The Gospel passage today is a long one, and it is packed full of instructions for those who want to live like Jesus. We can group the teachings here into several categories: how to treat enemies or those who provoke you, how to respond to those who ask things of you, and how to relate to others with whom you disagree or disapprove. Some people may be fortunate enough to be in a place in life where they don’t feel that they have enemies. Jesus’ teaching to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you... pray for those who abuse you” might seem like a non-issue. Perhaps these lucky ones can bring greater love into the world by spending effort and energy on loving, blessing, and praying for the “enemies” of those in their families, churches, or nation who have been hurt but haven’t come to a place of forgiveness yet. Jesus’ words about giving to those who ask something of us calls for a disciplined generosity. Notice that he doesn’t say “give to everyone who begs of you - if they really need it” or “if they won’t waste it on drugs” or “if you think they deserve it.” Later, he instructs us to lend money without expecting anything in return. These teachings require a stance of openness, generosity, non-judgment, and trust that God will work with our giving even if we can’t see how.  Finally, several verses focus on how to relate to those we encounter. Jesus says we should not judge or condemn; we should forgive and give freely. It is another way of teaching the Golden Rule, with the promise that eventually “what goes around comes around.” Questions of the week  What line in the Gospel reading challenges you the most on a personal level? How so?  When have you enacted the Golden Rule, stretching to treat someone as you would want to be treated, even though your instinct was to treat them poorly? How did the situation turn out?

The word gospel comes from the Greek word meaning “good news.” At some points, Luke’s Gospel might seem like “good news for the poor” and “bad news for the rich,” though, as in today’s passage. Matthew’s version of the Beatitudes includes only positive promises such as “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” Luke’s version, however, includes strong words from Jesus to those who are living in comfort now.  We get the sense that Jesus’ audience here includes some very poor people to whom he speaks directly. “Blessed are you who are poor... blessed are you who are hungry now... blessed are you who weep now,” not the more generic “blessed are the poor in spirit... blessed are those who mourn.” The crowd must also include some wealthy listeners because Jesus also addresses them directly “But woe to you who are rich... woe to you who are full now...” There are many other places in this Gospel (and the Acts of the Apostles, which Luke also wrote) where Jesus speaks bluntly about wealth, poverty, and practices that contribute to economic inequality. Although Jesus says some things that are hard for the rich to hear, he doesn’t dislike rich people. He did banquet with them frequently, after all! Jesus came to free everyone from what holds them captive, and he knows that for some rich is their wealth which imprisons them. His words may sound like “bad news” on the surface, but if they help free people and move them towards greater generosity, justice, and trust in God rather than possessions, then ultimately Jesus is speaking good news. Questions of the week  What strikes you first when you hear this version of the Beatitudes? What is your initial reaction?  Which line of the Beat

The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Quite a busy week again as we come to school half-term week . . . . After our morning Masses last Sunday Fr D was able to celebrate the Baptism of a younger member of our community, her family having undertaken the Infant Baptism Preparation Course over the past few weeks. Monday, being the second Monday of the month, was his day of Fr D’s Ministry to Priest’s Support Group, which this month was taking place down in Lancing on the south coast. Early on Tuesday morning builders were at the front door of The Presbytery ready to begin remedial works on the garage. The garage was built with the house in around 1932 and the door at the back (into the garden) has rotted away over the years. In addition to this the lintel over the door and window was wooden (this wouldn’t be acceptable with today’s building regs) and it had also rotted leading to the bricks above becoming unstable. The project was to take down the back wall, removing what was left of the door and lintel, and rebuild using a modern steel lintel and UPVC units for the window and door. By the time that Fr D had celebrated Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition the whole of the back of the garage was down and the rebuilding was starting. Our Parish was then hosting the monthly Deanery Clergy Meeting and Lunch. Once again on Wednesday morning the builders were hard at work on the refurbishment of the garage as Fr D was having his breakfast. After celebrating Morning Prayer and Mass Fr D was preparing for a meeting with this year’s prospective Confirmation candidates in the evening. When he surfaced from this at midday he went out to view the progress on the garage and was heartened that things were progressing smoothly (although being a Catholic building there were no right angles nor any straight lines!). Fr D checked in with the builders before celebrating Morning Prayer and Mass and was soon off down to Crawley to the Diocesan Offices. When he came back (a bit earlier than normal) in mid-afternoon he was just in time to see the project largely completed, just a little bit of work to do at the base of the door and the fitting of the sealed units into the door and window frame.  Workers back on site in the morning whilst Fr D celebrated Morning Prayer and Mass. Fr D is very pleased with what has been achieved over the week and also that the garage is now cleared of years of rubbish . . . .

