Deacon Martin Reflects on The Incarnation.<\/span><\/div>

<\/div>Two thousand years ago God looked upon the world with unconditional love and with great concern.<\/span>

If we looked at our world today would we be concerned ? What would we see?<\/div>

<\/div>

We would see people suffering, along with all those who cause that suffering. We see people dying from natural disasters related to ecological destruction caused by humans, people dying from accidents and preventable illness, people robbing one another, killing one another, hoarding scarce resources from one another, people suffering from poverty and famine, people abusing one another\'s dignity and humanity, even simply forgetting that others exist- a messy and troubled world <\/div>

<\/div>

We could chose to look the other way and pretend not to notice these atrocities. Yet if we can see this unfolding in our time, God sees it as well. <\/div>

<\/div>

What is God\'s response? God sees ALL across time and space in the same moment. Because God so loved the world and wanted all of us to be in His divine presence forever, Jesus came among us, incarnate into a troubled world. Born in a messy stable with no comforts. A place where rulers threatened the very existence of life. A Saviour came to save us to set our hearts free. In a chaotic world we are filled with hope because we have Emmanuel- God with us. He seeks to make a home in our hearts. God bestows us with gifts and gives us freedom to choose. His love is unconditional and his forgiveness boundless. The incarnation shows us Christ\'s vast love for us, and the importance for us of loving others.<\/div>

<\/div>

As Advent draws to a close I find a quiet place and ponder<\/div>

How does God enter into the messiness of my life?
<\/div>

Where do I find evidence of God at work in my life? <\/div>

Is it In the silence of prayer?<\/div>

The busyness of everyday life? Where?<\/div>

Where do I hear the voice of Jesus in life?<\/div>

Where is Jesus calling me?<\/div>

<\/div>

At the end of my reflection I pray a lyric from the 1971 rock musical Godspell.<\/div>

<\/div>

\'Lord, grant that I may see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly day by day.\'<\/span><\/div>

<\/div> <\/p>

Deacon Martin reflects on Advent<\/span><\/div>

<\/div>

Financial crisis, energy costs, violence on city streets, fuel and food poverty, homelessness , threats to our health service, famine, climate crisis and conflict dominate the headlines of our local and national newspapers and social media news feeds. It makes for very difficult reading.<\/div>

<\/div>

But there is a lot of good news too.<\/div>

<\/div>

We find it in the Scriptures, the Bible the Sunday readings. We behold a great mystery. A saviour is born to redeem us to guide us to eternal life. In these final days of Advent let us prepare our hearts and minds to welcome and receive him.<\/div>

<\/div>

Just this morning I received the following \'good news\' from a friend and I hope it lifts your spirits too.<\/div>

<\/div>

“A voice crying in the wilderness” calls us away from the noise of the city inviting us to pay attention to the quiet message of good news in strange times. A promise of peace is proclaimed to a people trapped in strife, division and turmoil. The Bible readings of the Advent Season invite us to remember who we are and where we come from as a people. We hold a treasure in our heart. Advents helps us slowly reorient ourselves for the journey ahead by allowing us delve more deeply into the mystery of the incarnation. ( by Ashley Evans SJ.)<\/div>

<\/div>

So we ask ourselves in the words of St Ignatius, \'Who are we to God and who is God to us?\'<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div><\/p>

Deacon Martin Reflects on Mission Awareness Season <\/span>- October 2022<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>

\nDo you believe that you are My witnesses?<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

When Jesus went to ‘be there’ with his friends Martha and Mary on the\noccasion of the death of their brother Lazarus, just before He raised him from\nthe dead, He asked Martha a significant question. Jesus said,<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even\nthough they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will\nnever die, do you believe this?”<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

We notice how Martha responds to Jesus, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You\nare the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world”<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Do you believe? is a question each person who has ever encountered Jesus\nhas to answer and testify to in life.<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked ‘Who do you say I am?’ <\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Peter answered you are the Messiah. When Jesus returned to the Upper\nroom and stood before Thomas and said, ‘Give me your hand.’<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and My God.’. Jesus found Thomas in his\nunbelief. All these expressions of faith inspire us to reflect on our daily\ninteraction with God<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Our genuine encounter with Jesus evokes within us an organic faith,\nemerging from grace and openness to use the gifts we have been given. Faith is\nsomething that we feel in our own hearts. Often our belief comes from the\nwitness of others rather than memorising lists of rules and morality codes.<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

In the Old Testament, we can recall God’s faithfulness to His\ncovenant to the Chosen People, ‘You will be my people and I will be Your God.\'<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

We see how often the people strayed yet the mercy of God brought\ngoodness and life out of the bad situations. We too notice our hearts move\nwith gratitude and awe when Jesus restores our hope. We see and believe in\nGod’s amazing goodness and abundant love for us.<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

In parish, when the Baptism Team meets Parents and Godparents for\nBaptism Preparation, we emphasise the importance of being a witness and\nencourage them to ponder what it means to be a witness for a new Christian.\nWe suggest that they look at their own witness to Christ and his Gospel. It is\nthen the role of the witness is to share all that they have seen, heard, and\nexperienced through God\'s grace and gifts. God does the changing of\nhearts. All who know Him are to proclaim Him, not just a talented or\nchosen few. We live out our faith in everyday actions.<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Luke records in Acts 1-8 that Jesus tells his disciples.<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you\nwill be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends\nof the earth.\'<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

This powerful message of mission and sending to the disciples to is\nleave their comfort zones to go beyond the Jewish world to the Gentiles to\nproclaim the Good News far and wide is still paramount today.<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

When we receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation that is our\ncalling too. We too are called to be witnesses to the Truth everywhere we\ngo.<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Do you believe this? is a question Jesus continues to ask us. Our belief\nis never perfect. We need to continue to renew our belief in God’s goodness.\nThis is why each Sunday, Christians profess their faith publicly in the form of\nthe creed, not because they lost their faith in the past week but because there\nis profit in reflectively answering Jesus’ question over and over again.<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Saint Ignatius of Loyola understood that repetition often bore fruit. He\nknew that the spiritual life required daily recommitment, and most importantly,\nthat our answer to Christ’s question required continuous encounters with Jesus\nin prayer and the sacraments. Our beliefs can be the most real things in our\nlives because they have the power to transform our lives.<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

When Jesus told Martha that He was the resurrection and the life and\nasked her if she believed this. And then He gave her the space for a free\nresponse. Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercises illustrates how precious the gift\nof freedom<\/span> Jesus came to set us free. From what? The kind\nof freedom Ignatian spirituality preaches is <\/span>freedom\nfrom the attachments<\/span><\/a><\/span>,<\/span> fears, and blockades that inhibit our spiritual growth.<\/span> The paradox of\nChristian freedom is that when we take risks and make choices, we don’t\nrestrict our freedom; we increase it.<\/span><\/strong> <\/span>God calls us\nall to have freedom. <\/span>Jesus’ question \'Who do you say I am?\' and our\nresponse has the power to deepen our faith, lead us to more questions, and to a\ngreater trust in a God who always remains faithful and abundant in love. <\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

In this season of Mission awareness, we pray for the grace to reach out\nto others through prayer, donations and giving witness, so let us ask ourselves<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Do we believe?<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

What do we believe?<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Do we pray and attend church out of a deep conviction of belief?<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Do we acknowledge the presence of God in our daily lives?<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Do we see God in all things and in all people?<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

How can I fulfil the mission and call of Baptism?<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

What can we do this October to make a difference?<\/span> <\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Let us pray that all of us, might be moved by the Holy Spirit and inspired\nto give our lives over to Christ and set about doing the Church’s mission in\nbold and courageous ways.<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Rev Deacon Martin Donnelly<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

St Michaels Parish, Enniskillen<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Diocese of Clogher.<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>

Deacon Martin Reflects on Self-Charging.<\/span>

<\/div>Life has ups and downs. Sometimes, and hopefully most of the time, we experience consolation. But sometimes desolation creeps in.

When I consider how the new self charging hybrid cars operate, I find that when you slow down and apply the brakes the battery pack self charges and stores up energy for more efficient use.<\/div>

<\/div>
So it is with life balance and our interior movements. St. Ignatius taught that we should store up consolations for times of desolation, and use consolations well to prepare for times when desolation will strike again. <\/div>

<\/div>
Ignatius offered this advice because there are times when we experience God’s peace, love, and joy in life but then, even if we are faithful to prayer, there will inevitably be times of sadness, of feeling discouraged and finding it hard to pray. <\/div>

<\/div>
That is life!<\/div>

<\/div>
Happily, we can respond to both consolation and desolation in life by holding them in balance and not focusing on one or the other as what is \'real.\' Store up the positives to overcome the negatives.
<\/div>

<\/div>
It is God and the times where we see God in our lives—that is the \'real\'focus of our love.<\/div>

<\/div>
Let us make time each day to talk to God, tell him how you feel and listen for his response to turn desolation into consolation.<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Ordinary Time.<\/span><\/div>

<\/div>
For a long time I was puzzled when I went to Sunday Mass in early January to find that the Church had moved into Ordinary Time.<\/div>

<\/div>
I always knew the Church year began with Advent, followed four weeks later by the Christmas season full of joy and feast days.<\/div>
Why Ordinary Time I wondered? To me Ordinary meant nothing special, nothing spectacular- just Ordinary!!!<\/div>

<\/div>
As I reflect on the term Ordinary today I really think this season is quite special. For a start the vestments worn for Mass are Green, which symbolises the virtue of HOPE. <\/div>

<\/div>
Green is the colour of the new growth of nature. Green buds and shoots sprout and grow and flourish into a bountiful harvest.Evergreens keep their colour and thrive just like God\'s love for us is with out beginning or end.<\/div>

<\/div>
The season of Ordinary time celebrates every aspect of the life of Christ, his life, his teachings, his parables, his miracles. The Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is the key element of Ordinary Time.The Gospels tell us about the mission of Christ, his love and compassion for humanity and that are infinitely loved from conception to final breath. God\'s love nurtures us and helps us grow into the people we are.<\/div>

<\/div>
It may be Ordinary Time but for me it is Special.<\/div>
Is it special for you?<\/div>
Can you try and make it special?<\/div>

<\/div>
This first spell of Ordinary Time will end on Ash Wednesday when we begin Lent. So let this season be a time of HOPE for us all.<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div> <\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Epiphany<\/span><\/div>

<\/div>
On this twelfth day of Christmas we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, when Jesus the Son of God was revealed in human form, as a tiny baby, beyond the Jewish community to three Gentiles from afar.

<\/div>
In truth we know very little about the Magi. For me, they represent all people being brought together by God through the incarnation. This makes it easier for us to see ourselves in the Magi. God is revealed to us.<\/div>

<\/div>
So we ponder,how does God reveal himself to each one of us? Could it be through nature, artwork, music? God reveals his presence to us in many different ways in many different circumstances in joy, sadness ,grief or celebration. <\/div>

<\/div>
The beautiful thing is that God can use any of these opportunities to get our attention, but we cannot stop at just seeing God in the world around us we must see the face of God in all people.<\/div>

<\/div>
Like the magi, we must have the courage to venture into the unknown. Courage to follow the things that bring us closer to God so that we might encounter the presence of Jesus in our daily lives. And when we do, we can offer our own three gifts to Him,<\/div>
our love, our life, and our very self.<\/div>

<\/div>
Think of your Epiphany\/ Revelation of God moments in your personal life and give thanks.<\/div>

<\/div>
We thank the Lord, for the gift of revealing himself to all nations, and ask that He continue to be revealed in the works of his children. Amen<\/span>.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects the turn of the Year.<\/span><\/div>
Recently I discovered a new year prayer in a book by Victoria Hampton Wright, an author and editor of books on Ignatian Spirituality. I have been praying with the words for several days now as I examine the year just past.<\/div>

<\/div>
The prayer speaks of a new year giving us the opportunity to let go of the past and devise a fresh plan for the future. It is another try to fulfil the life we want to live.<\/div><\/div><\/blockquote><\/div>

<\/div>
Reflecting at the end of an old year on where God was present in life opens up to new possibilities to adjusting old ways to work better.A new year reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always moving, workingand leading us to the next positive step.<\/div><\/div><\/blockquote><\/div>

<\/div>
This prayer speaks of a gentle and tender transformation into a new year. It offers no dramatic idealistic resolutions which will last less than week. It acknowledges God as a gentle and all powerful Creator of all that is beautiful in the world.<\/div><\/div><\/blockquote><\/div>
Pray it slowly and Ponder.<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div>
God of all time,<\/div>
help us enter the New Year quietly,<\/div>
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,<\/div>
mindful that our steps make an impact<\/div>
and our words carry power.<\/div>
May we walk gently.<\/div>
May we speak only after we have listened well.<\/div>
Creator of all life,<\/div>
help us enter the New Year reverently,<\/div>
aware that you have endowed<\/div>
every creature and plant, every person and habitat<\/div>
with beauty and purpose.<\/div>
May we regard the world with tenderness.<\/div>
May we honour rather than destroy.<\/div>
Lover of all souls,<\/div>
help us enter the New Year joyfully,<\/div>
willing to laugh and dance and dream,<\/div>
remembering our many gifts with thanks<\/div>
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.<\/div>
May we welcome your lavish love.<\/div>
May we cast off the small, vindictive god our fears have made.<\/div>
May the grace and peace of Christ bless you now and in the days ahead.<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/blockquote><\/div> <\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on the Nativity <\/span>
As the long queues to register dispersed and the noisy business of the Bethlehem marketplace cleared , no one noticed a bearded man accompanied by a young lady about to give birth to a child- the Saviour of the World<\/div>

<\/div>
Where have I missed the opportunity to recognise and respond to Christ among us?<\/div>

<\/div>
Mary did not become upset when there were no rooms available at the inns. She just trusted in God, believing everything would be according to His will.<\/div>

<\/div>
When things are difficult, do I look to Mary to learn from her grace-filled ways and total trust in God?<\/div>

<\/div>
The events of that night were far from perfect. Mary gave birth in a dusty, smelly stable. There was no bed, no clean linen, no no comforts at all. Yet, in this imperfect setting, God came among us.<\/div>

<\/div>
Do I think that I need to be perfect or that my prayers need to be perfect or that my life needs to be perfect before I can concentrate on God and ask God to come into my life?<\/div>

<\/div>
When the newborn infant breathed gently in his mother\'s arms, Mary breathed in the love of God.<\/div>

<\/div>
How often do I allow myself to “just breathe” in Jesus’ presence like Mary did after Jesus was born? <\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div>
After a long journey, and giving birth in poor conditions Mary and Joseph rested on the straw sharing the joy and love of a new baby.<\/div>

