Sunday 1st December 2002, First Sunday of AdventBy Rev Gerard Flynn"… ascended into heaven, seated at the right hand of God, the almighty Father, he will come again to judge the living andthe dead …" Lord Christ, You have no body on earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours. Ours are the eyes through which your compassion must look out on the world. Ours are the feet by which you may still go about doing good. Ours are the hands with which you bless people now. Bless our minds and bodies, that we may be a blessing to others. Amen. (St Teresa of Avila) *************************************************************************** An invitation You and your guests are invited to an RCIA group lunch in Christ the King Presbytery at 1 pm on Sunday 12th January (This will be in place of the meeting scheduled for Sunday 5th January) RSVP Millions of people lost their lives in the second world war. Many more millions of families were bereft. Cities and countries around the world were scarred and disfigured. Much had to be cleared up and renewed. This is a story from one German cathedral. During the reordering and renovation, following bomb damage, a statue was found of the risen Christ. It was almost completely undamaged, except for the loss of the two hands. There was a great deal of discussion among the cathedral authorities and the people of the city. Several suggested craftsmen who might be able to restore the hands so skilfully as to hide the fact that there had ever been any damage. But after all this talk of restoration, one voice spoke up loud and clear above the rest. A woman pointed to the stumps where the hands had been. She said that they were symbols of the way that mankind sometimes responded to God. They also showed how humanity damaged itself by waging war. She went on to say that the statue should be left with no hands. It would be good to remember that Jesus had left his disciples to do his work. Seeing the statue might remind people that the task of building God's kingdom was now in their hands. The woman's voice was heard and the statue was replaced on its plinth … the hands still missing. "Pray as if it all depends on God. Work as if it all depends on you." (St Ignatius of Loyola) *************************************************************************** Percentages: When you pray, remember that things are not divided so that 60% is up to God and 40% is up to you: 100% is up to God … and 100% is up to you. (attributed to a former Abbot of Nashdom) The endings of the three synoptic gospels Matthew 28:16-20 Meanwhile the eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said: "All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time." Mark 16:19-20 And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven; there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it. Luke 24:50-53 Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and raising his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God. RCIA Group 2004 Brackstone, Angharad Mrs Sponsor: Anne O'Shea Dirisu, Evans Dr Sponsor: Graham Poole Donnison, Heather and Jade Sponsor: Angela Rogers Lee, Donna Ms Sponsor: Teresa Poole Southey, Marian Miss Sponsor: Mary McAphee (please check spelling) Return to R.C.I.A. menu Back to the top |
||