It is still early in Jesus’ public life when he stands preaching at the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). He draws such a big crowd that he climbs into Simon Peter’s boat so the people can better see and hear him. We don’t know what he was teaching them about, but they seemed transfixed by his words. We don’t know what Peter and his companions were thinking when Jesus invited himself into their boat. But Peter is taken aback when Jesus tells him to go fishing again after he already fished all night with no luck. Maybe there’s something about the way that Jesus looks at him that makes Peter decide “Ok, if you say so...” The amazing catch of fish follows, and the realization hits Peter that Jesus is more than just a good speaker. Like Isaiah and Paul in the other readings today, Peter suddenly realizes he is in the presence of God, and he feels “unworthy.” Peter’s reaction isn’t unusual. The Bible includes stories of many people who were called by God to do a specific task or live a particular way. Usually, these people’s first reactions are of fear, unworthiness, or protest that they aren’t the right people for the job. We heard this in the first reading of Isaiah, and Paul mentioned it in the second reading today too.  Luckily for us, we get yet another example of God’s response to fear with the encouragement “Do not be afraid.” That is followed by the assurance that God can use anyone to do his good work in the world, no matter how unworthy we might think we are. Questions of the week  The Bible is full of examples of people who protest that they are too young, too old, not educated enough, etc. to be “called” by God. Have you ever felt this way?  When have you experienced an “amazing catch of fish” that led you to greater trust in God’s care for you?

The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Really very busy around The Presbytery this week, with Fr D dashing everywhere . . . . On Saturday Fr D was with this year’s First Eucharist families as they met to look at the ‘second slice of the cake’ in preparation to receive the Eucharist - the ‘Liturgy of the Word.’ This looked at everything after the Opening Collect of the Mass through to the Homily (as well as the Penitential Act). This naturally led to a discussion about this section of the Mass being the presence of Jesus among us as we celebrate the Mass, in the Word of God. At our 09.00 Mass on Sunday our Eucharist candidates were with us and they received their own copy of the Gospel that is being used for most of our Gospel Readings for this year (Luke). On Monday morning Fr D delayed going off on his day off to meet with the Fire Protection Specialists who look after our fire detectors and emergency lighting across Presbytery, Church, and Parish Centre. Their report has given us a few extra jobs that need to be done where equipment is now past it’s ‘sell-by.’ They will provide a quote for the works as well as our own electrician and the works will be commissioned. After Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition on Tuesday morning Fr D was off down to Crawley for another stint at his desk in the Tribunal. A few Decrees to be signed and a couple of queries to be addressed. He was able to leave a little earlier than normal which allowed him to get down to Shoreham where he was attending a Local Governors Meeting of one of the Primary Schools in the Bosco Catholic Education Trust. This was the school where he was once a governor (before the Academy Trust was formed by Bishop Richard). Wednesday, after Morning Prayer and Mass, Fr D was making a start on this week’s newsletter (his parts anyway) knowing that time was going to be at a premium towards the end of the week. He managed to amend the ‘templates’ having had a recurring email address mistake on the information page pointed out to him. He also managed to get the Requiem Mass for Cathy Lewis sorted out ready for 26th February.  Following Morning Prayer and Mass on Thursday morning Fr D completed his parts of the newsletter for this week and got ready for a full meeting of the Bosco Trust Board he was attending in the afternoon . . . . .

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord today marks the trip that Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus made to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfil their duty according to Jewish Law. Observant Jews at the time of Jesus’ birth followed the tradition spelled out in Leviticus 12:2-8. A mother was considered “unclean” for seven days after giving birth to a son. For 33 days, she was not allowed to enter the sanctuary of the temple. After that, she was required to bring a lamb and a small bird as an offering to the priest. The priest would then sacrifice the animals as an atonement for her sins. Only then was she declared ritually pure again. Those who couldn’t afford a lamb and a bird, like Mary and Joseph, could bring two turtle doves or two pigeons instead. The language and rituals surrounding uncleanliness, impurity, sacrifice, and atonement might seem primitive and archaic to us thousands of years later. Rather than judge them or find fault with such practices, we can focus our attention on the points Luke was trying to make in passing on this story. He is telling us that Jesus was born into a poor family that doesn’t have a sheep to spare, nor the money to purchase one. However, this family worked hard to be faithful to their religious practices and to God as they understood him.  Whereas other Gospel writers focus almost all of their attention on male characters, Luke is careful to balance stories of men with stories of women in his life. Elizabeth and Mary were the “stars” of the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel (not Zechariah or Joseph). When Jesus is presented in public for the first time, Luke makes a point of stating that a man and a woman, Simeon and Anna (whom he calls a “prophetess”), both recognise the baby for the extraordinary person he is - the hope of the Jews and a light to the Gentiles (all of whom were not Jewish). Questions of the week  Think about some of the Gospel stories featuring women. Which ones stand out for you? Why?  Simeon and Anna recognize Jesus as someone who will be a positive force for people across religious divides. Who in modern history can you say the same of? What was it about them that made them appealing to people of different backgrounds?

