TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY OF YEAR A
30th August 2020
Dear Parishioner,
Today's Gospel continues the story that began in last week's Gospel. Simon Peter was called the "rock"
upon which Jesus would build his Church, and yet Peter continues to show the limitations of his understanding of Jesus'
identity. Now that the disciples have acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus confides in them the outcome of his
ministry: he must suffer and die in Jerusalem to be raised on the third day. Peter rejects this prediction, and Jesus
rebukes him severely, calling him "Satan". In opposing this aspect of Jesus' mission, Peter shows that he is
no longer speaking based on the revelation from God but as a human being. Jesus then teaches all of the disciples about the
difficult path of discipleship: to be Christ's disciple is to follow in his way of the cross.
Peter could not yet understand what it meant to call Jesus the Messiah. It is unlikely that the other disciples
understood any better. Messianic expectations were a common aspect of first-century Judaism. Under Roman occupation, many
in Israel hoped and prayed that God would send a Messiah to free the Jews from Roman oppression. The common view was that
the Messiah would be a political figure, a king that would free Israel from Roman rule. This is perhaps what Peter
envisioned when he was led to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. In this passage, however, Jesus is beginning to teach his
disciples that he would be the Messiah in a different way.
Jesus would be more like the suffering servant described by the prophet Isaiah than the political liberator. Those who
would be Jesus' disciples would be called to a similar life of service. Perhaps this is what Peter feared most in
Jesus' prediction of his Passion. He whom Jesus had called "rock" would also be called upon to offer himself
in sacrifice and service to others. Christian leaders today are still called to sacrifice and serve others as Jesus
did.
Wishing you all a peaceful and serene time. Stay safe and healthy.
SEND O LORD, HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH.
Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
- WEEKDAY MASS TIMES CHANGE Please note that this week we are reverting to normal term-time Mass times
with weekday Masses moving back to 9.30am, apart from Tuesday which will be 10.30am as previously.
-
STEWARDS NEEDED FOR MASSES With the schools returning and the change in Mass times, some of our
faithful stewards are no longer able to continue. To keep our daily Masses available to all, we would be very grateful
for volunteers who are able to offer some of their time. If you feel you can help, please contact Margaret Cook who is
doing sterling work coordinating stewarding of the Masses - you can click here to
Email her or call her on 07722 512215.
- Reservation for mass attendance
For a convenient lay out and to gain the maximum benefit out of our flexible seating at church we have a new system of
reservation for mass attendance. Please click
here to Email or call/text Judith Wiseman on 07950 924349 (If the call is diverted to the voicemail make
sure you leave a message) with your NAME, CONTACT DETAILS, NUMBER OF SEATS and WHAT DAY/S you wish to attend
mass. Please do the reservation before 5pm on the day before you wish to attend mass.
Please bear in mind that you will have to do this every week. We will not accept reservation more than two weeks
in advance.
If you just turn up without a reservation and if our capacity has been reached, unfortunately, you may
be turned away for safety concerns and to abide with the guidelines. Please try to be at least 15 minutes early
to allow stewards enough time to get you seated to start the mass promptly.
- Face Coverings Face coverings will be mandatory in Places of Worship from Saturday 8th August 2020.
All those who are attending churches must wear a face covering unless they are exempt from doing so. This is for the good
of all who gather in the Church for Mass as it is an enclosed public space where there are people from differing
households who they do not normally meet. So please consider this as your personal responsibility and social
commitment.
Care should be taken by people in unlooping their face covering for the reception of Holy Communion and replacing the
covering afterwards. This is to prevent contamination of the covering by the hands. However, the risk is regarded as
minimal providing there is no hand-to-hand contact between the minister of Communion and the communicant.
-
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society has registered for the Fun Walk which normally takes place
at the Barleylands Farm site in Billericay. This year, participants and parish groups are invited to walk 2k or 5k
anywhere they wish at any time during September and ask for sponsorship from friends and family to
help support our work. All details & sponsorship forms are available on www.bccs.org.uk under the Events/Virtual Fun Walk tab or follow us on social media for updates. We would
be very happy to hear from parish or family groups who would like to walk for us - please click here to Email Libby.
- From Fr Sabu: Special thanks to all those who are being very generous in this special time, with
your regular Sunday collections, special donations and secret offerings for charity. This will help our Church and bring
a smile on some faces. God bless you all for your generosity.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Leon Stelmaszyk, Andrew Perrott
Years Mind:
Sunday: Canon John Sloane
Tuesday: Canon John Walsh
Wednesday: Canon Cyril Shepherd
Friday: Fr Patrick Cavanagh
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS - 23rd Sunday Year A 6 September
First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9
If you do not speak to the wicked man, I will hold you responsible for his death.
Second Reading: Romans 13:8-10
Love is the answer to every one of the commandments.
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20
If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.