14/01/2024

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Where do you live?” Was a spontaneous question. Probably  - Avoiding Judaea where Herod Archelaus ruled - in Nazareth in one of the fifty small, single roomed, single storied, windowless house, made of rough stone foundations and mud bricks baked in the sun on site.

Now?

According to the first Vatican 2 Document, on liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, paragraph 7, at Mass Christ is present in four ways: in the priest celebrant, the Eucharist, The Word and The Congregation.

Some priests are more Christlike than others.

The Eucharist always carries Jesus Christ in his humanity and divinity.

The Word can always enlighten, motivate, encourage and enrich our life.

Remember that the Congregation consists of individual humans, each with their gifts and concerns.

That fact enables me to love every sinner even if I must criticise - and in Reconciliation forgive - their faults.

Here in this chapel there a many wonderful people who enrich my life. So,  I thank God for each of you.

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others,” stated Marcus Tullius Cicero,(106-43 bce) a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher and  writer.

The word Eucharist means thanksgiving.

Every mass is an expression of our gratitude for all we have and are.

So, thank God for Jesus Christ in each one of you!