example of this than himself on Calvary? "And it is you who are my friends" He says. I will not call you servants any more. You are my friends.

Jesus then defines this friendship in terms of the intimate knowledge and sharing that true friends have with each other. And again he compares this knowledge with the mutual knowledge that exists between himself and his heavenly Father. "I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father" he says. The mind boggles and the heart misses a beat at the import of these words: "I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father". They underline and confirm for us those other 'unbelievable' words of St John: "We will be like Him for we shall see Him as he is."

Subject: 2 Thur of Yr All pressed around Jesus

Mass NT:   

Fw: 2 Thur of Yr All pressed around Jesus

 

Sancta Maria Abbey: http://www.nunraw.com.uk (Website)  
Blogspot :http://www.nunraw.blogspot.co.uk |

domdonald.org.uk 

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Nivard  ...
Sent: Thursday, 22 January 2015, 11:38
Subject: 2 Thur of Yr All pressed around Jesus

www.dailyscripture.net, adapted Copyright author Don Schwager © 2015 Servants of the Word

2 Thur Jan 22 2015): Scripture: Mark 3:7-12 

All pressed upon Jesus

   Is there anything holding you back from giving yourself to God without fear or reservation?

   Jesus offered freedom to everyone who sought him out.

   Wherever Jesus went, the people came to him because they had heard about all the wonderful deeds and miracles that he performed.

   They were hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions.    

   In faith, they pressed upon Jesus to touch him.

   As they did so, power came from Jesus and they were healed.

   Let us seek to lay hold of Jesus' presence in our life that he may touch and heal each and every one of us.

 

   Father, Inflame our hearts with a burning love for you and with an expectant faith in your saving power, through Christ our Lord.

 

Finnish Catholics and Lutherans visit Vatican A delegation of Catholics and Lutherans visited Rome today, Feast of St Henry patron saint of Finland,  during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In his address to the Finnish delegates, Pope Francis applauded the progress achieved in ecumenical dialogue between the two Churches over the last thirty years and said: “a shared Christian witness is very much needed in the face of the mistrust, insecurity, persecution, pain and suffering experienced so widely in today’s world.”

The Guardian Angels 2 October

Falling Leaves 

Mass NT,
Presiding: Fr. Nivard 

Guardian Angels                                              

On Thursday, 2 October 2014, 10:30, 

Nivard ...> wrote:

www.dailyscripture.net, adapted Copyright © 2014 Servants of the Word

Thu Oct 2: Matthew 18:1-5, 

10  (alt reading: Luke 9:51-56)

"Their angels behold the Father in heaven"

  Why does Jesus warn his disciples to "not despise the little ones?"

   God dwells with the lowly and regards them with compassion.

   His angels watch over them as guardians.

   "For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11).    

   God has not left us alone in our struggle "to refuse evil and to choose good" (Isaiah 7:15).

   The angels are His "ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation" (Hebrews 1:14).

  

Father in heaven, you are our refuge and strength. May we always know your guiding hand and the help of your angels in protecting us from all that is evil. Give us strength of will and courage to refuse what is evil and to choose what is good, through Christ our Lord.

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Feast of the Guardian Angels

Thursday, October 2, 2014

| Feast Day: Thursday, October 2, 2014

Perhaps no aspect of Catholic piety is as comforting to parents as the belief that an angel protects their little ones from dangers real and imagined. Yet guardian angels are not only for children. Their role is to represent individuals before God, to watch over them always, to aid their prayer and to present their souls to God at death.

The concept of an angel assigned to guide and nurture each human being is a development of Catholic doctrine and piety based on Scripture but not directly drawn from it. Jesus' words in Matthew 18:10 best support the belief: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father."

Devotion to the angels began to develop with the birth of the monastic tradition. St. Benedict gave it impetus and Bernard of Clairvaux, the great 12th-century reformer, was such an eloquent spokesman for the guardian angels that angelic devotion assumed its current form in his day.

A feast in honor of the guardian angels was first observed in the 16th century. In 1615, Pope Paul V added it to the Roman calendar.

Comment: 

Devotion to the angels is, at base, an expression of faith in God's enduring love and providential care extended to each person day in and day out until life's end.

Quote: 

"May the angels lead you into paradise;

may the martyrs come to welcome you

and take you to the holy city,

the new and eternal Jerusalem." (Rite for Christian Burial)

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St Vincent de Paul 27 September

San_Vincenzo_de_Paoli_V

Mass NT,
Fr. Nivard, presiding
[Fr. Nivard more frequent celebrant, with the Abbot attending to the General Chapter at Assisi].

 Fw: St Vincent de Paul

Sancta Maria Abbey: http://www.nunraw.com.uk (Website)  Blogspot :http://www.nunraw.blogspot.co.uk, domdonald.org.uk 

On Saturday, 27 September 2014, 

Nivard > wrote:  

www.dailyscripture.net, adapted Copyright © 2014 Servants of the Word

25 Sat 27 Sept 2014 

Lk 9 43b-45 Astonished at God’s majesty

They were astonished at the majesty of God ...

