Parish of Our Lady & Saint David, Cwmbran

We continue to think about the Resurrection this week, from three different perspectives: the Gospel gives us another story of Jesus appearing to his disciples – this time the beautiful story of the meeting in Jerusalem, when Jesus proves he is alive and no ghost by eating some grilled fish: he reminds the disciples that all he suffered and rise so the “repentance for the forgiveness of sins” could be preached to the whole world. The first reading shows us Saint Peter’s doing just that, as he addresses the crowd in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost: he takes them through recent events (fifty days earlier), highlighting the important point, that he and the disciples can witness to the raising of Jesus from the dead, and calling them to “repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” The second reading brings this into our lives: the resurrection is not just a historical event, which we remember. By baptism (which we renewed at Easter) we become part of Jesus in his dying and his rising, as he ‘becomes the sacrifice that takes our sins away. So all that Saint John tells us about the commandments and avoiding sin is our way of living the Resurrection.

The Psalm

When I call, answer me, O God of justice; from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me! It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves; the Lord hears me whenever I call him. “What can bring us happiness?” many say. Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord. I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19

Second Reading: 1 John 2:1-5

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:35-48

Eight days later, Jesus came.

After the joys and exuberance of Easter Sunday and Easter Week, we settle down into the longest Season in the Church’s Year – Eastertide. This period of fifty days is a time of sustained gladness, which comes through reading and reflecting on the Scriptures which describe the risen life of Jesus – not just his appearances to the disciples after the Resurrection, but the teachings from his ministry which reveal the risen life he now possesses. We also spend time hearing about how the Resurrection made a difference: how the timid and frightened disciples were able to leave Jerusalem and proclaim a message of life over death to the whole world, as we read through the book of the Acts of the Apostles. We also linger over the first letter of Saint John, which ties together so many of the themes of Easter: life, faith, baptism, the Spirit – all brought together in the person of the Lord Jesus, risen from the dead. On this second Sunday, we continue to track through real time, by hearing what happened in Jerusalem on the Sunday after the Resurrection with the Lord appearing to Thomas – strengthening his faith, and strengthening ours as we listen to the account.

First Reading: Acts 4: 32-35

Second Reading: 1John 5: 1-6

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

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 Lord’s right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me up. I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds. I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die.   The stone which the builders 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.

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

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 10:34, 37-43

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

Gospel Reading: John 20:1-9

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

A Happy and Peaceful Easter to you all

from

Canon John and Deacon Peter

First reading: Isaiah 50:4-7  

Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11

Gospel Reading: Year B – St Mark’s Gospel

RESPONSORIAL 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” Many 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.

Third Scrutiny

The Gospel of the Fifth Sunday is perhaps the deepest meditation on the mystery of Baptism and membership of the Church. It is a prelude to the events of Easter Sunday, when we celebrate the triumph of life over death. To be plunged into the waters of baptism is to be buried with Christ, only to rise with him from the waters. This paradox of life and death is the content of today’s readings. There is no more important part of our faith that the resurrection: that Christ rose from the dead is the very centre and heart of all that we believe – without it, our faith is useless. In the same way our belief in our own resurrection is vital: it is the most deeply needed gift that Christ gives us. This is why the climax of the instructions given to candidates for Baptism was this teaching: that Christ would give them life after death. Look ahead to the 3rd Sunday of Easter, where Saint Peter preaches to the crowds – what he teaches them is that life comes after death, as it did for Lazarus, and for Christ himself.

1^st Reading : Ezekiel 37: 12-14 

2^nd Reading: Romans 8: 8-11

Gospel Reading: John 11: 1-45

Psalm

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice! O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading. If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness: for this we revere you. My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word.   My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for daybreak. (Let the watchman count on daybreak and Israel on the Lord.) Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption, Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity.