<\/div>
How often do I allow myself to feel the peace and love that Jesus showers upon me when I rest in him?<\/div>

<\/div>
The Shepherd\'s were told a King was born and they went off immediately to find him, not in a stately home but in a humble stable where he was born.<\/div>

<\/div>
How often do I let God find me where I am no matter how I feel?<\/div>

<\/div>
No one made room in their home for the young family.<\/div>

<\/div>
Is there room at my table for them this Christmas?<\/div>

<\/div>
Christmas blessings everyone!<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on \'Giftedness\' in Advent.<\/span><\/div>

<\/div>
This Advent take some time to think of your life as a gift from God. Replay your life story in your mind, highlighting the many graces you have received from earliest childhood until now.<\/div>

<\/div>
When you really think of giftedness you will find that your many blessings far outnumber the low points in life.<\/div>

<\/div>
Each person has a \'grace history\' but often it becomes overshadowed and taken for granted in the fast pace of modern living.<\/div>

<\/div>
Take time this Advent to slow down and think of the gifts that the Holy Spirit has showered upon us.
<\/div>

<\/div>
We are God\'s instruments, He gives us gifts to share with others.<\/div>

<\/div>
Think of the gifts that God gave you through other people and give thanks.<\/div>

<\/div>
Visualise these people and pray with gratitude for how they gave God\'s grace to you.Some may still be with you, others may have gone to God. Thank them and pray for them.<\/div>

<\/div>
So start thinking and giving thanks this Advent.<\/div>

<\/div>
Think!<\/div>

<\/div>
Who gave me life and nurtured me?<\/div>

<\/div>
Who gave me a safe place to be in?<\/div><\/span>

<\/div>
Who listened to me with great care and attention?<\/div>

<\/div>
Who told me the truth, even when it was difficult?<\/div>

<\/div>
Who introduced me to prayer, or worship, or Scripture?<\/div>

<\/div>
Who talked to me about Jesus, or his mother, Mary, or God as loving parent?<\/div>

<\/div>
Who loves me and cares for me?<\/div>

<\/div>
Who can I share my gifts with?<\/div>

<\/div>
Glory be to God whose power working within us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory be to God, in Christ and in his Church from generation to generation. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)<\/div><\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Rowan Berries<\/span>

<\/div>
Whilst guiding groups of people on the Pilgrim Walk on Lough Derg shore recently, I marvelled at the Rowan Trees heavily laden with crimson, vermillion and orange berries. Their flourescent gleam illuminating the ancient \'tearmann\' which we walked.

<\/div>
The Rowan tree or Mountain Ash is known in Celtic\/Scots heritage as ‘fid na ndruad’, roughly translated as the wizard’s tree. This gives a little insight into the folklore surrounding the rowan tree. It was said to be associated with luck and warding off evil spirits. Red is seen as a protective colour, this is what attributes protection to the Rowan Tree.It was used when building a house to protect its inhabitants and planted in and around graveyards to expel spirits. A rowan tree can live for two hundred years and you can see dozens of them on Lough Derg\'s southern shore.<\/div>

When I talk to pilgrims on the guided walk I recall our Diocesan patron Macartan whose name means \'son of Art\' or son of the \'Rowan Tree.\'Macartan helped Patrick who was considerably older to help spread Christianity westwards from Strangford Lough towards the western seaboard of Ireland.<\/div>

<\/div>
In the Irish Language Macartan is called \' an Trean Fhear\', the \'Strong Man\' as Patrick was at times so weak and aged that Macartan carried him on his back through rivers, fields and forests.<\/div>
The red rowan berries, sweet food for the birds in Spring, reminds us of the passion of Christ and the evangelism of Patrick, Macartan and Davog who brought the Good News to our corner of the earth.<\/div>

<\/div>
Prayer<\/span><\/div>

<\/div>
Macartan, at the dawn of Christianity in Ireland<\/div>
your faithfulness in supporting St. Patrick<\/div>
enabled the good news of the Gospel<\/div>
to be told in our land.<\/div>
May the Word of God be reborn in us.<\/div>
May we in our time promote<\/div>
collaboration among the people of God,<\/div>
and lend a hand to those in our families,<\/div>
and parish communities that may be in need.<\/div>
May the Spirit of God,<\/div>
sustain and strengthen us in our friendships with one another<\/div>
on our journey towards the light,<\/div>
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> <\/p>
Deacon Martin\nReflects on Guardian Angels.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
The Catechism\nof the Catholic Church proclaims that <\/span><\/p>\n\n
\"from\ninfancy to death human life is surrounded by their angels\'watchful care and\nintercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd\nleading them to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith\nin the blessed company of angels and humanity united in God\" (CCC, n.\n336).<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Perhaps our\nguardian angels are not as famous as the Angel Gabriel, nor even as\nfamous as the angel Clarence in Frank Capra’s movie, \'It’s a Wonderful Life\'.\nNonetheless, our angels are attending us, just as surely as they attended\nJesus.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
They are\ndelivering to our minds and hearts a clear message from God, a message of hope,\nhope that is charged with the Good News of the Gospel proclaimed by Jesus,\nhanded on by the Apostles, and lived by the saints.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Following the\nblessing at the end of each baptism ceremony which I preside at , I always\nconclude with the Guardian Angel prayer (O Angel of God my Guardian dear......)\nas a prayer for the protection of the newly baptised and it is the first prayer\nI taught each of my grandchildren.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Guardian\nangels are our protectors and gate to the Father.They are our companions\nand guides along the path of our life, and gateways that open the way to God.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Our angels are\na compass to guide our journey. Angels show us the way to reach the Father and\nthe role of the angels in our life is even more important, because, our angel\nis not only with us but our Angel also sees God the Father. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Our Guardian\nAngel has a close relationship with God as a daily bridge, from the moment we\narise to the moment we go to bed.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Angel sent by\nGod to guide me, be my light and walk beside me, be my guardian and protect me\nin the path if life direct me.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Feast of\nthe Holy Guardian Angels is 2nd October.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p> <\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Daydreaming.<\/span>

<\/div>
I remember being told by my mother after she had attended a parent teacher meeting at my secondary school, that my Maths teacher had described me as a \'daydreamer in class. As you would expect I was strongly encouraged to concentrate more on those dreaded \'hard sums\'.<\/div>

<\/div>
Nowadays, I don\'t feel so bad about being a daydreamer, as a number of authors have described St Ignatius as a master daydreamer. It is said he could daydream for hours on end. Some suggest that it was through daydreaming that Ignatius learned to determine God’s will for his life. By daydreaming in the context of prayer, Ignatius was able to see God’s will for him and give him energy to do the great things he did for the glory of God.<\/div>

<\/div>
In my own Examen at night prayer, after I have acknowledged God\'s presence in my day, thanked Him and asked for His forgiveness, I prayerfully daydream about the next day. I imagine how I might approach the next twenty-four hours to be a channel of God’s faith, hope and service to others. <\/div>

<\/div>
When was the last time you \'daydreamed\' or even \'praydreamed\' and allowed your mind to wander where your heart was leading it?<\/div><\/div><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects on Changing\nSeasons.<\/span><\/p>
<\/span><\/p>\n\n
These September days I notice the\ntree foliage changing colour, the harvest being gathered and the daylight hours\nshortening. Yet, Autumn is a season not only of reaping but also for turning up\nthe earth and planting. In the springtime we plant seeds whose green shoots we\nawait anxiously to blossom in summer in autumn we bury bulbs for next year.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
What we sow in autumn rests, hidden\nin the ground to be hardened and readied through the long, cold winter. We wait\nfor the trees to fully shed their leaves and we anticipate the cold, ice and\nsnow. We plant in faith, because it may be a while before we see\nthe sprouts of snowdrops. daffodil, crocus and bluebells appearing\nthrough the cold soil.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
I think of the seasons of nature as\nstages of life, new life, continued nurture and growth, blossoming into full\nbloom, changing in form, slowly dying to be reborn into a new eternal life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
It’s good to reflect on the season of\nlife you find yourself ?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Perhaps you are still in the newness\nof springtime, or the high days of summer, maybe in the transition of\nautumn or the settling of winter?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Whatever stage you are at can you see\nthe spirit of autumn - that great time of transition -in different parts of\nyour spiritual journey? <\/span><\/p>\n\n
Have you had the opportunity for\nreaping and gathering in or planting bulbs whose flowering could come only\nafter a hard freeze?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Is your heart ready to welcome the\nplanting of God\'s love so that you may blossom in His grace after the long\ncold winter ahead of us?<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects on a Calling to Serve<\/span><\/p>
<\/span><\/p>\n\n
As one man is conferred with the ministry of Acolyte this weekend in\npreparation for ordination to Permanent Diaconate in February and two men from\nour Diocese of Clogher prepare to begin a year of discernment of a call to\nbecome permanent deacons, I think back to my own journey to ordained ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
One of the greatest gifts I experienced was that of accompaniment. I\nreally valued the prayers and actions of support from my family, my friends, my\nparish community and Diocese.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Sometimes the greatest gift I had was for people to \'be there\' for me.\nFor the many listening ears and voices of encouragement that supported and\nnurtured my discernment process.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Accompaniment is a vital part of Ignatian spirituality. It includes an\nelement of personal care and attention for the individual. The key thing is\nbeing there. But first of all, you need to be close to them in prayer. So, this\nweekend I ask the people of the Diocese to keep these three men in their\nthoughts and prayers that they may receive the grace to serve as Jesus did.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/span><\/p>
Help Me To Discern<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Today, O God of all days,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
give me an experience of your heart.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Draw me deep into your very being,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
into the core of your love for me, others, and the world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Give me a glimpse of others the way you see others:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
loving them, forgiving them,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
and delighting in the way they give glory to God<\/span><\/p>\n\n
through their very existence.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Help me to discern out of that open place of deep affection<\/span><\/p>\n\n
so that I too might be a useful vessel of your love in the world.\n(Author unknown)<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on an Aging Disciple<\/span>

<\/div>
As a Deacon, I try to balance my ministry to my family as a parent and grandparent with my pastoral ministry to parish, school, diocese and Lough Derg. In order to sustain this ministry I spend a quiet time every day(as far as possible) to pray with and reflect upon Scripture. It provides nourishment for my personal relationship with God and provides inspiration for homilies and ministering to those in need.<\/div>

<\/div>
I also read material inspired by St Ignatius of Loyola whose writings continue to make me aware of God\'s presence in every day life. Sometimes I find prayers composed by Ignatian writers which resonate with me.<\/div>

<\/div>
Recently I came across a prayer which is compatible with my current station in life.God\'s call for us doesn\'t end when we retire. In fact, many of our biblical saints were in their later years before God called them to the mission for which we know them: leadership, new life, transformation, healing amongst others.<\/div>

<\/div>
This prayer composed by author Barbara Lee, it is entitled
<\/div>

<\/div>
Prayer of an Aging Disciple<\/span><\/div>

Lord, grant me the grace<\/div>
to live in the present and recognise what is possible<\/div>
to look to the future and trust you<\/div>
to be silent, and hear your voice in the stillness<\/div>
to do what you ask without arguing<\/div>
to humbly adapt to radical change<\/div>
to serve, and to graciously accept being served<\/div>
to give generously<\/div>
to be ever grateful for all your generous gifts<\/div>
to use all my gifts in whatever form of service you ask of me<\/div>
to rejoice in all the graces you have given me<\/div>
to forgive and ask forgiveness<\/div>
to be sorry for all the times I have not responded to your call<\/div>
to live in a way that bears witness to you<\/div>
to have courage in times of trial<\/div>
to let go of all that keeps me from drawing ever closer to you<\/div>
to look forward to the future with hope<\/div>
and to be ever surprised as you make all things new.<\/div>
Amen.<\/div>

<\/div>
—Excerpted from \'Answering God’s Call \'by Barbara Lee, Loyola Press.<\/span><\/div>

<\/div>
Simply recite and reflect on this prayer for a while whether you are young or young at heart and be consoled by the presence of God.<\/div>

<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Ephphata<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
There\nis a word which appears only once in the entire New Testament, yet it an\nintegral part of the Rite of Baptism<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The\nword is ‘Ephphata’ which when translated from Aramaic means \'be opened.\'<\/span><\/p>\n\n
At\nbaptism, the priest or deacon touches the ears and mouth saying<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The\nLord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak, may he soon touch your ears\nto hear his word and his mouth to proclaim His truth in the name of the Father,\nSon and Holy Spirit, Amen <\/span><\/p>\n\n
In\npre- Vatican II era the priest would have touched the ears and mouth announcing\nthe word Ephphata.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
With\nthat sign at our baptism our ears were opened to hear the word of God and our\nlips were opened to proclaim, under the power of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus\nChrist is Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Today,\nas we live out the truth of our baptism and nurture the graces of that\nsacrament, we allow ourselves to hear each day the command of Jesus\n– Ephphata!<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Ephphatha,\nis a word that fascinates me because Jesus only uses it once when he heals the\ndeaf man in Mark\'s gospel. This man, being deaf and unable to speak\nresulted in virtual isolation from the community. He was cut off\nfrom hearing others and from speaking with others. So, when Jesus healed him\nand spoke the words, be opened, he literally tore down the walls that kept\nthis man from the fullness of life. The way to life was opened by\nGod. Now, he could hear the laughter, the conversations, the Good News of\nthe Kingdom, after having been blocked from doing so for years. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
To\nexperience the grace of ‘Ephphata,’ we need to come before the Lord in\nhumility and sorrow, praying, \"Have mercy on me O Lord and heal my soul,\nfor I have sinned against you.\" And then like the deaf man wait patiently\non the mercy of the Lord to touch our hearts and minds to renew us.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/o:p><\/span><\/p> <\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Back to School<\/span><\/div>
\n

\n<\/div>\n
Looking back on my life as a teacher, every September, \nstudents and teachers alike felt the butterflies in the stomach and put \non a brave face for our return to school, This year there still is the \nadded discomfort of a face-mask.<\/span><\/div>\n

\n<\/span><\/div>\n
In the early years, I remember the excitement of \npreparing the children to witness the historic visit of Pope John Paul \nII to Ireland. <\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>\n
I received great consolation from his words,<\/span><\/div>\n

\n<\/span><\/div>\n
\'Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply Step \nout fearlessly knowing that I am with you… Do this in complete faith and\n confidence.\' Saint John Paul II<\/span><\/div>\n

