Our Lady of the Rosary Parish - Blogs

Rev Kev - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

15/10/2018

This is the third warning of Jesus re his impending fate. We are getting nearer to the end. This time it is James and John with the question. Peter recently was rebuked as Satan for his question. This time James and John are treated more gently. Jesus uses Old Testament imagery like the cup of baptism to teach them about suffering. We know James was to die a martyr as Bishop of Jerusalem. (Acts 12:2) "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many."
The other ten apostles are just as ambitious. They are looking for a place in a political kingdom. Jesus states that he did not come to be served but to serve and for the third time hints that he will give his life as a ransom for many.
Our Lectionary makes a clear connection between this last phase and the first reading, " He was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners."
We see in Jesus that being a servant doesn't mean to be weak and ineffectual. Jesus never was. His authority was impressive, because he never sought power over others. he was so compassionate and free and motivated by love, he could put all his power at the service of others.
"Serving doesn't mean that we passively accept that things continue as they are. Serving implies initiative and creativity, knowledge and efforts to build a humane, just, loving world."

Rev Kev - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

4/10/2018

Divorce
Today's teaching is in two parts. Firstly, there is Jesus' response to a Pharisee's question and secondly a response to a question of the disciples. Let us look at them separately.
I repeat again that we must make a distinction about the questioning of Jesus. Some questions re sincere and often others just challenge his authority. Today's question is of the latter variety. It give Jesus a choice - to affirm the Law or to allow an exception. It is a trap. Let us look at it.
Jesus notes that Moses allowed divorce because they were so unteachable.
Jesus reaffirms in Mark without exception that "from the beginning God made them male and female... They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide."
Jesus uses two authorities in giving his answer. He quotes Moses and he quotes the Law. That is a rabbinical argument. The argument is over.
The second part of the discussion is interesting. "Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about all this, and he said to them, 'The man who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery too.'" Jesus reaffirms his belief in God's original intention that marriage is a life-long commitment. Other New Testament writers are different (e.g. Mt 5:32, 1Cor 7.10-16). Mark doesn't make any exceptions.
It is noted that Jesus places husband and wife on equal footing.
Divorce has always been a difficult pastoral issue from at least the time of Moses. As Catholics we are lucky to have a Church that leads us through the difficult times. the Marriage tribunals in every diocese are staffed by extremely pastoral people who are available to help thousands of people through difficult times. In modern times there have been great advances as the church tackles issues on divorce and remarriage and communion, not to mention bio-ethical issues round the creation of human life. Never be afraid to seek pastoral advice.

Rev Kev - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

27/9/2018

In My Name
There are three sections in the reading today. Two are appealing, one is confronting.
In the first section, the apostle John of all people is complaining to Jesus that people who "are not one of us" are casting out devils in the name of Jesus. Jesus says, "anyone who is not against us is for us." The liturgy clearly associates John's opponents with Eldad and Medad in the First Reading. Moses and Jesus both express the same thought. "If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets, and the Lord gave his Spirit to them all." "No one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me."
To act in the "name of Jesus" is to act as Jesus. Note "casting out in the name of Jesus" and "a cup of water to those who bear the name of Christ." (NRSV) This verse speaks to Christian values.
We are lucky as Catholics to have the guidance of the Church in interpreting some passages. The Church has never understood passages about self-mutilation literally. There are some famous examples of the Church condemning such practices. (Google: Origen, Abelard). I don't thing we can read this passage without remembering ancient as well as recent scandals in the Church.
The confronting teaching of Jesus is to avoid scandal (obstacle = obex = scandal). Jesus uses Middle-Eastern hyperbole and exaggeration to make a point. And what a point it is. "It would be better to be thrown into the sea..."

There are three lessons. Those who are "not one of us," the reward for a cup of water, and the penalty for giving scandal. Could easily be three separate sermons.

Rev Kev - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

20/9/2018

The lust for power
They did not understand. But they got the bit about the power!
"After leaving the mountain..." The text refers to the Transfiguration. This story is omitted in the Lectionary at this time. It has its turn every year in Lent. Also the Lectionary omits the cure of the epileptic whom the apostles were unable to cure.
Jesus and his team are journeying through Galilee. He does this in secret, "he did not want anyone to know." He teaches for the third time that "the Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men: they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death, he will rise again." Again they don't understand. They are afraid to ask him!
Capernaum
This is the centre for the Galilean ministry of Jesus. It seems it was the house of Peter by the lake. They are inside the house when Jesus asks them what they were talking about on the road. "They said nothing because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest." I often wonder if their answer was the word "nothing" as a child would answer, or were they really silent.
Jesus gives them a lesson on service. "If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all." Jesus puts his arms around a little child and said to them, "anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
This is the lesson on greatness in the kingdom. Remember the mother of James and John asking questions about positions of greatness. Remember Jesus washing Peter's feet. it is a hard lesson. it is easy to overlook it.
The kingdom is about humiliation and suffering. It is not a glory trip. It is about service to others. It is very serious teaching.

Rev Kev - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

30/8/2018

Jesus calls for a complete integrity of life.
We resume reading from Mark at the place where Jesus is disputing with the Scribes and the Pharisees.
When Mark is writing [70AD] there would have been tension between the Christian community and the local Synagogue. Most of Mark's readers were not Jews and would have difficulty with Jewish customs, especially after Peter's vision. [Acts 10:1-43]
His list of sins reminds us of Galatians (5:22-26)
When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility, idolatry and sorcery, feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels; disagreements, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and similar things.
What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against anything like that.

