Monthly Archives: July 2022

Wednesday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
As you go proclaim that the Kingdom is at hand.

We now all of us are his people.

Wherever we come from and whatever land.

The Gospel today is about numbers , names and orders.

The number 12, the Apostle’s names and instructions.

Sending them out within Israel’s borders.

And from this we can make our own deductions.

So we have to proclaim.

Whoever we are .

For ourselves no claim.

The travel, however far.

We are not the first.

But we still have the thirst .

……

Jesus sent out twelve

We are now many of us

But the same message

…..

See Matthew 10: 1-7

Tuesday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time

They sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind.
Their wheat will yield no ear, it will yield no flour.
Always we find ourselves battling a headwind.

In our garden we end up with weeds and no flower.

Were I to write out the thousand precepts of my law.

Paid no more attention than those of a stranger.

We claimed we knew but we neither heard nor saw.

And so we pass into ever greater danger.

The harvest is rich.

But the labourers are few.

We have missed our rightful niche.

We are at the end of the spiritual queue.

We set out again and again on the road.

Bearing oh what a heavy load.

……

We look at harvests

Did we contribute at all

Or did we stand by

…….

See Hosea 8 and Matthew 9: 32-37

Monday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time

I am going to give her back her vineyards.
And make the valley of Achor a gateway of hope.
Keep everything on the cards.
Keep hold on the eternal rope.

If only I can touch his cloak.
I will be well again.
If we can touch him it never will be broke.
He will ensure we in another place remain.

My daughter has just died.
But lay your hand on her and she will be saved.
As long as he is our guide.
Our final death will be waived.

He will know if we seek him to touch.
And as long as we keep in touch.

….

If we touch his cloak

He will feel power leaving

And he will respond

……

See Hosea 2 and Matthew 9: 18-16

14 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Towards her I send flowing peace like a river.
And like a stream in spate.
I pray I may be less of a taker, more of a giver.
And resigned cheerfully to my fate.

I am sitting here looking across twenty miles .
Nearby meadow and trees , distant blue.
Ready to walk over nearby styles.
Slowly taking in the verdant view.

I do not feel like the 72 labourers.
Sent out to pray , travel light and preach.
But in peace pass the shortening years.
A greater perspective given to each.

We do not yet know our way .
Or how it best to lay.

……..

The harvest is rich
We baulk being labourers .
We are the many

…….

See Isaiah 66: 10-14

Saturday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time

The harvest will follow directly after harvesting.
The treading of grapes soon after sowing.
Mountains with new wine running.
The hills with it flowing.

I am at Adrian Alyward’s memorial.
A great charismatic headmaster.
Master of every tutorial.
Not just a teacher but pastor.

He gave up a brilliant career in the city.
To devote himself to helping others.
Charming , a one off and witty.
His whole teaching enlightens not smothers.

What a life to portray.
His memory will stay.

……

Will they remember
We live by the good we do
Not by position

…….

See Amos9:11-15

Friday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time . St Oliver Plunket

All peoples clap your hands.
Cry to God with shouts of joy.
His name rings out over many lands.
A man of purest alloy.

This alloy of faith and bravery .
Of friendliness and innocence.
Rejecting a conscience held in slavery.
Excelling in calm diligence.

Falsely accused
Put on trial
Pardon refused.
He entered death’s defile.

But the defile opened into glory.
A truly inspiring story.

……

He just ministered
Not involved in politics
He paid with his life

…..

See Entrance Antiphon of today’s Mass.

Another Country

Thoughts from a Christian perspective — by Edward Leigh