Parish of Our Lady & Saint David, Cwmbran

“If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

There is a logical development in the readings this Sunday: in the Old Testa­ment, God asks us to look forward to the “new deed he will do”, when he will put “water in the wilderness”; we then see the new deed, which Paul talks about, to be the “supreme advantage of knowing Christ Je­sus”, and sharing the “power of his resur­rection”; so who is this Jesus, and how is he “water in the wilderness”? It is because he brings hope for the future and forgiveness of our sins, as the Gospel story relates. This Sunday’s readings are there for our encouragement, to help us look forward to Easter, and the meaning of Jesus’ Pas­sion, Death and Resurrection: that meaning is Reconciliation and a new creation (as we heard last week). We are driven on through Lent by a vision of the marvels that God has worked, and that God will work for us.

PSALM

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. The heathens themselves said: “What marvels the Lord worked for them!” What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying the seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.

1^st Reading: Is 43: 16-21

2^nd Reading: Phil: 3: 8-14

Gospel: John 8: 1-11

5th Sunday of Lent 2016 Newsletter

“Your brother here was dead and has come to life.”

As today we hear the familiar para­ble of the Prodigal Son (or the Forgiving Father), the message is Reconciliation – the making new of relationships, the healing of past wrongs and the opening of ourselves to the “new creation”. This is just as the Is­raelites opened themselves to the New Cre­ation of the Promised Land, when under Joshua they ended their sojourn in the wilderness after forty years of hardship, and began to eat of the produce of the country. It is all God’s work: it is God who calls us back, and God who welcomes us into the Promised Land of his mercy when we re­turn. So today, let us think not so much of sin and offences, as the new creation God offers us, if we but turn back to him and embrace him as our Father.

PSALM

I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad. Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name.   I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free. Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called; the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.

Readings

1^st Reading: Joshua 5:9-12

2^nd Reading: 2Cor 5: 17-21

Gospel: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

4th Sunday of Lent 2016 Newsletter

“Unless you repent you will all perish as they did.”

“The man who thinks he is safe must be careful he does not fall.” This is the theme of this Sunday: it underlines the need for repentance, which is the focus of our Lenten journey in Year C. Jesus, in the Gospel, uses two recent events in order to illustrate his point about sin and repentance – there is a price to be paid for sin, but there is a way of avoiding it: if we repent, we will have salva­tion and a new and real freedom. This idea is emphasised in the parable, where we see a tree not being condemned immediately, but given a chance to change and produce fruit. So are we. This links in with the two other readings, which also talk about escape – the escape of Israel from Egypt. This is to be a warning for us, as Saint Paul says: if we are Christians, we must live as Christians, and be aware of the need to watch our lives and the direction they are taking.

PSALM

My soul, give thanks to the Lord, all my being bless his holy name. My soul gives thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings. It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion. The Lord does deeds of justice, gives judgement for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses and his deeds to Israel’s sons. The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him.

1^st Reading: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15

2^nd Reading: 1Cor 10:1-6,10-12

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

3rd Sunday of Lent 2016 Newsletter

“As Jesus prayed, the aspect of his face was changed.”

Every year, on the Second Sunday of Lent, we hear about the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain top. Why? Jesus revealed his glory to the three apostles in order to strengthen them for the journey ahead – the journey to Jerusalem, Gethse­mane and Golgotha. The same vision is today offered to us, to strengthen us in our Lenten Journey of Faith. Last week we heard about tempta­tion: this week we are driven onwards by a vision of glory that will be ours – the goal of our lives of faith and all that we do as Christians. The transfiguration represents the final destination of our lives, if we are faithful in resisting temptation and living each day as faithful members of Jesus Christ. In our journey of renewal and new commit­ment through Lent, we are spurred on and encouraged by today’s vision to see why the effort is worth it.

PSALM

The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink? O Lord, hear my voice when I call; have mercy and answer.   Of you my heart has spoken: “Seek his face.”

It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face. Dismiss not your servant in anger; you have been my help.

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!

1^st Reading: Genesis 15:5-12,17-18

2^nd Reading: Phil 3:17-4:1

Gospel: Luke 9:28-36

2nd Sunday of Lent 2016 Newsletter

“Jesus was led by the Spirit through the wilderness and was tempted there.”

As with each First Sunday of Lent the Gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness; as we begin the journey of Lent, during which we will consider our lives as members of the Church, we look to the ex­ample of Jesus when it comes to dealing with temptation. Choosing to follow God’s path is the first characteristic of the Christian: this is underlined in the two other readings, which outline the two” creeds” or statements of belief – one of Israel and one of the Christian. Both of them emphasise “believing in the heart and confessing with the lips”: both creeds underline the Salvation that God has achieved – for Israel it was freedom from Egypt, for the Christian freedom from death in Jesus.

PSALM

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High and abides in the shade of the Almighty says to the Lord: “My refuge my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!” Upon you no evil shall fall, no plague approach where you dwell. For you has he commanded his angels, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you upon their hands lest you strike your foot against a stone. On the lion and the viper you will tread and trample the young lion and the dragon.   His love he set on me, so I will rescue him; protect him for he knows my name. When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you.” I will save him in distress and give him glory.

1^st Reading: Deut 26: 4-10

2^nd Reading: Romans 10: 8-13

Gospel: Luke 4: 1-13

1st Sunday of Lent Newsletter 2016

“They left everything and followed him.”

