Morena,/ Good morning,
There is a thread running through this week’s readings and there are some pointers that will guide, encourage and direct us in our pursuit of following Jesus.
Firstly, there may be divisions if you take up the call and like Jeremiah, be treated badly and have to rely on God’s providence. Secondly, there is the charge to be honest and demonstrate courage even though it is challenging and frightening. Here, the call from Hebrews tells us to keep our sight on Jesus.
Thirdly, in the gospel Jesus reiterates that ‘following’ will mean being honest to ones calling just as Jesus’ baptism confirms the demand to be faithful to his calling and journey. This, in and of itself brings another form of division. In following Jesus, we may find ourselves at odds with those we love, but the decision is ours and the expectation is that we too will face our creator in how we lived and responded to the gospel.
Another important aspect in all this is the ‘grace’ we receive so, in faith and with trust we do not ignore what is going on around us. We don’t blindly follow without questioning the divisions around us and our involvement with them. We live in the way Jesus encouraged i.e. to take up our cross in this messy world, to be a light, to offer a kind word of comfort, to stand up with courage, to be a voice of truth and a person of compassion.
This, in Jesus’s context means to try and live a life where the rank of a person means nothing to us, but their heart does; “Be gentle as a dove and wise as a serpent.” (Mt 10:10-16) Jesus instructs his disciples to be both harmless and discerning as they go out into the world. He emphasises the need for a balance between innocence, integrity, and genuine love for others while trying to avoid animosity and deception. As we know this is all part of being a good servant in the service of the Gospel – ‘following Jesus’
Have a good week – God go with you,
Paul
Scripture reflection: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 17 August 2025.
I have come to bring fire to the earth!
O God, who have prepared for those who love you good things which no eye can see, fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of your love, so that, loving you in all things and above all things, we may attain your promises, which surpass every human desire.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Responsorial psalm: Ps 39(40):2-4, 18
Second reading: Hebrews 12:1-4
Gospel: Luke 12:49-53
Link to readings – click here
Our readings this Sunday strike a sombre note, but also provide words of encouragement for our journey in the footsteps of Jesus. Jeremiah, in the First Reading, has been telling the people to trust in God rather than in political leaders. As a consequence of the persecution he suffers, he prefigures Christ in his Passion. But Jeremiah does not face death: he is raised up from the well.
The Psalm, as given to us, could be the prayer of both Jeremiah and of Christ himself. The psalmist praises the Lord for coming to his aid. The Second Reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews, encourages us to draw strength from the witness of all who have preceded us. We must not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith. We see how he has come through the cross to eternal glory.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples of his anxiety as he faces the ‘baptism’ of his death. The peace he brings will not be easy. We may have to lose the support of those we love in being true to Christ’s call.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we pray for and remember all those who are persecuted for their beliefs, as well as all those who suffer modern forms of slavery and trafficking. May God come to their aid through the concern and actions of their brothers and sisters.
National Passionist Family Meeting in Melbourne – August 22-24, 2025: This is being held at Holy Cross and involves looking at the PFGM as it is now and the issues etc facing us as we move into the next three year cycle (202502028) in both Australia and New Zealand. A theme we will be utilising will be ‘Nurturing’. I will be attending and conducting a session and reporting on our New Zealand context.
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; Still to confirm – Palmerston North; St Hellier’s and Howick-possibly early November
“Are you interested in purchasing a copy of Fr. Chris Monaghan’s book”
Chris Monaghan is a Passionist based at Holy Cross Melbourne: Chris studied at YTU (Box Hill Melbourne)and then at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Jerusalem. Since 1987 he has been lecturing at YTU in both Old and New Testament. The major focus of his teaching throughout these years has been Matthew, Luke-Acts and the letters of Paul.
During this period Chris has been engaged in adult education programs through schools, parishes and ministry to priests. Making the Bible in its richness accessible to people at all levels is an enduring passion.
“The perspective from which we view God, ourselves, one another, and the world around us impacts greatly on what we see, and how we respond …’
This glorious little book invites the reader into the practice of visio divina – seeing the world as sacred. The loving eye of Chris’s camera shows us the beauty of what is around us, from clothes pegs to sunsets, graffiti to bird flight. As we look, and read, all that is asked of us is that we slow down and notice. In our noticing, we come closer to the love of God for all of creation.
In a world of fear, division, and conflict, it is a timely reminder that grace and beauty are everywhere, if we take time to stop and look. Chris’s warm, personal meditations accompany us as we find the courage to live towards love and hope.
–Reverend Dr Merryl Blair OAM
Perspectives by Chris Monaghan represents visually what made me fall in love with Australia and its Catholic Church: a tradition of a spirituality deeply embodied in nature and expressed in everyday wisdom.
–Prof Dr Massimo Faggioli, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University
If we get enough requests, Chris can order them in time. Expected cost ($20 to $25).
It is a great book to give as a gift, for personal prayer and reflection and/or for a coffee table.
Please let me know if you wish to order a copy and please provide your address and or other contact details. Your payment will be expected which will include postage before the book is dispatched. Contact: Paul Traynor paulus663@gmail.com
Safeguarding: “Working Together for a Safe Church”
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 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 Barry Straight, 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:
1. Reading while sunbathing makes you well, red.
2. Life without music would b flat.
3. After my friend turned vegan it was like I’d never seen herbivore.
4. Big shout out to my fingers, I can always count on them.
5. The four seasons are all different, summer warmer than others.
6. A book fell and hit me on my head and I’ve only got my shelf to blame.
7. I used to suffer from soap addiction, but I’m clean now.
8. She only made whiskey, but I loved her still.
9. Forklift operators hate our puns, they find them unpalletable.