SEVENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
(Day for the Unemployed)
23rd February 2020
Dear Parishioner,
The last two antitheses offered in the Sermon on the Mount deal with love of enemies. We should not look at "an
eye for an eye" as an inordinately strict punishment. It is actually meant to limit acts of revenge by making sure
the punishment is not excessive but fits the crime. However, Jesus asks his followers to take a different approach by
resisting retaliation altogether. Those who are called to the Kingdom of Heaven are to go beyond the way the world
usually works and serve God's kingdom here on earth.
The other difficult demand of those who are called to the kingdom is to embrace the enemy. There is no command in the
Old Testament to hate individuals in a personal or vindictive way. But there is a religious stance that calls one to
hate evil and to distance oneself from those who participate in evil. In contrast, Matthew emphasizes that love of God
and love of neighbour are the fundamental commands on which all else depend. Because God's love is unconditional,
we are to strive to love as God does, though, of course, it is challenging.
The key is in the final verse. We are to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect. Matthew uses the Greek word
telos, which is probably better translated here as "complete". We are not to be perfect as in doing
everything correctly, that is, as in being absolutely morally correct. We are to be perfect as in striving to reach the
completeness we are called to be in the Kingdom of Heaven. Attempting to love our enemies is part of striving for that
completeness.
In two days' time we are entering in to the season of lent. Let us connect the need to forgive and to love everyone
to this season of lent. Let us reconcile with ourselves, with our God and with our fellow neighbours so that we may
unite with our God, which is our ultimate call.
May you all have a blessed season of Lent.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
-
SYCAMORE FOR LENT - six sessions beginning on Tuesday, 25th February, then successive Tuesday
evenings from 7.30 to 9pm (doors open 7pm). Each session involves a short film, time for discussion and some food.
Everyone is welcome and each session stands alone; so if you think you may not be able to attend all six sessions,
please do come along when you can. Please pray for the Sycamore team and for the programme at St Augustine's.
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Raffle for HCPT Pilgrimage to Lourdes from Ben Hitchen "Every Easter I travel with HCPT Group
26 who take children with special needs to Lourdes for a fun-filled week away. This year will be my 9th pilgrimage to
Lourdes with this incredible group. The children are treated like VIPs and come with my group cost-free so it is up
to the helpers, like myself, to raise funds to take them. There will be a raffle after mass for the next two weeks to
pay for the disabled children to come to Lourdes with me and my group. I thank you in advance for your support.
Ben"
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Lent Talks 2020 all at 7.30pm OLI, London Road, Chelmsford preceded by Exposition and Confessions
from 6.30pm. Everyone welcome.
- "The Gospel and the Good Life" - Fr Thomas Skeats OP - Wed 4 March
- "The Gospel and the Gift of Life" - Clare McCullough - Wed 11 March
- "The Gospel and Married & Family Life" - Dr Charles O'Connell - Wed 18 March
- "The Gospel and Eternal Life" - Bishop Michael Campbell (retired Bishop of Lancaster) - Wed 25 March
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Healing Service English Martyrs church, 240 Alma Avenue, Hornchurch RM11 6BJ Sat 29 February 6-8pm
for anyone in need of time for self-reflection. A warm and sociable space with guided opportunities for psychological
and spiritual growth. Please inform Mandy on 07801 470 516 or click
here to Email if you are coming. All welcome.
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Brentwood Pilgrimage to Walsingham 23 May 2020 - please see noticeboard for info,
more details to follow.
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POUSTINIA PROJECT. As we prepare to celebrate the Rededication of England as Mary's Dowry, the
Community of Our Lady of Walsingham hopes to find benefactors who can support their 'Poustinia' project. With
an ever-greater need for silence in today's world, many people are searching for space to enter into the silence
of their hearts and listen to 'the still small voice of God' I Kings 19:12. As a community of men and women
in different states of life, we accompany people so they can live in the joy and freedom of Mary's 'Fiat'
or 'Yes'. We are hoping that a parish, a group of parishioners or individuals may contribute to this project.
We need to raise £100,000 to build two shepherd's huts and develop prayer gardens around them at our
convent, House of the Divine Will. If you know of anyone who can help please give them our contact details and ask to
speak with Sr Camilla COLW (click here to Email
or 01328 801018).
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The Augustinian We are hoping to get an edition of "The Augustinian" out before the end of
Lent. We are always on the lookout for material so if you have anything to include, please let us know. It can be
something local or something which may interest parishioners, or just something that looks good. Please send any
items to Chris Thompson click here to
Email.
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Colchester Lent Talks (with guest speakers) will be held at St James the Less and St Helens church
every Friday starting on 6th March - 3rd April 2020 at 7.30pm in Cardinal Bourne Hall, Priory Street. Admission Free.
All are welcome.
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Lent Events on The Gospel of John The Year of the God who Speaks continues with a Lenten focus on
the Gospel of John. See full details at www.whatgoodnews.org.
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Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Brentwood. Start in September 2020. Salary £40,000.
Closing date for applications 16th March 2020. Full details at www.bcys.net/jobs or call Fr Dominic Howarth on 01277373959.
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Assistant Manager, Walsingham House at Abbotswick. Start in mid-August 2020. Salary £16,926.
Closing date for applications 2nd March 2020. Full details at www.bcys.net/jobs or call Joe Beattie on 01277 373959.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Fr John Garrett, Bernard Storkey, Fiona McIntosh
Years Mind:
Monday: Canon Aloysius Roche, Fr Gerard Murphy
Wednesday: Mgr Canon Jules van Meenen, Fr Clifford Beercroft
Thursday: Fr David Chapman
Friday: Fr John Wall
Next Sunday: First Sunday of Lent (A)
First Reading: Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7,19:1-2,17-18
The creation of sin of our first parents.
Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19
However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater.
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted.
