Today is the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The message of the Gospel today (Matthew 21:28-32) is clear. Even the religious leaders agree with Jesus. The important thing in God’s eyes is not to ‘talk the talk’, but to ‘walk the walk’. Words, promises and prayers will not fulfil God’s will; what counts is action in everyday living. What is surprising is how Jesus uses it. His words are indeed harsh. Only Matthew tells this story, but there is no doubt that the words come from Jesus. Only he would have dared to tell the religious leaders, “The tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:31). Jesus is talking from his own experience. The religious leaders have said ‘yes’ to God. They are the first to talk about God, God’s law and God’s temple. But when Jesus calls on them to ‘strive for the kingdom of God and his righteousness’ (Matthew 6:33) they close the door to his message and refuse to go that way. They are saying ‘no’ to God through their resistance to Jesus. On the other hand, the tax collectors and prostitutes have said ‘no’ to God. They live outside the law; they are excluded from the temple. But when Jesus offers them God’s friendship, they hear his call and take steps towards conversion. For Jesus, there is no question about it: Zacchaeus the publican, the prostitute who washed his feet with her tears, and so many others – they are leading the way to the reign of God. The way is led, not by people who make solemn professions of faith, but by those who open themselves up to Jesus by making real steps towards conversion to the Father’s project. How true it is that to “do the Father’s will” means in fact being sorry for saying “No” and working for the fulfilment of God’s kingdom. It is not merely about standing still, secure in a good conscience but putting God’s words into action in our daily lives. When we help people to live, when we treat everyone with respect and understanding, when we spread trust and contribute to a more human life, we are doing the Father’s will.
On the 22nd of this month we will be celebrating World Mission Sunday. The month of October is a month where we focus on praying for those working in proclaiming the Kingdom of God overseas. We help them financially and by our prayers. However we are all called to be missionaries by the way we live the Gospel today. It is not merely our words that people need to hear but they also need to see the Gospel in action in our ordinary lives.
***
Feast Days: Monday: The Guardian Angels: We pray often to them for their protection.
Wednesday: St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). Patron saint of ecologists.
Thursday: St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938). An Apostle of Divine Mercy.
Saturday: Our Lady of the Rosary
Remember in your prayers the Synod that begins in Rome on this Wednesday. It will be held from 4 – 29 October 2023 Catholic bishops, priests, and lay women and men from all over the world gather in Rome. It is part of an extraordinary three-year renewal process initiated by Pope Francis, with all 1.3 billion Catholics invited to contribute, culminating in two synod meetings of bishops in Rome in October 2023 and a year later in 2024.
Thank you for the generous collection last weekend. It came to £2020. Thanks also to our Singers, Readers and Ministers of the Eucharist who help in the weekend liturgies
The Graan October cleaning group will meet on this Wednesday 4th October here after the 7:00 pm Mass.
It is that time of the year again! Our Graan Draw will take place on 8th December @ 6pm here at the Graan and can be viewed on our webcam. Tickets are available in the Church porches for our annual draw. It is the only fund-raising activity that we have and we would appreciate your support by buying or selling tickets for us.
Ticket Selling: Over the next number of weeks we will be selling the Graan tickets at various outlets throughout the county. We will be looking for volunteers to help out. Next week we will have a full list of the various outlets and if you would like to help for a few hours we would be grateful. Please leave your name and number at reception and we will be in contact with you.
Friday next 6th & 7th October we will be selling Lilleys Centra, Shore Rd, Enniskillen.
Shop: Monday to Saturday – 9.30 – 7pm. Sun 9.30pm – 4pm.
Guild Mass Cards: Our selection includes Deceased, Get Well, Wedding, Graduation, Wedding etc.
Cost £2.
Sun & Mon no duty. Mass (Mon 2nd October) – Victor. Confessions: Tues to Fri 2pm – 5pm.
Sat 5pm – 6pm.
Mass: Tues – Fri @ 7pm. Duty: Tues – Brian. Wed – Arthur. Thurs – Charles.
Fri – Antony Connelly & Sat – Charles.
Eucharistic Ministers Meeting: Will take place on Monday 9th October @ 7.30pm (after the 7pm Mass) for existing and new Ministers of the Eucharist. Our rota needs to be revamped and renewed. Your presence at this meeting is important.
Friends of the cancer Centre: A charity walk takes place in Castle Coole, Enniskillen on Saturday 7th Oct @ 11am. All welcome
Recently Deceased
Frances Mc Cann, Trillick
Stephen Garry, Trillick
Ronan Wilson, Kildree, Co Tyrone
Cathal Carey, Inishmore Rd, Macken
Anniversaries
Edward & Mary Jane Mc Teggart, Sligo Rd, Enniskillen
Tom Mc Teggart, Belfast
Vincent Mc Teggart, Navan & Tony Mc Teggart, Enniskillen
Annette & Ciaran Gilgunn, Enniskillen
Barney Mc Loughlin, Lisgoole Park, Enniskillen
Brian Reilly, Enniskillen
Sheila & Denis Maguire & the Maguire family, Lisnaskea
Lena Jackson, Silverhill, Enniskillen
Anna Wilson, Omagh
Gerald Mc Gaughey, Omagh
Geraldine Cameron, Mullaghmore, Boho
John Mc Loughlin, Samsonagh, Boho
