Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 14/15 January 2017
Fr Frank writes:
My Dear Friends,
Today we begin a new cycle of readings for what the Church calls ‘Ordinary Time’. Ordinary Time begins after Advent and Christmas and continues to the end of the year – interrupted by Lent and Easter, and recommencing after Pentecost and the Feast of the Holy Trinity.
It is in a real sense a new beginning. This is emphasised by the Gospel in which St John the Baptist points to Jesus and says: ‘Look, there is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world’. Familiar words as they have been used as part of the Mass for centuries: Words that point to Jesus, the one who takes our sins upon himself.
It is good to think about the forgiveness that Jesus won for us, because this causes us to look to the future (contemplating new beginnings). True, we need to look back, but only in order to learn from our individual mistakes. We need to be aware of the danger of becoming weighed down or oppressed by guilt, this should have no place in our lives. The whole purpose of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is to remind us that through the death and resurrection of Christ (the Lamb of God), the Eternal Father has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. The truth is that our past sins, once confessed, are forgiven so that we can put them where they belong – in the past. The Sacrament promotes a reflective attitude, but so that we can learn and thus be set free. It is rightly focussed on our future, on making a new beginning.
Today is also Peace Day. Our history (the history of our world) appears so often to be one of conflict. It is a history whose ‘milestones’ are wars and conflict: we talk, do we not, about ‘Pre-War’ and ‘Post-War’? The world needs all sorts of things as a prelude to peace. It needs justice and greater equality of opportunity, for example. But none of these things goes to the root of the problem. What the world really needs is Christ, the Prince of Peace. ‘Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.’
May the Peace of the Lord be with you always.
Fr Frank ofs
Sunday Smile:
Parishioners arrived at their local church for Morning Worship to discover the doors locked and bolted. There was a note from the Minister: ‘You have been coming here long enough. Now go and do it.’
Epiphany of the Lord 7/8 January 2017
Fr Frank writes:
My Dear Friends,
The account of the journey of the magi searching for Jesus is an opportunity for us to reflect on our own faith journey. As the magi were guided by a star on their journey, we also have received guidance along the way. We can use this day to recall with gratitude the ‘stars’ we have followed. Who were the people whose example and advice helped us along the way? Who were our companions on the journey? Perhaps we have had experiences that changed us and opened us up to a deeper understanding of the value of faith. We might even be able to say that there was a time in our lives when, like the magi, we found Jesus. Yet, is it not also true that this discovery is never complete? There is always more we can learn about Jesus. We find him again and again each day. We discover him anew in the Mass, in our daily prayer, in one another and in reading the bible. Perhaps there have been times when we have lost our sense of direction in life – when we lost sight of the ‘guiding star’. The magi lost sight of the star too, then found it again after consulting Holy Scripture, and they were ‘filled with delight’ as they were led to Jesus.
Perhaps you could use today as an opportunity to bring to mind the benefits you have experienced from having the Spirit of Jesus as part of your life, and give thanks.
On a personal note, Anne and I would like to thank you all for your greetings, kind words and many gifts received at Christmas. Thank you too for the generous Christmas Offering. You are truly generous people and we are so fortunate to be able to live among you and serve you.
With every blessing.
Fr Frank ofs
Sunday Smile:
How did Mary and Joseph know that Jesus was 7lb 6oz when he was born?
They had a weigh in a manger!
Double Edition: Christmas 2016 and the New Year 2017
Fr Frank writes:
This Newsletter comes with my good wishes and prayers for a very happy Christmas and New Year.
This year Anne and I celebrate our second Christmas with you in the two parishes of Harwich & Dovercourt and Frinton & Walton. (Where does time go?)
Once again, for us, it has been a good year and we thank you all for your love, your prayers and your support.
With every blessing,
Fr Frank ofs
A creepy (and crawly) Christmas fact:
Did you know that a live Christmas Tree is home for about 30,000 creepy crawlies, including midges, fleas, lice, spiders and beetles? Cheer up though, most of them die when the tree is brought indoors.