Tag Archive for ‘fear’
Friday 14 October
Ephesians 1:11-14; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13; Luke 12:1-7 Yeast and fear Yeast looks bad: “beware the yeast of the Pharisees”. Yet elsewhere, in the dough, yeast is like the Kingdom of Heaven. Clearly good. Yeast is ‘influence’ which expands and grows. We want the positive sort. Similarly, fear can be good or bad. We need […]
Francis Speaks – Do Not Be Afraid
In these days, news reports and scenes of death continue to enter our homes, even as bombs are destroying the homes of many of our defenceless Ukrainian brothers and sisters. The vicious war that has overtaken so many people, and caused suffering to all, has made each of us fearful and anxious. We sense our […]
Words and God’s Word
Part 5 of 10 “What is your opinion?” ‘What’s your opinion?’ ‘What do you think we should do’? It’s nice to be asked. And, there are times when we should be asked. Whatever the case, when others want to hear our views, we feel acknowledged, valued. And, as experience tells us, it makes for better […]
Friday 29 November
Daniel 7:2-14; Canticle of Daniel 3:2-5; Luke 21:29-33 Remain faithful and true As our liturgical year draws to a close, the Church places before us Scripture passages about the end of time and the coming of the Lord. The Church is not asking us to become involved in speculation about when or how time will […]
Saturday 31 August
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; Psalm 98; Matthew 25:14-30 Have a go Everyone is gifted, and we are not asked to compare ourselves with others but to use our natural and spiritual gifts, generously, even extravagantly, in love. Whether we have visible gifts which the world affirms, gifts of practical support and hospitality, or hidden gifts like […]
Thursday 29 August
Passion of St John the Baptist (M) Jeremiah 1:17-19; Psalm 71; Mark 6:17-29 Sin seeks company. Herodias felt threatened because John preached repentance and accused her of adultery. Instead of repenting, Herodias plotted John’s death, manipulating her daughter so that Herod killed John to save face. Sin seeks company. It wants to draw others into […]
When My Comfort Zones Fail
It’s never easy having to move out of a place, a personal space, a routine, a rhythm that has for some time given us some security and peace of mind. Letting go of our comfort zones can be simple enough and not of major importance. For example, when our holidays finish and we have to […]
Tuesday 7 August
Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Psalm 102; Matthew 14:22-36 Life is difficult I love this gospel. The sea reminds me of life. One moment life is calm, sparkling, expansive and magnificent. The next moment – rough, scary, destructive and beyond control. Change can happen in the blink of an eye. The strong winds whip up the […]
Friday 3 August
St Dominic Jeremiah 26:1-9; Psalm 69; Matthew 13:54-58 Unacceptable prophets/prophetesses. Fear and prejudgment drive us to box and label others. We know their views on everything, their mistakes, even how faithful they are. Boxes keep them in – they also keep us out. St Dominic stayed up all night talking to an innkeeper getting to […]
Being Childlike
One day at Mass two little girls went up at communion time to receive a blessing. I saw them shyly wave to a couple sitting in front of me, who must have been their grandparents. After the blessing the shyness was gone and they rushed up to the couple, ran into their pew and hugged […]
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