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Sunday |
Aug-30 |
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Moses said to the people:"You must add nothing to what I command you, and take nothing from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God just as I lay them down for you." ~Deuteronomy 4:2
The following reflection has been written by Fr.Tom Cahill
I wonder what goes wrong to give the impression that God’s commandments are burdens to be borne, better yet ignored, rather than gifts to be cherished. Why do some people worship money, power and sex instead of the one true God? Why can’t they see the tyranny that servitude to these produces? Why can’t they see the freedom that having only the one true God in one’s life endows? And why can’t they see God’s commandments as guiding lights to help them travel life’s convoluted course in safety? There are so many ‘whys’.
God created us to live in community. At family level community living calls for give-and-take. If members make demands regardless of how it affects others, then the quality of life degrades. If all are equally demanding, then you have a dysfunctional family. At world level, community living also calls for give-and-take: individually, collectively and nationally. God’s commandments wise us up to the need for justice, generosity, and respect for all people. They help us to adapt to life out there in the real world. They prevent us from expecting that life should adapt to us. That’s why many don’t like them. But, if we didn’t have them, would we not have to invent them?
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Monday |
Aug-24 |
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The 5 Finger Prayer Guide:
(1) Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. (2) The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, nurses, counsellors, priests, sisters and others in the caring profession. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers. (3) Next is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for our president, leaders in government, business and industry. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance. (4)The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need our prayers day and night. (5) Lastly is our little finger, the smallest finger of all. Here we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. Your little finger should remind you to pray for yourself. You yourself know best your own needs and concerns.
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Wednesday |
Aug-19 |
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Now I am revealing new things to you, things hidden and unknown to you, created just now. This very moment you have heard nothing of these things until now, so that you cannot say, ‘Oh yes, I knew all this’. ~Isaiah 48:6
We sometimes think of God, religion and spirituality as just static. Some see it as created in the past which has been passed onto us to preserve and in turn we pass it on to someone else. This is very limiting. Everything about God is fresh, moving and changing. Nothing stays still. We can never say we know God fully or that we know what God’s plans are for us. Each day we can learn something new about ourselves, about God, about life, about the world we live in, about our family, our friends and so on. All of them are never in isolation but are connected in a mysterious web that make up today. God is never boring, dull or static. If we believe that today is God’s gift to us then we are open to possibility, freshness and a sense of freedom in our lives. The invitation is to be open to God’s many blessings that make up each day. |
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Sunday |
Aug-16 |
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To the fool she says, 'Come and eat my bread, drink the wine I have prepared! Leave your folly and you will live, walk in the ways of perception. ~Proverbs 9:5-6
The following reflection is written by Fr.Tom Cahill. It's called 'Cop on or Cop out'
The message on the church bulletin board reads: ‘Those who stand for nothing fall for everything.’ Wisdom is knowing what to stand for – and standing up for it. Wisdom is putting knowledge to good use. Today’s First Reading (Prov 9:1-6) urges us to ‘lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight’ (v 6). Easier said than done.
Someone who is immature is not ripe. Growth in one or more areas of their life slowed down or stopped completely at some stage. It’s scary enough that such a thing can happen, but to make matters worse it can happen without our realising it until it’s late in the day.
Today’s reading also tells us to walk in the way of insight. Fine! But how do you do that? You can’t just decide to have an insight as you’d have a cup of tea. You can’t conjure one up, order one over the Internet, or go to a shop and buy one. No! They either come to you or they don’t. However, maybe it’s just one basic insight that the reading refers to. Once you’ve had that one others follow of their own accord as life presents them. But without the basic one you miss the others. And what is more basic to realise than that life has purpose, and consequences that extend beyond death. Once that sinks in we begin to see things differently. Wisdom has built her house, set her pillars, and prepared a meal for those who enter. So let’s put immaturity aside and live. Let’s cop on not cop out.
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Friday |
Aug-14 |
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Background info for our thought today....On April 5th 2008 Stuart Mangan suffered a spinal injury while playing a game of rugby, that left him paralysed from the neck down. It was a horrific freak injury. His family were a massive support to him and they set up efforts to raise funds for his ongoing medical care. Their efforts and the great courage that Stuart displayed, sparked one of the biggest charity fundraising campaigns ever seen in Ireland. Tragically Stuart died last Friday in the presence of his family after suffering respiratory problems at home. His funeral Mass takes place later today in Fermoy.
