a new deed

Apr 3, 2022

.

Many of you who read these daily reflections are familiar with traditional forms of Christian worship, following a confession of sins and an opening prayer we sit to hear to the scriptures of the day.

I suppose this is a bit of a confession from me but there are times when I see the reader walk to the ambo, and I’m very ready to hear what God is going to say to me through these scriptures, but more often than I like to admit something happens the moment by backside hits the seat and suddenly it’s time to stand for the Gospel Acclamation.

I’m never sure what happens. I think I’m just grateful for the chance to sit in silence in the good company of parishioners and my mind and heart and ears go everywhere except to the Word of God being read.

Enough of my confession, except to add that when I do take time to listen to and pray with the scriptures I am deeply nourished in a way that I know to be the direct and personal communication of God to me.

So something a bit different today, to help us to digest the Word of God in today’s scriptures. You might like to take half an hour to listen to today’s Homily Studio below. And here are a couple of sections from today’s readings that spoke very deeply to me.

My suggestion is that you perhaps skim these passages then return to whichever verse you sense Jesus might want you to stay with taking this as your mantra for the day.

From Isaiah:

“No need to recall the past,
no need to think about what was done before.
See, I am doing a new deed,
even now it comes to light; can you not see it?
Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness,
paths in the wilds.”
+++
From Philippians
“I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in him. I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, the perfection that comes from the Law, but I want only the perfection that comes through faith in Christ, and is from God and based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share his sufferings by reproducing the pattern of his death.”
+++
From the Gospel of John
“As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin any more.’”

 

Homily Studio – Sunday 03 April 2022

8 Comments

  1. Rita David on April 3, 2022 at 7:14 am

    Amen beautiful reflection Father John really interesting and to think about God bless

    Reply
  2. Noreen on April 3, 2022 at 7:47 am

    Oh my goodness. Thankyou all so much. I did not want the podcast ( my first) to end. Diverse perspectives and wonderful interpretations shared. It was Ike sitting down to a wonderful banquet that just kept on going!! I feel full and now need to rest, process and enjoy reflecting on the rich nourishing words I have heard. Wow…. So much food for thought. Thankyou and God Bless

    Reply
  3. Phil cody on April 3, 2022 at 7:49 am

    John, you could always try a cushion? 😉

    For reflection, the te reo Māori Word for ‘Woman’ in Jesus’s ‘Woman, has no one condemned you?’

    Is ‘e tai’ which means ‘dearly loved; person of beauty’. Jesus restored her dignity in that word…

    Reply
  4. Wayne on April 3, 2022 at 11:50 am

    Love this. Especially the fact everyone got what they needed through a beautiful encounter with Jesus. From the Pharisees, who presented the woman to him (even if for the wrong reasons), and the woman herself who received redemption. A great reminder of where we find the gateway to heaven, plus food for the journey! Amen.

    Reply
  5. Anne-Maree on April 3, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    Many thanks to all who share their thoughts through the Homily Studio discussions. Having a variety of insights really enriches my own contemplation of the scriptures. I would just like to offer one suggestion that would improve the experience – please either close all other applications on your computer while recording the session or at least mute the notification sounds. It’s distracting hearing the pings randomly sound. Blessings to you all

    Reply
  6. Trish on April 3, 2022 at 5:47 pm

    thank you for your honesty. I so often have those blank moments and hope noone would ask me what I had heard.
    Preparing a reading before hearing it makes the Lords word real.
    God bless you

    Reply
  7. Michael on April 3, 2022 at 7:42 pm

    I can’t get to Mass at the moment so really appreciate both these daily messages and the weekly insight into the Sunday readings. You and your panel have made the potential of a meeting with Jesus so much more real for me – thank you!

    Reply
  8. Barbara Waite on April 3, 2022 at 9:39 pm

    Love your honesty. Fr John. That is a very familiar situation in my life.
    Finding much food for thought in. these Lenten reflections

    Reply

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