Paul's Reflections 20th Sunday of the Year. - A

14th August, 2011      20th Sunday of the Year. - A

 

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I invite the collectors to take up the ordinary first collection now. This collection coming around is for the support of the priests of the archdiocese…    , then at the gifts time, the offertory, we will be taking up the special seminary education appeal collection…  and after communion…  the collection will be the ordinary ‘’second collection’’ which is for the running expenses of this parish here and its mission.  

 

As the ordinary first collection is going around, I will just say a few words about the special Seminary appeal collection…..

There are envelopes on the seats, and if you could please pass those envelopes down to others on the pew..    any support you can give for the training of seminarians to the priesthood would be gratefully accepted.  It takes a lot of time and resources to train priests and with such a shortage at the moment..  the prayerful and financial support is as necessary as ever… 

 

There are currently 23 men in various stages of formation at Holy Spirit Seminary. The Holy Spirit Seminary Appeal covers needs such as building maintenance, insurances, cleaning, electricity, food, accommodation, and education.

Please give generously towards investing in the Queensland tradition of training priests for Queensland parishes.

 

All donations of $2- and over to the Seminary Building & Maintenance Fund are tax deductible. 

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The readings this weekend remind us of one of the key teachings and attitudes of Jesus….   Which reveal to us, a central value and attitude in the life of the Holy Trinity:  and that is openness, inclusion and welcome.  Love that reaches out and is always open to the other and to yet one more person being part of the family.  Jesus shows us God’s nature as inclusive, welcoming, compassionate, forgiving and flexible to be able to respond to the other and their need. God’s values are constant, eternal and powerful, and at the same time, God is open and responsive.  Wonderful!  

 

Whenever we come across situations that are restrictive, unlistening, unwelcoming and exclusive, then it is very likely that the value is not resonating with Jesus’ teachings.   The church,  in obedience and in imitation to the Lord, is always striving to be a welcoming, compassionate, open and inclusive community.

 

The faith of that lady who persisted in asking Jesus for what she needed is sadly in stark contrast with the response many of Jesus’ own people were giving him. Many of his own people were rejecting him.  And here was a lady from a different place and a different religion who knows she is taking a risk in even approaching him,  and keeps persisting even when she gets noticeable rebuff from the disciples and even by Jesus’ initial response.  

 

The lady persists because she KNOWS that Jesus is the one who can help. She knows that he is the messiah who will welcome the chosen ones to his table. And she hopes and prays that her faith in him and her proximity to the table will be enough to share in the blessings of the table.   And she is RIGHT.  Jesus does not merely say, you can enjoy the scraps that fall from the chosen one’s table…  you can join that.  What faith, what persistence! 

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REFERENCES:

 

·        FR. PAUL W. KELLY

·        MISSION 2000  – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. YEAR A. BY MARK LINK S.J.