11/9/2023 0 Comments Morning reflection regligious![]() When Matthew included this story in his Gospel, his interest was not in making Jesus appear either a ‘superhero’ or a mystic. When their meeting finishes and these first Christians quietly sneak off to their homes, they carry that story with them, and somehow they feel a bit stronger and more certain that Jesus was the Messiah, and that it is now their responsibility to make the Kingdom of God visible by living their lives as Jesus lived his. If Peter said that Jesus was the Messiah, and if Jesus then confirmed it, surely it is true and they can believe it. ’? then their question is more or less answered. Their very lives, and maybe the lives of their families, depended on their answer.īut what if one of the disciples who had actually known Jesus visited them – an eye-witness who saw and heard what Jesus said and did – and what if that eye-witness told them the story of today’s Gospel – how Jesus asked them, “… who do you say that I am? ” and how Peter, the man named by Jesus to be his successor, answered that Jesus “ was the Christ, the Son of the living God. For this small group of people, gathering in fear for their lives, the question “Who was Jesus?” was not an interesting, academic one. The problem they have is this: If Jesus was a Holy man and prophet, then how can they be certain that everything he said was true? Might he have been wrong? But if he was the Messiah, and the final coming of God to judge and vindicate his people is imminent, then no matter what happens to them, they must continue to spread his message. It was a derogatory term used to refer to a person who did not recognise the Roman Emperor as ‘a God’, and that was treason and punishable by death if they were caught.Īs they huddle together, listening to the great stories of Jesus’ life, one question is on all their minds: Are they committing themselves to a man, like them, even if he was a holy man and prophet? or did he really rise from the dead and by so doing show himself to be the Messiah – the one sent to bring the Kingdom of God into the world? ![]() To be called a ‘ Christian ’ at that time was not a badge of honour. They are ordinary Jewish men and women from different backgrounds, some wealthier than others, but all share two things in common: One, they are followers of Jesus, a small sect just beginning to be called ‘ Christian ’, and two, they are afraid. In a small house, like any other small house in the poorer areas of Jerusalem, a tiny group of maybe fifteen people have gathered. =68.Instead of starting on some dusty trail in northern Israel, amid the lush grasslands close to the small town of Caesarea Philippi, let me begin in Jerusalem, twenty-five years after the death of Jesus. "I’ve invited a variety of Catholic voices to take part who will provide a dose of daily encouragement and prayer."Īlso taking part this week are Fr Jamie McMorrin, Canon Hugh White, Sr Mary Pierre Wilson RSM, Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO and Fr William Pearsall SJ.Įach reflection ends with a recitation of the Memmorare after Archbishop Cushley encouraged all Catholics to pray the prayer each day to Our Lady, Health of the Sick, for the intention of an to the current pandemic. These brief reflections will help us focus on Christ in the morning and prepare us for the day ahead, particularly at this time. ![]() The first came this morning (Monday) from Fr Basil Clark, of Our Lady of Loretto & St Michael's in Musselburgh (see below).Īrchbishop Cushley said: “It’s always important to start the day with a prayer. The videos will be posted on Facebook each morning at 8am in the lead up to Easter. Archbishop Leo Cushley has announced the launch of morning video reflections for 'daily encouragement and prayer' during the coronavirus lockdown.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |