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2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006| Perseverance at prayer | 29 July 2001 |
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Jesus teaches us how to pray: we should enter into prayer in a spirit of persistence. This is not because God is deaf, and has to be told over and over again what we need. Perseverance in prayer is important for our sakes; it is good for us to repeat our requests over and over again so that we can truly discover our real needs, and truly recognise the moment that God grants our petitions. |
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| Martha and Mary | 22 July 2001 |
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The Gospel story of Martha and Mary gives us a privileged insight into the humanity of Jesus. Tired from his journeys throughout the Holy Land, frustrated at the lack of acceptance by many people of his teachings, and badly in need of rest, Jesus often visited his friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary who lived near Jerusalem. Jesus appreciated the welcome he received there, and the food they offered him. But, above all else, he treasured the listening ear that Mary offered. Her attentive ear was more helpful to him even than the fine food and wine that Martha prepared with such diligence. |
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| Man dead in a suitcase | 20 July 2001 |
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A man’s body was found in a large suitcase in the Royal Canal near Croke Park. He had obviously been killed. What a way to die? Who is he? Who are his parents, and who are his brothers and sisters? Why did another human being kill him? What wrong was he punished for? What has happened to society that killings such as this are now so common? |
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| Fathers of destruction | 31 August 2001 |
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The Ukrainian father who shot six of his immediate family has been found hiding out in his mother’s back garden. The Cork father who abducted his daughter and has been on the run for nearly two years was found yesterday in Clonmel, but he shot the daughter and then himself. Destructive fathers are a true mystery. A source of life becomes a channel of death. |
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| Shell our churches | 29 August 2001 |
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From the roof of the Ecumenical Institute in Tantur, looking west one can see both Gilo (a recently constructed Jewish settlement) and Beit Jala (a traditional Arab town, with a 90% Christian population). From their lofty perches, they eye one another across a small valley. In response to shooting from Beit Jala, the Israeli army has shelled the Arab houses nearest Gilo. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem appealed for a halt to the shelling, and asked that at least the family homes be spared: “if you must shell buildings”, he said, “shell our churches”. |
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| Bernard of Clairvaux | 20 August 2001 |
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St Bernard of Clairvaux is one of the best-loved saints of the Middle-Ages (his life spanned the 11th and 12th centuries). His fame as a Cistercian monk, his theological and spiritual writings emphasising the great love of God, his work-rate for peace among warring factions in Europe and his nomination as a Doctor of the Church are all factors that cannot be gainsaid. However, he also preached a crusade against the Muslim powers in the Holy Land. Even saints can be very wrong. |
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| Jesus brings division | 19 August 2001 |
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In recent years in Ireland it has become popular to invite the congregation to join with the priest in saying aloud the prayer for peace that precedes the Agnus Dei at Mass. The reason for this is the perception that the peace-process in Northern Ireland may flounder, and that people need to continue praying for its success. Behind the prayer for peace, of course, lies a deep conviction that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, that peace is his greatest gift. Why then does today’s Gospel mention Jesus as a source of division? |
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| Sudden death | 12 August 2001 |
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The Gospel today is stark in its simplicity: be ready for the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus warned his disciples to be prepared for death, because nobody knows the day nor the hour. Death is a serious business. It is a moment in which we sum up the entire thrust of our lives on earth. It is truly a crisis moment. Taking with us all we have become, we enter into the next life and face the hidden future there. Of course, this does not mean we ought to be frightened of death. For Jesus comes not only as judge but also as saviour. He has gone through death himself; he knows its mystery from within. He will join us in our death and lead us by the hand safely home to heaven. |
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