+ Thursday 23rd – Scripture of the day, homily reflections and plan for Weekend Mass

How beautiful the sunshine of recent days has been! Someone said to me the other day; ‘it’s hard to believe there’s a global health crisis going on when the days are so perfect here – I feel a bit guilty to be enjoying the weather so much!’  Maybe for those of us who haven’t lost our jobs or who haven’t had family members sick (COVID-19 global deaths approaching 170,000 as I write this!) – AND who have beautiful weather – can, among our ways of caring for others, receive God’s blessing by taking a little extra time to allow God’s word of the scriptures to speak to us and call us on. I hope the following scriptures set down for Mass today – and the voice recorded reflections – can serve your own reflection and next insights in some way.  

Apology today’s post is late (normally aim for midday)  due to technology problems  with the internet server – all fixed now cross fingers!

First Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles     (5:27-33)

When the officials had brought the apostles in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.’ In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

This so infuriated them that they wanted to put them to death.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

(a new born baby with a protective mask in Covid times)

Response> The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

R> The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

R> The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

R> The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Gospel Acclamation                                              (John 20:29)

Gospel

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John   (3:31-36)

The Gospel of the Lord.

Homily Reflections on today’s readings

You might have seen how in some days’ posts in the Parish Blog space we’ve had just a piece or two of the Mass prayers, rather than the lot, in order to encourage our more focussed reflection on something. For today, what about just this tiny bit below … one of the short acclamations from the Mass that we call  ‘the mystery of faith’. You might like to ponder this one – and ask ‘how can these words that I say in Mass, touch my life, today, in some real way, and help me to keep living differently?’ 

Blessings on your own further reflections from the day’s readings and from other parts of your day too!

Weekend Mass ahead at Our Lady of the Way?

Streaming Sunday 9.30am – and will continue to be viewable afterwards – Help us spread the word among the community

As you know the approach to Mass/liturgy for Our Lady of the Way has been a mix. There are lots of live streams around plus TV Mass – and we live also streamed through Easter. Last weekend we again used a combination of images, guided texts of the Mass and voice recordings. And I’ve been welcoming any feedback via [email protected] – A number of people have said  that the combination structure has been good for them to be able to take their own initiative or leadership with the liturgy – compared to only using the approach of watching liturgies and trying to enter into them that way. I was glad to get that feedback – a good sign that we can use this time in some way to grow our respective confidence or capacity. No-one has directly asked for another live stream Mass at Our Lady of the Way – but again I’ll be keen on feedback about that. Maybe some people are being polite by saying nothing so far.

In any case, for this weekend, in the spirit of taking a mixed approach, we will live stream Mass. It will stream via Facebook at 9.30am (stream open 5-10 mins before) on Sunday 26th April. And the Mass will be around 40 mins maximum.

Just google anything like Emu Plains Parish Facebook and you’ll find it – or use the link https://www.facebook.com/olowparishemuplains/

Streaming Sunday 9.30am – and will continue to be viewable afterwards – Help us spread the word among the community

See you in the next post and  …

with friendship in God’s mission,

fr Paul