Today is the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Today’s reading gives us, the third Sunday in a row, Matthew’s chapter on parables. Seven parables of Jesus appear in Chapter 13 of his Gospel. The parables today are not found anywhere else in the New Testament. The Gospel reading begins with two parables: the treasure buried in the field, and the pearl of great price. Jesus is instructing his disciples and tells them that once one encounters the kingdom of heaven, a proper response is to reprioritise all else in favour of this. It is worth selling everything else to possess this one thing. It is to be noted that Jesus is using the language of metaphor. The kingdom is not a treasure, or a pearl; but Jesus describes what it is like within a person when they discover something of such great value. Their world is overturned. St. Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) who was canonised on May 15 last year, was a man of prayer and lived among the Muslim people in the Sahara desert. He spoke about his conversion, his “encounter with Christ”, that enlivened his faith and turned his life around. “The moment I realised that God existed, I knew that I could not do otherwise than to live for him alone”. Pope Benedict XV1 in his encyclical letter “Deus Caritas Est” (25/12/2005) describes the act of faith thus: “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but an encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction” (No1). The presence of God’s Kingdom is so overwhelming that those who recognise it will drop any activity and will do everything to enter it. The presence of God’s Kingdom is to be seen and experienced not only on the personal, internal level but in the concrete situation of public life as well. Where we find real growth in justice, where oppression is defeated and freedom is granted, there the Kingdom is present. The Kingdom of God is both a gift and it is also a task that we are called to bring into our world. We pray in the Our Father “Your Kingdom come”. A little story: “A Russian youth who had become a conscientious objector to war through the reading of Tolstoy and the New Testament was brought before a magistrate. With all the strength of his convictions, he told the judge of the life which loves its enemies, which does good to those who despitefully use it, which overcomes evil with good, and which refuses war. “Yes”, said the judge, “I understand. But you must be realistic. These laws you are talking about are the laws of the kingdom of God and it has not come yet! “The young man straightened and said, ” Sir, I recognise that it has not come for you, not yet for Russia or the world , BUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME FOR ME ! I cannot go on hating and killing as though it has not come.”
Feasts of the Week: Monday: St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) from Northern Spain and is founder of the Jesuits, the Order that Pope Francis joined in his youth. Tuesday: St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) founder of the Redemptorist Congregation lived around the same time as our Founder St. Paul of the Cross. Friday: St. John Mary Vianney (1786-1859) Parish priest of Ars spent 12/16 hours, a day, in the confessional bringing God’s consolation to his people. Patron saint of priests. Friday is also the First Friday in the month.
World Youth Day takes place this week 1-6 August in Lisbon, Portugal
Thanks for the collection last week. It came to £1840. In these difficult financial times we are so grateful for your generosity. Thanks also to all who help during our weekend liturgies.
Exposition: Continues each Friday from 10am – 2pm.
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 31st July @ 7pm – Arthur. Confessions: Tues to Fri 2pm – 5pm.
Sat 5pm – 6pm. Mass: Tues – Fri @ 7pm. Tues – Brian. Wed – Arthur. Thurs – Charles. Fri & Sat – Anthony.
August Church Cleaning Group will meet on Wednesday next 2nd Aug @ 7.30pm. New members are always welcome.
Gluten-Free Hosts: If you are Coeliac and you wish to receive communion please come up to the altar and stand beside the Eucharistic Minsters where you will receive the gluten-free host.
Recently Deceased
Sr Teresa Keohane, Cork
Pauline Gorman, nee Herbert, England & Enniskillen
Liam Collins, Lisnaskea
Gerard Quinn, Irvinestown
Anniversaries
James Collins, Tarmon Brae, Enniskillen
James & Margaret Curran, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim
Peter Curran, Ballymahon, Co Longford
Margaret & John Mc Caughey & the Mc Caughey Family
The Mc Keaney Family, Coolcran Tempo
Dolores Mc Manus, Kilmacormack Rd, Enniskillen
Elizabeth Mc Cusker, Ballyreagh, Tempo
The Mc Teggart Family, Tullycrevey, Monea
Vivian Clarke, Belfast & Enniskillen
Kathleen Gallagher, Gorteen, Garrison
Annie & Noble Britton, Coolarkin, Boho
Ignatius & Niall O’Neill & the O’Neill Family, Lisnaskea
The Casey Family, Garrison
Peter & Bridget Reilly, Killesher
Hugh & Lizzie Reilly, Killesher
Pat Gilmartin, Manorhamilton