We hear the call of another prophet this week – Isaiah. This introduces the Gospel, where we see Jesus calling his first disciples to follow him. Notice that the initiative is Jesus’ there is no application process or interview procedure! Notice also the way that Jesus calls his disciples in this account – not with words, but with a miracle that is also a parable. It is, in a way, a miraculous “job description”: if the disciple trusts completely in the one who calls, then the result will be truly amazing – a huge catch of men and women hungry for God. Simon’s simple words “if you say so” give us an example of Christian discipleship: we should leave our own concerns behind, and simply follow the Lord with great trust.

PSALM

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, you have heard the words of my mouth. Before the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple. I thank you for your faithfulness and love which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increase the strength of my soul. All earth’s kings shall thank you when they hear the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the Lord’s ways: “How great is the glory of the Lord!” You stretch out your right hand and save me. Your hand will do all things for me. Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hand.

1^st Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

2^nd Reading: 1Cor 15:1-11

Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2016 Newsletter

“Like Elijah and Elisha, Jesus is not sent to the Jews only.”

Last week, when Jesus spoke in the synagogue, his words pleased the crowd – as we hear at the beginning of today’s Gospel. How quickly the mood changes! This story shows very clearly that Jesus was not a “crowd-pleaser” – he wasn’t interested in saying the right things to be popular or accepted. He was interested in the truth – which is the basic definition of a prophet – whatever the personal cost. So today, when Jesus points out that salvation is not just for the Jews, or even just the people of Nazareth, they reject the message and the messenger. Just like Jeremiah, when he was called to be a prophet (first reading), Jesus has to confront the land: they will fight with him, but not overcome him

PSALM

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, free me: pay heed to me and save me. Be a rock where I can take refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me; for you are my rock, my stronghold. Free me from the hand of the wicked. It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, since my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth, from my mother’s womb you have been my help. My lips will tell of your justice and day by day of your help. O God, you have taught me from my youth and I proclaim your wonders still.

1^st Reading: Jer. 1:4-5,17-19

2^nd Reading: 1Cor 12: 31-13:13

Gospel: Luke 4: 21-30

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2016 Newsletter

After our brief excursion last week into Saint John’s Gospel, we are back on track this week with Saint Luke – whom we will follow for the rest of the year. Today is about beginnings: the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It begins with the Word of God, in the synagogue. Jesus reads from the Old Testament, as we do every Sunday, and tells the people that it is fulfilled in him. Everything that God has said to his people, through his prophets, comes together in Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God. Today is an ideal Sunday to think about the ministry of reader – about how as readers we make present the same fulfillment, Jesus, when we read the word of God in our Churches.

PSALM

The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever. The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just. May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favour in your sight, O Lord, my rescuer, my rock!

1^st Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10

2^nd Reading: 1Cor 12: 12-30

Gospel: Luke 1: 1-4,: 14-21

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Tme 2016 Newsletter

“This was the first of the signs given by Jesus;
it was given at Cana in Galilee.”

The Gospel of this second Sunday of Ordinary Time continues the theme of the end of Christmas – revelation. Jesus is re­vealed to the world by his birth, by his baptism, and by his miracles – the “signs” as John calls them. The wedding in today’s Gospel is interpreted in many ways: today, reading the Gospel with the First Reading in mind, we can see it as an image of the way in which God is so close to his people, it is as though he is married to them. Thus Jesus, the spouse of the people, shows God’s close­ness by revealing his glory in this miracle.

PSALM

O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name. Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples. Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power, give the Lord the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in his temple. O earth, tremble before him. Proclaim to the nations: “God is king.” He will judge the peoples in fairness.

1^st readings: Isaiah 62:1-5  

2^nd reading: 1Cor 12: 4-11

Gospel John 2: 1-11

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Tme 2016 Newsletter

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

It may seem strange, but this is a Christmas Feast. Not if we think of Christmas only in terms of the Baby in Bethlehem, but if we have followed the ideas of the Feasts of Holy Family and especially Epiphany, and have seen the Season in terms of the growing manifestation or appearing of the Son of God: first to the shepherds and then to the wise men from the East. Now in the River Jordan, Jesus, Son of Mary, is revealed to all as the fullness of all God’s promises: “This is my Son, the Beloved. On this day we stand before the revelation of God’s love for us, such that he would send his only Son into the world. Christmas without the Baptism of the Lord, and the words that are spoken from heaven, would be incomplete, since it is only in them that we fully see the wonder of what happened in Bethlehem. As we come to the end of Christmas today, and look forward to hearing the Gospels in Ordinary Time, we do so having been shown who it is we listen to: the only Son of God, the Beloved.

PSALM

1^ST READING ISAIAH 40: 1-5, 9-11;

2^ND READING TITUS 2:11-14, 3: 4-7;

GOSPEL LUKE 3: 15-16, 21-22

Lord God, how great you are, clothed in majesty and glory, wrapped in light as in a robe! You stretch out the heavens like a tent. Above the rains you build your dwelling. You make the clouds your chariot, you walk on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers and flashing fire your servants. How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your riches. There is the sea, vast and wide, with its moving swarms past counting living things great and small. All these look to you to give them their food in due season.   You give it, they gather it up: you open your hand, they have their fill. You take back your spirit, they die, returning to the dust from which they came. You send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.

The Baptism Of The Lord 2016 Newsletter