\n<\/span><\/div>\n
The \'unknown\' always creates a certain anxiety because our human nature drives us to seek to take control of things.<\/span><\/div>\n
Yet there is a certain excitement about the \'unknown\', new challenges, new experiences ,new friends and new beginnings.<\/span><\/div>\n
It takes courage to let go of the human controls and hand them over to God in total trust and confidence.<\/span><\/div>\n
I mean handing ALL to God because we find God in the \nordinary daily tasks.Yes, God is in all the little things, that help to \nread a new word, solving a mathematical problem,sharing and caring, \nlearning something new about the world- God\'s creation.<\/span><\/div>\n
If we know God is with us, we have no fear.<\/span><\/div>\n
Yes, that is easy to say but it takes great faith and courage.<\/span><\/div>\n
In the school year ahead let us look for and to God when\n doing the ordinary things, the homework, the tests\/exams, \nart,music,geography games and so on.<\/span><\/div>\n
Take time to connect to God every day whether you are a parent, student or teacher.<\/span><\/div>\n
In the morning offer your entire day to God.<\/span><\/div>\n
At night give thanks and reflect on where and when you felt the presence of God during your day.<\/span><\/div>\n
God bless the school year ahead.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on the Word of God<\/span><\/p>
\n\n
‘Your words\nare Spirit Lord, and they are Life.’  <\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Word of\nGod is life giving, it brings us hope and re energises our faith. For many in\nour culture of today faith has been weakened and watered down. People\nhave made many accommodations with the culture and customs of our time. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
We are\ncalled by the Church to return to the Lord. We are called by the Church\nto be renewed in our relationship with Christ and increase our knowledge\nof Scripture and the teachings of the faith. Vatican II sixty years ago\nreminded us that the Word of God is Sacrament.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus Christ\nis the Living Word of God. He is the Light of all nations. Think of the\nsun reflecting on water or a light shining through a prism, we know how the\nlight brings about a brilliance of many colours all vivid and translucent. This\nis the image of Jesus as the Incarnate Word of God present in the\nworld.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n
Just as\nJesus was a Light shining in the darkness of the world of his time, he is a\nLight for each and every age, for each and every culture and society. He\ncomes to our day and age to reveal all that is good within our society, but\nalso to illuminate all that is dark and not of his Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Saint John\nHenry Newman wisely recognised how slow people are to embrace the Light of\nChrist. In a homily he quotes the beginning of John\'s Gospel: <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\"through\nhim was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines\nin the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.\"  <\/span><\/p>\n\n
For me the\nlesson is clear: we must allow the Light of Christ\'s Word to penetrate our\nbeing and dwell in our hearts. Our society day needs the Light of the Gospel,\nthe Gospel of Life. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
So let us try spend more time with\nChrist, with Christ\'s Word, and allow his Light to shine through us to be a\nsource of renewal for ourselves, our parish and our community.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p> <\/p>
Deacon\nMartin Reflects on Daily Reflection<\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Let me ask\nyou<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Do you take\nGod for granted?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Do you\nreflect on your day each day and talk to God about it?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Do you ask\nGod to help you plan tomorrow to do your best for others?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Are you\nreally conscious of God\'s presence when you are at work, at home, out shopping,\nin school, making choices or relaxing each day?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
St Ignatius\ntaught the importance of being conscious of God’s presence each day. It doesn\'t\ntake long – perhaps 15 or 20 quiet, reflective minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
At around\n10pm or 10.30 each night, I use this Examen of Consciousness as part of my\nNight Prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
I settle\ndown, focus on my breathing, clear the clutter from my mind acknowledge that\nGod is with me in the silence. I then spend a few minutes on each of the steps\nbelow.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God , I am\nhere<\/span><\/p>\n\n
I thank you,\nGod, for always being with me, but especially I am grateful that you are with\nme right now. I now get comfortable in your presence.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, send\nyour Holy Spirit upon me.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, let the\nHoly Spirit enlighten my mind and warm my heart that I may know where and how\nwe have been together this day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, let me\nlook at my day<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, where\nhave I felt your presence, seen your face, heard your word this day?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, where\nhave I ignored you, run from you, perhaps even rejected you this day?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, let me\nbe grateful and ask forgiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, I thank\nyou for the times this day we have been together and worked together.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, I am\nsorry for the ways that I have offended you by what I have done or what I did\nnot do.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, stay\nclose<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, I ask\nthat you draw me ever closer to you this day and tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
God, you are\nthe God of my life—thank you<\/span><\/p> <\/p>
Deacon\nMartin reflects on <\/span>The journeys of Our Lady- Feast of the\nAssumption<\/span><\/p>
\n\n
When I pray through the intercession of our\nBlessed Mother Mary, <\/span>I often picture her\nas a quiet serene person but when I think more deeply about Mary a woman of\naction, <\/span>a lady on a continual journey —\nconstantly, by necessity, on the move. She is restless, rarely sitting still or\nstaying in one place.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In\nLuke’s account of the Assumption, Mary meets her cousin Elizabeth just three\ndays after the angel told her she was to become the Mother of God and that\nElizabeth too was carrying a special child who would prepare a way for the\nLord.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
After\nthis journey to see Elizabeth, Mary embarks on an arduous trip, while pregnant,\nto Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. After giving birth, she and her small\nfamily are on the move again, fleeing to Egypt, to escape death from the terror\nof Herod.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Mary\ntravels to the temple to present Jesus where Simeon and Anna greet her and she\nis told that a sword would pierce her heart.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
She\njourneys again <\/span>to Jerusalem, where her\nson goes missing – and watch her as she goes in search of him. Finding him, she\ncontinues her travels, bringing him home to Nazareth.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Mary,\nas the first disciple, in many ways prefigures all the disciples who will\nfollow – those who travelled, mostly on foot, throughout the world to spread\nthe gospel and proclaim the good news. Like those apostles, Mary was a\nmissionary – the first missionary, a woman who travelled and carried Christ to\nthe world.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the\ngospel, Mary brings jesus in her womb on a long journey and goes to her cousin\nand speaks the words any missionary might pronounce – words which are the very\nessence of The Good News.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
“My\nsoul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”<\/span><\/em><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What follows, the Magnificat, is Mary’s great gift to\nscripture, one of its most beautiful prayers<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/strong> It is prayed every evening in the Liturgy of the\nHours by millions around the world. This great song of Mary inspires me to\ntrust in the greatness of God as she did.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Then I\nsadly remember perhaps her most painful journey the most difficult of all, as\nshe followed her son on HIS journey to Calvary.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The\nroad is long. The journey isn’t easy. <\/span>I\nlearn , often the hard way, to have the trust in God that we need to travel\nwhatever road I must take will <\/span>Gods way\nnot mine – just as Mary did.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/span>Mary’s life is closely linked with ours. All\nof us, like Mary, are on a journey. All of us are traveling to places we may\nnot understand, to destinations we cannot see, but we have Mary as a guide if\nwe only take time to ask her.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
We\npray our lifes journey will lead us to meet her face to face – in heaven where\nshe waits for us, with a mother’s love and a mother’s hope.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p> <\/p>
Deacon Martin reflects on the Wounded Starfish<\/span><\/div>
Walking on the beach recently I came across a starfish that had lost one of its five arms, but from schooldays, I remember reading that starfish could regenerate that arm again after a period of time. <\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
In these past few days as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, I believe we all need to regenerate parts of our lives. We are now able to visit family and friends after a long absence. We can visit the mountains, countryside and beach to walk, breathe in fresh air and have fun with children and grandchildren. Hopefully these days of slowly leaving isolation will regenerating for us.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
I certainly feel the need to renew parts of myself and my relationships with others that felt a bit lost during the pandemic. All of us find joy in reconnecting, just like the way Jesus reconnected with his friends after rising from the dead.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
It’s in connection with family, friends, our parish or workplace that we often find joy naturally. In the last eighteen months I really missed eating a simple meal, the joy of talking and laughing with friends and being part of the congregation at Mass without restriction.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
I also know that I am more joyful when I am not weighed down by anxieties and acknowledge that God is with me in all my choices and all that I do each day. I see the face of God in the people that I have missed and have less fear in interacting with them due to the vaccination programme. <\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
I take comfort that after the resurrection, the friends of Jesus too, let go of their old fears and lived a new life full of trust in God. So let us place our trust in God and be renewed in hope.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
Like the starfish, we too can ‘regenerate’ when we trust and live in the love of God.<\/span><\/div>

<\/div> <\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on the Rising Sun<\/span><\/span>

<\/span><\/span><\/div>
These week we are experiencing the blazing sun warming the earth from a cloudless sky and lifting our spirits. We search for places to go to benefit from its heat and light. Protected with high factor sun cream we seek to soak up the vital Vitamin D from its rays to boost our immune system and see the beauty of God\'s creation in the mountains, hills, lakes and beaches in a new light.<\/span><\/span>

<\/span><\/div>
As I pray the Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus ) each morning I seek the warmth of the tender mercy of Jesus. Jesus’ coming to a troubled world is spoken of as the rising Sun from on high bringing light to those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death. The sun is the source of light and life and Jesus is the source of light and life for each of us.. In revealing God’s tender mercy, Jesus brings the light of God’s merciful love into the darkness of our lives.He is our Rising Sun and his resurrection in the sunlight of the Easter morning dispels the gloom of his passion and promises us eternal life.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
The weather forecast for the rest of this week predicts unbroken sunshine. Yet next week the weather may change and dark clouds may descend again but Christ the Rising Sun will never leave us. Let us keep the light of his love alive in our hearts.<\/span><\/div>
So in these days of sunshine pray this little extract from the Benedictus and rejoice in the prophecy of the dumbstruck Zechariah at the Visitation.
<\/span>

