Being thankful for opportunities to show mercy

 

In approaching mass we give thanks for all the people whom we have encountered so far in life. These include, also, people who have vexed us, hurt us or harmed us in any way. We seek the good for them and healing and forgiveness. At the same time we ask for forgiveness from God for those times that we have vexed, hurt or harmed others knowingly or not. It might be feasible to seek forgiveness even before we approach the altar. Such is the sacrifice that is demanded of us who paid the ultimate sacrifice for everyone.

Let us be thankful for everyone including those we have found most difficult. Every person, every situation and every suffering can be turned to good by the good Lord who knows how to write straight on crooked lines.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Finding the jackpot

 

Participation in the sacrifice of the Holy Mass while on holiday is a profound privilege.  It is something to be forever grateful for.  Although it is always beautiful to take part in the liturgy in any language, there is something especially moving about hearing it in one’s own mother tongue. A quiet bond forms with strangers who share the same faith, the same baptism, the same hope, and the same holy sacrament.

Thankful for being called

 

Consider someone in your life—living or deceased—for whom you are deeply grateful. Hold that person in your mind and heart for a few quiet moments.
Now, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for them.

How often?

 

How often do Christians take part in the Eucharist? How often should one take part?
The honest answer is: it depends.

From the Book of Acts we learn that the earliest disciples “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” We also see that the breaking of bread occurred frequently and quite possibly on the first day of the week — the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7). In his first letter to the Corinthians, St Paul speaks at length about the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the Christian community (1 Corinthians 10–11).

Food for the sick

 

The earliest Christian practice of reserving the Eucharist arose from the pastoral need to bring holy communion—especially viaticum—to the sick and the dying. Over time, as the reserved sacrament came to be kept more permanently and securely in churches, theological reflection on the Real Presence and the growth of Eucharistic devotion led to practices such as adoration and Benediction. Thus, while Eucharistic adoration did not arise directly from viaticum, it developed historically from the Church’s practice of reserving the consecrated elements.

 

Not radical enough?

 

Sunday 8 February 2026

 

Lectio Divina:*

Isaiah 58:6-10

Psalm 111 (112):4-9

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Matthew 5:13-16

 

Meditatio:

“let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’’ (Matthew 5:16)

 

Commentary:

Have you ever wondered how certain people you meet seem to light your way? They appear for a moment, illuminate something you needed to see, and then move on. Longfellow captured this beautifully:

Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing,
Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness;
So on the ocean of life we pass and speak one another,
Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Tales of a Wayside Inn, part 3, section 4)

Is an ‘online mass’ valid for someone watching?

 

During the dystopian period known as the ‘covid years’ online worship became a norm in many parishes. While priests celebrated on their own in front of a camera a significant number of persons were tuned in to watch.  In other cases, online worship was conducted over Zoom with a leader leading a service of prayer or meditation by sharing slides or music.  For sure, these temporary measures were very useful in connecting people and providing an opportunity for all of us to stay together albeit virtually.  We got through that experience.  Unfortunately, some got out of the practice of going to church while others continue to be incapacitated by reason of physical mobility or, indeed, lack of an opportunity to join other Christians in the celebration of the eucharist because of long distances and lack of available ordained ministers.