Lenten Devotions

Stations of the Cross:

St David’s: Thurs at 10.00am

Our Lady’s: Friday at 9.30am

Second Scrutiny

When we get to Easter, there are two symbols of the resurrection that we use in Church: fire and light (the Easter Candle) and water (the Font). Last week we reflected on water, and this week there are passages all about light – true light, that defeats the blindness of sin. Again, this would have been offered to those preparing for Baptism, but speaks to all of us who have been baptised, inviting us to be renewed in the light of Christ at Easter. Remember that one of the oldest titles of the newly baptised was “neophyte”, which means “newly enlightened” There is a subtle link between the readings on this Sunday: in the first reading, David is anointed, and the Spirit of the Lord seizes on him. This anointing lights him along the right path – ‘no evil would I fear’ as the Psalm says. Then Paul tells us more ab the marvellous story of the healing (by being ‘anointed’ with spittle) of the man born blind. Jesus is the light of the world

1^st Reading : Samuel 16: 6-7, 10-13

 2^nd Reading: Ephesians 5: 8-14

 Gospel Reading: John 9: 1-41

Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

Lenten Devotions

Stations of the Cross:

St David’s: Thurs at 10.00am

Our Lady’s: Fridays at 9.30am

First Scrutiny

The Gospel of the third Sunday is the remarkable conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman by the well, the theme is water – which gives life, which cleanses, which is so necessary. This reading forms part of the catechesis given before Baptism at Easter: the candidates who would go into the water are invited to reflect on what that means. But more necessary than the water which gives life is the water which gives eternal life – the water of baptism, the water flowing from Jesus’ side on the cross. Even if your Church does not have any candidates preparing for Baptism, we will all renew our baptismal promises at Easter: we should take this opportunity to reflect on what baptism has given us, and what God has done for us in this gift.

1^st Reading : Exodus 17: 3-7

2^nd Reading: Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8

Gospel Reading: John 4: 5-42

Psalm

Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the rock who saves us. Let us come before him, giving thanks, with songs let us hail the Lord.

Come in; let us bow and bend low; let us kneel before the God who made us for he is our God and we the people who belong to his pasture, the flock that is led by his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice! “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the desert when your fathers put me to the test; when they tried me though they say my work.

Lenten Devotions

Stations of the Cross:

St David’s: Thurs at 10.00am

Our Lady’s: Fridays at 9.30am

Lent is a Season of preparation for the whole Paschal Triduum – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday: not just a time to reflect on the Cross. Often our Lenten devotions can focus exclusively on the Cross, and the idea of Baptism can be lost. This is why the Church invites us to join the disciples in looking beyond the cross this Sunday: we see the glory of Easter, the glory of the resurrection and the glory of the baptised. We see all this in the Transfiguration: we are invited to recognise who Jesus is. It is the glorified Jesus, whom we will celebrate at Easter, who calls us to journey through Lent, just as God called Abram to journey far from his home. So the readings lead to us acknowledges that Lent is a very special ‘calling’, to follow the Lord of glory to the renewal of baptismal purity.

1^st Reading : Genesis 12:1-4

 2^nd Reading: Timothy 1: 8-10

 Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:1-9

Psalm

The word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love. The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield. May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all hope in you.

In the Cycle of Sunday Readings, the oldest are those of Year A in Lent these Gospels have accompanied the Church for many centuries. We must realise why: Lent was originally the time of immediate preparation of candidates for Baptism at Easter (something which has been reintroduced to the Church by RCIA): those already baptised used it as a time to prepare for the renewal of Baptismal promises. This is why so much of the Scripture in Lent is about Baptism, New Life and Salvation. What is the new life of Baptism? What are we set free from? What is sin? We begin Lent by hearing about sin and temptation; the Gospel will tell us of Jesus’ own temptations, something he shares with us, though he did not sin. The other Scripture readings prepare us for the Gospel, in which Jesus, the new Adam, triumphs over temptation.

1^st Reading : Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7

2^nd Reading: Romans 5: 12-19

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

Psalm

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. My offences truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me Do not cast me away from your presence , or deprive me of your holy spirit. Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise.

“The leprosy left him at once and he was cured.”

Thankfully, we do not encounter leprosy in our culture. It can therefore be difficult to enter into the real depth of today’s readings. We have to understand that leprosy meant exclusion, rejection and the end of “normal” life. For your leprosy to be cured would be like being given a second chance at life. What is the cause of exclusion and rejection in our society – or even in the Church? Who are those who must “live apart”? And how can we put into effect in our day those most touching of the words of Jesus, when asked if he wants to cure the leper: “Of course I want to!”? Contemplating exclusion and rejection in our world can be hard work: Saint Paul guides the way: the Christian path is not to work “for my own advantage, but for the advantage of everybody else”.

1^st Reading : Lev. 13:1-2,44-46

2^nd Reading: 1 Cor 10: 31- 11:1 

Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 40-45 

Psalm

Happy the man whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted. O happy the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no guile. But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide. I said: “I will confess my offence to the Lord.” And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin. Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just! O come, ring out your joy, all you upright of heart.