Dear Brothers & Sisters,

I once read that almost all our ‘ordinary’ sins were a ‘short cut’ to a good. So if you want a nice new radio, and you haven’t the money you take a short cut to the good of ownership and steal it.

The Hebrew language uses the word hamartia to describe sin. It is a term borrowed from archery, meaning to fall short of the bull’s eye.

We take short cuts in all sorts of ways in life. We fail to think things through; we fail to update our moral knowledge to live as adults and not children … and we blame God for everything … or, just as bad, we blame ourselves.

Misfortune happens to us all. Let us not blame God, ourselves or our parents or teachers. They are opportunities for reflection, in order to overcome the illusion of being able to live without God and to reinforce, with the Lord’s help, the commitment to change our way of life. (last bit quoted from Benedict XVI).

Muse, reflect, pray… may God lift you up on eagle’s wings.

Have a good week.

Fr. Richard

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

I am forever being surprised by the scriptures. In today’s gospel reading it says that Moses and Elijah were talking to Jesus about His “passing”. The Greek word used is ‘exodus’. My ears pricked up when I realised Jesus’ ‘exodus’, His ‘passing’ was from this life, through death to eternal life.

The original exodus was from ‘slavery’ in Egypt through “water” to the promised land. That “water” we also pass through at baptism to enter the life of Christ. Jesus is truly the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets.

Where He has gone He invites us to follow in this world and the world to come.

Have a good week.

Father Richard

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Shrove Tuesday, Carneval, Mardi Gras….all events associated with the beginning of Lent. In our Lenten Liturgy, we simplify, take out the frills. There is no Gloria, no Alleluia, the liturgical colour is deliberately not bright. Purple is meant to represent a time of preparation. In our case, a preparation for the great Feast of Easter. Just as the liturgy reflects a simplicity, we can if we want take this into our everyday lives. We can declutter, our homes, our churches, our office space. Get rid of all unused objects – our charity shops and tips should be full. Our social lives could perhaps reflect the fact that we are in a penitential season- less levity – more gravity. It could be a time of prayer, reading, reflection. So many ways to prepare; choose one or two.

Have a good Lent.

Fr. Richard

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

There are many occasions in life when we have to entrust ourselves into another’s care. When we go to the doctor or the dentist, when we undergo surgery, we make a great leap of faith in the skill and capacity of others to look after us.

Of course, they have proved their skill and undergone some thorough training themselves. We trust teaching authorities, we trust our system to train and educate our young. At least we do on the whole.

Today Jesus is setting about gaining trust – the trust of His disciples; He is going to call on them to do extraordinary things – or an extraordinary thing. He is asking them to entrust their lives to Him.

Peter responds “Leave me, for I am a sinful man.” Or leave me, I’m only going to let you down. You know the feeling!

Still . . .Come follow me! It applies to you and me.

Fr. Richard