<\/span><\/div>
As for you, little child,<\/span><\/span>
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,<\/p>
for you will go before the Lord<\/p>
to prepare the way for him,<\/p>
to give his people knowledge of salvation<\/p>
through the forgiveness of their sins;<\/p>
this by the tender mercy of our God<\/p>
who from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us,<\/p>
to give light to those who live<\/p>
in darkness and the shadow of death<\/p>
and to guide our feet<\/p>
into the way of peace.’<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin reflections\non Choices<\/span><\/span><\/p>
<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\nEveryone has good days and bad days. Some days go like a dream others like nightmares.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Every day we all\nhave all got choices to make, some are easy like what will I have for breakfast.\nOthers more challenging like Can I face the outcome of recent medical tests.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the years I\nspent discerning the call to become a permanent deacon I learned a lot about the\nwords consolation and desolation but it was really challenging and often drained\nmy patience and perseverance to understand them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Initially, I began\nto read a lot about the discernment of the Spirit in making choices and as hard\nas I tried I just could not get my head around it. I couldn\'t work out the movement\nbetween consolation and desolation and apply these to everyday living. Allow me\nto share my experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Struggling for\nfive or six weeks of asking God to help me understand all this, out of the blue\na friend loaned me a book by a writer and Ignatian spiritual director named Margaret\nSilf. In the book I found a few simple steps and two checklists,which I found most\nhelpful when trying to discern consolation or desolation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
On reflection,\nwe have all experienced happy comforting times when the Good spirit is at work in\nour lives. St Ignatius calls it consolation.We live in a state of consolation when\nwe are moving toward God’s active presence in the world.Inother words when we can\nsee God in all things and all people.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Then. there are\ntimes of temptation,when we experience the evil spirit at work distracting us and\nmaking us more self centred. Ignatius describes this as desolation. We are in desolation\nwhen we are moving away from God’s active presence in the world and put our own\nneeds ahead of all others.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
St Ignatius gives\nus some guidance on making good decisions.that includes these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
• Identify the\nconcern which is prompting a decision<\/span><\/p>\n\n
• Recognize that\nwhatever decision is ultimately made, it should be for the greater glory and praise\nof God<\/span><\/p>\n\n
• Understand that\nif you ask, God will guide you to do what pleases Him.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Simple checklists:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Desolation:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Turns us in on\nourselves,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Drives us down\nthe spiral ever deeper into our own negative feelings,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Cuts us off from\ncommunity,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Makes us want to\ngive up on the things that used to be important to us,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Takes over our\nwhole consciousness and crowds out our distant vision,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Covers up all our\nlandmarks ,the signs of our journey with God so far<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Drains us of energy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
If I’m in desolation,\nI might try to alleviate the discomfort by drinking too much or seeking distraction\nthrough more work or social events.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Consolation:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Directs our focus\noutside and beyond ourselves,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Lifts our hearts\nso that we can see the joys and sorrows of other people,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Bonds us more closely\nto our human community,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Generates new inspiration\nand ideas<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Restores balance\nand refreshes our inner vision,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Shows us where\nGod is active in our lives and where God is leading us<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Releases new energy\nin us.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
If I am becoming\nmore kind to people and I feel that what I do is Christ-like then I am in consolation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Now I reflect daily\nat the end of each day on where I recognised the presence of God I\'m my life ,thoughts\nand actions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Can you apply these\nlists to your daily life?Can you find ways to turn desolation to consolation?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Can you recognise\nthat every decision you make is for the greater glory of God.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
As we learn to\nrecognise when we are in desolation and consolation, we can respond accordingly\nand change course through prayer, discernment, and meditation. When in desolation\nhave a strategy to move to consolation and then try to remain in consolation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
NEVER make decisions\nwhen in desolation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on MAGIS not Magic!<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
What do you do when you have choices to make and all\nthe options are finely balanced and all are for the good of others and each one\nseems as important as the next.Well when I face such decisions I apply MAGIS, not\nMagic but MAGIS.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Latin word \'Magis\' means \"greater\" is widely\nused in Ignatian literature and simply means to choose the greater good in all we\ndo.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The motto and underpinning philosophy\nof the Society of Jesus is<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\'Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,\' when translated means.<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\' all for the greater glory of God<\/span>.\'<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
‘Magis’ enables us to discern which choice is for the\ngreater glory of God.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I came across a poem by Rebecca Ruiz, a regular blogger\non an ignatian spirituality website, who shows us how she applies the greater glory\nof God in her life every day. I often read reflect on this poem as it helps me to\nfocus on what the greater glory of god means and enables me to prioritise what is\nimportant in my life and ministry to apply the \'Magis\' principle to choose do do\nthat which gives greater glory to God.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
This poem needs no comment or interpretation from me,\nother than to say Read it slowly. Enjoy it and re-read it often.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Living Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam- The Greater Glory of\nGod<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
by Rebecca Ruiz<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
To live Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam is a way of being that\npermeates every thought, every deed, every action and inaction<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
All is contemplated and weighed,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
All for the greater glory of God.
\n
\nTo live Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Is to lay claim to a legacy of \"other-ness\"
\nthat sets us apart and puts us at ease with any culture or people,
\nA completely integrated other-ness that seeks to make all things whole,
\nThat approaches the liminal without hesitation,
\nFinds God in all things,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Finds the Good in all things,
\nand seeks to proclaim His glory in all that we do.
\nIt is a heritage of service
\nHowever, whenever, and wherever needed,
\nOf leadership in service
\nTo those impoverished in mind, body, and spirit.
\n
\nIt is a call to respect the dignity of each human,
\nThe splendour of all creation, unencumbered by societal constructs.
\nIt is a complete inability to be unaware of injustice
\nor impervious to inequality,
\nA Spirit-driven determination to find a way to right the wrongs,
\nTo lift the downtrodden,
\nTo bind the wounds,
\nTo welcome the stranger, the nationless, the outcast,
\nTo see the humanity in all those discarded by economies and policies.
\nTo rise to this challenge—for the glory of God alone.
\n
\nTo offer one\'s heart and one\'s hands,
\nOne\'s whole self, a Suscipe,
\nIn desolation and in consolation.
\nTo give up even liberty for the sake of the love of the other.
\nTo be held to a higher standard,
\nTo see through a lens that sees the good and the possible
\n <\/span>in every impossible situation.
\n
\nTo be aware of our place as privileged children of a living God
\nwho demands only that we abandon all status and privilege.
\nTo be the voice for the voiceless
\nResponding to the call of the Spirit
\nOne with the harmonious resonance of all creation praising God.
\n
\nTo seek Him and to find Him in all things, people, circumstances,
\nand places,
\nUnafraid to speak Truth to injustice
\nTo embrace the contradiction of Love
\nClothed in the power of the One who died naked and penniless.
\nTo be unattached to any outcome except that which God wills,
\n
\n<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Leaving behind comfort zones,
\nReleasing the ego into the bosom of the Creator.
\nRooted in the confident security
\nand the joy of knowing Love beyond words.
\nUnattached to and surrendered to none but that Love.
\n
\nCalled together at one table, unity in diversity,
\nOne family, working together to realize heaven on earth.
\nAnswering the call to serve and to glorify, in all ways,
\nThe Love that always finds a way.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\nThis is to live Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Let us see God in all things and all people today and\nevery day.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin\nReflects on Summer Cloudbursts<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Recently,\nI had one of those busy weeks where very little went according to my well-intentioned\nplans. Feeling somewhat sorry for myself, I called into the church and sat in the\nback row of the empty building. As I sat there, I reviewed the week. When I cleared\nall the clutter out of my head and asked God to help me focus I slowly began to\nrealise, yes, there were some disappointments and mishaps, but no grave consequences,\njust a bruised ego that things hadn\'t gone my way. Perhaps God lets us experience\nthese trials to keep us humble.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
While I\nwas reflecting I realised that God\'s way would always prevail and not mine. Suddenly\nthe silence was disturbed by a torrential downpour outside. Sitting in the church,\nlistening to the rain lashing down, I felt at peace in the presence of God. It was\nas if the heavy rain was washing away thoughts of self and my own needs and was\nsweeping the disappointments away.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
After letting\nthe self- centred thoughts go I concluded that God loves me no matter how I feel\nor where I am on my life\'s journey. I left the church reminded that I\'m not perfect\nand God doesn\'t expect me to be. The value of spending a quiet time in the presence\nof God can not be underestimated. Even walking in the downpour outside did not annoy\nme it was refreshment.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Maybe the\nnext time you are feeling a bit down or anxious, find a quiet space and let the\nconsolation of the Holy Spirit wash away any desolation from your mind and heart.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Parables<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Recently, in my daily prayer I have been praying with and reflecting on parables\ntold by Jesus to his followers. I looked up a definition of a parable and found\nthat it is,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
‘a short, simple story of common life that conveys a spiritual truth.’<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus often used parables to teach people and to make a point. Parables are\na Jewish style of storytelling with stories drawn from everyday life. Parables often\ncontain some element that is strange or unusual, and they are used to illustrate\nmorals or compare ideas. Often, they do not define things precisely, but they point\nus in the direction of an understanding of how God works. Parables provide examples\nof how truth applies to everyday life.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Sometimes, I find the meaning of parables is not too obvious, and often challenge\nme to think more deeply about the issues. Jesus used parables in order to make it\neasier for his listeners to understand his message, yet it still took me a while\nto fully explore the parable of the mustard seed.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I reckon that the humble mustard seed is likely to have been the smallest\nseed that a first-century farmer in the Middle East would have sown. Tiny as the\nmustard seed is, it develops into a tree, nine to twelve feet in height. I t has\na wide bushy expanse and provides a nesting place for birds. Just as the tree welcomes\nthe birds, God\'s kingdom is welcoming and open to all.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Parables help me discern something. about the Kingdom of God and my own faith.\nIn God we live and move and have our being and the Kingdom of God is present today\nin the Church. The mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom which Jesus\ngave to the Apostles is now given to us.Just as seeds need time to come to fruition,\nso does the Kingdom of God. That is why in the Lord\'s Prayer, we pray, ‘thy kingdom\ncome<\/span>.’ We know that it will come in its fullness at the end of time. All we\nneed is faith.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In this parable, Jesus teaches that although the Kingdom of God<\/span><\/a> <\/span>started\nsmall with Jesus and the disciples, it would grow and spread like the mustard plant,\nacross the world to unlimited numbers of followers, to you and me.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Like a seed, we must allow ourselves to be planted in the fertile soil of\nGod\'s mercy. We must be watered by daily prayer and allow the rays of the Son of\nGod to shine on us to grow in love and blossom. If weeds of temptation encroach\nwe must cast them out.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Let us reflect then, upon the incredible potential that God has placed within\nus through the nourishment and grace of the sacraments, to proclaim the Good News\nby word and example.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin reflects\non Food for the Soul<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
I loved eating\nmy grandmother’s cooking. I loved watching how she would pour her heart and soul\ninto her baking and cooking out of love for the family. I particularly loved her\npotato apple bread recipe, made lovingly on a hot iron griddle. We would share stories\nas she kneaded the dough and shaped the mixture. As I look back now, standing with\nflour all over my jumper, I realise that it was in these food conversations that\nI grew to know more deeply who I am and where I come from.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Now as a grandparent\nwatching little ones create oddly shaped parcels of dough,I ponder, just how many\nmedia programmes have listened I to in my lifetime about healthy living ,saying\n\'You are what you eat\'. I am more conscious of what nourishes me. Life is not just\nabout nourishment and sustenance for the body although that is extremely important,\nit is about nurture and food for the soul also.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus says to us:\n\'I am the living bread come down from heaven”—the food he offers is his very self,\nHis body and blood to pouring God’s life into us; to feed our deepest hunger, and\nto show us how interconnected we are. In the Eucharist, God’s story becomes our\nstory.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
On this feast of\nthe Body and Blood of Christ Let us become what we receive. In our celebration of\nMass Bread is taken ,blest ,broken and given in Jesus’ memory Let us allow our lives\nto be taken, blessed, broken, and given for others. Let us give ourselves to the\nservice of others just as Jesus did. It is who we are. It is where we come from.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on the Good Friday Reproaches<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
During the Good Friday liturgy there is a time when all those present are\ninvited to approach the altar and reverence the crucifix with a kiss, a touch or\na genuflection. I find this to be an emotional part of the liturgy, walking slowly\nto venerate the foot of the cross, feeling the sorrow of the sacrifice of Jesus’\nlife for me.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the current restrictions of lockdown and social distancing it will not\nbe possible for communal veneration of the cross at the Liturgy of the Passion.\nSo perhaps we can find some time and space to reflect on this powerful moment of\nliturgy as we venerate a crucifix at home or on our rosary beads.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
To highlight the solemn atmosphere of kissing the cross, the Church provides\na hymn that can be sung during the adoration of the Holy Cross. It is traditionally\ncalled the ‘Reproaches’ or ‘Improperia’<\/span> in Latin and it illustrates Jesus’\nsorrow on the cross.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The verses, some of which are drawn partly from the words of Old Testament\nprophets, call to mind the many events in salvation history when God saved his chosen\npeople and questioned them, asking why they had turned away from him. It calls to\nmind the reality that sin is the cause of Jesus’ crucifixion.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In a time when public veneration is not possible, I take some time to reflect\non the questions Jesus asks the crowd in the Reproaches.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
My people, what have I done to you?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
how have I offended you?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Answer me!<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Because I led you out of the land of Egypt,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
you have prepared a cross for your Saviour.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What more should I have done for you and have not done?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Indeed, I planted you as my most beautiful chosen vine,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
yet you have turned very bitter for me,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
for in my thirst, you gave me vinegar to drink<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
and with a lance you pierced your Saviour’s side.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I exalted you with great power,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
and you hung me on the cross.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Difficult questions to reflect upon. This ancient hymn is a fitting meditation\non the wounds of Christ on the cross. It points the soul inward and forces us to\nreflect on our own failings. It is a call to conversion, begging us to turn away\nfrom our faults and sins, to embrace the good that God wants to accomplish in our\nlives.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Holy is God!<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Holy and strong!<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Shocking News Headlines<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Recently, the newspapers, television and radio news bulletins have been dominated\nby headlines describing how groups of people have inflicted grievous injury, pain\nand death on other human beings. We feel shocked at such barbaric behaviour and\ndisrespect for life often graphically displayed.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the Palm Sunday Gospel, we cannot fail be shocked at the amount of physical\nand mental suffering Jesus underwent, graphically described, during his Passion,\nas well as the tortuous verbal abuse and disrespect which he endured.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As we reflect on the Passion of Jesus, so many events take on new meaning\nfor us. We see a whole host of characters who each had a role to play in the horrific\nevents that eventually led to Jesus’ crucifixion. We realise that these different\ncharacters in the Passion gospel represent human sinfulness which caused Jesus to\nbe crucified for us.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Think of Judas. When he met Jesus in Gethsemane he kissed Jesus, but it was\na deceitful and treacherous kiss. It was not a kiss of love because Judas’ heart\nwas far from Jesus. How cruel that was, surely we would not do that to another.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus was tried before the religious leaders and they judged that he deserved\nto die. Since the Sanhedrin leaders did not have the authority to have Jesus killed\nthey had to have Jesus tried a second time, this time before Pilate the Roman governor,\nin the hope that he would judge Jesus to die as a criminal. Surely we would not\ndisplay such cowardice and treachery. Would we act justly and not abandon our friends,\nwould we?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Even the chosen leader of his disciples Peter, denied him. Peter had promised\nthat even if all lost faith in Jesus he would not, yet when Peter was in the courtyard\nof the high priest’s house he denied Jesus three times when he was put under pressure.\nSurely we would not do that. Would we?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus was mocked, crowned with thorns, stripped and crucified. The bystanders\nmocked his torment and suffering on the cross, while his mother looked on. Shocking,\nbarbaric, cruel beyond belief. If we saw this on our news screens today we would\nbe horrified. Would we stand back and let it happen?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus endured all this suffering for us, so that our sins would not have\nthe last word, but that when the Father would see our sins, He would see his Son\non the cross making up for our sins and so forgive us without reservation. The mercy\nof God is endless for all who believe and ask for forgiveness. We are infinitely\nloved by God- that is the Good News.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Take some time to reflect on the Passion this week – make it your headline\nnews and see how this painful account becomes a Good News story for humanity.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin reflects on ‘pop- ups.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In our digital age of social media, television and mobile devices we have\nbecome familiar with accessing information on ‘pop -up’ screens.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Our mobile devices use ‘pop- up’ panels to inform us that we have a new message,\na missed call, an e- mail or a Facebook notification.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The daily television news uses such panels to pop- up breaking news, often\nindicating the number of co-vid cases, number of deaths, number of vaccinations,\nweather warnings, government announcements and headlines.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Many modern vehicles have touch screen panels which pop-up the navigation\nsystem map, miles per gallon, number of miles to next fill of fuel, or next service\nor inform us which radio station or music cd we are listening to.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Panels on street signs often indicate time, date and temperature or the type\nof business such as a pharmacy. Roadside signs in built up areas can pop- up our\ncar speed and warn us to slow down. In essence, these panels are instant checklists\nto indicate issues that are important in our daily lives often for our well-being\nand safety.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
God has also given us an indicator panel to guide us through life, to keep\nus alert and prevent us from getting turned upside down, missing vital information\nor crashing. God’s indicator panel is the Commandments. The Commandments are a gift\nfrom God to help us enjoy life by not getting lost along the way.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
God has revealed his indicator panel controller to us in Jesus who signposts\nour way. God has also given us the Bible, and the teaching of the Church as sources\nof data. God\'s indicator panel is there to help us find happiness in life, if we\nhave a prayerful relationship with Him.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I wonder how many times we see the commandments as a gift. For many they\nare a prohibitive list of restrictions. Very few people like restrictions as we\nhave all found out in the ongoing pandemic crisis.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Another way of considering the Ten Commandments is looking at them not just\nas rules to be followed but also as a set of priorities popping up to remind us\nof our Christian calling and route map.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The first of two most important realities in our lives should be the love\nof God. We must give God the recognition He is due as the Lord of the universe.\nOur second priority is the well-being of ourselves our families and the community:\nrespect for its leaders, for the life of all its members, for the relationships\nthat exist within the community, love of neighbour and for the right of others to\nhave human dignity and the things they need to live decent lives.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Individualism and pure self-interest fall outside the scope of the Ten Commandments,\nthat is to say, they are not high on our list of priorities they don\'t appear on\nour indicator panel. Humility needs to pop- up often to remind us that the way of\nthe Lord is to be self -giving, putting the needs of others before our own.There\nare many temptations and attractions popping up all around us offering us happiness\nbut in truth any happiness they offer is shallow and not lasting. Giving in to sinful\ntemptation never brings true and full happiness, only temporary gain and ultimate\nunhappiness. Only by following God\'s indicator panel will we arrive at our destination\nsafely and find true happiness.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
