A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - there can’t be any more water in the sky after yesterday’s downpours

This coming Sunday we celebrate the Feast of All Saints marking the glory of all those who share in the resurrection of Jesus and especially those who proved themselves worthy of the title of Saint. We all have our favourite saints and as you will have guessed by now, one of my favourites is St Joseph about whom we know relatively little except that he was courageous in being utterly attentive to the mind of God especially in the most difficult circumstances.

Anyway …. The Gospel for Mass on the Feast is the beginning of the sermon on the mount, the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1 - 12). We are very familiar with the Jerusalem Bible translation which has been our companion for over 50 years but I have recently picked up a newish (2004) New Testament translation by Fr Nicholas King SJ. It is very lively to say the least and gives a fresh insight into what Jesus’ words might have actually sounded like to the disciples.

‘Seeing the crowds, he went up into the mountain; and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And opening his mouth, he began to teach them, saying:

Congratulations to the poor in spirit - theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Congratulations to those who are mourning - they shall be consoled.

Congratulations to the gentle - they shall inherit the earth.

Congratulations to those who are hungry and thirst for righteousness - they shall be satisfied.

Congratulations to the merciful - they shall be mercied.

Congratulations to the pure in heart - they shall see God.

Congratulations to those who create peace - they shall be called children of God.

Congratulations to those who are persecuted because of righteousness - theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Congratulations to you when they reproach you and persecute you and falsely talk all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward in heaven is huge. You see, that’s how they persecuted the prophets before you.’

Wonderful isn’t it. And I especially like the word ‘mercied’ - it conveys a very deliberate act of ‘mercying' on God’s part, doesn’t it.

There is always a danger for us in taking a too-easy approach to our hearing of scripture - we don’t always listen intently enough and let the words sink into our hearts and direct our actions. That sermon must have so animated the disciples that they were prepared to give up everything to hear what else he had to say and how he translated it into action.

St Joseph, example of true listening, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John