Newsletter resources – May 2018

We welcome you to use the following resources in any parish newsletter available free of charge. Please give credit to the author or Intercom.

Click here to download or print a PDF of these resources.

You can find more features and resources from our May issue here.

 

Sunday, 6 May 2018

Seeing Your Life Through The Lens Of The Gospels

John 15:9-17

  1. A commandment of love could seem a contradiction in terms. Love is a free choice. That is what gives the thrill to the experience of being loved. Recall times when you received gestures of love from another – a spontaneous embrace from a husband or wife; a wave from a friend; words of comfort and affirmation – not because the other person felt obliged to reach out to you but because they wanted to let you know that you were loved. What effect did that have on you? Did it bring you joy? Perhaps you have had a glimpse of the truth of what Jesus said, that it is in loving that our joy is complete.
  2. Often love and friendship make demands on us. Parents give freely of their times and energy to the care of their children but sometimes it requires a lot of effort. Also in responding to the needs of friends or spouses we can be challenged to ‘lay down’ our own ‘lives’ at least for a time. Can you recall when a time when putting yourself out for others bore fruit for them and for you?
  3. ‘I chose you.’ Have you had the experience of being ‘chosen’ by someone? What was it like for you to be chosen? What is it like for you to consider yourself as one chosen by Jesus? That is what we are – chosen by Jesus to bear fruit through our love.

John Byrne osa
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com

***

 

Musings

Musings between now and the World Meeting of Families 
are kindly being provided by Brenda Drumm of WMOF2018.

Jesus’ light is a humble light. It is not a light that imposes itself, it is humble. It is a gentle light, with the strength of meekness; it is a light that speaks to the heart and it is also a light given by the cross. If we, in our inner light, are gentle people, we hear the voice of Jesus in our heart and look fearlessly at the cross in the light of Jesus … We must always distinguish: where Jesus is there is always humility, gentleness, love and the cross. We will never find Jesus without humility, without gentleness, without love and without the cross. He was the first to travel this path of light. We must walk fearlessly behind him, because Jesus has the strength and the authority to give us this light.

Pope Francis, Homily at Domus Sanctae Marthae, 3 September 2013

***

 

The Deep End: A brief history of love

God does not have favourites, Peter tells us. You wouldn’t think that was the case sometimes, listening to some of the people who purport to speak on his behalf.

When Professor Stephen Hawking passed away earlier this year, people from all walks of life paid tribute to his brilliance, his scientific legacy, his courage and his sense of humour. Professor Hawking’s work taught the world so much about the boundless mysteries of the universe. Though he considered himself an atheist, he believed that life had meaning, and that we should always be curious about how the universe came into existence. He believed in love, and is quoted as saying ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’

And yet, after his death, there were some who couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask: where is he now, this man who did not believe in God? The judgement and lack of compassion was staggering, coming as it did from ‘Christian’ commentators. Where is the love in such attitudes?

Today we bring everything back to one word: love. There are more than 20 references to love in today’s readings. God’s love does not discriminate. In the second reading we hear that ‘everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God’, while ‘anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love.’ That love that God showed by sending his Son for us, is the same generous, wholehearted, self-sacrificing love we are called to show others – whether their beliefs align with ours or not. God does not have favourites.

Tríona Doherty
Athlone, Co Roscommon
Email trionad@gmail.com

***

 

Sunday, 13 May 2018

Seeing Your Life Through The Lens Of The Gospels

Mark 16:15-20

  1. In the preceding verse Jesus had rebuked the apostles for their lack of faith. Despite this, he commissioned them to bring the good news to the whole world. Witnesses to the good news do not have to be perfect. There is encouragement for us in this. To whom have you brought good news? Who has been a messenger of good news to you?
  2. Jesus then tells them that their witness will have quite dramatic effects, helping people to overcome demons, bring them peace and healing. Things happen when we have belief in ourselves and in God. Strong faith can enable us to meet and overcome difficulties, in ways that waverers cannot do. Perhaps you have had experience of this?
  3. The Ascension marked the end of the visible presence of Jesus with the disciples, but he would be with them in other ways: ‘The Lord worked with them’. Sometimes we can experience that death is not the end of the presence of someone significant to us. We can experience the unseen presence and influence of a parent, a friend, or an inspiring leader, after they have died. Has this happened for you? Have you also experienced the hidden presence of the Lord working with you?

