Category: Scripture

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Crucifixition02
Crucifixion window in Our Lady& St Michael’s

This stain glass window is in a side chapel on the north side of the Church. It was was commissioned by Abbot Cuthbert Clifton OSB who was here as parish priest from the 1850’s until his death in 1891. This is a traditional scene, with Our Lady on the left and St John  on the right. In fact the inspiration for this is the 19th chapter of St John’s gospel, part of which was read at today’s Mass of the Sacred Heart. A centurion pierces the side of Jesus with a lance and we are told blood and water flowed. This has led to a rich theology. On this feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we are reminded that life and grace flow as from a fountain or springs, but it is inexhaustable, neither stopping nor drying up.

1st Letter of St Peter

St Peter
St Peter

This week is week 8 of Ordinary Time. For the next few the first reading at weekday Masses is taken from the 1st letter of St Peter. In fact we will read most of it over the coming days.

The letter is written to Christians in northern Asia Minor – now Turkey. Most scripture scholars agree that it was probably written to newly baptised Christians. There references to the sacrament, but also to how they should live their lives. There are also passages that talk about Christians being subject to difficulties and even hostility. These problems are not specified, so don’t appear to be officially endorsed persecution. It would seem that it is the day to day difficulties of being a Christian in a hostile environment. The letter was probably written about 60-65AD, yet is a way it message is still relevant. How do we as Catholics react to hostility and difficulty – what should we say and do? We we could no better than to listen and read the first letter of St Peter.