‘During his short life Stuart showed incredible energy, enthusiasm and love for people. Since his accident he has inspired many with his courage and greatly increased his circle of friends. In this way he has left us all a great legacy.’ ~Family of the late Stuart Mangan
Words fail to describe the impact Stuart has had on so many people. His short life has deeply touched such a wide circle and his life will continue to inspire. When we are faced with difficulties, darkness, doubts, impossible odds, tragedy, depression, setbacks and severe trauma, it is tempting to give up and throw the towel in. Stuart Mangan’s life will be a reminder that there is another way. His bravery, courage and sheer determination will be an inspiration to keep going when the odds are stacked against us. For many of us who may complain and grumble about trivialities, we are challenged to get our priorities right. Stuart certainly had many admirable priorities, mainly his love of family, love of sport and rugby, the strength of friendship, wonderful courage, openness and bravery. He never lost hope when it seemed all was lost and hopeless. He will never be forgotten. May Stuart rest in peace.  |
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Wednesday |
Aug-12 |
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It’s All In What You Say…
“I got 2 A’s in my exam”, the small boy shouted. His voice was filled with glee. But his father very bluntly asked, “Why did you not get 3?” “Mum I’ve got the dishes done”, the girl called from the door. But her mother very calmly said, “And did you sweep the floor?” “I’ve mowed the grass”, the tall boy said, “and I’ve put the mower away”. But his father asked him with a shrug, “Did you clean the lawnmower after you?”
The children in the house next door seem happy and content. The same things happened over there. But this is how it went.
“I got 2 A’s in my exam”, the small boy shouted. His voice was filled with glee. His father proudly said “That’s great you really have made my day.” “Mum I’ve got the dishes done, the girl called from the door. Her mother smiled and said, “Thank you so much, I really appreciate what you have done.” “I’ve mowed the grass”, the tall boy said, “and I’ve put the mower away”. His father answered, “That’s great and you did a great job too.”
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Sunday |
Aug-09 |
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Our thought for today has been writen by Fr.Paddy Byrne. In this piece Paddy reflects on the need for us to avoiding holding on so tightly to our possessions, fears and hurts that cause us to become imprisoned.
There is a beautiful story told about a child playing with a vase his mother had left on the table for a few moments. When the mother turned at the sound of her son crying she saw that his hand was in the vase and was apparently stuck. She tried to help him and pulled and pulled until the child cried out in pain. But the hand was stuck fast. How would they get it out? The father suggested breaking the vase but it was quite valuable and the child's hand might be cut in the process. Yet he knew that if all else failed there would be no alternative. So he said to the boy, "Now, let's make one more try. Open your hands and stretch out your fingers out straight, like I'm doing, and then pull!". "But Dad", said the boy, "If I do that I will lose my penny!" The boy had a coin in his hand all the time and was holding it securely in his tight little fist. He wasn't prepared to open his hand and loose the penny. But once he opened his hand it came out of the vase easily.
The story, though simple, may well reflect our own lives. Often we can hold on tightly to hurt, fear and memory, that it hinders us to experience freedom and contentment in our adult lives. Many of us at times in our lives may well hold on so tightly to our possessions, fears and hurts that in fact we can become imprisoned. There are many prisoners in all our communities who are confined to a very limited sense of freedom, because of a great struggle in regard to being able to let go. Jesus Christ is a great liberator and patiently encourages us to let go, so that we may taste the true sense of human freedom.
A Prayer to conclude Lord gives us a true appreciation for the gift of our health, our families and friendship and the environment where we live. Where our hands may be clenched and our fears imprison us, may we open our hands to the love and healing that comes from our God.
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Monday |
Aug-03 |
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‘We must know people, like them, enjoy them, make friends with them, take trouble for them, before it may ever be right to “speak” to them about spiritual matters. ~Samuel Shoemaker
A community is one where faith thrives, grows and blossoms. In our modern world, community is most at risk from increasing individualism and isolation. All the modern gadgets in the world are vainly trying to help us cope with a lack of community. There are little comfort zones in an economic downturn but one is a realization that a community working together will get through. Spirituality can only take root when there is a sense of community. It can never operate in a vacuum. If there is no community it’s all just lip service, shallow and even false. We can’t wave a magic wand and hope for instant community, where there is a sense of belonging, friendship and genuine care. But we can do our bit to be more community conscious no matter how small. It can only happen when we realize that every single one of us has a key part to play. |
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