Deacon Wayne's Homily on Peace on 14 January 2024 . Freely share for any non commercial purpose
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28 April 2024: 5th Sunday of Easter (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Branwen Jones
John 15: 1-8
Jesus drew his analogies from everyday life – in this instance, the vine. Vineyards were a familiar sight in the Middle East and throughout the Mediterranean. However, to a first century Jew THE vine was Israel itself. (Psalm 79: 14-15: Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from Heaven and see; have regard for this vine, the stock your right hand has planted.) The front of the temple in Jerusalem was decorated with a large golden vine, symbolizing Israel.
But now Jesus tells his disciples, ‘I am the true vine.’ And again, ‘I am the vine, you are the branches.’ Obviously, a branch cannot live and bear fruit separated from the vine and so Jesus exhorts us to remain in Him or we will wither and die. He invites us to participate in His life, to allow His life blood to flow from Him into us. In this way we will bear fruit. Just how do we remain in Him, what exactly does it mean? It means being consistent and constant in prayer and in studying the Scriptures, also being involved in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. But, most importantly, it means participation in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, where we receive the Body and Blood of our Saviour. Here we remain in Him and He remains in us.
Jesus refers to the Father as the vinedresser. Any branch that bears no fruit is useless and is cut away. These dry branches are collected and burned. This image reminds us of the end of time, when the angels gather up the chaff to be thrown into the everlasting fire.
But even those branches who remain connected to Christ and bear fruit, will be pruned. The pruning of vines involves getting rid of redundant foliage and excess growth. The maximum amount of fruit is only achieved by extensive cutting back. A rather painful idea but as the modern saying goes – ‘There’s no gain without pain.’ These pruned branches bear an even greater number of healthy bunches of grapes.
Finally, Our Lord gives his audience encouragement by stating: ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask what you will and you shall get it.’
Being faithful to Jesus’ teachings are the hallmarks of the true disciple, who has internalized Christ’s words and made them their own.
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5 May 2024: 6th Sunday of Easter (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder Cjs.
John 15: 9-17
As My Father has loved Me, so indeed do I love you. Keeping My commandments, is what you all must do.
Then you’ll stay within My love, and your joy will be complete. You must Love one another, that’s every person that you meet.
There is no greater love, than dying for a friend. You are all My friends, your title servant’s at an end!
Selecting Me was not your act, it was I who chose you all. I wish you to bear fruit, that is why I did you call.
Then the Father will give you, what you ask Him in My name. Now love each other well, I tell you once again. Cjs.
The Ascension
The time was close for Jesus, to leave this world behind.
He knew that His Apostles, would be of anxious mind.
He said that He was going, to His Father’s side.
They must not mourn His passing, He lives He has not died.
The Spirit would be coming, to teach the Father’s word,
to give them all the courage, to pass on what they’d heard.
“I will give you peace, so be not troubled or afraid.
I am always with you, this promise I have made.”
Jesus loves us greatly, and when our hearts are sad,
take our worries to Him, and they won’t seem so bad.
No matter what befalls us, He will us comfort give.
He will stay close beside us, as long as we may live.
When death it takes us to Him, all glory will there be,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour, loves all eternally. Cjs.
Jesus was to leave the Apostles and ascend to His Father. His work on earth done, from now on we His followers, are to do His bidding, passing on the Word of God and loving people by our actions, helping them with their needs. But He was not leaving us alone to fend for ourselves, for the Holy Spirit word be there for each of us. Let us pray to be renewed by a fresh instilling of the Spirit each and every day.
Never let Him be dormant in us.
Jesus’ love is in His word and in His actions. Can we say the same?
Does every word we think or utter be true to the word of Christ?
If we love Him, we love everything about Him.
Can others look at us and say that about us?
********************************
28 April 2024: 5th Sunday of Easter (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Branwen Jones
John 15: 1-8
Jesus drew his analogies from everyday life – in this instance, the vine. Vineyards were a familiar sight in the Middle East and throughout the Mediterranean. However, to a first century Jew THE vine was Israel itself. (Psalm 79: 14-15: Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from Heaven and see; have regard for this vine, the stock your right hand has planted.) The front of the temple in Jerusalem was decorated with a large golden vine, symbolizing Israel.
But now Jesus tells his disciples, ‘I am the true vine.’ And again, ‘I am the vine, you are the branches.’ Obviously, a branch cannot live and bear fruit separated from the vine and so Jesus exhorts us to remain in Him or we will wither and die. He invites us to participate in His life, to allow His life blood to flow from Him into us. In this way we will bear fruit. Just how do we remain in Him, what exactly does it mean? It means being consistent and constant in prayer and in studying the Scriptures, also being involved in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. But, most importantly, it means participation in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, where we receive the Body and Blood of our Saviour. Here we remain in Him and He remains in us.
Jesus refers to the Father as the vinedresser. Any branch that bears no fruit is useless and is cut away. These dry branches are collected and burned. This image reminds us of the end of time, when the angels gather up the chaff to be thrown into the everlasting fire.
But even those branches who remain connected to Christ and bear fruit, will be pruned. The pruning of vines involves getting rid of redundant foliage and excess growth. The maximum amount of fruit is only achieved by extensive cutting back. A rather painful idea but as the modern saying goes – ‘There’s no gain without pain.’ These pruned branches bear an even greater number of healthy bunches of grapes.
Finally, Our Lord gives his audience encouragement by stating: ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask what you will and you shall get it.’
Being faithful to Jesus’ teachings are the hallmarks of the true disciple, who has internalized Christ’s words and made them their own.
******************************
5 May 2024: 6th Sunday of Easter (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder Cjs.
John 15: 9-17
As My Father has loved Me, so indeed do I love you. Keeping My commandments, is what you all must do.
Then you’ll stay within My love, and your joy will be complete. You must Love one another, that’s every person that you meet.
There is no greater love, than dying for a friend. You are all My friends, your title servant’s at an end!
Selecting Me was not your act, it was I who chose you all. I wish you to bear fruit, that is why I did you call.
Then the Father will give you, what you ask Him in My name. Now love each other well, I tell you once again. Cjs.
The Ascension
The time was close for Jesus, to leave this world behind.
He knew that His Apostles, would be of anxious mind.
He said that He was going, to His Father’s side.
They must not mourn His passing, He lives He has not died.
The Spirit would be coming, to teach the Father’s word,
to give them all the courage, to pass on what they’d heard.
“I will give you peace, so be not troubled or afraid.
I am always with you, this promise I have made.”
Jesus loves us greatly, and when our hearts are sad,
take our worries to Him, and they won’t seem so bad.
No matter what befalls us, He will us comfort give.
He will stay close beside us, as long as we may live.
When death it takes us to Him, all glory will there be,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour, loves all eternally. Cjs.
Jesus was to leave the Apostles and ascend to His Father. His work on earth done, from now on we His followers, are to do His bidding, passing on the Word of God and loving people by our actions, helping them with their needs. But He was not leaving us alone to fend for ourselves, for the Holy Spirit word be there for each of us. Let us pray to be renewed by a fresh instilling of the Spirit each and every day.
Never let Him be dormant in us.
Jesus’ love is in His word and in His actions. Can we say the same?
Does every word we think or utter be true to the word of Christ?
If we love Him, we love everything about Him.
Can others look at us and say that about us?