Parish of Our Lady & Saint David, Cwmbran

“Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them,
and the same with the fish.”

The rest of the world has settled “back to normal” after Easter holidays now, but we continue to dwell on the resurrection of Jesus and the growth of the Church. Today’s Gospel, which many people consider the most beautiful of the resurrection stories, has many themes: the failed fishing trip, the inability of Peter to recognise the risen Jesus, the miracle of the 153 fish and the simple, powerful reassuring words of Jesus to his confused disciples: “Come and have breakfast.” We can all find ourselves a place in this Gospel story, as we continue to wonder at the resurrection.

PSALM

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead, restored me to life from those who sink into the grave. Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, give thanks to his holy name. His anger lasts but a moment; his favour through life. At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn. The Lord listened and has pity. The Lord came to my help. For me you have changed my mourning into dancing; O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41

Second Reading: Apoc 5:11-14

Gospel Reading John 21: 1-19

3rd Sunday of Easter 2016 Newsletter

“Eight days later, Jesus came.”

This week the Gospel is chosen because it relates “what happened today” – eight days after Easter, Jesus comes again to his disciples. The story of Thomas’s doubt and faith leads us to think about our doubts and faith but always in the context of being part of the family of the Church. Remember last week, and the baptisms you may have witnessed, or the renewal of your own baptismal promises: “this is the faith of the Church, the faith in which we are baptised.”

PSALM

Let the sons of Israel say: “His love has no end.” Let the sons of Aaron say: “His love has no end.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love has no end. The stone which the builder rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.

First Reading: Acts 5: 12-16

Gospel Reading John 20: 19-31

2nd Sunday of Easter 2016 Newsletter

“Christ our Passover has been sacrificed; let us celebrate the feast then, in the Lord.”

When the Word is proclaimed, it is real and active – the Lord is present, and what is described is, in a sense, happening now. On certain days this is made more obvious by the selection of scripture that refers to a particular time or day. Such a selection occurs this morning, when we go with Mary Magdalene to visit the tomb, only to make – with her – a momentous discovery: the tomb is empty, he is risen!

PSALM

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. Let the sons of Israel say: “His love has no end.” The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me. I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds.

the stone which the builder rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.

First Reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43

Gospel Reading John 20: 1-9

Easter Sunday & 2nd Sunday of Easter 2016 Newsletter

Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord

On Palm Sunday the long reading of the Passion dominates the celebration, and in a sense its meaning is obvious. Do not allow this, however, to detract from the other readings, which give the vital context necessary for understanding the Passion as more than just a long story. It is our story of the tale of how God achieved OUR salvation by the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

PSALM

All who see me deride me. They curl their lips, they toss their heads. “He trusted in the Lord, let him save him; let him release him if this is his friend.” May dogs have surrounded me, a band of the wicked beset me. They tear holes in my hands and my feet. I can count every one of my bones. They divide my clothing among them. They cast lots for my robe. O Lord, do not leave me alone, my strength, make haste to help me! I will tell of your name to my brethren and praise you where they are assembled.   “You who fear the Lord give him praise; all sons of Jacob, give him glory. Revere him, Israel’s sons.

Today’s Readings

1^st Reading: Is 50: 4-7

2^nd Reading: Phil 2: 6-11

The Passion according to Luke: 22: 14-23: 56

Palm Sunday 2016 Newsletter

“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