This Lent, let us resolve to leave sin behind and follow God\'s indicator\npanel. It is the only way to eternal life and the only way to guide us safely above\nthe storms of earthly life.Perhaps, today you will check your priorities on the\nindicator panel of your life and relationship with God. Spend a little time in a\nquiet space with God and see what pops up.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin reflects on<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to...............?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I love the passage from the book of Ecclesiasticus which tells us that there\nis a time and purpose for everything under heaven. This is my adaptation of the\npassage sharing what the TIME of Lent means to me.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Lent is....<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time of springtime.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time of renewal.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time for a change of heart.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time of hope.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time for reflection.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time for prayer.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to look at the way I live my life.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to turn from sinful ways.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to live out the Gospel.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to show concern for others.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to lay aside my selfishness.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to say sorry.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to reach out in kindness.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to be generous.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to grow in love for others.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to renew my relationship with God.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to fast.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to \'give up\' all that hurts.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to hunger for God.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to build the kingdom.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time of peace.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to be still.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A time to see God in everything.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
So, I ask myself WHERE, WHEN and HOW do I find TIME every day for 40 days\nto reflect on the above list of what Lent means to me?.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
One of my favourite authors Joseph A Tetlow SJ suggests that a period of\ntime at the end of each day is an ideals TIME to reflect on how you spent your time\nduring the day Here is Fr Joseph’s EXAMEN.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
1 Give Thanks.<\/span> I thank God for this day, for my life, for all I am and\nhave, and for His Word.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
2. Pray for Light.<\/span> I ask the Father to let me see my day as the Holy Spirit\nsees it, and to show me what I need to see.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
3. Find God.<\/span> I look at my day in the light of the Spirit. I look back\nover the morning, the afternoon, and the evening. Who talked with me or worked with\nme? Did I get done what I meant to do or leave things out? Have I followed my own\npath? Have I done what everyone does?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
4. Anything Wrong?<\/span>
\nDid something go bad?
\nIs my work incomplete?
\nI feel the sorrow of painful situations that I cannot change. I say sorry.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
5. What Now?<\/span>
\nI look forward in hope.
\nWhere do I need God<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When I pray the Examen every day I really feel the depth of God\'s love for\nme. I use my own words to tell God how I feel and I hand over my life to His care\nand direction in trust.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I invite you to try this examen during Lent and beyond.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin\nreflects on<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
Lent a time\nof wilderness or hope?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
I suppose\nthe answer to that question depends upon the frame of mind you are in, or as St\nIgnatius would say, whether you are in desolation or consolation. In my parents’\nlifetime, Lent was often viewed as a time of strict observance and abstinence from\nmany of the social pleasures of dancing, bingo, or a drink with friends. Today our\nsocial activities are restricted by pandemic, isolation and lockdown.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
Our Sunday\nscripture readings speak of wilderness, temptation and challenge.<\/span> <\/span>In the Gospel we see Jesus enduring\nforty days in the wilderness being nurtured by the love and mercy of the Father,\nbefore his work of preaching and healing which leads to his passion death and resurrection.\nJesus recognised the evil spirit yet, despite his weakness through fasting, he resisted\nand temptation left him.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
Each one of us could tell a story about the wilderness. Our stories could\nbe of struggles, ups and downs, highs and lows, stories of being lost and overwhelmed,\nstories of stumbling, falling down, and wondering when, how, or even if we will\nget up again. The wilderness of which I am speaking is not the geography around\nus but the landscape within us. This interior wilderness brings us to the limits\nof our own self-sufficiency, it leaves us feeling vulnerable and exposed, living\non the edge. In the wilderness there are no distractions. There is no place to hide.\nIn the wilderness we face the truth of who we are and what our life is like.
\n
\nSometimes we go to the wilderness, other times the wilderness comes to us through\nsickness, bereavement, anxiety, yet whatever the circumstances it is hard work which\nmost of would rather avoid. There is, however, no quick fix. There is no way out\nof or around the wilderness, the only way is through the wilderness. That’s what\nJohn the Baptist was born and called to do –to herald the Word – the Lamb of God,\nwho would guide us through the wilderness.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
There is something about the wilderness! It’s the place where our lives can\nbe transformed, the place we are most open to changing and being changed. Hidden\nwithin every wilderness is the beauty of Divine presence. That’s why every year\nthe season of Lent we are taken not just to the wilderness of the environment or\nthrough lockdown, but to our own wilderness.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
God is always showing up, speaking, and acting in the wilderness places of\nour lives. That’s our sacred story and it is the story of those who have gone before\nus.<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
For me there is great Hope in Lent- the change in the season from winter\nto spring and the suffering of the wilderness and passion to the glory of the resurrection.\nI take comfort from the Old Testament passage from Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse\n10 where it is written<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>‘He sustained him in a desert land,<\/span>
in a howling wilderness waste;<\/span>
he shielded him, cared for him,<\/span>
\n guarded him as the apple of his eye.’<\/span><\/p>
In this verse we learn of the people of Israel who struggled through the\nwilderness and were sheltered, protected and nurtured, sheltered under eagle’s wings\nand guarded by the Father as the ‘apple of his eye’.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
How significant and precious is that phrase the ‘apple of his eye.’<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
The apple of the eye is the centre of the retina of the human eye, it is\nmost sensitive as it lets in light and maintains our focus and vision- a vital part\nof our bodies, something to be guarded and treasured. And God treasures us gathered\nhere in our wilderness as the ‘apple of his eye’ as precious chosen people.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
What wonderful Hope and consolation for us all.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>
<\/span><\/p> <\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Lent a time of conversion<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Sometimes we approach Lent as if we are making a series of New Year’s resolutions,\nto give up a particular bad habit, or share more with the poor, or be more faithful\nto prayer. Giving up alcohol or favourite treats could be seen as self improvement,\na chance to cast of a few pounds. Yet, Lent is not all about self-improvement. Lent\nis a time of conversion in which God takes the lead and directs us.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I wonder if this Lent 2021, we didn’t approach the practices of prayer, almsgiving,\nand fasting with an eye to what we can practically do to transform ourselves, but\nrather with an eye to what God wants us to do in order to change our ways and follow\nhim more closely?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What would that be like for us? If we wish to find where God calls us, we\nshould listen to our feelings of comfort and consolation, and move away from our\nexperience of anxiety and desolation especially in this time of lockdown.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Lent is a time of allowing God to transform us. Lent is a time of intentional\ncooperation with God’s will for us. To be an intentional disciple we must engage\nin a daily conversion process. Conversion is, not simply for \'converts\' from other\nor no faiths joining the Catholic community, it is for all of us.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
So called \'Cradle Catholics\' like Ignatius of Loyola, Francis of Assisi,\nand Teresa of Avila also had profound conversion experiences which transformed them.\nSo must we. We don\'t need to fall off a horse like Saul or be struck by a cannonball\nlike Ignatius to be converted.Trusting in God means that where God leads us we follow<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Perhaps this Lent could change our lives if we look to our hearts and listen\nfor the voice of God.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Rev. Deacon Martin J Donnelly
\nSt Michael\'s Parish, Enniskillen
\nDiocese of Clogher
\ndeacon@st-michaels.net<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Lenten Hope in Lockdown<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
For many people Lent will be a challenging time this year. Searching for\nGod in the pandemic will involve sacrifice and struggle along the six- week pathway\nto Easter.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Pope Francis describes our journey through Lent as<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/span>‘A path that\'s a bit challenging,\nas is just, because love is challenging, but it\'s a path full of hope. In fact,\nI would say more: the Lenten exodus is the path in which hope itself is formed.’<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
These words of Pope Francis encourage me to face this Lent with renewed Hope.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Lent is a time for prayer a herald of Spring and hope. We may have more time\non our hands this Lent with less travel, less social activity and perhaps more spare\ntime to fill. Where there is a void, negative thoughts often surge into our minds.\nIncreased health worries, tension, anxiety and depression can invade the space.\nSuch things can cloud our judgement, reduce our energy and make us withdraw more.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In addition to taking exercise, watching our diet and keeping in contact\nwith family and friends, there is another important activity we can undertake -\n‘prayer<\/span>.’ Prayer for me involves finding a quiet space and having a conversation\nwith God. My chats with God have a familiar pattern. I find a space and allow some\ntime to declutter my mind from the still to do list and other tasks. I begin each\nconversation by offering the words the Prophet Samuel offered when he was called\nby God namely,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/span>‘Speak Lord your servant is listening’<\/span>\nand ‘Here I am Lord I come to do your will.’<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Many of the conversations I have with God do not contain the litany of well\n-known prayers from childhood, I simply tell God how I feel. Firstly, I try to recognise\nHis presence in my day and thank him for what is good. I ask for forgiveness for\nmy faults, then invoke his blessing on those who I love or who are in need. I bring\nto Him all my fears and worries and ask for help and guidance. I know that I cannot\ncontrol everything in my life, having often learned the hard way, that my path in\nlife is God’s way, never mine. So, in response I hand over control to God. I conclude\nby looking forward with hope and confidence that He will guide me.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In Lent many people abstain from things as penance. Lockdown in pandemic\nbrings its own abstinence this year, so let us all try to do something positive\nsuch as talk, converse, share feelings and help others. To communicate with God\nthere is no need for a mobile phone, computer,portal, laptop or tablet. God is in\nour hearts and he will speak to us in silence if we can only find the space to invite\nHim. God will fill our hearts with hope and our minds with consolation as St. Paul\nwrites<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/span>‘I pray that the eyes of your heart\nmay be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,\nthe riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.’<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
(Ephesians 1:18)<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
Deacon Martin reflects on more Epiphany moments.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Anna and Simeon<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When you look back on a truly wonderful occasion in your life ask yourself\nhow did you feel?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What did you say? How did you react?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What did others say? Why do you still remember it so vividly and treasure\nit?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As I read the scriptures at this time of year I am fascinated and wonder\nhow Simeon and Anna must have felt and reacted when Jesus was presented in the Temple.\nTo many this might have been an unremarkable event, but as I read it I feel great\njoy. I feel happiness like memories of being new parents years ago and excitement\nof being new grandparents more recently. In this story the joy of two older people,\nSimeon and Anna, who have been waiting then suddenly realise that what they have\nbeen waiting for is finally here.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Anna, a prophetess is in her early eighties, and Simeon nearing the end of\nhis life have been expecting the arrival of the Messiah for some time. Anna has\nbeen praying and fasting for most of her life. Simeon has received a promise from\nGod which he is waiting to see fulfilled, but his time seems to be running out.\nSimeon and Anna must have felt disappointment, impatience, even doubt over the years,\nwhen they saw no sign of what they were longing for. Yet when they recognise the\nbaby Jesus they are filled with joy - their epiphany moment.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
They feel a consolation which is not just a temporary soothing, but ultimate\nhealing. Anna and Simeon, two people at the end of their lives, recognised that\nthe story they were part of was just beginning. Simeon holding his Redeemer in his\nhands told Mary that a sword would pierce her heart. We know it certainly did. His\nconsolation was he could now depart in peace as his eyes had seen the salvation\nof the world.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
For Simeon and Anna, old age was a time of waiting in hope and expectation\nuntil they gazed upon the Saviour. Their prayer was an active waiting on God to\nbe revealed to them and in the presentation in the temple it was fulfilled. We are\nall getting older too and our \'gazing\' is turned towards the Lord who is present\nwith us and who will come again in glory.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As we look back on our days can we acknowledge with gratitude the times we\nreally felt His presence with us.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Can we see the stark contrast between all the noise and activity around the\nTemple and the stillness of Simeon and Anna’s waiting? Is there a balance in our\nlives between being still and being busy?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
How would we have felt if we had been Simeon or Anna?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As we look forward we are filled with hope and expectation do we recognise\nChrist in our daily lives?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/p> <\/p>
Epiphany Moments - 6th January 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Some sigh and say Christmas is over but is it really over? Yes the Christmas\ntrees come down and the decorations are stored away but the good news is that Jesus\nis revealed to the world.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
We have just celebrated Epiphany which means manifestation and revelation.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Infant King announced by the Angels to the local shepherds is now revealed\nto the wider world. The visit of the non -jewish Magi (who really knows how many\nthere were?? ) represent the whole human race.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus takes human form to redeem a darkened world to bring hope and promise\nof new life.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Now in early 2021 the world is in the darkness of pandemic but we rejoice\nthat Jesus fully human yet fully divine is our hope and our pathway to new light.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote The people that walked in darkness\nhave seen a great light, for those who walk in the land of deep shadow a light has\nshone, for there is a child born to us who will be Mighty God and prince of peace.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What a wonderful promise. Great words of hope written two and a half thousand\nyears ago.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Let’s take these words to heart.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In our lives Jesus reveals himself to each person in different ways and in\ndifferent and often unexpected circumstances.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Some people call these epiphany moments.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In my experience I have felt the presence of God more strongly in times of\nsickness and bereavement as well as in good times.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
St Ignatius challenges us to see God in all things and circumstances-yes\neven in pandemic. My first step in taking on this challenge is to simply be aware\nof God’s presence during every waking hour.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I found that really difficult at first as all sorts of things swirled around\nmy mind when I stopped to think. However, perseverance by pausing for 15minutes\nand offering one sentence \'Speak Lord your servant is listening\' works.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Its amazing how after repeated practice this 15 minutes becomes an important\npart of the start every day. Then at the end of the day to reflect for 15minutes\nand examine \'Examen\' the events of the day recognising where Jesus was with me,\nthanking Jesus for helping me make decisions, acknowledging my weakness saying sorry\nand looking forward to next day.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
That’s what works for me - that well tried and widely used Ignatian practice\nand II encourage you to try it. If you persevere you will have many Epiphany moments\nwhere Jesus will reveal his love to you where his guidance and forgiveness will\nbe manifest and the joy of His presence revealed.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Christmas Season may be over but the light of Christ grows ever brighter\nif we only look for it in everyday things.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
6 January 2021<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects on Praying\nthe Rosary in October<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
October is the month of the Rosary\nand as I pray the mysteries in turn, I ask myself some questions at the start of\neach decade as a type of examen to focus my prayer and reflection. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the Rosary, Mary guides us\nin the contemplation of significant events in the Gospels where we meet many interesting\ncharacters and encounter some of the great mysteries of faith.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/span>In his apostolic letter, Rosary of the Virgin Mary<\/span><\/em>,\nSaint Pope John Paul II observed, <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
“The Rosary,\nthough clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christ-centred prayer. It has\nall the depth of the gospel message in its entirety.”<\/span> <\/span>praying the Rosary “is nothing\nother than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ”.<\/span> <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
By meditating upon the twenty mysteries of the Rosary\nwe are led closer to Christ. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Who better is there to help us recognise and reflect\non Jesus’ presence in our lives than his own mother, Mary? <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
How can we be more like Mary and truly see Jesus\nin our lives? How can we better recognise Jesus in every person we meet?<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As you pray the Rosary can you place yourself\nin the shoes of every character who encountered the Holy Family in the Mysteries\nof the Rosary<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What did you see? <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
How did you feel? <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What would you say to them? just imagine...<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Joyful Mysteries<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
In the first joyful mystery <\/span>the\n\'Annunciation\', Mary encounters the Angel Gabriel who gives her surprising news.\nCan you yes to God like Mary? <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Mary then meets her cousin Elizabeth in\nthe \'Visitation\' mystery and Elizabeth is carrying John the Baptist who stirred\nin her womb at Marys greeting. Does your soul glorify the Lord too?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
At the \'Nativity\' we encounter the Incarnate\nJesus, son of God and his protective foster father Joseph. We later meet the humble\nshepherd\'s and royal Kings who come to welcome and worship Him. Were you in awe\nat this wondrous birth? Do you still welcome Jesus into your life every day?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
At the \'Presentation in the Temple\' on\nthe eighth day, we meet Simeon and Anna whose promise was fulfilled by seeing the\nMessiah. How does this revelation make you feel? How do you react when Simeon tells\nMary a sword would pierce her heart? <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the fifth \'Finding\' mystery we meet\nall the righteous and holy people in the synagogue where a twelve year old Jesus,\ntemporarily lost from his family, is doing his Father\'s business by teaching the\nlearned gathering, Do you listen to his message? Have you found Him in your life?\nCan you find Jesus in all things and all people?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Mysteries of Light<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
In the Mysteries of Light, we meet John, baptising in\nthe Jordan who immediately recognises Jesus the Lamb of God and baptises him with\nwater. Do you recognise Jesus in your life today? Is baptism taken for granted?\nWhat is the call of baptism?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
At Cana we are guests be at the wedding feast, how did\nyou feel when you saw Jesus work his first miracle? What does this mean to you?\nDo you invite Jesus to your table?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God and called all to\nconversion. What does it mean to be converted? Are you open to change? Do you proclaim\nthe Gospel by your daily actions?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
On Mount Tabor at the Transfiguration, what must it\nhave been like to see the face of Jesus as bright as the sun and his robes as white\nas light? Jesus fully human and fully divine. Does the light of Christ shine in\nyour life? Are you the salt of the earth and the light of the world?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
At the Last Supper we meet the twelve at table with\nJesus. Bread was taken, blest ,broken and given- His Body and Blood- Christ commanded\nthat they do this in His memory. How important is Eucharist in your life? We also\nmeet Judas who betrayed the Lord how you react to his actions? <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Sorrowful Mysteries<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
In the first Sorrowful Mystery, Jesus prays in the Garden\nof Gethsemane on the night before he dies. His courage was tested, do you pray for\nstrength when in difficulty? The disciples fell asleep – would you do the same?\nCan you say and mean ‘Thy will be done.’<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Pilate had Jesus tortured. Do you feel the pain of His\nscourging? Jesus offered it up to the Father. How do you react to physical and emotional\npain? Peter denies Jesus would you?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus was humiliated by the guards and crowned with\nthorns? How do you react to being mocked and insulted? What would it have been like\nto be a guard or a bystander, how would you feel?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus carried a cross, despised, unwanted, a suffering\nservant. Can you carry your cross like Jesus did? How do you react when you see\nyour friends along the way? Do you recognise the unwanted today?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies. His hour had\ncome, His moment of Glory. He forgives even with his last breath. There is no greater\nlove than to lay down one’s life for a friend. Can you forgive like Jesus? He gives\nhis Mother to the Church as its Mother, our Mother, do you treasure that gift?<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Glorious Mysteries<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
In the first mystery God the Father raises Jesus from\nthe dead. Feeling hurt at the death of Jesus you go to the tomb to pray but its\nempty? How do you feel? Risen as he said- the promise of eternal life. What does\nthis mean for you?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus returns to his\nFather in heaven to prepare a place for us. The Apostles were bewildered and afraid.\nAre you afraid? Do you reflect upon the promises He made to us about eternal life?\nWhat does heaven mean to you?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Holy Spirit comes\nto bring new life to the disciples at Pentecost. ‘I will not leave you orphans’\nwas the prophesy and the promise. The Holy Spirit is given to us to guide and direct\nus. Have you thought about the gifts of the Spirit or the fruits of the Spirit since\nyour Confirmation day? How do you use those gifts today?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
