This week
Judas has just gone out, on his way to betray Jesus and yet Jesus speaks of being glorified. Betrayal, suffering, denial, torture, crucifixion and death - what kind of a glorification is that? And yet it shows how Jesus sees it, in John's Gospel at least. It is his mission; it is why he came, and it will lead to his glorification in the resurrection and open the way to glorification for us all.
Jesus knows that his death is close and so he sums up his ministry, he gives us a new commandment, 'love one another just as I have loved you.' 'Love one another', that is a challenging commandment, and Jesus makes it clear just what kind of a love it is to be, 'love one another just as I have loved you'. How does Jesus love us? Through suffering and the cross to death, that is an awful lot of love. Can we love like Jesus loved? It's asking a lot, isn't it? There are instances of human beings sacrificing themselves for another, it's rare but who's to say what we might do if the circumstances demanded it?
Jesus then goes on to say that by this love we have for one another people will know that we are his disciples, or not as the case may be. Do people see that we are Jesus' disciples? Well, erm, maybe ... sometimes ... it's a tall order, isn't it?
Someone came to see me recently, not a Catholic, but full of praise for Pope Francis, 'a good man'. This person had no time for religious leaders in general, 'looking down on others and giving orders' was how they were dismissed, and not much time for religion either but Pope Francis had impressed her.
It struck me though that Pope Francis showed his love by washing the feet of criminals, by admitting his mistakes and sins and by speaking truth to power. Imperfection is where love shows itself. If we were a perfect community our love would shine out, or would it? Love comes through our failures and foolishness, in the midst of pain, hurt and sin. What that means is that constantly we have opportunities to love and forgive ourselves and each other. It is hard isn't it but if we can stick together, if we keep coming even though we find people and situations difficult, then signs of God's love will keep appearing despite us. 'Where 2 or 3 gather in my name I am there', said Jesus. He's here with us and we can't stop him making his presence felt if we just keep coming.
Judas has just gone out, on his way to betray Jesus and yet Jesus speaks of being glorified. Betrayal, suffering, denial, torture, crucifixion and death - what kind of a glorification is that? And yet it shows how Jesus sees it, in John's Gospel at least. It is his mission; it is why he came, and it will lead to his glorification in the resurrection and open the way to glorification for us all.
Jesus knows that his death is close and so he sums up his ministry, he gives us a new commandment, 'love one another just as I have loved you.' 'Love one another', that is a challenging commandment, and Jesus makes it clear just what kind of a love it is to be, 'love one another just as I have loved you'. How does Jesus love us? Through suffering and the cross to death, that is an awful lot of love. Can we love like Jesus loved? It's asking a lot, isn't it? There are instances of human beings sacrificing themselves for another, it's rare but who's to say what we might do if the circumstances demanded it?
Jesus then goes on to say that by this love we have for one another people will know that we are his disciples, or not as the case may be. Do people see that we are Jesus' disciples? Well, erm, maybe ... sometimes ... it's a tall order, isn't it?
Someone came to see me recently, not a Catholic, but full of praise for Pope Francis, 'a good man'. This person had no time for religious leaders in general, 'looking down on others and giving orders' was how they were dismissed, and not much time for religion either but Pope Francis had impressed her.
It struck me though that Pope Francis showed his love by washing the feet of criminals, by admitting his mistakes and sins and by speaking truth to power. Imperfection is where love shows itself. If we were a perfect community our love would shine out, or would it? Love comes through our failures and foolishness, in the midst of pain, hurt and sin. What that means is that constantly we have opportunities to love and forgive ourselves and each other. It is hard isn't it but if we can stick together, if we keep coming even though we find people and situations difficult, then signs of God's love will keep appearing despite us. 'Where 2 or 3 gather in my name I am there', said Jesus. He's here with us and we can't stop him making his presence felt if we just keep coming.
The Order of the Mass
In a new series of videos, Father Michael explains more about the Order of the Mass, covering the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.
In a new series of videos, Father Michael explains more about the Order of the Mass, covering the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.
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To watch other videos about St Catherine's please see our Parish YouTube channel