Monthly Archives: February 2022

Scripture Notes – Sunday 6th March 2022

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Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

 

Lent: our springtime of faith!

Welcome

As Ash Wednesday approaches, we are painfully aware that war has broken out in Europe. It is a catastrophe. Pope Francis reflects:

My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine. Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people all over the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilising coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.

And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace.I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.

The Readings

NB: For Lent, the YouTube video looks at all three readings for each Sunday.

Some Inspiration

The Lord’s Prayer in a new setting by a composer from Kiev.

Tarsus Scripture School: Lent 2022

“And their eyes were opened and they recognised him” Jesus, prophet, martyr, Risen One in Luke-Acts. 9 presentations, 1 webinar and 1 meditation: all for €30 per household/community. Click here to register.

Reading for Lent and Holy Week 2022

To buy a copy online, click on the image.

Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA

Scripture Notes – Sunday 27th February 2022

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Building your house on rock

According to the geographer and traveller, Pausanias, the Temple of Apollo, the home of the Delphic oracle, had three teachings on display: “know yourself”, “nothing to excess” and “certainty leads to insanity.” The first of these is not a bad summary of this Sunday’s conclusion of the Sermon on the Plain in Luke.

Welcome

The third and final part of the Sermon on the Plain offers powerful parables. The lectionary excerpt stops at v.45. However, I would suggest adding the remaining verses — all the parables here were important to Luke and are very carefully laid out. A good text to go with this passage would be James 1:21-25.

The Readings

Some Inspiration

For inspiration, we turn to the second reading. Handel’s setting of 1 Corinthians 15 is highly uplifting and faithful to the text as well. (No visuals really but the singing is simply wonderful: Les Arts Florrisantsunder William Christie)

Tarsus Scripture School: Lent and Easter 2022

Our new programme for Lent and Easter 2022 can be explored here. The overall title is: Jesus, prophet, martyr, Risen One in Luke-Acts.

Reading for Lent and Holy Week 2022

To buy a copy online, click on the image.

Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA

Scripture Notes – Sunday – 13th February 2022

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The Beatitudes

Welcome

Since Covid, we’ve all been obliged to take stock and look at ourselves. What is it I really want deep down? When am I flourishing? How to live so as to flourish?

One contemporary way of reading the beatitudes is to replace the word “blessed” or “happy” with the word “flourishing.” This is recommended by Jonathan T. Pennington in his book The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing(2017).

With the translation adjusted in this way, the sense of being invited to something more, something richer is very much in place. Happiness is not just a feeling, it is a way of being from within. In our better moments, we all recognise this, even if only by a fleeting glance. And Jesus’ teaching speaks directly to our inner selves, to the heart always in pilgrimage.

The Readings

Some Inspiration

The beatitudes are put to music in the Orthodox Liturgy. Here’s an intense performance from the monastery of St Elizabeth (Minsk).

Tarsus Scripture School: Lent and Holy Week 2022

Our Lent and Easter programme is focused on the Gospel of Luke. “Jesus: prophet, martyr, Risen one in Luke-Acts.” To register, click here.

Reading for Lent and Holy Week 2022

To buy a copy online, click on the image.

Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA

Scripture Notes – Sunday 6th February 2022

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 Put out into the deep!

Luke offers us an interesting scene in 5:1-11, an original bringing together of the preaching of Jesus, a miracle and a prophetic call. In our context — the context of the Synodal Pathways — certain expressions jump off the page:

  • the word of God,
  • put out into the deep,
  • do not be afraid,
  • from now on you will be catching people alive (literally in Greek; see YouTube video below).

Any one of these could help us reflect deeply on our engagement with the Gospel.

The Readings

Some inspiration for putting out into the deep…