At the end of her life\non earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven. Mary faced many surprises and\nmany heart-breaking events in her life. How do you cope with surprises and heartbreak?\nWho do you turn to? Who do you pray to to intercede for you?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Mary is crowned as Queen\nof Heaven and Earth. Think of the many glorious titles given to Our Lady in the\nLitany of Loreto? Find them- pray them. Mary is the great mediator who brings our\npetitions to Jesus. Pray for her intercession daily. Do you glorify her name?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>\n\n
Being a\nMissionary in Parish<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
October has\nbeen designated as a month to remember ‘Mission’. From an early age I\nassociated the word Mission with faraway places like Africa, the Philippines\nand the far East. I remember bringing in a ‘penny’ in old money every Friday to\nput in the Mission Box in school. Every time we gave a penny my teacher, Sister\nPhilip- a saintly Presentation sister- would say ‘Thank you for being a\nMissionary today’. <\/span>I have to admit I\nnever really understood how that could be. For me ,Missionaries were Priests or\nSisters who came to the Parish each year to talk about their work in far off\nplaces, so how on earth could I -a child- be a Missionary?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As I reflect\nnow on what it means to be a Missionary, I really believe my P1,2 and 3\nteacher’s words. We are called to be missionaries from the day of our Baptism\nand we don’t have to travel abroad to fulfil that calling.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span>I often think of Columbanus, the greatest of\nall Irish missionaries to help us give meaning to our own pilgrim journey. More\nthan half of Columbanus’s life was spent at home and there he lived out what\nwould have been considered “green martyrdom”. <\/span>Columbanus embraced the challenges of everyday\nlife, something that each of us is called to. It was only in late middle-age years\nthat he felt called to leave his monastery in Bangor to spread the Gospel as a\nmigrant in Europe.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/span>Columbanus’s tremendous love and respect for\nnature was an important part of his life. As a student of the great teacher and\nAbbot St Sinnell on the island of Cleenish in Clogher Diocese he lived simply. While\nthe monks lived off the land, rivers and seas, they did not devastate the\nforests, neither did they deplete the rivers of fish. They befriended the\nwilderness and even made friends with the wild beasts and animals. They were\nthe precursors of that inspirational deacon St. Francis of Assissi and his love\nfor nature and calls us to a new respect for ecology in Ireland. This is a\nmission that is grounded in our own particular reality and the ground we walk\non today. It is a mission that recognises the presence of God in our midst, who\nspeaks to us in the telling of our story, who connects with us through those\nwith whom we live at home and who touches us through people we meet in our\ncommunity and workplaces. As missionaries we show respect for our land, our\nheritage our common home.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Being\na missionary means taking seriously the words of St Ignatius of Loyola to see\nGod in all things and in all people. It means reaching out to people, putting\nthe needs of others before our own. In our homes we put the needs of our family\nmembers before our own tending and caring for them. We do not have to look far\nform our own front door to find people in need of nourishment. By nourishment I\nmean not only food to sustain the body but food for the soul. The food for the soul\nis to be found in the Word of God and the sacraments. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As\nMissionaries today in our parish community, each time we perform a kindly\naction for someone , offer a word of encouragement , put a coin in the SVP or\nMission box , visit someone who is sick or lonely, comfort someone who is\nbereaved or is a victim of cruelty or injustice . When we pray for a priest or\nsister in far off places and share some of our own resources with them we are\nliving out the Mission of proclaiming the Gospel in action.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
October\nis also a month dedicated to the Rosary. As a child I remember serving October\ndevotions in the Church and kneeling every evening at 6pm to say the Family\nRosary in May and October. In our October devotion this year let us ask Mary\nour Mother to intercede to Jesus for the work of all Missionaries. Sr Philip\nwas correct back in the 1960’s it took me a while to realise her message that I\nwas indeed a missionary. <\/span>You are too!<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
31 July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Finding God in all Things<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
If you follow these posts regularly you will have noticed\nthat I take a lot of inspiration from St Ignatius of Loyola whose feast day we commemorate\ntoday.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In my formation for Diaconate I owe much to St. Ignatius\nof Loyola. Gretchen Crowder<\/span> the Director of Campus Ministry at\nJesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and an adjunct faculty member for the\nUniversity of Dallas<\/span> wrote a personal reflection on how Ignatian Spirituality\nhad transformed her life. She used five headings which I propose to use to share\nmy own thoughts. I concur with |Dr Crowder that in the past decade, the legacy of\nSt. Ignatius has taught me some of the most profound lessons of my life.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Ignatius taught me…<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
1. That I am a continual creation of God.<\/span> Life is a long series of discoveries\nabout self and about people through encounter. St. Ignatius taught me that God is\nnot finished with me yet. I am meant to be continually re-created as I learn more\nabout myself and others.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
2. That if I am becoming the person God created me to be,\nthe details will work themselves out.<\/span> I used to think that I had to solve all problems myself\nbut St. Ignatius showed me how to trust in the Lord through and pick up the cross\nand follow Christ and allow him to guide my path. All Ignatius had to do was to\ndiscern what God was asking of him, and that was all I had to do as well.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
3. That God is everywhere.<\/span> There were many moments in the\nlast decade where I struggled with something. St. Ignatius, through the power of\nthe Daily Examen<\/span><\/a>, taught me that if I look daily\nfor God I will find God, even in the ups and downs along the way. God finds me where\nI am.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
4. That God loves me no matter what.<\/span> This understanding is not something\nthat belongs specifically to the teachings of St. Ignatius but I needed to learn\nto see myself loved simply as I am. This gift of love from God is true for every\nhuman being. God loves them no matter what, and he asks the same of me.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
5. That God expects more of me.<\/span> I have always been a person who\nexpects tremendous amounts of myself and often from others as well. I expect “more.”\nIgnatius, however, altered my understanding of what this “more” should be. The word\nthat is commonly used in Ignatian terminology is “magis” or “seeking the more.”\nThis word, however, does not mean seeking more things — more fame, more success,\nmore influence, more projects, more output. Instead, it means seeking to go deeper.\nDeeper into the person God is calling me to be, deeper into my relationship with\nGod, deeper into love.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
On this Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, I invite you to\nlearn more about him and the person God created him to be — and be open to the inspiration\nthat will follow.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
29^{th<\/sup> July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>}
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Humble Service<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Many of us can identify with Martha whose feast we remember\ntoday. I know I certainly can.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the Gospel, Martha welcomes Jesus and his disciples\ninto her home and immediately goes to work to serve them. Her sister Mary ignores\nthe need for hospitality and choses to sit and listen to Jesus. Mary becomes annoyed\nthat Martha is making herself busy. Instead of speaking to her sister herself Mary\nasks Jesus to intervene.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus\' response is kind, which shows us his affection for\nher along with Mary and Lazarus.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus notices that Martha is concerned about many things\nthat distract her from really being present to him. Jesus kindly reminds her that\nthere is only one thing that is truly important -- listening to him.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Many times in life I have been like Martha, worried and\ndistracted by all I had to do and achieve and not spending enough time with Jesus.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It is, however, comforting to note that Jesus loved Martha\njust the same, so I can take consolation that Jesus still loves me in spite of my\nbusyness.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
We learn how upset Jesus was when their brother Lazarus\ndied. After Jesus restored him to life, we hear how Mary causes a commotion at dinner\nby anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, yet all we hear about Martha is the simple\nstatement: \"Martha served.\"<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Martha did not want to be in the spotlight, she didn\'t\nmake herself important. She simply served Jesus with humility.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As I think about this, wouldn\'t it be wonderful if the\nmost important thing that could be said about all of us is\" They served\"?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Saint Martha, pray for us that we might serve Jesus better.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Help us to overcome our distractions and worries to listen\nto his words and be present to him this day.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Amen.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
25th July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
James- Pilgrim Preacher<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
After the death of Jesus, the Apostles filled with the\nHoly Spirit were sent to preach the gospel. The Apostle Saint James crossed the\nMediterranean Sea, and arrived at a piece of land that was known as Hispania (Spain\nand Portugal).<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
After returning to Jerusalem, he was killed by Herod Agrippa\nI, circa AD 44 According to the legends, his disciples preserved his remains, and\nsent them back to Hispania, on a boat made of stone.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
He was transported to the place that, nowadays, is known\nas <\/span>Santiago de Compostela. His tomb remained in oblivion for many centuries,\ndue to the Roman persecutions. Until it was discovered again in the IX century,\nby the Bishop Theodemir of Iria.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The fame of the tomb of St James, protector of Christendom\nagainst the menace of Islam, quickly spread across western Europe and it became\na place of pilgrimage, comparable with Jerusalem and Rome. By the beginning of the\n10th century pilgrims were coming to Spain on the French routes from Tours, Limoges,\nand Le Puy, and facilities for their bodily and spiritual welfare began to be endowed\nalong what gradually became recognized as the formal pilgrimage route, whilst in\nCompostela itself a magnificent new basilica was built to house the relics of the\napostle, along with other installations - churches, chapels, hospices, and hospitals.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Saint James is the Holy Protector of all Spain.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The story of James reminds me that we are a pilgrim people\nour journeys end is not on this earth but in heaven.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
For me pilgrimage exercises are important whether they\nbe to Lough Derg, Knock, Lourdes or Santiago. It’s the nature of the journey that\ncounts.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
23rd July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Bridget - Rich in Humility<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The life story of St Bridget of Sweden who we remember\ntoday really inspires me. For me, Bridget follows the words of Jesus namely -to\nsell all, give to the poor and follow him in a life of service and compassion.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Bridget was the daughter of a wealthy governor and was\nborn in 1303. She married into the Swedish royal family and raised eight children.\nIn her married life Bridget and her husband followed her father\'s example of caring\nfor people in need. She funded the building of a hospital on her estate. The hospital\nwas open to all who were in need.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When her husband died, Bridget gave away all her possessions.\nShe founded a double monastery for men and women who lived apart but worshipped\ntogether. The religious order was known as the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, or\nthe Brigittines.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When Bridget heard of an epidemic in Rome, she travelled\nthere to assist the sick and dying. While in Rome, she spoke out against the injustices\nshe saw and worked to change the hearts and minds of people with people of government\nand influence. Bridget experienced Christ\'s presence in prayer vision and showed\nHis love and compassion to all. Perhaps she is more widely known to you for her\n15 prayers honouring the wounds of Christ\'s passion.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Because of her holiness, Bridget was declared a saint only\n18 years after her death in 1373. She is the patron saint of Sweden.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In 1999, Pope John Paul II honoured her once more: St.\nBridget was named co-patron saint of all of Europe.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
To serve with humility is to do God’s will.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
21st July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Pilgrim People<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The People of God are on pilgrimage on an earthly journey\nof faith to eternal life. The Second Vatican Council defined the People of God to\nbe the laity alongside the clergy and religious equally. That is a most important\npoint as this equality may not have been evident in Church history. We are ALL the\nBody of Christ, the Church, the Pobal Dé.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Vatican II affirmed that all must share in the discernment\nof God\'s will. As I reflect on this I see the Three \'C\' s<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Consultation, Collaboration and Co Responsibility to be\nat the heart of Parish pilgrimage and daily life.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Baptism is the sacrament that gifts all believers, both\nlaity and ordained, to be disciples of Christ.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
St Augustine clearly articulated the importance of the\ncall of all the baptised when he wrote in Sermon 340.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\"When I am frightened by what I am for you, then I\nam consoled by what I am with you. For you I am the Bishop, with you I am a Christian.\nThe first is an office, the second a grace; the first a danger, the second salvation.\"<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Our future as a Pilgrim people will always resemble a rugged\nmountain path rather than an even highway. Our task is to choose the simple life,\nseeing God in all things and in all people.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As a Pilgrim people we can only find joy in the present\nmoment and press on onward to the final destination, trusting that our future is\nheld in God\'s hands.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Why be afraid?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I take great consolation from the Old Testament prophet\nIsaiah.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I will lead you on a new path and guide you along ways\nyou do not know. 42:16<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
19th July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
All you need is Love<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
All You Need is Love<\/span> is the title of an old Beatles\nsong dating back to 1967. It is featured on an album called the Magical Mystery\nTour<\/span>. One could say that is a good description of Marriage and Family. Christy\nMoore in his song The Voyage<\/span> sings<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Life is an ocean and love is a boat
\nIn troubled water that keeps us afloat
\nWhen we started the voyage, there was just me and you
\nNow gathered round us, we have our own crew<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
For me, love voyage and crew speak of marriage and family.\nWe were all born into families in the same way that through the incarnation God\nbecame man and Jesus grew up within a loving family in Nazareth.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Families come in all shapes and sizes. For example, I am\nan only child and have very few cousins. Caitlin and I have been married for 40\nyears TODAY.<\/span> We have two children now adults, we also had two daughters who\nwere stillborn. We now have two grandchildren so my family circle is relatively\nsmall<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The family is the domestic church. The family is the first\nplace where children learn. The first thing they learn is love. The love of parents,\nbrothers. sisters and extended family. Love is at the core of all family relationships\n-it is the basis for caring, sharing and respect.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Scripture tells us God is love and those who live in\nlove live in God and God lives in them.<\/span> The Gospel of John commands us to love\none another as I have loved you and love your neighbour as yourself.<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
A wise old priest once said<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The love which brings two people together leads to marriage.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The love of a couple brings children to birth.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The love of the wider family nurtures children’s growth\nand celebrates anniversaries of birthdays, wedding anniversaries of grandparents,\nparents, uncles, aunts and children.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The love of the family which includes those who are single\nor have chosen a celibate life have their milestones celebrated too every birthday\nand in the case of clergy or religious their anniversaries of ordination or consecration\nare lovingly celebrated.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The family is part of God’s plan for us. God wants our\nfamilies to be holy. The family is the basic unit of society and the Church; we\nall agree the family is a little church. It is in the family that we first learn\nto communicate. It is in the family that we learn what love is. It is in the family\nthat we first learn to forgive and to pray. It is in the family that we first learn\nabout God and Jesus and Our Blessed Mother.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Families Love!<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
16th July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Our Lady of Mount Carmel<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated on 16th\nJuly, was first instituted in the late 14th century in commemoration of the approval\nof the rule of the Carmelite Order a hundred years earlier.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Mount Carmel is a biblical place where the prophet Elijah\nlived. It was here where Elijah prayed to God for the salvation of Israel, which\nwas suffering a terrible drought at the time. He continued to pray and sent his\nservant up the mountain several times to look for rain. On the seventh try, Elijah\'s\nservant returned with good news. \"Behold a little cloud arose out of the\nsea like a man\'s foot\" (1 Kings 1:44<\/span>).<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Soon thereafter, torrential rains fell upon the parched\nland and the people of Israel were saved. Elijah saw the cloud as a symbol of the\nVirgin mentioned in the prophecies of Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14). The hermits who lived\non Mount Carmel followed Elijah\'s example and prayed for the advent of the much-awaited\nVirgin, who would become the mother of the Messiah. The origins of the Carmelite\nOrder can be traced back to Elijah and his hermited disciples.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I have to admit I knew very little about the Feast we celebrate\ntoday-Our Lady of Mount Carmel- until 1975.As a young student teacher I was placed\nin Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School, Blackley, Manchester for six weeks.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In that time, I learned a lot about Our Lady of Mount Carmel\nand the Brown Scapular in particular.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Many popes and saints have strongly recommended wearing\nthe Brown Scapular to the Catholic faithful.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Pope Pius XII said: \"The Scapular is a practice\nof piety which by its very simplicity is suited to everyone and has spread widely\namong the faithful of Christ to their spiritual profit.\"<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the sixties, Pope Paul VI said: \"Let the faithful\nhold in high esteem the practices and devotions to the Blessed Virgin ... the Rosary\nand the Scapular of Carmel<\/span>\" and in another place referred to the Scapular\nas: \"so highly recommended by our illustrious predecessors.\"<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Carmelite Order insist that the scapular is not:<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
- A magical charm to protect someone.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
- An automatic guarantee of salvation.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
- An excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian\nlife<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It is instead a sign which has been approved by the Church\nfor over seven centuries and which stands for the decision to<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
- Follow Jesus like Mary:<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
- Be open to God and to his will.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
- Be guided by faith, hope, and love.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
- To pray at all times<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
- To discover God present in all that happens around.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I think these five points above provide wonderful guidance\nfor us all.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
14 July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Justice and Equality<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Today’s Reflection is not a religious feast day but a day of historical significance\nin Europe- Bastille Day.The memory of arriving in Paris for a family holiday some\nyears ago is still vivid. We took a taxi from the airport to reach our hotel just\na few hundred metres from L’Arc de Triomphe. The driver took us through a thronged\nChamps Elysée – a sea of people carrying tri couleurs – followed by a nerve -jangling\ncircuit round Etoile where no drivers observed traffic lanes or signals.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
For many in Europe, Bastille Day is seen as the beginning of freedom in France,\nhowever it led almost immediately to one of the worst tyrannies in human history.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It is fitting on July 14th, Bastille Day, that we remind ourselves of the\nneed to take care of the values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity\/Sorority of\nall peoples and creatures. Even more so today we should be prioritising Justice,\nPeace and Integrity of Creation issues in our community.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The upheaval of revolution on this day and on other uprisings throughout\nhistory set me thinking about the Church\'s teaching on Just War.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (p.2309) lays out the details very succinctly.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
You must not be the aggressor, and the one you\'re defending against must\nbe a source of \"lasting, grave, and certain\" damage.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
You\'ve tried all other means of preserving peace.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
You\'ve got a serious chance of winning.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The cure must not be worse than the disease.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
St. Thomas Aquinas argued for an even more strict rule in his take on Just\nWar Theory, saying that a just war can only begin with a call to action from a legitimate\nauthority, it must be done to repair a fault rather than through selfish reasons,\nand finally must be done for the goal of peace and not revenge.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
On this day when Europe remembers revolution let us work and pray for peace\nand justice.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
11 July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Staycation 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What comes to your mind when you think of summer? Perhaps\nit may be Vacation or as we more frequently call it-Holidays.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Vacation is when we hope our thoughts will be less occupied\nwith what causes stress, and more focused on what we treasure and value most. But\nthis year with social distancing, limited chances to travel abroad, fear of a second\nwave of pandemic, maybe \'Staycation\' will be our first thought this year.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Usually for those who live by school and industry schedules,\nsummer means time off and chances to get away somewhere. We look forward to things\nslowing down a bit.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
This year, it is vital for renewal, to take stock of what\nis most important, to slow down and look around and to share the love of family\nand friends in our own social bubble.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
God understands the basic need that we have. When God commands\na day of rest every week it is for our own good. The word Sabbath means rest and\nreveals that God wants us to have a vacation or Staycation every week.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The best holiday breaks allow some time for reflection\nand an exercise in gratitude. St. Matthew tells us that where our treasure is we\nwill find our heart.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
So, I give myself a little challenge for this summer-<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Make some time to sit with my thoughts.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Pay attention to where my mind goes when it is unoccupied.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Discover what my personal treasure is by following my thoughts.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
