St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol are holding their monthly Mass for LGBTQ+ Catholics, family, friends and allies.
With Sea Sunday approaching (9th July) we are pleased to highlight the work of Stella Maris (formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) who we will be holding a retiring collection for, that weekend. Protecting our oceans and those who work on it.
Click here to visit their website for more information or to donate if not able to do so at church.
Reflections for Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A ~ from Deacon Vincent
1st Reading from the Second Book of Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16.
This is a very simple story of a great lady who lived at Shumen noticed that Elisha passed by quite frequently. She recognises that he is a holy ma of God, so invites him to dine with her and her husband. Elisha is so comfortable with them and well fed that every time he passed by he called in to dine with them. The lady is so pleased to have him calling that she asks her husband to build a little room on their roof so that Elisha might stay over night with them. So, it is done, and Elisha is so pleased that he asks his servant how can he repay them for their kindness? The servant has noticed that the lady has no son and that her husband is old. Elisha immediately asks for her to sent to him. “Next year you will hold a son in your arms.” This is a great act of kindness for it means she will now have a support when her husband is too old to assist her. This does come about and there are more exciting times for the couple with the child and Elisha in the future. This is the prophets reward for her assistance to him, simply because he is a man of God. God’s generosity is boundless for those who assist his workers.
Psalm 88: 2-3, 16-19.
This is a psalm of thanksgiving by David for God’s covenant with him declaring that his offspring shall be established for ever and that his throne would be built up from generation to generation. Again we are looking at God’s generosity to his friend.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11.
Last week Paul was contrasting Jesus with Adam, this section is enabling Paul to contrast our plight with what God has done for us in Christ, moving us from death to life in Christ. He links the Romans’ experience of their own baptism to this contrast between (from death to life); He then, goes on to assert the absolute centrality for Jesus, and for all Christians, of the Resurrection (from death to life). The whole story for Paul, is one movement from one power (sin-death) into another power (life-resurrection). Paul is expressing in another way the contrast between how Adam’s failure brought death, whilst Jesus’ obedience brought life. Through Christ’s great sacrifice and his Resurrection, we have been re-born to eternal life with Him. We should always be grateful, and never cease to Thank Him.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 10: 37-42.
Jesus has been addressing the disciples on the difficulties discipleship. It is a formidable exhortation before they go out into world on behalf of Christ. The disciple has to be single minded; everything pales into insignificance compared to the task before them. Nothing must get in the way of proclaiming the Good News. He is obviously mindful of the lady who assisted Elisha with food and accommodation simply because he was a man of God. So, it will be with those who welcome his disciples. Anyone welcoming them, will, in fact, be welcoming Jesus himself and they will receive their reward in abundance, simply by recognising that they are holy people and sent by God through Jesus Christ. Blessings will be heaped upon those who assist with the spreading of the Good News. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, it is amongst us.
May God continue to Bless us all in spreading the Gospel.
Deacon Vincent.
1st Reading from the Second Book of Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16.
This is a very simple story of a great lady who lived at Shumen noticed that Elisha passed by quite frequently. She recognises that he is a holy ma of God, so invites him to dine with her and her husband. Elisha is so comfortable with them and well fed that every time he passed by he called in to dine with them. The lady is so pleased to have him calling that she asks her husband to build a little room on their roof so that Elisha might stay over night with them. So, it is done, and Elisha is so pleased that he asks his servant how can he repay them for their kindness? The servant has noticed that the lady has no son and that her husband is old. Elisha immediately asks for her to sent to him. “Next year you will hold a son in your arms.” This is a great act of kindness for it means she will now have a support when her husband is too old to assist her. This does come about and there are more exciting times for the couple with the child and Elisha in the future. This is the prophets reward for her assistance to him, simply because he is a man of God. God’s generosity is boundless for those who assist his workers.
Psalm 88: 2-3, 16-19.
This is a psalm of thanksgiving by David for God’s covenant with him declaring that his offspring shall be established for ever and that his throne would be built up from generation to generation. Again we are looking at God’s generosity to his friend.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11.
Last week Paul was contrasting Jesus with Adam, this section is enabling Paul to contrast our plight with what God has done for us in Christ, moving us from death to life in Christ. He links the Romans’ experience of their own baptism to this contrast between (from death to life); He then, goes on to assert the absolute centrality for Jesus, and for all Christians, of the Resurrection (from death to life). The whole story for Paul, is one movement from one power (sin-death) into another power (life-resurrection). Paul is expressing in another way the contrast between how Adam’s failure brought death, whilst Jesus’ obedience brought life. Through Christ’s great sacrifice and his Resurrection, we have been re-born to eternal life with Him. We should always be grateful, and never cease to Thank Him.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 10: 37-42.
Jesus has been addressing the disciples on the difficulties discipleship. It is a formidable exhortation before they go out into world on behalf of Christ. The disciple has to be single minded; everything pales into insignificance compared to the task before them. Nothing must get in the way of proclaiming the Good News. He is obviously mindful of the lady who assisted Elisha with food and accommodation simply because he was a man of God. So, it will be with those who welcome his disciples. Anyone welcoming them, will, in fact, be welcoming Jesus himself and they will receive their reward in abundance, simply by recognising that they are holy people and sent by God through Jesus Christ. Blessings will be heaped upon those who assist with the spreading of the Good News. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, it is amongst us.
May God continue to Bless us all in spreading the Gospel.
Deacon Vincent.
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