Something a bit different today, my homily from yesterday, Good Shepherd Sunday,
It was a pleasure to celebrate Mass for the people of Timaru at the Church of St.Thomas the Apostle where I was ordained.
If I were to give this Good Shepherd Sunday homily a title it would be “just practicing.” You’ll understand the title when you listen.
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A few years ago I discovered the wonderful way that God uses my imagination in my prayer.
Such openness to imagination when seeking God does not take us away from reality into fantasy but instead brings me into what is most real and inescapably personal and intimate.
A couple of thousand years ago, a young Jewish woman was going about her normal morning routines, perhaps with a mixture of house and garden work, chatting with parents and neighbours, aware of the local drought, the sickness of a neighbour and annoyed by the neighbourhood’s lack of sleep caused by the Romans’ noisy party the night before, when God broke into her routine and entered her life in a new and powerful way.
Over the last month I have had the opportunity to work with many people across Aotearoa and further afield. In every retreat and seminar I have been with committed and faith-filled people who often feel as though they are on the periphery of the Church
It’s easy to make the mistake of seeing life as a treadmill, day after day ups and downs, a movement through time from youth to old age, then death and beyond.
Too often if feels as if we are helplessly captive carried along by the momentum of all that is expected of us and demanded from us, and we risk falling into an existence mode, a daily rhythm of survival, enduring, coping and so the treadmill rolls on.
Over the years, and even in recent months, weeks and days, I’ve prayed many prayers which have not been answered as I had hoped.
You’ve probably had the same experience: praying and wondering if and when or how your prayer will be answered.
Thank you Father John. To hear you preach on what is in my heart moved me so much. I want to be in eternity with all those I love who are wonderful Catholics who don’t come to church for a variety of reasons. But I belong to God! And I love the Mass.
Dear Father John
I have just listened to your Good Shepherd Sunday, and anniversary homily. Your words concerning practising Catholics warmed my heart and mind and soul. In the past, 35 years ago, family members were refused baptism of their 2nd child as they weren’t practising Catholics. as you described those that attended mass on Sunday.
I have another friend with a very strong faith but who struggles with some of the churches teachings and choses not to attend Sunday mass, I am going to forward your homily to her as know it will be an encouragement. Go Bless
Thank you Fr John for publishing this homily . A light came on after listening that those I love, freinds and family, and not going to Mass are really and truly following their faith in actions of great love and charity. Your words brought a feeling of solice and peace.
Thank you I thoroughly enjoyed this as this is how I feel and get great comfort and peace.
John, thanks for binging me back to the “Good News” !
Thank you. Good news indeed expressed in such an understandable way
Thank you Father John, it really touched my heart. I have family members that don’t go to church but I know they still beleive. Your words have given me peace and love.
What a life giving homily. Fr John, your ‘definition’ of practising Catholics was so encouraging. People matter, not rules & regulations. Your nostalgia about your ordination and what priesthood means to you was very uplifting. May your ‘down to earth’ shepherding continue for many years to come. You are certainly following Pope Francis’ call ‘to smell the sheep’. Blessings!