The Season Of Creation
Please take a look at the events planned for the season and keep an eye out for any new ideas or events.
* Revised programme *
Note that Councillor Alex Doyle will be visiting us on Friday 29th September at 7.30pm after 7pm Mass in place of the Taize evening.
Note that Councillor Alex Doyle will be visiting us on Friday 29th September at 7.30pm after 7pm Mass in place of the Taize evening.
Appeal weekend
Sr Monica from the Little Sisters of the Poor/St Joseph’s Care Home in Cotham will be visiting us for an appeal on the weekend of 19th / 20th August.
They are currently raising funds for a new lift and, as our own Fr Frank will benefit from the improvements, we hope people will give what they can to help. He is so happy and settled at the home which is a loving and caring place for those who live there.
If you won't be at Mass that weekend and still wish to donate please use this link to their crowdfunder
Monthly Mass
The monthly Mass at St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol for LGBTQI+ Catholics, families, friends and allies takes place on 20th August.
See poster for details
See poster for details
Thank you to Deacon Vincent for your Reflections for the Transfiguration of the Lord
1st Reading from the prophet Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14.
This amazing book (scroll) is named after its’ hero, however there is no claim that it was written by Daniel. Its’ final draft was most probably during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes about 165 BC. It is aimed at encouraging the Jews to resist Antiochus’ programme of compulsory Hellenisation. They are to remember that God is in charge of history. This passage opens with a distinct similarity to Ezekiel’s experience of God, with flames and wheels. The expression “a son of man”, has a long record of usage. In Ezekiel for example it is used by God when addressing the prophet. It was frequently used by Jesus, as a way of avoiding saying “I”. But in this passage, which is powerfully and deliberately used by Jesus when talking to the high priest, it most probably refers to the people of Israel coming to the One of great Age to receive the kingdom. In Christian usage it refers exclusively to Jesus, receiving his Father’s kingdom. For Christians this is a powerful, prophetic image of Christ’s reward, from the Father, for his obedience and great sacrifice.
Psalm 96: 1-2, 5-6, 9.
This song proclaims the glory of God’s reign. It poetically attempts to describe the glory and joy of all creation when God takes possession of the kingdom. Paul almost echoes this when he refers to the whole of creation being renewed by Christ’s resurrection.
2nd Reading from the second letter of St. Peter 1: 16-19.
This is an explicit claim to be writing as an eyewitness to the Transfiguration as, or in the name of Peter the Apostle, and is thought to have been written by his secretary writing in his name. We have this strong appeal to the “prophetic word”, which might refer to the Old Testament Prophecies or to what Christ is saying to us today. This enables Christians to depend upon and remain faithful as we await the return of Jesus. There is a beautiful image of the prophetic word being a lamp that lights our way until we are enlightened interiorly and can perceive for ourselves.
The Holy Gospel According to Luke 9: 28-36.
There are three Gospel variants for use on this feast, Matthew, Mark and Luke. All three are very similar with slight variants depending on the various themes of the Gospel writers.
Today we are looking at Luke’s presentation. Jesus is transformed in light, similar to the way God shines out from Moses after their encounter, Jesus’ prayer must have been perfect for it allowed God to shine out through him. This brings Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets to converse with him about his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Moses and Elijah are also shining with the reflection of God’s light. The overshadowing for readers of Luke’s gospel reminds them of what happened to Mary when Jesus was conceived. Luke alone has the disciples weighed down by sleep. But Peter wants to stay there, his idea of making tents for Moses, Elijah and Jesus means that this was the ultimate experience for Peter and his companions they didn’t want it to end. Then God speaks. “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.” It is a call that has come down the ages to us. We need to listen and heed Jesus’ words and deeds. Luke concludes this passage with a very gentle and soft “The disciples kept silence and at that time, told no one what they had seen.” The second reading above gives some idea of the dramatic effect that this experience had upon the disciples. It is good for us to enter our churches when we can and just encounter Jesus in the tabernacle and ponder on his goodness in calling us to be his friends. We should never cease to “Thank Him”.
God Bless us all on this beautiful Feast Day.
Deacon Vincent
1st Reading from the prophet Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14.
This amazing book (scroll) is named after its’ hero, however there is no claim that it was written by Daniel. Its’ final draft was most probably during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes about 165 BC. It is aimed at encouraging the Jews to resist Antiochus’ programme of compulsory Hellenisation. They are to remember that God is in charge of history. This passage opens with a distinct similarity to Ezekiel’s experience of God, with flames and wheels. The expression “a son of man”, has a long record of usage. In Ezekiel for example it is used by God when addressing the prophet. It was frequently used by Jesus, as a way of avoiding saying “I”. But in this passage, which is powerfully and deliberately used by Jesus when talking to the high priest, it most probably refers to the people of Israel coming to the One of great Age to receive the kingdom. In Christian usage it refers exclusively to Jesus, receiving his Father’s kingdom. For Christians this is a powerful, prophetic image of Christ’s reward, from the Father, for his obedience and great sacrifice.
Psalm 96: 1-2, 5-6, 9.
This song proclaims the glory of God’s reign. It poetically attempts to describe the glory and joy of all creation when God takes possession of the kingdom. Paul almost echoes this when he refers to the whole of creation being renewed by Christ’s resurrection.
2nd Reading from the second letter of St. Peter 1: 16-19.
This is an explicit claim to be writing as an eyewitness to the Transfiguration as, or in the name of Peter the Apostle, and is thought to have been written by his secretary writing in his name. We have this strong appeal to the “prophetic word”, which might refer to the Old Testament Prophecies or to what Christ is saying to us today. This enables Christians to depend upon and remain faithful as we await the return of Jesus. There is a beautiful image of the prophetic word being a lamp that lights our way until we are enlightened interiorly and can perceive for ourselves.
The Holy Gospel According to Luke 9: 28-36.
There are three Gospel variants for use on this feast, Matthew, Mark and Luke. All three are very similar with slight variants depending on the various themes of the Gospel writers.
Today we are looking at Luke’s presentation. Jesus is transformed in light, similar to the way God shines out from Moses after their encounter, Jesus’ prayer must have been perfect for it allowed God to shine out through him. This brings Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets to converse with him about his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Moses and Elijah are also shining with the reflection of God’s light. The overshadowing for readers of Luke’s gospel reminds them of what happened to Mary when Jesus was conceived. Luke alone has the disciples weighed down by sleep. But Peter wants to stay there, his idea of making tents for Moses, Elijah and Jesus means that this was the ultimate experience for Peter and his companions they didn’t want it to end. Then God speaks. “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.” It is a call that has come down the ages to us. We need to listen and heed Jesus’ words and deeds. Luke concludes this passage with a very gentle and soft “The disciples kept silence and at that time, told no one what they had seen.” The second reading above gives some idea of the dramatic effect that this experience had upon the disciples. It is good for us to enter our churches when we can and just encounter Jesus in the tabernacle and ponder on his goodness in calling us to be his friends. We should never cease to “Thank Him”.
God Bless us all on this beautiful Feast Day.
Deacon Vincent
No comments:
Post a Comment