Chris McDonnell reflects on the Book of the Psalms. “They challenge their readers to face up to their own success and failure in life’s journey and in so doing to come face to face with the mercy and constant forgiveness of the God who made us.”
As we mark the fifth anniversary of this ground-breaking encyclical, internationally-acclaimed Irish theologian Dermot A. Lane has published a new book, Theology and Ecology in Dialogue: The Wisdom of Laudato Si’, that builds bridges between theology and ecology.
There is much good news in today’s Gospel, which should help to sustain all who are anxious because of the pandemic. We’re told we can bring all our troubles to Jesus and find rest. God will make our burden light. We praise God for the care promised us.
Seamus Ahearne thinks about all the changes we are now faced with as a result of the pandemic.
“We will adjust our thinking to a new way of being, as we consider a new way forward. There is no option.”
“Many decisions that should have been taken years ago in terms of planning, are now being forced on us. Our mentality has to change drastically.”
Fr. Pat Rogers remains in hospital but is much improved and we hope and pray now on the road to a full recovery.
It has been a difficult time and he and his family are very grateful for your continued prayers and good wishes.
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We’re told in today’s first reading that unexpected blessings can come our way when we least expect them. As we move from lockdown to a ‘new normal’ during this pandemic, we give thanks for the unexpected blessings the period of lockdown brought…
Seamus Ahearne emerges from lockdown “taken back myself at how old I had got and how I had deserved the cocooning!”
“It is a humbling reflection to glance backwards towards 14/15th March and since.
The world lived without us. Lived without Church. Lived without Mass. No Holy Week. No Easter. No Baptisms. No First Communion. No Confirmations. No house visits. No Schools. No full Funerals. No shopping. No hospital visiting or visits to the sick.
Somehow the sky didn’t fall in. We can’t go back to how we were.”
Chris McDonnell thinks about one thing that has been missed in recent weeks – “the exchange of touch between each other in recent weeks for without words our hands speak of our emotions, our cares and our suffering.”
“It is with our hands that we take and give, share and consume. What could be more practical than we receive the gift of the Christ in the same manner?”
We have nothing to be afraid of, we’re told in today’s Gospel. God knows every one of our needs. We gather in prayer, united by our faith, to thank God for this word of encouragement. And on this Father’s Day, we honour the presence and memory of our fathers — and those who have played a father’s role……
We Are Church Ireland publish their ‘Transparency Table’ for irish dioceses.
The Transperancy Scores are calculated based on 10 criteria developed by Voice of the Faithful in the USA. The criteria include the availability on websites of Annual Accounts; details of the Finance Committee; Search functions to quickly find information; financial guidelines.
Soline Humbert questions why our bishops don’t publish their ad limina reports, considering that in other places they do exactly that.
Seamus Ahearne’s riverside reflections lead him to conclude that “Like Jeremiah this weekend; we all have to speak up and speak out…. I call on our leaders and our ministers to speak up and to speak out. With a new vision of parish, church, priesthood and sacrament. There is a new place for God and the Word, to be heard.”
STATEMENT FROM ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC PRIESTS
ON RE-INTRODUCING PUBLIC MASSES
UPDATED – to include Document from Western Bishops – Tuam, Achonry, Clonfert, Elphin, Galway, Killala
Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of God
Brendan Hoban wonders why Pope Francis’ agenda is not gaining traction in the Irish church; the agenda “to rediscover and implement the insights of the Second Vatican Council…. to focus on protecting planet earth, to place the poor at the centre of our concerns, to breathe new life into the concept of mercy, to emphasise a synodal (or group) approach to decision-making and to find new ways of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
Today’s liturgy invites us to reflect on what we have missed these last three months — the weekly gathering of the Body of Christ for Sunday Mass, and the sharing in the Body of Christ in Holy Communion. As we celebrate Corpus Christi today, we pray for a greater appreciation of these gifts.
Chris McDonnell in writing about the murder of George Floyd reminds us that true leadership comes at a cost; “Colin Kaepernick. When he first protested against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling down during the United States national anthem in the summer of 2016, he did so paying a high personal price but his actions gained him respect.”
Seamus Ahearne writes of the God who is with us. “God gives us the kiss of life daily for us to revive, walk, sing, dance, love, enjoy, be aware, be grateful, appreciate, notice, wake up and see.
‘Earth is crammed with heaven.’ (Elizabeth Barrett Browning).”
Joshua J. McElwee writes in NCR on the report commissioned by Australia’s bishops and religious orders into how governance in the church can be more “co-responsible,” or be better shared among bishops, clergy and laypeople.
‘The most visible indicator of the barriers to full participation is that the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Australia, as in the Church across the world, remains exclusively male.’
We reflect on the mystery of God on this Trinity Sunday. We gather to worship the One who creates, redeems and sanctifies, three persons, one God, without end. And we ask God to stay close to us and sustain us in these challenging times.
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