John Byrne osa
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com

***

 

Musings

Today is World Communications Day. This is prayer is often shared at social media gatherings and it is a useful reminder of the importance of the Church putting out into the deep of the internet:

Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours.
Yours are the tweets through which love touches the world.
Yours are the posts through which the gospel is shared.
Yours are the updates through which hope is revealed.
Christ has no online presence but yours.
No blog, no Facebook page but yours.

Meredith Gould, The Social Media Gospel

***

 

The Deep End: Forgotten feast

Sandwiched between Easter and Pentecost, the feast of the Ascension can sometimes tend to be overlooked. It can be hard to make sense of the artistic images we see of Jesus disappearing into the clouds as the disciples stand stare after him. But the Ascension does more than simply mark the culmination of Jesus’ earthly life; it opens up for us a path to God. Where Jesus has gone, we hope one day to follow.

As Pope Francis puts it, ‘the Ascension does not point to Jesus’ absence, but tells us that he is alive in our midst in a new way. He is no longer in a specific place in the world as he was before the Ascension. He is now … present in every space and time, close to each one of us. We are never alone: the Crucified and Risen Lord guides us.’

It is this very presence of Jesus that gave the disciples, and gives us, the strength for mission. Immediately before he is taken into heaven, Jesus issues his final and most important instruction: ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the good news to all creation.’ And after he goes, the disciples straight away set about the task. Far from being suddenly absent, we are told the Lord is now working with them in a new way. The Ascension is less a loss than a transition, a promise that Jesus will always be with us.

Tríona Doherty
Athlone, Co Roscommon
Email trionad@gmail.com

***

 

Sunday, 20 May 2018 

Seeing Your Life Through The Lens Of The Gospels

John 15:26-27, 16:12-15

  1. Jesus recognised that his disciples were not capable of taking in everything at once. Wisdom comes slowly and sometimes painfully. Hearing the ‘right’ answer at the ‘wrong’ time does not help us. We need to be ready and open to receiving the truth if it is to have any impact. Perhaps you can recall some occasions when it was the ‘right’ time for you to learn a truth about life. Remember your experiences of growth in understanding.
  2. The Spirit can guide us to understanding in different ways. Understanding may have come to you when you were praying or reflecting on your life. Perhaps the Spirit guided you through the words of someone close to you, or through the words and actions of people you read about, or saw on TV. Remember and give thanks for the people who have helped you to greater wisdom in life.
  3. Jesus said the Spirit would ‘glorify’ him by reminding the disciples of Jesus’ own teaching. To whom do you give glory by taking their wisdom and incorporating it in your life? Are there people who give you glory by using your wise advice in their lives?
  4. Wisdom is handed on from person to person, and from generation to generation, within families, within communities, etc. Are there any particular gems of wisdom that you cherish from what has been handed on to you? What wisdom would you like most of all to pass on to those close to you?

John Byrne osa
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com

***

 

Musings

Families, come to me and I will give you rest

Dear families, the Lord knows our struggles: he knows them. He knows the burdens we have in our lives. But the Lord also knows our great desire to find joy and rest! Do you remember? Jesus said, ‘… that your joy may be complete’ (cf. Jn 15:11). Jesus wants our joy to be complete! He said this to the Apostles and today he says it to us. Here, then, is the first thing I would like to share with you, and it is a saying of Jesus: Come to me, families from around the world – Jesus says – and I will give you rest, so that your joy may be complete. Take home this Word of Jesus, carry it in your hearts, share it with the family. It invites us to come to Jesus so that he may give this joy to us and to everyone.

