Twenty – Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 17 October
As we have followed the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem in previous gospel passages we have heard him speak repeatedly of what faces him there. Each time he tells the disciples of his coming death and resurrection, they are reluctant to face the painful reality. In this passage, once Jesus has spoken of his death for a third time, James and John demonstrate how disconnected they are from Jesus. They crave the best places in the kingdom.
Jesus’ response focuses once again on the call to martyrdom. Are they willing to drink the cup and to be baptised in suffering? The two brothers say they are. Nevertheless, rewards in the kingdom are not assured. For Jesus such matters are for the Father.
The disciples need further teaching from Jesus. The ambitions of the disciple should not be those of the people of the world. They should not crave status and power, but the place of the slave, for they are the disciples of the one who came ‘not to be served, but to serve’ and to give his life as ‘a ransom for many’. Jesus seems to be alluding here to the role of the servant as described in our first reading from the book of Isaiah. The servant offers his life in ‘atonement’ for the sins of many. ‘By his wounds we have been healed’.
Do I share the ambition of James and John for the best seats in the kingdom?
Do I endeavour to unite the sufferings in my life with the suffering of Christ?
Let us thank God for the saving work of Christ the servant.
Let us be grateful for the witness of the martyrs of our own time.
Fr. Adrian Graffy
26, 27, 28 Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 26 Sept, 3 & 10 October 2021
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 26 Sept Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
This gospel reading contains a collection of sayings of Jesus. Jesus speaks of ‘obstacles’ placed in the way of believers, the ‘little ones’ who have faith. Jesus then apparently suggests self-mutilation, an extreme way of pointing out the seriousness of sin. The references of hell and eternal fire is an attempt to express the dreadful pain of losing God and of shutting oneself off from the love of others.
How accepting am I of the goodness of those who do not share my beliefs?
Do I place obstacles in the way of others, undermining their faith and goodness?
We pray for the Zeal which always seeks what is good.
We pray for confidence in the goodness of God.
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 3 October Mark 10:2-16
Jesus reasserts teaching about marriage and calls for commitment and fidelity. The second piece of teaching is relevant to families and relationships. The treatment of children is crucial to the health of a community.
How faithful am I to commitments undertaken?
Do I cherish those who are close to me?
We pray for our families that they may show courage and true love.
We pray for families who have suffered break-down that they may receive strength and support to rebuild shattered lives.
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 10 October Mark 10:17-30
Jesus addresses an issue which has always faced Christians. Are riches an obstacle to faith?. Jesus maintains that material possessions may well be an obstacle to salvation. But the real enemy is selfishness. It is selfishness that kills love.
What is my attitude to my material possessions?
Do I allow selfishness to dominate my life, or any part of it?
Let us pray for those who have left everything in order to serve Christ.
Let us pray for wisdom and courage as we seek to live in a similar way.
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 19 September 2021
Let me introduce myself to you on my first weekend in the parish. I have been ordained as a priest for almost 30 years. I studied at Ushaw college, near Durham, and was ordained on 26th October,1991.
My Ministry began at Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead, as an assistant priest, with Mgr. Christopher Creede as the Parish Priest. After 4 years, Bishop Thomas McMahon decided to appoint me as Parish Priest to a small parish at St. Teresa, Rochford. This lasted for another 4 years before moving to a larger parish at Blessed Sacrament at Chelmsford where I also became chaplain to Broomfield hospital for the 6 years that I was there. Next came a move to St. James the Less at Colchester for 4 years with a move to St. Helen, Westcliff for 9 years. Then, 3 years ago, Bishop Alan Williams requested that I go to St. Francis of Assisi parish at Halstead before moving here this week.
I wish to add my thanks to Fr. Frank and his wife, Anne, for being in here for the past 6 years and for ministering in the parish so conscientiously and wonderfully. With your prayers, perhaps I will be able to replicate Fr. Frank’s care for you all.
Please do keep me in your prayers as I settle into the 2 seaside parishes.
As we here from today’s Gospel, true service is about loving unconditionally our brothers and sisters – following the way of Christ. This is the true worship which leads to eternal life.
God bless, Fr. Joseph.
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 12 September 2021
Fr Frank writes:
My dear friends,
After six happy years, this is the last time I shall be writing this letter.