Rev Kev - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

23/8/2018

Then Jesus told the twelve, "What about you, do you want to go away too?" Simon Peter answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe: and we know that you are the Holy One of God."
This is a parting of the way. The believers remain and the non-believers depart. many choose to leave Jesus. it is Peter who makes the great assertion of his faith in Jesus who has the words of eternal life. He professes him as the "Holy One of God."
Note the title "Son of Man." This is Jesus' choice of description of himself. It has occurred already in this chapter. The meaning is ambiguous. It reflects Daniel's vision (Dan 7:13-14) alluding to a heavenly being with an active relationship between heaven and earth. It can also and often refer to the Aussie equivalent of "a bloke" or ordinary person. Jesus has the two meanings in mind.
"I gazed into the vision of the night, and I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one like the Son of Man." (Dan 7:13)
"It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer." This clashed with the words of Jesus re: the necessity of eating the "flesh of the Son of man." It is not a denigration of our bodies because "the Word became flesh." There is a shift of meaning from unredeemed humanity to the humanity of Jesus.
The choice is ours. To leave with the 500 or to stay with Peter.

Rev Kev - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

16/8/2018

"As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me. This is the bread come down from heaven; not like the bread your ancestors ate; they are dead, but anyone who eats this bread will live forever."
This verse makes a big transition from Wisdom teaching to Sacramental teaching. "The bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world." This is confronting language. Even today this language has the capacity to shock. Cf. I am light, living water, the way, the truth and the life.
Here is another question: "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus has the opportunity to say he has been misunderstood. Does he? No. He goes even deeper into the mystery. "I tell you solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you." Does this sound like a backdown? He continues, "Anyone who does eat my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food..."
"He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him..."
And most of all, try and get around this. "As I, who am sent by the living Father myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me."

Rev Kev - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

9/8/2018

Rev Kev is back! We are taking these blogs from his Bible Study group held Monday mornings in the Muldoon Room after 9am Mass.

Complaining. The story of the Hebrew people in the 40 years of the dessert is a story of complaints. Poor Moses had to go before God begging for release from their complaints. It was in answer to this that God provides the manna and water from the rock. John reverses the process in his Gospel story. Jesus promises the bread of life and this provokes the complaints.
Jesus' teaching is based on the Wisdom books of the Old Testament. It is divine wisdom that feeds the hunger of the heart. "To hear the teaching of the Father and learn from it is to come to me."
"Everyone who believes has eternal life."
"I am the bread of life." "This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die."
The concluding verse opens up a whole new chapter for next week. Jesus introduces a whole new aspect of Eucharistic teaching. "Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world."
Here the bread is identified with Jesus' flesh, the crucified on the Cross, and given prophetically at the Last Supper.

We've lost our regular bloggers for the moment

14/6/2018

Hoping to have new contributors soon. As they say - watch this space.

Deak's Diary - Pentecost

16/5/2018

Our first reading today from Acts 2:1-11 tells of the apostles in that locked room when the great wind came and they were “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is the “Pentecost event” so it must have some meaning for me.
When I think of this Pentecost event I’m reminded of what a friend once told me, “Life isn't about understanding the mystery of God. It’s more about experiencing it.” Jesus taught us that, when he said the Kingdom of God is “within” us (Lk 17). Baptism gives us one of the most tremendous gifts that Jesus promised to and gave to us, the gift of the Holy Spirit (which we celebrate in a special way every Pentecost). It is the Holy Spirit which leads us to truth, by opening our eyes to ourselves, our world and to Jesus. It is intended by God that we experience his presence right now.
Too often we worry about what’s happening now and in the future, sometimes even the past. When we confuse our life with such undue concerns, it is almost impossible to live in the present. Many of us have a favourite way to reduce the stressful demands on us. That usually means waiting for “later,” such as going to the beach, snow or mountains to relax. Or maybe you have an occasional hobby such as gardening or visiting museums. All of these are helpful. But we also need ways to relax and experience the presence of God during the pressing demands and stresses of the day.
Firstly, we need to focus on God, and consciously look for his fingerprints in all of the things he has created in nature. Can I see Jesus in my neighbour, and can he/ she see Jesus in me? After all, if we’re truly living the Christian life to the fullest, then we should be a mirror image of Jesus. But, if that mirror-image isn’t there, what steps could I take to put it there? Do I really act like I believe that the Spirit of God lives within me?
It is most important to remember that on that first Pentecost the believers were all gathered in one place, and as usual, were praying; their focus was on the Lord, who had promised them an outburst of the Holy Spirit. This special mystery of God is experienced with the eyes of faith, a gift that enables us to believe in his presence within us.

About Our Lady of the Rosary

Since its inception in 1947 the parish has grown and today boasts one of the most beautiful and prayerful Churches in our Diocese. Substantially designed by Fr Reg Reynolds, the parish church caters for the permanent Catholic population as well as the many visitors who holiday here.

Site designed by Lisa O'Sullivan

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Our Lady of the Rosary Parish
239-243 The Entrance Rd
THE ENTRANCE NSW 2261
T: +61-2-4332 2216
F: +61-2-4333 5344