In this week’s gospel for the 5^th Sunday of Lent Jesus makes the promise that eternal life will be given to anyone who believes in him. But what does this mean? We hear the account of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead after four days. The body of Lazarus would have begun to decompose. If that were not enough Jesus then speaks of his own impending resurrection and what this means for all believers. “I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,” John 11: 26.

Believers? Those who recognise Jesus as the Son of God.

The love which shines through Jesus in everything he says and does is a reflection of the Father who destines, invites and wants us to be with Him in eternal life. Those who know Jesus personally have a foretaste of eternity.

In this world love is like a lighthouse showing up choppy waters and dangerous rocks and just as a lighthouse guides sea craft safely through turbulent waters, love can help us navigate through the turbulence of evil which creates havoc all around.

Lent invites us to follow that beacon of light which leads us forward to Easter, the Resurrection and new life in the here and now with the promise of an eternity of light and love.

An unexpected smile can bring light into someone’s eyes and heart try it.

For those doubtful of an afterlife, read the true story  in the book, “Heaven is for Real” (Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent – New York Times best seller, 10 million copies sold, available on Amazon) about a little boy who died went to heaven and came back to tell the tale in a way which could not be denied.   

The Annunciation a Message  for Today

Saturday (26^th March) was the feast day of the Annunciation when God’s messenger, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the mother of God. Mary’s YES changed everything forever. This was in God’s plan since the beginning even down to the angel naming the baby “Jesus.” (Saviour)

God has a plan for each one of us. Each pre born baby is a human being and the first human right is the right to live therefore no one has the right to end the life of a baby in the womb.

In my story, “The Secret Plague” (Available on Amazon or “Good News Books” ISBN 978 1 912237 40 1) the fallacy of pro abortion ‘human rights’ is exposed and the dignity and inviolability of each human being from conception celebrated.

Maybe there’s someone you know who should hear this?  

Truth of Faith

In last Sunday’s gospel Jesus heals a man born blind. This does not persuade the Pharisees- the Jewish leaders, that Jesus should be listened to. They have their own agenda. They can’t see the reality in front of them especially given that that Jesus in their view broke the law by healing on the Sabbath day which they regarded as work and against the Commandments.

The beauty of nature, the wonder of human beings – even divine miracles are not enough to bring about an acknowledgement for many that there must be a God.

Jesus came to bring light but many prefer darkness. How appallingly sad. This Sunday is Rejoicing Sunday in Lent and lights up our way to Easter when all darkness and negativity are shattered forever.

Looking for the good in others and rejoicing in good deeds is something the Pharisees in Jesus day were unable to do. Religious man made rules got in the way.

The way things are;

Self interest, ideology, ignorance and just plain evil desires threaten life in so many ways

As with the man born blind, life is precious and preconceived notions must be ignored by those who can see and who desire to stretch out a healing hand. This takes courage and the kind of faith that makes the impossible possible.

Truth of Faith

Living Water

Knowing Jesus as Son of God changes everything and opens us to the living water and eternal life. This is for here and now and is a foretaste of our heavenly destiny.

An unsuspecting woman encounters Jesus at the village well. She is shocked that Jesus should ask her for a drink. The apostles had gone into the village to buy food.

John 4:5-42

“You are a Jew and you ask me, a Samaritan for a drink?” What is more it was unheard of for a man to speak to a woman in public. Jesus breaks all conventions to reach this woman. She is riveted to the spot when Jesus reveals the knowledge he has been given about the past men in her life. How could he know this about her? She sees Jesus as a prophet and is in rapt attention as Jesus speaks to her of living water, welling up to eternal life. She immediately rushes of to the village to tell everyone.

What does this encounter from this week’s gospel say to us? Jesus is saying he is the Messiah. Do we truly believe this? Perhaps Lent is a space to think about this more. For those who recognise who Jesus is everything changes. Should we be rushing off to tell all those we know?

BUT such recognition MUST involve listening to and abiding by Jesus’ message which has the power to transform individually and transform the world; the Kingdom in the here and now leading to the eternal life.

Words of Life;

Blessed are the peacemakers they shall be children of God. Matthew 5.9

 You cannot be the slave both of God and money. Matthew 6.24

 A man will be joined to his wife and the two become one body. Matthew 19. 5-6

 The leader is the one who serves. Luke 22.27

Who can live like this? Only those who know Jesus.  

What was Jesus’ dream for the woman at the well? What is God’s dream for us; for today and for our life?

Prayer

Dear Lord may your living water flow in me. May I walk each day in the Holy Spirit with my feet set firmly on the ground and my eyes to heaven.

