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| Scripture reflection: . Second Sunday of Lent Year A, 1 March 2026. |
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| ‘Rise, have no fear’ |
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| O God, who has commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory |
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LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Genesis 12:1-4
Responsorial psalm: Ps 32(33):4-5, 18-20, 22
Second reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-10
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
Link to readings – click here |
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| Traditionally, on this second Sunday of Lent, we read and pray with the Transfiguration of Jesus. Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us that this event took place on a high mountain. It is an episode that gives us a glimpse of both Jesus’ humanity and his divinity, where Jesus reassures his friends – and us – that there is no need to be afraid, even as we witness such extraordinary things. (Gospel) |
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| Reflection: |
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| The Journey Through Lent: Trust, Grace, and the Power of Words |
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| Embracing the Lenten Journey |
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| There are some instructions in this Sunday’s readings which can help us walk the journey through Lent. The first is leaving your country, your home, and your family, and trusting that God will walk before you, beside you, behind you—all around you—such are his blessings. In a few weeks, our daughter will be leaving us for the shores of Australia to start agency nursing, hopefully in paediatrics, her speciality. She will go like Abram, with hope, our blessings, and the promise of our extended family being there. |
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| Trust and Perseverance in Times of Transition |
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| Moments like this, which many of you have experienced, require trust and a belief that all will be well. Paul’s advice to Timothy offers healthy guidance on bearing the hardships we all know will come and must be endured, with an appreciation for God’s grace toward us. Love is the key to grace, as is having trust, faith, and perseverance. We all know that hardships will come and that there are things we can do to bear them. It is not always easy, and sometimes it is very painful. Like the introduction to children’s stories: “And it came to pass… and it did!” The belief that family, friends, and people are there for us means we must reach out and trust. |
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| The Gospel of the Transfiguration: A Moment of Grace |
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| Then there is our gospel from John: the Transfiguration. This is a moment of grace and an awakening of what is being entrusted to the disciples and to us. Psychology speaks of peak experiences, and this story is one of those. Peter, James, and John go up the mountain, and there they experience an affirmation of Jesus—an experience so powerful that the disciples want to hold onto it and even create a monument to make it a concrete experience. They do exhibit fear in the face of the unknown, but Jesus grounds them through his touch and words: “Do not be afraid.” |
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| Practising Kindness and Thoughtful Communication |
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| So, in our journey through Lent, we can take heart from these readings and start a practice of being ready to help and assist, and of seeking to understand. We can be slow to judge and quick to listen. Through our listening, we can reflect on how we respond, using words that come from care and non-judgment, wrapped in kindness. These results, as Pope Leo said this past week, are in a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: |
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| “A very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence – that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.” |
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| Formation: |
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| There will be Formations offered in 2026. The Theme is Nurturing and Nourishment.Hugh McKay prefers the term “kindness” because it is the only form of human love that does not depend on affection. It is a response to a need, and it draws on our compassion – the quality that stands out most in Jesus’ life. Jesus chose to mix with and meet outcasts, inviting them to share his table. His fellowship included everyone – a family for all! If you have a preference for when this could be in your parish or region, please advise me as soon as possible: |
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| Email: paulus663@gmail.com or Mobile: 021357933 |
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| Formation Bookings: Dunedin Parishes 13 & 14 June;St Helliers 26th July and 35th Anniversary; East Coast Bays 28th July 2026 |
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| Parish Visits: Plimmerton 28 Feb; Holy Trinity Kilbirnie/Seatoun PFG Set up 1 March. Meadowbank 7th March and Orewa 8th March |
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| Safeguarding: “Working Together for a Safe Church” |
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| Any complaints should be directed through the National Office of Professional Standards (NOPS) or reported directly to the New Zealand Police or Oranga Tamariki. |
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| Phone: 03 365 1993 or 0800 114 622 |
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| Email: prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz |
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| www.safeguarding.catholic.org.nz |
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| Five Ways to Well Being |
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| Prayer |
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| 1. Let us take up the call of Pope Leo to be concerned with creating and building a sense of belonging in our communities. Also to be united in Christ – united in Mission |
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| 2. We pray for all leaders, political and other, that they lead with wisdom, honesty and integrity. |
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| 3. We remember that God calls on us, as people of faith, to offer our voices to help those who have none. |
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| 4. Keep in mind all those who continue to struggle with mental health challenges, and their families who support them in their daily lives. |
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| 5. Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family, Norma Bellamy and family and Linsay Penman in your prayers |
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| 6. Also, please remember Margaret and Graeme Armstrong, Tim and Elizabeth Walsh, Pat Carson, Graeme Matthews, Di Buckley, Adrian van de Pas and her son Robert, Tim Bartells & family, Linda Darbyshire and family in your prayer, Christine Geoghegan’s daughter Kate and extended families, Pauline Prendergast, Robyn Burns (Hill) |
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| 7. Keep in mind all those who are struggling with decisions made by leaders that are causing harm, fear, injustice and separation of families. |
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| 8. Pray for peace and thank those monks who crossed the USA over the past 15 weeks – walking for peace, let’s walk with them. |
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9. Your own intentions
| Humour: |
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| •Why did the snail paint a giant S on his car? So when he drove by, people could say: “Look at that S car go!” |
| •What subject do cats like best in school? Hiss-tory. |
| •Why can’t you make a dinosaur omelet? Because they’re egg-stinct. |
| •How many goats does it take to change a lightbulb? Just one, but you have to goat them into it. |
| •Did you hear about the new squirrel diet? It’s just nuts. |
| •When does a hippo have a tusk? After some rhino-plasty. |
| •What did the snail who was riding on the turtle’s back say? Wheeeee! |
| •What do you call a lazy kangaroo? A pouch potato. |
| •What does a pig put on dry skin? Oinkment. |
| •How do you organise a space party? You planet. |
| •Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? It was two tired. |
| •Why did the student eat his homework? Because his teacher told him it was a piece of cake. |
| •What did one hat say to the other? You wait here, I’ll go on ahead. |
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| “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40 |
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