25th Sunday of Ordinary Time – 23rd September 2018
By Fr David In Newsletter Blog On September 20, 2018
There is a second collection today for the Home Missions
Friday is CAFOD Harvest Fast Day – Voluntary Collection for CAFOD next Sunday
Dear Brothers and Sisters
There is a lot of wisdom in James’ letter which we have been reading at mass for a while now. James – the brother of the Lord – was the leader of the church in Jerusalem and one of the twelve apostles. James writes as a pastor, that is, one who has care for a community that is ‘becoming’ rather than has ‘become’ – still on pilgrimage rather than having arrived. There is a lot of transformation in the community that needs to happen, and this means that individuals have to change in order for that to happen. This process then, as now, can be a painfully slow and a frustrating one for a pastor. Any pastor!
We are creatures of habit with ingrained ways of thinking and behaving that have to be put through a process of conversion in order to become true disciples. Formed by the ways of the world and by personal preferences James’ church community took a long time to adopt the wisdom that comes from above – but it wasn’t only James community – if you read a history of the early church up to and beyond the time of Constantine the Great you will find a church riven by factions, riots, sometimes murders and beatings, greed and selfishness, sectarianism as this bishop or that bishop was preferred then disowned and deprived of their see, banishment. It wasn’t always a pretty sight to be sure! But gradually, bit by bit (but very slowly) the communities grew in maturity and holiness and old habits were changed and dropped in favour of new, more life giving relationships.
James says clearly that despite praying for things people in his community don’t get what they want because they don’t pray ‘properly’ – they ‘have prayed for something to indulge [their] own desires’. These desires are impure – the result of ‘desires fighting inside your own selves.’ This is still true for all of us today – none of us pray perfectly, or purely – we are blinded by selfish desires, petty hatreds and resentments, jealousies and hurts tended and nursed. Jesus’ remedy for this is to become as ‘little children’. This means allowing Jesus to put his arms around us. That means letting go of pride. Letting go of pride means adopting humility.
When a whole community is humble from the top down to the littlest it becomes an open community welcoming the strangeness of others which become, not a challenge but a kind of completion of what is lacking from within. A blessing in other words.
With my love from France! Please bless Fr Kevin and make him most welcome. Much love, as always. Fr David
Including works by Hildegard of Bingen, Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, Cecilia McDowall, Ola Gjeilo
CANTILENA Director: Jenny Hansell
Saturday 6th October 2018 7.30pm
Jesus Christ Redeemer of Mankind Church, St Nicolas Avenue, Cranleigh GU6 7AQ
Tickets £12, cantilena.info@gmail.com, 01483 275489
11th and 18th October 7.30-9.00pm
Please see the Parish Events page of the website to sign up to the next Baptism Course.
Sat 10th Nov, 2018 7:30pm at Cranleigh Band Room GU6 8AF
We have a compere, microphones, P.A. and some instruments will be available, contact us for your needs. Just for fun and fundraising (no Simon Cowell!)- all welcome!
I have booked an practice session for Sunday 7th Oct – all day from 1pm, at Cranleigh band room. This will be informal, so people can drop-in as they please and chat about the event, and their act if they wish. There will be a PA and some musical equipment so anyone can have a run-through, if they want, or just see the venue.
If you wish to appear please register your interest :
jcromtalent@gmail.com or the Parish office 01483 272075 jcromcloud@icloud.com
With thanks from Paul Lepki
Creator God. in love you give life.
In your generosity you create the gifts of the earth. As daughters and sons of the same Father, may we learn
to share the plentiful gifts of creation, especially with those most in need.
Give us open hands and loving hearts, so that we take less and give more. We ask that all may benefit from your goodness, and share in the fullness of life you have promised. Amen.
Fast, pray and give Family Fast Day: Friday 5 October 2018
Pray with us: cafod.org.uk/prayers Follow us on twitter @CAFODprayer
Stand with shepherds in the field and see Mary arrive on a donkey. Sit in the barn where the baby Jesus lies in his manger. A timeless, memorable experience for young and old as we bring the story of Christmas to life for you.
Adult £18 & Child £9
Family £50 (2 adults & 2 children)
12 December 4:30pm & 7pm
13 December 4:30pm & 7pm
14 December 4:30pm & 7pm
15 December 11am, 2pm & 5pm
16 December 2pm & 5pm
Each performance lasts approximately 90 minutes. Holly Barn, Wintershall, Bramley, Surrey GU5 0LR Wintershall CIO, Charity Number 1167111 BOOK NOW!
A PLAY FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Book tickets now on our website: www.wintershall-estate.com
or by calling 01793 418299
