Editor’s Choice

Words matter. What we say has an effect on others, for good or ill. Our words can bring peace or make war. As we pray to use our words well, we pray also for the world to be spared from the madness of war in Europe.

We gather to remember the passion and death of Jesus, and to celebrate his resurrection with joy. He calls us to move beyond rivalry and conflict, to be true followers of the Christian way.

As we move from summer towards autumn, we praise God who sustains us all year round. We ask for help with new undertakings and perseverance with continuing projects, knowing that nothing will work well without God’s grace.

God calls us together for praise and worship today. As weak and sinful people, we gather to ask the Lord’s mercy. We know that divine grace is sufficient for us. Together, we praise and thank our God for the constant care we receive. 

As summer takes hold of us, we give thanks to God for all the gifts we enjoy. We rejoice in God’s saving power: death itself is in his hand and all the living depend on God alone.

We have nothing to be afraid of, no matter what storm threatens to overwhelm us, God is with us. We need to trust in Christ’s calming presence — and not to be afraid to ask for help.
• And on this Father’s Day, we honour the presence and memory of our fathers — and those who have played a father’s role……]

Throughout these summer months, trees, plants and grasses grow and flourish. Our faith is also to grow and flourish during these Sundays of Ordinary Time. The green vestments worn by the celebrant signify continuing growth in faith.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the second climax of the Easter season. We celebrate ‘the great beginning of the Church’, the day the Holy Spirit first came to confused and frightened disciples.

Like branches of one tree, we are held together by our faith in Christ. Because we are all part of this one living plant, we come together in thanksgiving and praise.

During the Easter season the Church continues to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, even in these pandemic days. Today, we join together to worship God, who has brought about the great victory over sin and death in which we hope.

The liturgy that begins this Thursday evening continues until we reach Easter. We are at the start of a three-day celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We journey from the Last Supper to Gethsemane tonight, from there to Calvary tomorrow, and from the tomb to resurrection and new life at the Vigil of Easter Sunday.  

Today’s liturgy gives a preview of the events we will celebrate between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday: the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. These events are also the focus of this and every Sunday celebration. We ask for God’s help in understanding their significance.

This Sunday we come to the midpoint of Lent. The season is half over, and the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus is nearer to us. On this midway Sunday, it is traditional to honour mothers, praying for those still with us and remembering those who have died.

We gather in continuing lockdown on this first Sunday of March in Ireland, praying that God will keep our hope alive during the Lenten spring. The Lord has the message of eternal life: we come to know this message during the Sunday online gathering and deepen our relationship with our Saviour.

As we continue to celebrate Lent, we keep the goal of our journey before us. The gospel of the transfiguration is read on this lenten Sunday each year, to remind us to hold firm to a vision of glory, even on dark days. Easter will follow this season of penance, just as freedom will eventually replace this tough time of lockdown. Hope keeps us going.

Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is celebrated in lockdown this year, in this and most every country, as the world fights COVID-19. But though apart, we are united in worship and in prayer, looking forward to Easter and better days ahead.