My thanks go to all those who welcomed Anne and me back in 2015 and have continued to do so much to support and help us, making our time here such a joy.
Change is always challenging, but after a lifetime of work I am looking forward to some leisure and to more family time. As well as the changes I am anticipating, the two parishes are also about to encounter changes as Fr Joseph assumes the role of your parish priest. But, of course, none of these changes is as great as the change that will face Fr Joseph himself. My hope and prayer is that you will make him as welcome as you made us, and that you will soon take him to your hearts.
With every blessing,
Frank ofs
As I sign off, I give you my absolute favourite Sunday Smile:
The vicar was asked by the headteacher of the church primary school if he would go in and talk to the children as part of their sex education.
He agreed to do so, but was too embarrassed to tell his wife, so he told her he was going into school to talk about sailing.
Some time later, the headteacher met the vicar’s wife and said how good his talk had been.
His wife said, “I am very surprised. He’s only done it twice. The first time he was sick and the second time his hat blew off.”
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 5 September 2021
Fr Frank writes:
My dear friends,
The healing of the deaf and dumb man, which we hear of in today’s Gospel (Mark 7:31-37), occurs immediately and the confirmation of the healing is shown in the man’s ability to speak. Jesus orders the crowd not to divulge the news but is disobeyed and his reputation keeps spreading. The comment of the crowd (‘He has done all things well, he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’) indicates that they are becoming aware that with Jesus the messianic age has dawned, since according to our first reading (Isaiah, 35:5f), healings of the blind, deaf and those with disabilities are signs of its beginning.
The ability to hear and speak are great gifts from God. We can use these gifts for good or bad. The choice is ours, God’s gift of free will imposes responsibility!
Today’s Psalm (145:7-10) links together this theme (‘It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down’) with the plight of those in Afghanistan (‘It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed’). Please continue to pray for the vulnerable people of Afghanistan, and pray too that God will turn the hearts of those who would do them harm. To pray for persecutors is a act of love – we want for them what God wants for all his people…..to experience His love and to live that life of love. Hatred and oppression have no part in God’s purpose for the world.
May the words and actions of Christ prompt us all to words and deeds of kindness.
Frank ofs
Sunday Smile:
You must have seen the dual- purpose notice boards, with a section for a ‘wayside pulpit’ text, and another section for service details etc.
Sometimes they make interesting reading.
One said:
THE LORD BISHOP WILL BE HERE NEXT SUNDAY AT 6.30pm.
On the other side were the words:
DON’T WORRY, IT MAY NEVER HAPPEN.
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 22 August 2021
Fr Frank writes:
My dear friends,
Today, in the readings with which we are presented, the Church encourages us to choose Christ always.
At times when we come to a crossroad in our lives, we can become confused because we need to make a choice, a choice that will make or mar our future. The first reading (Joshua 24:2-18) and the Gospel (John 6: 60-69) present us with two choices: to abandon or remain with God. Using the analogy of marriage, Paul, in our second reading (Ephesians 5:21-32), reminds us that just as a man or woman chooses wife or husband out of love, so Christ chooses those who remain a faithful part of his Church. The sensible, and wise choice is always to follow Christ, the one who embodies and presents us with the message of eternal life.
Would parishioners in both parishes take note of the changes to Mass times and locations on Monday and Tuesday. My apologies for any inconvenience that these changes may cause. The change to the usual schedule is a result of the Funeral Mass for Edward Wilson which is to take place in Frinton on Monday. If you are able, please come along on Monday to pray for the repose of Edward’s soul and to support his family in their loss.
Finally, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are once again able to visit the sick. This can only be done, however, with permission of the family or the Care Home in which the parishioner lives. If you are able and willing to resume this ministry, please bring your pyx to Mass together with a small label showing the number of hosts you wish to take out. At Frinton, the usual Sunday morning routine can recommence, but, again, make sure you have permission to enter the home beforehand.
May Christ, the Way the Truth and the Life, bless you now and always.
Frank ofs
Sunday Smile:
Philip and John were being put to bed by their grandmother who had come to stay for Christmas. They had had their baths and were saying their prayers while Gran tidied up the bathroom. John, the younger lad, finished his prayers with a list of things he wanted for Christmas, saying them at the top of his voice.
“Quiet!” Philip said, “God isn’t deaf.”
“No,” said John, “but Gran is.”