Fr.Peter's Posts
The following are thoughts published by Parish Priest Fr.Peter Burke in the weekly parish bulletin.
SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
‘What are you looking for’?
‘What are you looking for’?
‘What are you looking for’? These are the first recorded words of Jesus in St. John’s Gospel as He addresses His new disciples. It is the most fundamental question in life. One could say that the rest of the Gospel contains a series of responses to that question. For those seeking nourishment for the soul Jesus says ‘I am the bread of life’. For the many longing for hope in the darkness that surrounds us, Jesus says ‘I am the light of the world’. For those searching for a meaningful authentic way to live Jesus says ‘I am the Way’. For all who crave truth in a world of ‘fake news’ Jesus says ‘I am the Truth’. For the young and old of every nation who need reassurance in the face of death Jesus says ‘I am the resurrection and the life’. Having posed the question, Jesus invites the disciples to ‘come and see’. By spending time with Him, they not only came to see who He was, but they came to see who they could be. Having begun as seekers they moved to being followers and ended as disciples. If we want to go beneath the surface of our lives and find the answers to our deepest questions, we must spend time in His presence. He alone is the answer. If He is not the answer, there is no answer, but we must ‘come and see’. (17th January 2021)
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Jesus was baptised in the Jordan by John
On Christmas night we greeted a baby. In the Epiphany we learned of His mission to all nations. At His Baptism His ministry begins. He plunges into the waters of the Jordan to signify His total commitment to His task. Water is where life begins. It is the difference between life and death. In Genesis God parts the waters. In the Flood saga the waters bring death. In the Exodus event the chosen people pass from slavery to freedom by crossing the Red Sea. In Baptism we passed from slavery to freedom, from death to life. It conferred on us a dignity beyond measure. It marked the beginning of a walk with the Lord that will last forever. On this significant feast, let us remember and re-echo the profound words spoken by Pope St. John Paul II near the end of his long pontificate: ‘The day of my Baptism was the most important day of my life’. (10th January 2021)
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
"They followed the star"
Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior must have been very single minded. We are told that they only saw the star at the beginning of their journey and near the end. It follows that most of their searching was done in darkness. They must have had to ask for directions and trust the guidance of others. In the end, their reward was great. Like the Wise Men we have hitched our wagon to the star of Bethlehem. It is not always visible, but it is always there. We too must be humble enough to seek the support, advice and direction of fellow travellers as we move towards the light (6th January 2021)
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
‘The Word was made flesh, he lived among us’
It’s no wonder that we strike our breasts when, during the recitation of the Angelus we utter the statement ‘The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us’. Because He pitched His tent in our midst and became one of us the human family has been dignified, graced beyond measure and raised to a new level. It means that He understands us ‘from the inside’. It is altogether appropriate that we should celebrate, rejoice and be glad. It is as though the Church were appealing to us before we leave the Christmas season to remember the central message of these days. It is interesting to recall that in the years before the Second Vatican Council this extract from the beginning of St. John’s Gospel was proclaimed before the Final Blessing at the end of every Mass. Known as the Last Gospel it reminded the faithful before their dismissal of the Good News at the centre of their faith. May we hear it anew today. (3rd January 2021)