Truth of faith

In the gospel reading this Sunday, the second Sunday of Lent, we hear how Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain and there in their sight was transfigured, his appearance shining brightly. In this vision Jesus is is seen talking with Moses the law giver and Elijah the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. And a voice in a bright cloud was heard, “This my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Given there were three witnesses, we know this really happened. What a confirmation of Jesus’ identity and mission to the apostles present!

What a confirmation of the reality of eternal life and the realty of God!  

The Reality

Life is short and despots with no respect for their fellow human beings and the right of others to live in peace and with justice and self determination come and go leaving a legacy of death and destruction. We see it on the news almost every day.

Forward

“Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.” George Bernard Shaw.”

It is frustrating to see what should be done in the world and feel helpless about it.

Yet we can give a personal witness starting in the here and now.

Further more, with prayer the world can be changed by God who spoke on the nountain, “listen to him”.

Lent is the time to listen to Jesus, “The Beloved Son.”

In Wembley Arena yesterday 4^th March many thousands of Catholic young people gathered for FLAME and heard the call to recognize their significance, worth, value and gifts and to rise up to make a difference in the world particularly to combat pollution and deforestation which threatens life on earth.

This is what is needed, enthusiasm, boldness and commitment such as that shown by Robert Bilott and American environmental lawyer interviewed at FLAME who was featured in the film “Dark Waters” (2019) available on DVD.

 

True Faith

Our loving God has a plan for each one of us. Each of us is unique. There has never been anyone like you since the beginning of time and there will never be anyone like you again –ever!

God extends an invitation for us to be all that we can be and are destined to be. To make our irreplaceable contribution to those around us, to society and to the world and it’s never too late. We are special and loved by God – that doesn’t change.

In the gospel for the first Sunday of Lent we read that Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, goes into the wilderness to discover his mission and prepare for it. What kind of Messiah would he be? A provider of material needs a wonder worker, a great earthly king?

Jesus was alone with the Father and tempted by satan to be what he was not. How can we discover our calling, our vocation our mission? We can’t – not by ourselves without God and not if we put anything or anyone before God.

The Reality

When we look around we see the greed for material wealth, the desire to be noticed and be prominent. The need to dominate others and even subjugate other countries, if we are political leaders.

Blessed are the peacemakers they shall be called children of God Jesus said, (Matthew 5.9)

By spending 40 days in the wilderness Jesus emerged to be who he truly was for the sake of humanity -and the world was changed for all time and eternal life with God offered to all.  

Forward

Christians are called to be renewed in Lent and to emerge refreshed and re focussed in our mission. A mission to change things for the better. To accept the invitation and be part of the struggle. To be who we truly are and fulfil God’s dream for our lives.

The Challenge

I am reminded this year of something fundamental about lent. To connect, re connect or go deeper into the dream our loving Father Creator God has for us since the beginning of time and in our mother’s womb.       

Go to You Tube – “The Love I have for you my Lord,” (Only a Shadow) by James Kilbane which encapsulates this message.

yes but we must dig deeper.

Truth of Faith

“Love your enemies,” we read in this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 5: 38-48)

Surely Jesus could not have meant this to be taken literally? Yet we also read Jesus telling Peter to put up his sword after he cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant in the garden of Gethsemane when they came to arrest him. Those who live by the sword die by the sword, Jesus teaches. The evidence is out there for all to see. On the cross Jesus calls out, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23. 34

The Jews expected a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman tyranny. This is why Jesus tried to keep a low profile at times so as to avoid being carried off and proclaimed King.

My Kingdom is not of this world, Jesus tells Pilate. If it were, my servants would have fought to save me. John 18.33-38

This Kingdom is a Kingdom of love which stretches out through eternity where there is no time.

So Jesus did not carry a weapon nor did he resist when after his arrest he was slapped, spat upon and abused. It was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that paid the price for sin and heralded the way to the Father’s Kingdom.

So non violence is intrinsically bound up with the New Life God would like for all.

Truth of Reality

Martin Luther king, who led the American civil rights campaign in the 1960s, explains this teaching for today. It’s nonsense, he said, for an oppressed people to love their oppressor with an “affectionate emotion.” The civil rights movement adopted non-violent action where violence and hatred had no place; King said love means having an “understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill for everyone.”

What about us? In the words of the Tom Paxton song, “Peace will come, let it begin with me.”

Way Forward.

Can we liberate ourselves from any unforgiveness which has kept us bound?

No! But with God all things are possible.

At this Christmas time in 2022, I am drawn to praise God who is my rock and my all.

Why? God made me to know, love and serve Him in this life and be happy with Him forever in the next, as the catechism tells us. Jesus makes this possible. That is why Christmas is such a wonderful and amazing celebration. God’s only Son sent to show us the way.

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” John 3: 16

I am on the greatest ship of all, sailing the seas to my ultimate destination. Those with faith sail life’s ocean securely rather than be tossed about by overpowering waves with no clear destination.

