Friday 28 April, 2023 | Friday of the Third Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 116(117); John 6:52-59 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
In 1857, Anthony Trollope wrote in Barchester Chronicles, “There is, perhaps, no greater hardship at present inflicted on mankind in civilized and free countries than the necessity of listening to sermons.”
In the gospel reading, as Jesus continues his teaching which follows from his feeding of the five thousand, his listeners begin to turn against his use of language. His teaching is viewed as intolerable, and they argue amongst each other. His words and teaching have certainly caused a reaction and stirred them to debate. Religious debate was part of the currency of the day, and Jesus participated effortlessly in that culture.
Preachers today, as in the time of Trollope, have a challenging role in expressing and exploring the Christian faith. We live in a society with so many means of communication, and simply using words can often be challenging when so many people are more used to short soundbites and scrolling quickly through their social media feed. In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, St Paul’s moment of conversion has followed a fiery time of persecution as he travelled far and wide. Disturbed by the growth of followers of Christ, he set out to disrupt them. Once he recovered from his experience on the Road to Damascus, he began preaching in the synagogues, and his teaching was simple, ‘Jesus is the Son of God.’ In years to come Paul’s significance in the church grew. He flooded the church with his teaching, as he journeyed far and wide, preaching and building relationships, and establishing churches. He continued to teach and encourage them from afar through his many letters, many of which have formed part of our Holy Scriptures, and so speak to us today.
Whilst Christian preachers have a great responsibility and a challenging ministry, those of us who listen to their words can pray for them and support them, encourage them in their ministry and pray that, through them, God will speak to us.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Friday 28 April, 2023) is celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 10am | If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button
South Cardiff Ministry Area 