Pope Francis, Address on 26 October 2013

***

 

The Deep End: Bursting with Joy

Have you seen the film The Greatest Showman that came out earlier this year? Its soundtrack boasts a number of musical gems, from fun, catchy numbers to more rousing and powerful ballads. I was struck by a video I saw online of a read-through session before filming began. The film’s star, Hugh Jackman, had recently had surgery on his nose and was under strict medical orders not to sing. So instead, the director instructs him to stand in the right place, and act and gesticulate at all the appropriate moments. However, during the final song, he can’t stand it anymore. The music seems to take hold of him, and he bursts into song. The atmosphere in the room changes immediately, with musicians and singers joyfully joining in. It’s a powerful moment, and the video is well worth a watch. The name of the song is ‘From Now On’, and in the film it marks a major transformation for Jackman’s character, when the scales fall from his eyes and he sees clearly the changes he needs to make to live a better life.

I like to think that magical moments such as this capture something of what the apostles must have experienced at Pentecost. The powerful wind, the tongues of fire, the palpable and overwhelming presence of God stir something in the apostles. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they are unable to hold in their joy and enthusiasm. How are we moved by the Spirit?

Tríona Doherty
Athlone, Co Roscommon
Email trionad@gmail.com

***

 

Sunday, 27 May 2018

Seeing Your Life Through The Lens Of The Gospels

Matthew 28:16-20

  1. It is time for Jesus to return to his Father. He meets his disciples for the last time. His final words give them direction for their future. Perhaps you can recall such parting moments in your own life – leaving home, school, college, training, the death of a loved one. What was that like for you? Were there words spoken then that gave you direction for your future?
  2. Perhaps you can identify with Jesus in the story, when as a parent, teacher, or in some other way you sent someone on his or her way in life, knowing you would not be with them as in the past. When did the way in which you parted help the other to make his or her own way in life?
  3. Jesus told his disciples that although he would not be with them as in the past, he would be with them in a new way right throughout their lives. Have there been times when you were reassured by the love and support of another even though they were not physically present with you?
  4. On parting from his disciples, Jesus gave them a mission for the future. Where, when and how did you get a sense of the meaning and purpose of your own life? How does that sustain you now? Is there any way in which that purpose ties in with the mission given to the eleven to spread the good news?
  5. Jesus promised to be with his disciples until the end of time. It is a promise he would fulfil through the gift of the Holy Spirit. That promise is also given to us. What helps you to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit with you on life’s journey?

John Byrne osa
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com

***

 

Musings

For the light of the sun in the sky.

For the light which shines through the window.

For the light that shines early in the morning.

For the light that shines late in the evening.

We give God thanks and praise.

– – – – – – – – –

Solas na gréine sa spéir.

An solas a scalann tríd an fhuinneog.

An solas a scalann ar maidin.

An solas a scalann tráthnona.

Molaimid thú aus gabhaimid buíochas leat, a Dhia.

The Family Prayer Book (Veritas 2013)

***

 

The Deep End: Relational beings

Three years ago this week, Pope Francis issued his encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. In it, he calls for action to halt the destruction of the planet, arguing that preserving our natural environment should be an essential part of the Church’s mission. The word ‘creation’ has a broader meaning than just nature or our world; it has to do with God’s loving plan in which the earth itself and every creature has value.

But why are we talking about the environment on this, the feast of the Most Holy Trinity? Well, in Laudato Si’, Pope Francis tells us that the Trinity is embedded in all of creation. Just as God is a communion, every one of God’s creatures is relational, and the world a web of relationships. ‘The Trinity has left its mark on all creation,’ says Pope Francis. The implication of this is that we are all connected, we all share a common home, and we have a duty to protect and care for all that belongs to God. We need to become more aware of how our lifestyles affect both the earth and others, particularly those on the margins of society, and to consider also whether our actions are fair to future generations.

Let us pray today, with Pope Francis: 

‘Triune Lord,
wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you
in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.’

Tríona Doherty
Athlone, Co Roscommon
Email trionad@gmail.com

***