The Church is that ship and we become crew members through baptism. We become the family of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit.

Through the Church, the Body of Christ and the People of God, we can be guided in all truth and right living and steer clear of false idols – money, power, the god “me” and making an idol of anyone.

The Commandments point the way but Christians live by Agape love. It is a love which will not permit us to break those commandments. “Love God and do what you will,” says St Augustine.

May those, by the grace of God with faith, have renewed determination to act and speak boldly but with love this Christmas.

If you’re feeling adrift in a small craft in a dangerous ocean remember;

Jesus is the reason for the season

and take it from there.

How many corpses to get the world’s attention?

Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world.

Pope Francis speaking to religious leaders has said violence and extremism are “betrayals of religion” and that for all believers’ hatred of others is the, “greatest blasphemy” (speaking last year in the ancient city of Ur).

In Nigeria alone more than 7,600 Christians were murdered between January 2021 and June 2022.

“Last week, Aid to the Church in need (ACN) launched its annual report in the Houses of Parliament. Bishop Jude Arogundade of the Nigerian diocese of Ondo, where in June 40 people were murdered by gunmen while attending Mass, highlighted the lack of attention paid to the “genocide” taking place in swathes of the north and the Middle Belt. “The world is silent as attacks on churches, their personnel and institutions have become routine.”

There is much the UK can do given amount of aid going from Britain to Nigeria.

To sign the petition linked to “Persecuted and Forgotten?”, calling the UK government to demand the Nigerian authorities step up action to stop terrorist violence against Christians, visit www.acnuk.org/petition-2022

Source, The Tablet, 26^th November

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo, Lynne Vincent

This is a true story of a little boy who has a near death experience and visits heaven and then returns to life. He is the son of a Pastor in America and the account of what happened in the few minutes he was gone is very convincing. There is a DVD and the bestselling book has sold ten million copies. This is a book of hope.

In today’s Gospel Jesus talks about the afterlife where those “judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the Resurrection from the dead… are the same as angels” (Luke 20:27 – 38). This was in answers to a trick question by the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection.

God has made us to “know, love, and serve Him and to be happy with Him in Heaven forever,” in the words of the old catechism of the Catholic Church. This is the purpose of our lives and God calls each and everyone to this and in the words of Colton the boy in the story, to know Jesus in our heart.  

The Secret Plague

This is a book I did not set out to write and flowed from a “what if” moment. It practically wrote itself. I just had to sit down and bring this futuristic pro life story to life. The story unfolds a thousand years from now when a group of students stumble across an historical black hole. What had happened in this inaccessible period of history contains a defining message for our time. I make no apologies for the scenario which unfolds in the story. I really hope pray it makes a difference. Available from Amazon and Good News books.

Record numbers took part in this year’s March for Life UK which was held in central London on Saturday 3^rd Sept. It seems that the overturning of Roe v Wade in America has had quite a ripple effect across the ocean as more young people than ever paraded through the streets on a lively procession which ended in a gathering at Parliament Square. Madeline Page, CEO of The Alliance of Pro-life Students said ‘We’ve seen a steady increase in the amount of young people wanting to take part in pro-life events since the news from America, many of these are stepping out for the first time and feel that since this issue is being talked about more, it’s now acceptable to disclose their beliefs.’ 

One of the keynote speakers at this year’s event was Shawn Carney, founder and CEO of 40 Days for Life, the largest international pro-life organisation in the world. Shawn came all the way from the US to speak at the march and began his speech with a resounding: ‘Greetings from an abortion free Texas!’ Shawn then went on to remind those present of the words of Mother Teresa; ‘When America ends abortion, the world will follow.’ 

Numerous UK speakers stood alongside Shawn Carney, including Hayley, who shared her testimony of coerced abortion and Amrita, who took the first set of abortion pills only to experience an instant feeling of regret and contacted Dr Dermot Kearney (also a speaker on the day) who prescribed Amrita with what is known as ‘The Abortion Reversal Pill’. Amrita then showed the crowd her beautiful, healthy, baby girl.

The 50 or so abortion supporters who had gathered in protest were dwarfed by the 7,000 strong crowd of March for Life UK who chanted their theme ’10 Million Too Many’. One of the organisers of the event, Ben Thatcher, explained ‘This is the number of abortions which have occurred since the Abortion Act was passed in the UK.’ Co-director, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce shared her concerns at the current abortion laws which permit abortion up to 24 weeks for almost any reason and up till birth for downs syndrome or a disability ‘Inside the womb of every pregnant woman is a human being.’ She said ‘That’s not politics, that’s not religion, that’s science.’

Those in attendance included some with no religious beliefs and various Christian denominations including three Catholic bishops who all spoke at the event. The event was supported by pro-life organisations from across the UK.