Morena, Good morning,
The readings this week relate to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Understanding the roots of this go back to the Book of Numbers; the first reading. The Israelites, led by Moses are out in the wilderness after escaping captivity. The journey into the wilderness creates fear and complacency and the people start murmuring and complaining; we might call it a loss of belief and a loss of hope!
There’s a lot of humanity in all this – the question is how will and does God get the people to focus and rely on real faith?
The Israelites, because of Moses following God’s instruction understand that by keeping their focus on God that healing comes. The serpent they experienced in the wilderness was not an idol but a reminder to keeping one’s focus on God. “The serpent was lifted up and the people looked at it, and their thoughts turned to God.”
Sometimes we lose our focus, we lose heart, hope and thus belief. Believing in Jesus means fully trusting that God loves and wants to forgive us. These reasons are why God is patient, kind, generous, forgiving and compassionate. He loves us! Through our Christian belief and following Jesus we can move to a new place of understanding. God loves the world, not a particular set of beliefs. He does not love just the so-called ‘good’ people, but we see Jesus emulates the qualities of God as he walks, talks, teaches, forgives, listens, laughs with those who are lost, lonely, disengaged and desperate. Outsiders are not excluded rather, included. In other words, God wants to gather us so we might experience his unconditional love.
St Augustine said, “God loves each one of us as if there was only one of us to love”
William Barclay writes, “So, the followers of Jesus Christ must think always not of him or herself but of others, not of his own glory but of the glory of God”
On this Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, let us be reminded to keep our focus on Jesus; his mind, his heart and his message. It is Jesus, who shows us who God is, how God is and through our actions, beliefs, care and service for others how we too can be lifted up with our eyes set on God’s ways not ours. The mainstream of God is purely and simply, love.
Have a good week – God go with you, Paull
Spring has Sprung, the grass is riz,
I wonder where da birdie is?
Da bird is on the wing; but that’s absurd,
The wing is on da little bird!
Spring is in the air…..
Scripture reflection: Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 14 September 2025. The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
-For God so loved the world . . .
O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race, grant, we pray, that we, who have known his mystery on earth, may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Responsorial psalm: Ps 77(78):1-2, 34-38
Second reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: John 3:13-17
Link to readings – click here
Today we celebrate how Christ Jesus, the source of our life and salvation, transformed all human suffering, by willingly accepting death on the cross. In the First Reading, the people of Israel bring suffering on themselves by losing faith on their long journey to deliverance from slavery. Moses is commanded to lift up a fiery serpent on a stick: all who turn to this symbol of salvation will be healed.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus understands the suffering that he is being called to embrace. He foretells how he will be lifted up, just like the serpent in the wilderness, so that whoever turns towards him will have eternal life. He reminds us that he was not sent to condemn the world, but to save it. The Psalm encourages us to never forget the deeds of the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and forgiveness – truly the source of our salvation.
The Second Reading provides a poetic teaching of our salvation story. God’s love took human form in the person of Jesus. By accepting a shameful, humiliating death, God not only powerfully demonstrated solidarity with all who suffer cruelty and injustice at the hands of others, but overcame the finality of death, offering us all a path to eternal life.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we pray for all those who are persecuted or caught up in the injustice and horrors of war. May theirs and all suffering be transformed by the saving love of Christ.
Formation: As stated in previous newsletter: “as part of this Jubilee Year- Paul will be offering to visit parishes and or regions to conduct a mini formation using two talks and discussion/sharing opportunities – one on ‘Belonging’ and the “On Being Church – Why community matters?”. If you or your community or region would like a presentation please let Paul know and dates that would suit you”. The sessions thus far have been very well received.
New Plymouth Sept 13; East Coast Bays 23rd September; Mt Maunganui Oct 10 and Whakatane October 11; Palmerston North Oct 14
Still to confirm:; St Hellier’s and Howick-possibly early November.
Safeguarding: “Working Together for a Safe Church”
Dear Parish and Group Coordinators please complete and send a copy of your signed Parish or PFG Code of Conduct. Paulus663@gmail and a copy to your Parish Safeguarding person.
Any complaints should be directed through the National Office of Professional Standards (NOPS) or report directly to the New Zealand Police or Oranga Tamariki.
Phone: 03 365 1993 or 0800 114 622
Email: prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz
www.safeguarding.catholic.org.nz
Reminder: 5 Aims and Goals
- share & celebrate life & faith
- support one another (especially in need)
- reaching out to & include others
- build community/extended family
- show and give example to children
Please remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please remember Barry Straight brother of Murray and we remember his wife Viv and all the family and extended family.
- Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family in your prayer.
- Remember Rencha who is dealing with cancer.
- Pease keep Di Buckley in your prayer
- Pat Smith RIP and keep in prayer Maureen and family; Remember Pat Carson; Graeme Matthews; Adrian van de Pas and her son Robert ; Graeme and Margaret Armstrong
- Please remember Tim Bartells & family, Linda Darbyshire and family in your prayer, Christine Geoghegan’s daughter Kate and extended families, Pauline Prendergast, Robyn Burns (Hill), Sean and Ann Mulcahy, Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) Paul Davenport, Clair and Ray Hague; Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ; Bryan Davidson; Richard and Sue Gibbs; Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew .
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health;
- Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer along with the people of the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan and Syria.
- Pray for peace and sensible and just decisions by leaders across the planet.
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- Your own intentions
Humour:
- How much does it cost to swim with sharks? An arm and a leg.
- What did one toilet say to the other? You appear a bit flushed.
- Why are most people tired on April 1? They’ve just finished a 31-day March.
- How do you make a tissue dance? Put a little boogie in it.
- Why did the rabbit go to the salon? It was having a bad hare day.
- Where do birds stay when they travel? Someplace cheep.
- What should you do if your puppy isn’t feeling well? Take him to the dog-tor.
- Why can’t leopards play hide-and-seek? Because they’re always spotted.
- What kind of felines can bowl? Alley cats.
- Why did the man bring his watch to the bank? He wanted to save time.
- Where do penguins go to vote? The North Poll.