SCRIPTURE
READINGS (A)
Acts
2:42-47
The faithful lived together and shared their goods
Psalm
117 Give
thanks to the Lord for he is good
1
Peter 1:3-9
He has given us a new birth as his children by
raising his Son from the dead
John
20:19-31
The risen Christ bestows upon his disciples
the
ministry of forgiveness of sins
RESURRECTION
NOW!
Why
can't they just keep him out of the public eye now?” These
well-intentioned words were spoken to me this week following
the Pope's appearance at the window of his Vatican apartments
and his attempt to impart a blessing to the crowds. By
the time you read this article, the Holy Father may have
rendered up his life to God. The last ten years of illness
and increasing deterioration have been a via crucis
for him and a tragic spectacle for the world.
But
should the Pope have been discreetly hidden away during
this time? With the courage and determination typical
of this larger-than-life man, he has chosen not to hide
his condition but to share it with us. He has shown his
solidarity with those who live with a debilitating disease
and he has continued to exercise his pastoral office well
into old age. Sickness, disability, old age – these are
virtually taboo conditions in a society which worships
youth and fitness and productivity. The Holy Father has
compelled us to re-examine our values, to acknowledge
the truth of our frailty and to recognise in that frailty
the inalienable dignity of the human person. As our natural
powers diminish, the power of God's Spirit increases within
us. St Paul puts it this way: “The Lord has said to me,
‘My power is at its best in weakness.' So it is
when I am weak that I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:9-10)
Evelyn
Waugh in The Loved One , a satire on Hollywood
burial practices, describes a scheme for launching corpses
into space, where they can remain in permanent orbit.
The promoters of this luxury funeral service call it “Resurrection
Now!”. In fact, there is a profound Christian truth underlying
this term, since all believers are incorporated into the
risen Christ and are called to live a new life in him.
In this sense we have already begun our “resurrected”
life. The New Testament describes it as “life in the Spirit.”
The fulness and finality of this new life lies beyond
the barrier of death, but eternal life really begins when
we are conceived, not when we die. It includes every moment
– every now – acceptable to God throughout our
existence.
What
about our attitude as a society to those who are in the
final stages of their earthly journey and to those who
are dependent on others for their care? Let me offer a
personal example. For nearly two years I was physically
completely dependent on others. I couldn't speak; I couldn't
feed myself or look after any of my natural functions;
I was helpless. Without the care of those who loved me,
I could not have survived. Does this move you to pity?
Reader, this has also happened to you! I am speaking
of the time when we were all infants. Do we look upon
the helpless new-born as a diminished person, a failure,
a creature to be hidden away? Certainly not. In fact the
presence of a baby brings out the best in us. Why should
we then as a society treat the elderly, the infirm, the
disabled with any less care or respect than we treat an
infant? The Holy Father has given us an inspiring example
of a life lived in God and for God at every stage. May
God grant him every blessing in the world to come!
Fr
William Pearsall SJ
A
HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Thanks
from the Church Team and everyone in the Jesuit Community
for all the many gifts and greetings received this Easter!
May God bless all who come to pray and worship at Farm
Street - Happy Eastertide!
EVENTS
CALENDAR
INTRODUCTION
TO ST
PAUL
A
series of six talks by Fr Peter Edmunds SJ of Campion
Hall, Oxford ,
begins this Wednesday April 6 th . These
will be devoted to the life and writings of St
Paul . They will be at 114
Mount Street on Wednesday evenings
from 7pm
to 8.30pm .
The course costs £25 (concessions available). This
is an excellent introduction to the “second founder” of
Christianity and a good opportunity for detailed Scripture
study with an expert. See posters for more details.
CHRISTMAS
BAZAAR
An
action team is being formed under the supervision of Joan
Hammett to prepare for the Christmas Bazaar, December
3 rd 2005 . If you are interested
in helping, there will be a meeting at 114
Mount Street at 6.45pm
this Wednesday April 6
th . Please let Joan know if you are coming:
8657 6367 (after 6pm ).
SADHANA:
A
WAY TO GOD
An
introduction to Christian contemplation is being offered
at 114 Mount Street
over six evenings,
Thursdays 6pm-7pm
. Starts April
7 th . See notices.
LONDON
MARATHON
Jesuit
Missions is booking runners for the Marathon
on April
17 th . See posters for details of how to apply.
JESUIT
REFUGEE SERVICE
QUIZ
NIGHT
Monday
April 18 th in the Church Hall, 7pm
for 7.30pm
. Support this great
work and have some fun at the same time. Please let Caroline
Blaazer know if you are coming: 8299 2490. See posters
for details.
WALSINGHAM
A
parish pilgrimage to the historic shrine of Our Lady will
take place on Saturday May 7 th with
a coach leaving at 8.30am
from the church
and returning at 8.30pm
. Tickets
(including lunch) £25. Please contact Joan Hammet
for details: 8657 6367 (after 6pm
).
MAKE
POVERTY HISTORY
The
Jesuit Day of Action is May 15 th /16 th (Pentecost)
for this international campaign to fight poverty world-wide.
See posters.
PARISH
COUNCIL
We
are asking for nominations at this time to fill two vacancies
on the Parish Council. Any regular worshipper at Farm
Street Church may nominate or be nominated. Duties include
attending about eight meetings in the course of the year
and being involved in co-ordinating parish events and
activities. Please pass on your nominations to Fr William.
EAGLE
AID PILGRIMAGE
Bookings
are being taken for this “tour of a life-time” which includes
Paray-le-Monial, Lyon ,
Taizé and the Abbey of Cluny. September 23 rd -30
th . See posters for detail
FLOWERS
Spring
is here and the gardens are bright with colour. Could
you bring some flowers to help decorate our church? We
have lots of vases!
"Resurrexit
sicut dixit, alleluia!"
"He has risen as He said, alleluia!"
