Today is the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jesus in today’s Gospel (Matthew 11:25-30) invites those “who labour and are overburdened” to come to Him. We are called to learn from Him because He is “gentle and humble in heart”. Today’s first reading (Zechariah 9:9-10) speaks of a future Messianic leader who will come, not as a proud warrior, but as a humble and gentle champion of peace. The Responsorial Psalm today (Psalm 144) speaks of our God who will “support all who fall, and raise up all who are bowed down” “The Message” is a readable translation of the Bible by Eugene H Peterson and he translates part of today’s Gospel thus: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy and ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” Another word for “gentleness” is the word “meekness”. The virtue of meekness is a complex one closely associated with humility. It is a supernatural, moral virtue that demands a certain self-mastery over anger and in this sense is related to the virtue of temperance. Meekness requires tolerance of the failing of others, which in turn demands patience and hence the virtue of fortitude. Finally, meekness requires forgiveness of injury and benevolence towards all, including our enemies. Meekness is not that weakness of character that attempts to hide resentment behind a suave demeanour. On the contrary it is something deeply interior that exists in both the will and emotions in order that peace may reign in the soul. This peace allows us to accept all things that God sends, even the most adverse, with calm and serenity. It enables us to bear the faults of our neighbours. It also helps us reproach ourselves quietly and kindly when we commit a fault such that by the experience we may learn to be more on our guard. Jesus taught us meekness in numerous ways. In order to draw people to himself, he announced the gospel not with bitterness or animosity but with calm and serenity: “He will not contend or cry out, nor will his voice be heard in the streets. The bruised reed he will not crush; the smouldering wick he will not quench,”(Isaiah 42:2) that is, the spark of faith and love that still remain in the sinners’ soul. In conduct he bore the faults, ignorance and rudeness of his Apostles, while tactfully revealing to them the truth in the measure in which they were capable of receiving it. He preached meekness by demanding that his followers have the simplicity of the doves as well as the cunning of the serpent. They must be as lambs among wolves; they must not resist evil but offer the left cheek to him who strikes them on the right; they must pray for those who persecute them. As the Good Shepherd He gives his own life for his sheep.
Feasts of the Week: Tuesday: St. Benedict (480-547) Named Patron of Europe in 1964. His monastic rule, observed by the Benedictines and Cistercians is distinguished by its wisdom and balance. Sat: St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) born in Tuscany, Minister General of the Franciscans, Cardinal Archbishop of Albano, theologian at the Council of Lyons.
Thanks for the collection last week. It came to £1885. Thank you for your generosity and support of our work here at the Graan. Thanks also to all who help in our weekend liturgies – our readers, ushers, Ministers of the Eucharist, and singers. A special word of thanks to the July cleaning group who helped to clean this church on Wednesday
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, Birthday, Graduation, Wedding etc. Cost £2.
Sun & Mon no duty. Mass Mon 10TH July @ 7pm – Brian. Confessions: Tues to Fri 2pm – 5pm.
Sat 5pm – 6pm.
Mass: Tues – Fri @ 7pm. Tues – Brian. Wed – Victor. Thurs – Charles. Fri – Anthony & Sat – Anthony.
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
Billy Hassard, Derrygonnelly
Bernard Monaghan, Macken
Caroline Devitt, nee Cooney, Dublin & Enniskillen
Rev Canon Philip Connelly, Clontibert, Co Monaghan
Margaret Britton, Ferney Rise, Enniskillen
Susan Shannon, Maguiresbridge
Eileen Shannon, London
Anniversaries
Joseph & Mary Quinn & their son Seamus Quinn, Fintona
Bridget & John Francis Mc Manus, Derrin Rd, Enniskillen
Helena Bradley, Hillview Rd, Enniskillen
George Ferguson & the Ferguson & Robinson Families, Gurteen Rd, Garrison
Owen Mc Caffrey, Killaculla, Tempo
Phyllis Mc Gee, Pettigo
Bella (Elizabeth) Henderson, Hillview Park, Enniskillen
Kathleen & Billy Mc Clintock, Drumcor Hill, Enniskillen
Kathleen Britney Mc Clintock, Cornagrade, Enniskillen
Anthony Alitini, Cornagrade, Enniskillen
Joseph & Josephine Henderson, Kellys Cottages, Enniskillen
Oliver Carters, Warrington formerly Tempo
Jack, John & David Nolan, Derrin Rd, Enniskillen & Belfast
Margaret Thorpe, Derrylin Road, Enniskillen
Cassie Cox, Doagh, Derrygonnelly
Charles Murphy, Drumgallon, Enniskillen