How long does it take before God enters my mind\/<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Where is faith among my list of values?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The uncluttered mind can tell me a lot if I really do pay\nattention.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the peaceful silence of my 2020 Staycation, I will listen\nfor the voice of God.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Speak Lord your servant is listening?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Will you try this Staycation plan?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
7th July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Saint Maelruain- a Monastic Reformer<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Today we commemorate the anniversary of the death of Saint\nMaelruain in 792.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Little is known of the early life of Maelruain. Probably,\nhe was born in the Lorrha neighbourhood of north Tipperary in 720.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In 755 Maelruain founded a monastery at Tallaght, in County\nDublin. Together with St Aengus he wrote a detailed Rule for the community, which\nis an important document in the history of early monasticism, the Céilí Dé.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the ancient writings of the Annals of Ulster and the\nAnnals of the Four Masters, Maelruain is referred to as a \"bishop\", however\nthis office may reflect his ministry at a later time of writing.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Historians recall that Irish monasteries had become lax\nby the eighth century. It was suggested that this was a result of monks travelling\ntoo much abroad and an overemphasis on the \'peregrinatio pro Christo\'<\/span> or\n\'pilgrimage for Christ\' movement to the continent of Europe which was begun by Saints\nColmcille and Columbanus in the late sixth century<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Maelruain\'s reform at Tallaght was severe. It focused on\npreserving the enclosure of the monastery and keeping the monks from sin and temptation.\nThere was greater emphasis on the monks participating in strong spiritual direction,\nfrequent confession, fasting and penance. Daily recitation of the Psalter was included\nin the rule.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It is written that Maelruain took the saying \'the devil\nfinds work for idle hands\' seriously. Maelruain wrote that there were, three profitable\nthings in the day- prayer, labour, and study.<\/span> It may be teaching or writing\nor sewing clothes or any profitable work that a monk may do, so that none may be\nidle.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
So, I ask myself what are the three most profitable things\nI do each day?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Where is God in my life?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Try asking yourself the same questions as you settle down\nto pray.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
5th July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Recently in my reflections I shared the consolation\nI feel when praying the psalms. I offered some quotes from St Ambrose on the beauty\nof the psalms. As I reflect further I now offer the thoughts of St Augustine on\npraying the psalms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Augustine\'s longest work was his running commentary\non the Psalms. He was ordained in 391 and he decided to preach on the Psalms for\nhis first sermon series in 392. Augustine continued reflecting on and drawing from\nthe Psalms his entire life and ministry and did not finish his written commentary\nuntil 418.An amazing twenty-six-year reflection on the Psalms which ended up being\nthe largest work written in Christian history.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Augustine records his sheer delight when he first began\nusing the Psalms for prayer as he writes<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\"What utterances sent I up unto You, my God, when\nI read the Psalms of David, those faithful songs and sounds of devotion which exclude\nall swelling of spirit, when new to Your true love...\"<\/span><\/p>\n\n
and further on he wrote<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\"What utterances used I to send up unto You in\nthose Psalms, and how was I inflamed towards You by them, and burned to rehearse\nthem, if it were possible, throughout the whole world, against the pride of the\nhuman race! \"<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Augustine\'s friend Possidius wrote,<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\"As Augustine lay dying, he ordered those psalms\nof David which are especially penitential to be copied out (for instance Psalm 51)\nand when he was very weak, he used to lie in bed facing the wall where the sheets\nof paper were put up, gazing at them and reading, and copiously and continually\nweeping as he read.\"<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Having found comfort in the Psalms all his life, Augustine\nknew that in his final moments he would be consoled by his Saviour Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Is there a psalm which brings you comfort and consolation?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
3rd July 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus finds Thomas<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
On this feast of Thomas the Apostle, the piece which stays with me and gives\nme hope is that Jesus found Thomas where he was in life. It is hard to believe that\nThomas who walked and talked with Jesus, who listened to his message and promise\nfor three years, found himself in disbelief and desolation after the crucifixion\nof Jesus.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
From the little we know of Thomas, the twin, we learn that he was quite a\nsceptical person. He was not with the disciples in the upper room when Jesus first\nappeared to the apostles after his resurrection.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When he returned to the room he was greeted by a very shocked yet excited\ngroup of friends elated by the appearance of Jesus to them.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
But Thomas was not in a good place. He felt abandoned and let down that the\nMaster had died, his faith was tested. In modern times we might say he was suffering\nfrom anxiety and depression.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
He could not share the apostles excitement he found it incredible. He announced\nthat unless he could put his finger in to the nail holes in Jesus hands and his\nhand into His pierces side he could not believe.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In his mercy and compassion Jesus did not forget or abandon Thomas. Seven\ndays later Jesus returned to the upper room and stood before Thomas and said \'Thomas\ngive me your hand put it here\'<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Thomas fell to his knees proclaiming<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\'My Lord and My God\'<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
He saw and believed.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus then assured Thomas and indeed all of us today that he is risen and\nis with us. Thomas believed when he saw the Risen Jesus, our consolation is that\nBlessed are those who have not seen and believe.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As I reflect I feel a great sense of hope because Jesus will find me and\nminister to me where I am, in anger, in doubt, in pain, in anxiety, in need, in\nsorrow, in mourning or in despair and minister to me. Maybe sometimes we feel like\nwe are Thomas\'s twin and suffer doubts and uncertainty.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
So each day in silent prayer I invite Jesus into my life to guide my decisions\nand my footsteps placing all my trust in Him.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What message do you take from the story of Thomas?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
1st July 2020<\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The treasure of the Psalms<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
For me,one of the great benefits of praying the Liturgy\nof the Hours (the Universal prayer of the whole church-not just clergy and religious\norders) is the opportunity to pray the psalms.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Book of Psalms in the Bible contains 150 psalms and\nmost of them cyclically arise in the psalter of the Breviary.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
These are wonderful offerings of praise which ideally should\nbe sung. Over time certain psalms resonate and stay with me. One such psalm which\nspeaks to me which I often pray is Psalm 26 (27) it begins \'The Lord is my light\nand my help there is nothing I should fear.\'<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Very often its verses have brought me great consolation.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I believe the Psalms are a treasure. Recently in Week 10\nin the Office of Readings I came across a passage from the \' Explanations of the\nPsalms by Saint Ambrose.\'<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Let me share some of St Ambrose\' s thoughts<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What is more pleasing than a psalm? ,a psalm is a blessing\non the lips of the people, a hymn in praise of God.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It is the voice of complete assent, the joy of freedom,\na cry of happiness, the echo of gladness.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It soothes the temper, distracts from care, lightens the\nburden of sorrow.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It is a source of security at night, a lesson in wisdom\nby day.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It is a shield when we are afraid, a celebration of holiness,\na vision of serenity, a promise of peace and harmony.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
It is like a lyre, evoking harmony from a blend of notes.\nDay begins to the music of a psalm. Day closes to the echo of a psalm.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In a psalm, instruction vies with beauty. We sing for pleasure.\nWhat is a psalm but a musical instrument to give expression to all the virtues?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
David - the author of many of the psalms-thus taught us\nthat we must sing an interior song of praise, like Saint Paul, who tells us: I shall\npray in spirit, and also with understanding; I shall sing in spirit, and also with\nunderstanding.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The holy prophet David told us that his songs of praise\nwere to celebrate the freeing of his soul, when he said: I shall sing to you, God,\non the Lyre, holy one of Israel; my lips will rejoice when I have sung to you, and\nmy soul also, which you have set free.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I invite you to open the Book of Psalms at random once\nevery day, see what unfolds for you and unlock the treasures of psalms for every\noccasion and life experience.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
29th June 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Peter and Paul<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul\nwhich is holy day of obligation in England and Wales. They were both apostles of\nChrist who sacrificed their lives to the same persecution, but their origins, personalities\nand achievements were quite different.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In Paul’s case, God’s grace had ‘to destroy and overthrow’.\nPaul boasted how ‘as to the law he was a Pharisee and as to righteousness under\nthe law blameless’. He persecuted the followers of Christ but was converted in a\nvision on the road to Damascus. The second part of the Acts of the Apostles details\nthe missionary journeys of Paul, his arrest, trials, and his journey to Rome. Paul\nspeaks to both Jewish and Gentile audiences. He defends himself before Roman governor\nand Jewish king. He performs miracles and endures the hardships of prison. He survives\nshipwreck is often said to be the hero of the Acts of the Apostles. Paul was no\nacademic theologian, but he was a theologian in the sense that he always approached\npastoral problems through theology.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As for Peter, he was a fisherman from Galilee, looked upon\nby the Jerusalem authorities as a man uneducated and ordinary His was a situation\nin which God’s grace had ‘to build up and plant’. Many Gospel passages provide examples\nof such grace in action. When Peter sank below the waves after seeing Jesus walking\non the water then trying to do the same , Jesus ‘immediately reached out his hand\nand caught him saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”. And when Peter\nhad denied his Lord three times, Luke tells us how ‘The Lord turned and looked at\nPeter’. He then went out and wept bitterly. Three times Peter is asked whether he\nloved Jesus, as if in compensation for his three denials. Three times Peter affirms\nhis love. This is how he qualifies for his appointment as a shepherd of the lambs\nand sheep that belong to Jesus. Jesus’s description of himself as a good shepherd\nearlier in this gospel clarifies what this task involves. Jesus appointed Peter\nto lead ‘You ere Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.’<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As Peter Edmonds SJ writes ‘Peter and Paul have much in\ncommon in that they were both apostles of Christ who sacrificed their lives to the\nsame persecution, but their origins, personalities and achievements remind us that\nwe live with diversity\nas well as uniformity<\/span><\/a> in the Church of Christ.’<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
26th June 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon in Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Sharing Prayer<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
After spending some time ministering on Lough Derg I have\nadded two prayers to my morning prayer.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When the Prior, Monsignor La Flynn gives his welcome to\nthe gathering at the beginning of the One Day Retreats, he begins with a morning\noffering written by Joseph Tetlow SJ, which he explains are the first words he speaks\nas soon as he wakes each day.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
O, Lord my God.
\nYou called me from the sleep of nothingness merely because in your tremendous love\nyou want to make good and beautiful beings.
\nYou have called me by my name in my mother\'s womb.
\nYou have given me breath and light and movement and walked with me every moment\nof my existence.
\nI am amazed, Lord God of the universe,
\nthat you attend to me and, more, cherish me.
\nCreate in me the faithfulness that moves you, and I will trust you and yearn for\nyou all my days. Amen.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Prior ends his welcome address with these verses from\nSt Paul\'s letter to the Ephesians 3:20-21<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Glory be to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely\nmore than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the\nChurch, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Everyone has their own unique way of conversing with God.\nWe pick up thoughts and prayers from many sources often through the grace of God\nalive and working in other people.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
I am grateful to Prior La for giving these to me by simply\nsharing his own prayer. As these have stayed with me, I am sure they have been a\ngift to many others who heard them.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
If you have a special prayer share it, as it may reach\nthe heart of someone and speak to them.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Sharing faith and prayer is fulfilling the call of all\nthe baptised.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
24th June 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
John- A voice in the wilderness
\n
\n<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Saint John the Baptist is quite unique as has two feasts\nin the liturgical calendar.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The feast of 29th August celebrates his death, and the\n24thJune, today, celebrates his birth. It is indeed appropriate as Jesus himself\nsaid, John was the greatest of the sons of men.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The greatest, but arguably the most tragic. Hailed as a\nprophet from before his birth, he leapt in his mother Elizabeth’s womb when Mary\ncarrying the unborn Jesus visited them. John\'s mission was to proclaim the fulfilment\nof all prophecies preparing a way in the wilderness for the Messiah.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
John said of Jesus, I must decrease and He must increase.\nHe served with unequalled courage and spread the news that he, the greatest of all\nmen, was the least in the kingdom of heaven.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
He recognised Jesus when he approached him, at the River\nJordan saying \'Behold the Lamb of God\' before baptising him.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Central to John\'s message was the theme of repentance –\na key aspect of his mission of \"preparing the way\" for Jesus. He baptised\ncountless individuals in the Jordan which reflected their decisions to repent and\nstart a new life in Christ. Crowds of people flocked to hear John preach and he\nappealed to them to abandon their selfish ways.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Like John the Baptist, should put others before ourselves\nproclaim the Gospel with our lives as we are called to do at the end of the Mass.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
22nd June 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\'Kings good servant- but Gods first\'<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Today we remember the martyrdom of two English saints in\nthe reign of King Henry VIII. Both put loyalty to God and faith before their obedience\nto the King.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
St John Fisher was born in Beverley, in Yorkshire, in 1469.\nHe studied theology at the University of Cambridge, and had a successful career\nthere, finally becoming chancellor of the University and Bishop of Rochester<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
He wrote much against the errors and corruption into which\nthe Church had fallen. He was greatly opposed to Lutheranism, both in its doctrine\nand in its reform.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Fisher supported the validity of King Henry VIII\'s marriage\nto Catherine of Aragon, and for this he was briefly imprisoned. When the King had\ndivorced Catherine, married Anne Boleyn, and constituted himself the supreme Head\nof the Church in England, John Fisher refused to assent and was the only Bishop\nto oppose the Kings actions. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London on a charge\nof treason, and on 22 June 1535, a month after having been made a Cardinal by the\nPope, he was executed. He was so ill and weak that he had to be carried in a chair\nto the place of execution.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
St Thomas More was born in London, the son of a judge and\nbecame an eminent lawyer. He married twice and had four children. He was a humanist\nand a reformer, and his book, Utopia, depicting a society regulated by the natural\nvirtues, is still read today.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Thomas More was a close friend of King Henry VIII. As a\njudge, he was famous for his incorruptibility and impartiality, and he was made\nLord Chancellor – the highest legal position in England – in 1529.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When Henry VIII demanded a divorce from Catherine of Aragon,\nThomas More opposed him. He resigned the chancellorship in 1532 and retired from\npublic life. He could not retire from his reputation, and so it was demanded that\nhe take an oath to support the Act of Succession, which effectively repudiated papal\nreligious authority. He refused and was imprisoned in the Tower of London.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
After the execution of John Fisher, he was tried on the\ncharge of high treason for denying the King\'s supreme headship of the Church, found\nguilty, and sentenced to death. He went to his execution, on 6 July 1535, with a\nclear conscience and a light heart; he told the spectators that he was still \"the\nking\'s good servant – but God\'s first,\"<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
19th June 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Feast of the Sacred Heart<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Our human heart pumps about 100,000 times a day to keep\nour lifeblood flowing through us. For this reason, it has become a symbol to describe\nour very selves.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When we make a huge effort to complete something important\nor tried our best to achieve something we often say, \"I put my heart into it\".<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When we deeply desire or need something, we sometimes say\n\"I want that with all my heart.\"<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The heart also is a symbol for love, perhaps because it\nseems to beat faster when we are in love. God, who always speaks to us using our\nown experiences, has chosen our symbol of the heart to represent Jesus.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The heart of Jesus was a human heart like ours. According\nto the Gospel of John, after Jesus had died the centurion made sure of his death\nby piercing his side with a lance. Blood and water ran out. We also remember that\nSimeon foretold Mary at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple that a sword would\npierce her heart too.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus\' pierced heart became a sign of the completeness\nof his love for us, a love that compelled him to die for us so that we may have\nforgiveness and inherit eternal life. The physical heart of Jesus is the symbol\nof the total love of Jesus, fully divine and fully human.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In art, the Sacred Heart picture shows Jesus\' heart is\npierced, surmounted by a cross, and encircled with a crown of thorns. Light radiates\nfrom it to show that it is a burning furnace of love.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Heart of Christ summarises the paschal mystery. The\ndeath and resurrection of Jesus that were prompted by divine love. Every time we\nparticipate in the celebration of the Eucharist we receive Jesus, body blood, soul\nand divinity into our hearts.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Most Sacred Heart of |Jesus I place all my trust in Thee<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
17th June 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Praying in Silence<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Gospel of Mass from today Wednesday of Week 11, gives\nsome guidance as to how we should pray<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Matthew writes<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Jesus said to his disciples:<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds<\/span>…………And\nwhen you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing\nup in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you\nsolemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room\nand, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place,\nand your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you<\/span>.’<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
About five years ago, I came across an article by Peter\nKnott SJ who wrote that one of the classic definitions of prayer defines prayer\nas lifting mind and heart to God. Too often in our efforts to pray formally, both\ncommunally and privately, we fail to do that, namely, to actually lift our hearts\nand minds to God. Because what is really in our hearts and minds, alongside our\ngratitude and more gracious thoughts, is not something we generally connect with\nprayer at all. Our frustrations, bitterness, jealousies, curses, sloth, and quiet\ndespair are usually understood to be the very antithesis of prayer, something to\nbe overcome in order to pray.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
But something deeper is happening under the surface - our\nfrustration, longing, jealousy, and escapist daydreams, things we are ashamed to\ntake to prayer, are in fact already lifting our hearts and minds to God in more\nhonest ways than we ever do consciously. Our deepest prayers are mostly not those\nwe express in our churches and in private. Our deepest prayers are spoken in our\nsilent gratitude and silent tears.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Let us try and find a quiet space and open our hearts to\nGod then listen to his guidance.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
14th June\n2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Feast of\nCorpus Christi<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Deacon Martin\nReflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
As a primary\nschool child and altar server growing up in Drumcree Parish, one of the highlights\nof the parish calendar was the Corpus Christi procession. I would have estimated\nthat there would have been a thousand people there- in my childish eyes anyway.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The procession\nbegan with exposition in the tiny parish Church of St John the Baptist which has\nbeen beautiful re constructed in the Folk Park at Cultra. The parish priest attired\nin an ornate cope, lace surplice and soutane clasped the monstrance in veiled hands\nand stood under the canopy carried by four men of which my late father was one carrier.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The procession\nwas headed by all the first communion recipients someone hundred boys in Sunday\nbest suits with short trousers and a hundred girls in beautiful white first communion\ndresses. Ten of the girls were privileged to scatter rose petals from baskets immediately\nin front of the Blessed Sacrament. The remainder of the parishioners followed behind.\nThe procession weaved its way circuitously through the graveyard while the rosary\nwas recited. After each decade there would be a hymn.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Eventually\nthe procession would arrive back at the church where the Parish Priest gave the\nBenediction .On a sunny day it was a real spectacle but even the more showery procession\ndays did not dampen the enthusiasm of the parishioners to respond.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Corpus Christi-\nThe Body of Christ. As an altar server walking backwards and holding the patten\nbeneath the chin of communicants kneeling at the marble altar rails the priest would\nsay Corpus Christi before placing the sacred host on their tongue .After Vatican\nII and the translation of the Missal it became The Body of Christ.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
My own reaction\nto hearing the words Corpus Christi is to think of a celebration, joyous happy experience\nover a lifetime. So it is very fitting that when we receive the Body of Christ at\nMass that we celebrate the joy of receiving Jesus into our hearts.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What does\nCorpus Christi mean to you?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

