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Home    July 30, 2010
New Commentaries Minimize

 

 

August will see the launch of our new format Commentaries.

Easier to read, designed to be saved and printed out, to keep in a binder.

Oh, and they are free!

 

  
 
Dates for your Diary Minimize
  
 
Where were you in 82? Minimize
 

 

 

When Pope John Paul II landed at Gatwick on Friday 28 May, so many records were about to be broken that it is difficult to know where to start.
He was the first Pope ever to visit Britain, which is a record in its self, given that he was the 264th successor of St Peter. Only the year before in May 1981, there had been the assassination attempt.
There were, as now, objections from extremists that a Pope was visiting at all.
Nearly two million people flocked to see him, and three coaches went from Grantham to Coventry on May 30th for the Mass of Pentecost at Coventry.
But the story starts on the Friday.

 

  
 
 
Sunday 25th July: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Minimize
 

 

We often hear life described in sermons or religious writing as a pilgrimage, and so it is, I’ve written about it as such in these commentaries. What we don’t hear or read so very often is life described as a puzzle, and yet it is. Why are we here? Where are we going? What is it all about? If there is an all-powerful, all-loving God then why…etc., etc. Perhaps that is because sermons and religious writings are usually aimed at explaining, encouraging or uplifting, not raising questions or sowing doubts. That being the case I have to admit that I have a problem with this Sunday’s Readings. On the face of it they do not make very much sense to me. If anything they merely compound the puzzle that is life. However, I will attempt to make a virtue of necessity and use the fact that I find them all singularly unhelpful as my theme for this Sunday’s commentaries – there never were, and there never will be, any simple answers. I base this decision on that famous quote “When certainty stalks the land the prudent man climbs a tree and pulls it up after him.” (© J. Green 2010 all rights reserved including the Latin, Greek and Hebrew) or, to put it another way “If a man will begin with certainties he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.” (Francis Bacon 1561-1626).
 
  
 
 
Papal Visit to the UK Minimize
 

 

 
God of truth and love, Your Son, Jesus Christ, stands as the light to all who seek you with a sincere heart. As we strive with your grace to be faithful in word and deed, may we reflect the kindly light of Christ and offer a witness of hope and peace to all. We pray for Pope Benedict and look forward with joy to his forthcoming visit to our countries. May he be a witness to the unity and hope which is your will for all people. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Our Lady, Mother of the Church – pray for us.
St Andrew – pray for us.
St George – pray for us.
St David – pray for us.
  
 
 
Prayer for the Pope Minimize

 

God our Father, Shepherd and Guide, look with love on Benedict, your servant, the pastor of your church. May his word and example inspire and guide the Church and may he and all those entrusted to his care come to the joy of everlasting life. Amen.

 

 
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