 

  Do you know the majesty of God?

 

 When we ascribe majesty to someone, we acknowledge great-nests in that person. We voice our respect for it.

 

  The miracles of Jesus revealed the awesome power and majesty of God.    

 

  They show his love and blessing - especially towards the lowly and humble of heart.

   St Vincent de Paul was a faithful  disciple of Jesus. He spent his life helping the poor both spiritually and temporarily.  

 

 Father in heaven, May we never fail to see your glory and victory in the cross, through Christ our Lord.

'Spark' from Gabrielle Bossis: Jesus said, 

"Place your soul, silent and still, before my loving gaze, I repair". 

St. Vincent de Paul, A Person of the 17th Century ... - YouTube

► 6:45► 6:45

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrwez_neJT4

16 Jan 2012 - Uploaded by Mission and Values DePaul University

Rev. Edward Udovic, C.M. Sr. Executive for University Mission at DePaul University, reads his short essay on the ...

20th September The Martyrs of Korea

Community Mass: Fr. Nivard

Fw: 24th Sat. Korean Martyrs, Good seed

 

Sancta Maria Abbey: http://www.nunraw.com.uk (Website)   Blogspot :http://www.nunraw.blogspot.co.uk    domdonald.org.uk 

On Saturday, 20 September 2014, 11:12, Nivard McGlynn <nivardmcglynn@yahoo.com> wrote:

                                              www.dailyscripture.net, adapted Copyright © 2014 Servants of the Word

24 Sat 20 Sept 2014 Lk 8 4-15 Harvest through perseverance ...

 

   Jesus compares the third type of hearer with the good soil that is ready to receive the seed of his word so it can take root and grow, and produce good fruit.

   A receptive heart and open mind are always ready to hear what God wants to teach us through his word.  

 

   The "ears of their heart" and the "eyes of their mind" search out the meaning of God's word for them so that it may grow and produce good fruit in their lives.

   They hear with a listening ear and teachable spirit (Isaiah 50:4-5) that wants to learn and understand the intention of God's word for them.    

  

    Father in heaven, Open our eyes to your deeds, and our ears to the sound of your call. May we understand your will for our lives and live accordingly through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Saint of the day: 20th September  (ICN weekend)

Santi_Martiri_Coreani-
Andrea_Kim_Taegon_Paolo_Chong_Hasang
_e_compagni-C

The Martyrs of Korea

Christianity first came to Korea through books, sent from China. The first Koreans were baptised in Peking in 1784. Ten years later, a Chinese priest visiting Korea found 4,000 Christians. He stayed with them until he was killed in 1801. For the next 30 years, the community did not have a priest.

In 1837, Pope Pius VII sent Bishop Laurence Imbert with two priests from the Paris Missionary Society to China. Christianity was punishable by death at that time, so they worked in secrecy and lived in incredibly poor conditions. But the growing numbers of Christians could not remain hidden forever. Violent persecutions began and the three priests allowed themselves to be arrested to avert a riot. They were beheaded at Seoul on 21 September 1839. Later 78 Koreans were martyred.

In 1846 the first Korean priest, Andrew Kim, died for his faith. The entire group was canonised in 1984.

     

Matthew 25: 14-30 ...' you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness. ...'

  Email:

Saturday, 30 August 2014  

Saturday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary TimeHoly Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25:14-30.Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 

Fw: faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness

Sancta Maria Abbey: http://www.nunraw.com.uk (Website)    
Blogspot :http://www.nunraw.blogspot.co.uk |

domdonald.org.uk 

On Saturday, 30 August 2014, 14:44, 

William ...> wrote:

Dear Father Donald,

I delight in your reply, thank you!

George is the answer to the conundrum... responding to the grace afforded to him, to develop his talents for the furtherance of his living in correspondence with his charitable vocation. 

I sometimes puzzle over how it is that contradictions challenge me so! Perhaps, like St Matthew, I spent too long in the world of commerce with its worldly ambition?

Happy now, thank you! Talent is not just openness to Grace, but its responsiveness. Hans von Balthasar looks to the mind of God in His gifts, not our strengths or weaknesses. 

William

----Original message----
From : nunrawdonald...
Date : 30/08/2014 - 13:30 (GMTDT)
To : william..........
Cc : .........
Subject : faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness

 The parable of the talents

On Saturday, 30 August 2014, 7:20, William ...> wrote:

Dear Fathers,

I again feel troubled by the presentation of today's Gospel parable in Matthew, where Talents are said to be apportioned "according to each person's ability".

On the BBC news yesterday there was discussion of the 'findings' of a review into career opportunities relating to background, claiming that the top positions in society mostly seem to fall to those with privileged backgrounds.

: the Eton boy, then, given five talents, could be expected to make (at least!) five more: his father works in the city as a banker.

: the Grammar school boy, given two talents, would be expected to do well too: his father is a doctor / other professional.