<\/div><\/p>
11 June 2020<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
\n\n
Deacon Martin Reflects<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
We all need encouragement- Barnabas<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
When I telephone some housebound parishioners instead of\nvisiting them on a First Friday, their depth of faith and hope gives me great encouragement.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Today we commemorate the feast of a saint who had a great\ngift that each of us need today-the gift to be able to encourage others.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In the early Church there was a young Jew from the island\nof Cyprus who became a missionary preacher. His name was Joseph but the apostles\ngave him a name which describes accurately who he really was - Barnabas, which means\n\"son of encouragement\"<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The first thing we hear about Barnabas is that he sold\nhis estate and gave his money to the apostles. Luke describes Barnabas as a<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\"good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith\"\n(Acts 11:24)<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
whose encouragement led to many people persevering in their\nfaith in difficult times.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
One significant figure was helped by Barnabas his name\nwas Paul. Barnabas set out from Antioch and went to Tarsus to look for Paul and\nhe invited him to come as his assistant, and for a full year they ministered there\ntogether.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Paul and Barnabas travelled widely together and we\'re told\nin Acts,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\"they put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging\nthem to persevere in the faith\" (Acts 14:22).<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Paul extended to others the encouragement he had received\nfrom Barnabas. For Barnabas saw something in Paul that no other apostle saw. He\nsaw beyond the face of Saul the former persecutor of Christians into the heart of\na man who was struggling to be an apostle.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
By his encouragement Barnabas had a huge influence on Paul\'s\nlife. He did this simply by perseverance and encouragement by staying with Paul.\nHe promoted the best in Paul. Barnabas showed Christ-like love and energy in shaping\nthe person Paul became. That is encouragement!<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
What or who encourages you in your life and in your parish\ncommunity?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n
We can all thank God for the people who encouraged us to\nbe who we are. And let us pray that when the time comes, we too can be a Barnabas\nto others.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>
<\/p>
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