Mt 19:3-12

The last lines of today’s gospel passage prompt me to offer some reflections that one does not often hear in church, yet need to be heard. I am referring to the Lord’s words: “...some because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven”. Through baptism we are ALL called to image on earth God’s love. But God’s love is so rich in dimensions, that no one can image all those dimensions by oneself.

Ezekiel 12:1-12; Matthew 18:21—19:1

Today’s readings challenge us by presenting images of God that might at first look confusing. Each image, which seems to contradict the other, is given to us from the Scriptures and must be given careful thought. Much about the Christian faith is profoundly paradoxical – it appears contradictory when in fact the seemingly opposite poles are in fact mutually informing and supportive. Today’s readings give us an opportunity to experience this.

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1675

A Gifted Relationship

In 1950, five years after the end of the carnage of the Second World War which had ruptured the peace of the world and during which millions of human beings made in the image and likeness of God had been consigned to oblivion and literally gone up in smoke Pope Pius XII promulgated the doctrine of the Assumption; a teaching about the value of an individual human life to the rest of humanity. He declared in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus that ‘the Immaculate Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, on completing the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.’ The human being who most reflected the splendour of her Son’s humanity and his obedient response to the Father’s will did not undergo separation from him. She who was at his side on the Way of the Cross and who accepted the role of Mother of the Church at the foot of the cross was called to his side in heavenly glory.

Karibu (welcome in Swahiili) to our General Superior, who at the end of July surprised the members of the International Novitiate in Tanzania with a visit. What a joy to meet Mother again! The group of Sisters welcomed Sr. Izabela at Kilimanjaro Airport and the Novices, with songs and roses, dancing cheerfully came out to meet her at the gate of the Novitiate House. The Novice Mistress, Sr. Marie Claire Mukeshimana, lead all to the chapel and offered a prayer of praise to the Lord, for a good trip of Sister, thanking for her commitment to our Congregation, asking blessing for these days of our being together.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr (1894-1941)

Raymond Kolbe was born on the 8th of January 1894 in Zdunska Wola, which at that time was occupied by Russia. The Kolbe home was poor but full of love. The parents, hardworking and religious, educated their three sons with rectitude.

 Mt 17:22-27

Today’s gospel begins with Jesus telling his disciples that he will be betrayed and killed before he is raised.  We are invited into the life of being a disciple, following Jesus, living his message even in the difficulties, and receiving new life.

Into the middle of Jesus’ message comes a question about taxes from Rome.  It’s a part of real life for Jesus just as it is for us.  But rather than get on the tax, Jesus quickly dispenses with it and provides the coin to pay the tax so he can get back to his work.  Yes, it’s important and part of real life, but it’s not the focus.

1 Kings 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51

Sometimes we find ourselves at the end of our strength and feel that we cannot go on. Sometimes, instead of asking the Lord for strength to go on, we ask the Lord to end our lives. This is not any attempt at suicide, just a plea to the Lord to end the situation that we are experiencing because it seems impossible. Maybe it is impossible from a human point of view.

Our identity as Pallottines is Missionary. To train missionaries to find resources for their many development projects a Seminar on Mission Animation and Fundraising was organised by the General Secretariat for the Missions of the Society, in collaboration with the two Congregations of the Pallottine Sisters. It was held at the Pallottine Fathers’ House in Via Ferari, Rome, from July 2^nd to 6^th 2018.