: the less well educated boy, whose father is a miner / shop worker - unless born to caring parents - would nervously guard such wealth entrusted to him.

Perhaps it is that Matthew's account is coloured by his 'worldly' experience with finance as a tax collector?

Peter, the humblest of fishermen, helps me to restate the parable, for he rose to the most influential position of all time!

And then, there are the exceptional use of talents given to loving mothers, carers, humble pastors.. those whose ambition is not of 'worldly' attainment.

A talent surely represents one's openness to grace... not 'according to each person's [worldly] ability'.

If one of the Community gives a homily on this parable, I would delight in reading it!

Just a 'backroom' boy,

William.    

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COMMENT: from Donald

We have been pondering the paradox/contradiction this morning. George and Fr. Raymond in the Reception were thinking. They both help in the tearoom. Later they went to help George in fixing the organ. While there I mentioned the George is professional employed in the University technical trainings, full-time! Does the Lord criticise him for the security of his job, his talent, blame him for that.

The comment came to mind, it is obvious that George is here at weekends helping us at the monastery; he has so many our charitable tasks.

What the conclusion.

In the same MAGNIFICAT monthly has this Meditation by HANS URS VON BALTHASAR queries the obvous contradiction.

How is my addled brain to match Hans and William (Comment), after my siesta?

God love.

Donald

++++++++++++

Matthew 25: 14-30

... you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness. ...'

MEDITATION OF THE DAY Magnificat.com

The Parable of the Talents

In the parable, the man who received only talent failed to catch sight of the unity of gift and could not see the gift's mercy, only its requirem he then found himself trapped in obvious contradiction.

When called to account, he confessed, "I you are a stern man: you reap where you do not sow, and gather where you have not scattered," and because I was afraid, I buried the money in the earth. Here. You can have it back again." One might think that he would have worked with all his might to please such a stern master, but no, he "was afraid". He received his existence under his cloud of anxiety–a paralysing fear–and accomplished something that corresponded to the meaning with which he received the gift. What he buried was the sense for gift and fruitfulness, and thus the gift itself became meaningless to him. He does not return the gift with the fruitfulness it possesses; rather, he throws it back at the giver like Judas threw down the silver pieces in the temple, since neither he nor the high priest had any more use for them (Mt 27:5).

The "lazy servant" is deprived of what he had without depriving it of any value, and it is given to the one who recognises the essence of gift. "From him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away" (Mt 25:29) means that whoever fails to recognise in the "God who has gone away" the one who is present in his gift, de­spite his ability to do so (as his self-contradictory words make clear), considers the existence "he has" to be so worthless that he no longer possesses anything in the existence he has.

FATHER HANS URS VON BALTHASAR Father von Balthasar (+ 1988) was an eminent Swiss Catholic theologian and co-founder of a religious community. His extensive writings were an important influence on Saint John Paul 1/.

PS. It was the end of bother finding Fr. Raymond's PASSWORD to his Mobile phone. Eventually we succeeded in the forge of the Computer Room. D.G. 

££££££££££££££££££££   http://spreadjesus.org/meditation-on-accountabilitymatthew-2514-30.html#.VAIoSvldV8F 

The Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist,
Caravaggio (London)

Mass Introduction.

Fr. Nivard

Sancta Maria Abbey: http://www.nunraw.com.uk (Website)  
Blogspot :http://www.nunraw.blogspot.co.uk |

domdonald.org.uk 

On Friday, 29 August 2014, 19:02, 

Nivard McGlynn ...> wrote:

Magnificaat, adapted,

21 Fri. 29 Aug 2014 

Mk 6 17-29. 

Give me his head.

  

   The task set before the Baptist was to become blessed by his  unquestioning acceptance of God's obscure will.

   He reached the point of not asking for external, visible signs.

   He discovered God in the darkness of this world. He was blessed.

   John had to respond to his own call for metanoia or a change of mentality.       

   Only when we act like this does the greatest saying of the Baptist reveal its full significance, 'He must increase, I must decrease'.

   Pope Benedict said that we will know God to the extent that we are set free from ourselves.

 

Father in heaven, Give us hope and joy in the promise of everlasting life with you in your kingdom, through Christ Jesus our Lord.

3rd Wed, Parable of the Sower

Early Sky in the East

Mass Intro. From: Nivard...

3 Wed January 29: Mark 4:1-20

www.dailyscripture.net  (c) 2014  Don Schwager

Adapted, 

Those who hear the word and accept it.

 

   Jesus' parable of the Sower is aimed at the hearers of his word.

   There are different ways of accepting God's word and they produce different kinds of fruit accordingly.

   There is the prejudiced hearer who has a shut mind.

   Then there is the shallow hearer. He or she fails to think things out or think them through; they lack depth. They may initially respond with an emotional reaction; but when it wears off their mind wanders to something else.

   God gives grace to those who hunger for his word that they may understand his will and have the strength to live according to it. 

 

   Father in heaven, open our eyes to your deeds, and our ears to the sound of your call, that we may understand your will for our lives and live according to it, through Christ our Lord. 

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