I haven't Preached at Saint Martin's for a few weeks now. I have been making way for Fr. Keith, Julie, Elsie, our Reader and Ann Batchelor, our Reader in training.
I was sent a video by Fr. Simon Rundell a member of the Society of Catholic Priests about Praying the Rosary. You may find it helpful.
Blessings, Gareth.
Friday 27 June 2008
Sunday 1 June 2008
Greater Awarness, Greater Stewardship
Global warming has become a very real issue for everyone – natural disasters no longer happen in just undeveloped countries of the world; it is not just the homes and lives of the poor which are at risk any more, not just the weak whose futures are at stake.
During these last few years, many have begun to see the need for radical, far-reaching life changes, greater stewardship of the environment, greater awareness of justice issues. Many who never really recognised the plight of the poorest are now involved in actually taking steps to end poverty; many that had no reason or means of really seeing injustice began actually trying to understand life from the under-side up. Many people from developed countries, who would never before have noticed the true cost of their national pride and independence, are beginning to see and act upon a new understanding of global interdependence. Where before many of us never even heard the informed voices of warning, now we are actually trying to do whatever is needed to avert disaster.
Practical action is now as important as hearing words of warning, understanding our relationships as necessary as recognising our responsibilities. Ideas of who we are and what we therefore do are vitally connected.
Today’s Gospel reading provides us with a clear warning, not of God’s rejection and punishment should we make a mistake or do something wrong, but of our responsibilities to live out our discipleship with distinctive foundational principles. They are given to us by the one who died to bring us back, justified and redeemed, into relationship with God and with one another.
Discipleship is a question of being and doing, speaking and acting, integrating God’s life as seen in Jesus into our daily lives and relationships. When principles of that life are guided by love, righteousness, faithfulness and mercy, so must our lives be. For all ethical decisions and actions, our Christian discipleship will be revealed in what we choose to do, the importance we give to living in serious obedience to God and God’s Word, the principles others will see reflected in our lives.
It is never too late nor untimely for us or our world, however mature or immature we may consider ourselves to be as Christians and as Church, to be reminded that Jesus’ criteria for our discipleship are in our practical obedience, and in our personal relationships with him.
During these last few years, many have begun to see the need for radical, far-reaching life changes, greater stewardship of the environment, greater awareness of justice issues. Many who never really recognised the plight of the poorest are now involved in actually taking steps to end poverty; many that had no reason or means of really seeing injustice began actually trying to understand life from the under-side up. Many people from developed countries, who would never before have noticed the true cost of their national pride and independence, are beginning to see and act upon a new understanding of global interdependence. Where before many of us never even heard the informed voices of warning, now we are actually trying to do whatever is needed to avert disaster.
Practical action is now as important as hearing words of warning, understanding our relationships as necessary as recognising our responsibilities. Ideas of who we are and what we therefore do are vitally connected.
Today’s Gospel reading provides us with a clear warning, not of God’s rejection and punishment should we make a mistake or do something wrong, but of our responsibilities to live out our discipleship with distinctive foundational principles. They are given to us by the one who died to bring us back, justified and redeemed, into relationship with God and with one another.
Discipleship is a question of being and doing, speaking and acting, integrating God’s life as seen in Jesus into our daily lives and relationships. When principles of that life are guided by love, righteousness, faithfulness and mercy, so must our lives be. For all ethical decisions and actions, our Christian discipleship will be revealed in what we choose to do, the importance we give to living in serious obedience to God and God’s Word, the principles others will see reflected in our lives.
It is never too late nor untimely for us or our world, however mature or immature we may consider ourselves to be as Christians and as Church, to be reminded that Jesus’ criteria for our discipleship are in our practical obedience, and in our personal relationships with him.
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