How embarrassing will the reply be: "I do not know you and I do not know where you come from! " The Gospel of the Transfiguration is proclaimed every year on the Second Sunday of Lent. The word of God for us on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to examine the kind of religion we profess: Is it a religion of life or one of empty words, rites and devotions? There is a need to be pro-active in the Christian life; to watch out for opportunities to serve, to take the initiative and to "proclaim the Good News. 45am at St Swithun's, and 5. Please note that you need to give a minimum of 12 months notice to the parish that you'd like to get married in. It was plastered on billboards throughout the city. They were attracted to his message of love. Please be aware of the change of Daily Mass Times due to parish commitments,.
Maybe we see Christianity as a platform for changing laws for the better. It is living in the truth of this balance that we achieve humility. Homilies and Reflections for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. From Bishop Robert Barron. I have talked a lot and written a lot about this issue, and people have very strong opinions about it: everybody will be saved, only a handful will be saved, and everything in between. Spend more time in silence! A Cure for Discouragement: The tone of our Lord's answer to his questioner in today's Gospel can strike some readers as stark, maybe even pessimistic. Therefore your house is dependent on God's free gift. See also... - Catholic lectionary-hymns for Sundays & feasts. With these words, Jesus makes it clear that it is not a matter of numbers, there is no "limited number" in Paradise!
He replies, "Try your best to enter by the narrow door! " In the second reading Paul encourages us to stay on the straight paths. We don't really need to know how many people will make it to heaven. In antiquity, the synagogue often had a large door where people of status would enter and a narrow door where people of lower status would enter and the use of such imagery by Jesus suggests a call to solidarity with those who enter through the narrow door, those who are on the margins of society. Once all those entering the master's house are in and he locks the door, there will be no way for others to get in. It's time for you to go. When you look at your children growing into responsible adults, you can feel pride that you sacrificed for them and guided them. Notice that the questioner is not asking about himself but about others. "I was praying for all the spouses of the people that died in those twin towers who left for work yesterday morning angry at their husband or wife. 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. Isa 66:18-21. We can forget that here, as in all things, we are totally dependent on God's graciousness. His response was very simple, smart and of course, an intelligent one: "Try your best to enter by the narrow door…! So the next time you are introduced to someone, don't fall over yourself trying to mention all of your accomplishments.
To deepen our knowledge of the Master, to fully understand and embrace the mystery of his salvation, accomplished in total self-giving inspired by love, we must allow ourselves to be taken aside by him and to detach ourselves from mediocrity and vanity. Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 117: "Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. He implies that in this fallen world it isn't so easy to be a faithful disciple of Jesus: …many… will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. Reflection Questions for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. - How am I making a conscious effort in my faith life?
It is good to ask ourselves: What kinds of discipline do I strive for in my life? I said to her, "I am glad you came today to pray. REFLECTION: Opening Prayer: I come before you today, Lord, eager to praise you and to receive from you the grace I need to live this day to the full. The Lord will recognize us only for our humble life and a good life, a life of faith that resulted in good works.
God initiates it, and then uses us to accomplish it. It is rather a warning to us about our own judgments and prejudices. It is important to catch the implication of that question. I've made good decisions. The first is that God will soon fulfill his promise of restoring us to himself.
Kevin O' Sullivan, O. F. M. O Jesus Joy of Loving Hearts. This is the "summit", the goal of the journey. The narrow gate points to the need of personal responsibility, and the closed door points to the need for adequate knowledge. You are a scandal to me, because you do not think according to God, but according to men! The Catechism points out (1821): We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. The Good News is a tune that inspires courage and builds community. The better question is 'How may I be included among the people of God? So how are we to understand these words of Jesus that seem to indicate that only a few people will be saved and only those who are strong enough to push themselves through a narrow gate?