This year at Sts Peter and Paul, we are all called to ‘Let Your Light Shine'

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Gospel Reflection

This week marks the final week of Ordinary Time in the Church’s liturgical calendar and draws us almost to the end of our journey through the gospel of Luke. Next week’s reading of the crucifixion concludes the Year of Luke. It is in this context that we need to read today’s gospel passage. Jesus and his disciples are gathered around the Temple in Jerusalem in the final days before he is to be put to death. The end is imminent and Jesus takes the opportunity to reassure the disciples that, although they are about to experience a period of distress, betrayal and persecution that will stretch well into the future, ultimately, God’s love and mercy will triumph – not only in their own lives but also in the world.

The language of passages like today’s gospel can be off-putting at times and can also be seized upon by those who would interpret scripture literally. The graphic descriptions certainly lend themselves to predictions of gloom and doom. However, we must also remember that the gospel was written some 50 or more years after the death of Jesus. At the time of writing, many of these things had already come to pass. The message for the community who were suffering through these very experiences is that they should not despair because all of this was anticipated by Jesus and that ultimately the reign of God will come about and the effort and distress that they have endured will be vindicated.

Unfortunately, the lectionary has the passage concluding at verse 19; the complete passage continues on for another 17 verses and so we don’t get the full effect of Jesus’ speech. In the latter portion, Jesus assures the disciples that the kingdom will surely come to pass. It is a promise that we affirm every time we say the Creed.

(Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Remembrance Day Liturgy 11/11

A big thank you to Year 5, and their teachers Fron Garrett, Katie McGregor and Gayle Hunt for the time and effort they put into preparing a very reverent and moving liturgy in honour of Remembrance Day.

Have a blessed week,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator