Word in the Hand

Gospel Luke 16:1-13  Jesus said to his disciples, ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”   Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your ...

Sunday Gospel Luke 15:1-32  Other Brothers There were once two brothers. The younger brother woke one morning from a dream with a sense of destiny calling out to him. He went to his father and asked for his share of his father's fortune. When his father divided what he had between them, the younger son gathered all that he could carry and left for a country far, far away. As soon as he crossed the border into the new land he felt a change in the air. Delighted,he found a town and visited the local market so as to dress himself in the fashion of the people. Though everyone could tell he wasn't one of them. It didn't matter though. He had so much to offer and they crowded around him enjoying his generosity and good nature. He was a one-man band of entertainment and merriment. It seemed that, whenever he was around, everything was brighter. Everyone was invited to be part of his good fortune; even those who would barely speak to each other any other time woul...

  Sunday Gospel - Luke 14:25-33 Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. ‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “ Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.” Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for ...

Gospel Luke 14:1,7-14  On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour.  He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’   Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask you...

Sunday Gospel Luke 13:22-30  Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.   ‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!”   ‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God....

Gospel Luke 12:49-53  Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over! ‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ There is a phrase, or state of mind, that circles faith communities these days known as Cafe Christians. Not an opportunity for like minded folk to meet up over a coffee, although there are a few of those around. A Cafe Christian shops around from the various belief structures, limitations, rituals and traditions. They may be mostly 'this' or 'that' but reserve their right to choos...

The Feast of the Assumption  My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; And his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever. The Assumption is one of Mary’s great feasts and celebrates the love and continuing faith of the family that she was asked to care for. Through prayer, the Early Church decided that, on her death, Mary, a woman they had known as mother, dis...