The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Quite a busy week for Fr D this time around (with many appointments and meetings not really Parish based but diocesan) . . . . . . On Monday, as he felt he couldn’t put it off any longer, Fr D sat at his desk and completed his Income Tax form before lodging it with the Inland Revenue. Very seldom do the calculations lead to him having any liability to pay but you have to do it and effectively send off a blank return each year! Of course doing it takes up a fairly large lump of time . . . . Following Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition on Tuesday Fr D was straight down to the diocesan offices in Crawley where there were some ‘exotic’ queries for him to attend to from people phoning in to the Tribunal since last week (- “How do I become unbaptised if I want to?). He then raced back home to be sitting by the telephone for someone who in the morning had to speak to him on the phone with something so important - he was disappointed as the phone call that was so urgent didn’t manifest itself! In the evening he was meeting with the parents of this year’s First Eucharist children to take them through the second section of the programme (the Liturgy of the Word) so that on Saturday they would be able to assist their child at the children’s session. This is what is known as ‘family-led’ catechesis, and is the preferred method of introducing children to the sacraments within the diocese. (Parents have promised to be the first and best of teachers to their child in the ways of faith at the child’s baptism - this means that it cannot be left to the school or the parish to do this. The parish provides the parents with the tools to teach their child. On Wednesday, after Morning Prayer and Mass Fr D was following up on a few things with Sarah in the Parish Office before meeting with the electrician concerning his front door bell and the battery back-up (used during fire alarms) for the roller-shutter in the Parish Centre kitchen. He is going to try and obtain a new battery for the kitchen and will be coming back to rewire the door bell as there appears to be a break in the wire (probably in the door/wall). In the evening Fr D had a zoom lecture on Recent Rotal (Rome) Decisions in Penal Cases. It was taking place in Canada, hence the strange timing.  After Morning Prayer and Mass on Thursday Fr D was ‘stuck-in’ to the Newsletter for this week before going to Notre Dame School where he was interviewed by people Inspecting the RE of the school . . . . . . .

• 25-31 July (by air) • 24 July-1 August (by coach/Jumbulance) Our pilgrimage to Lourdes is one of the most significant pastoral events in our annual Diocesan calendar. Pope Francis has declared 2025 is a Jubilee year, the Lourdes theme is ‘With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope’. We are invited to set out on our pilgrimage journey with our Lady and St Bernadette, in the ‘hope born of grace, which enables us to live in Christ and to overcome sin, fear and death.’ (Pope Francis, Spes non Confundit 2025) Lourdes is a place of renewal, a place where our relationship with Christ is deepened. Unlike tourists, visiting a popular attraction, we are pilgrims, making the journey together and staying together, entering a space in which we can be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in ways that, perhaps, we would never have thought possible before. A priority for our pilgrimage is that we support the sick and vulnerable to travel and experience Lourdes alongside us, for this purpose we need others to volunteer their time and skills every day in Lourdes. Because of this, the allocation of transport and accommodation puts the assisted pilgrims and their supporters as a priority. Travel is inevitably a challenge when planning a pilgrimage. The flights and coach bookings that are available to us will vary in time and location. Our first Mass, with the opening ceremony, is held on Saturday to ensure all are all together in our first celebration of Mass in Lourdes. More Information and Bookings: www.abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes/home

Luke reminds us that Jesus is from the town of Nazareth, a backwater village of about 500-1,500 people, most of whom were poor and illiterate. As part of the immensely powerful Roman Empire spread across the Mediterranean, Nazareth would barely have registered on the radar of the rulers of the day. No wonder that the world was shocked to hear about an itinerant preacher from there who was attracting a great following. In John’s Gospel, we hear how incredulous this seems. When Philip told Nathanael about Jesus for the first time and mentioned he was from Nazareth, Nathanael burst out, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (Jn. 1:46)  But here is Jesus, already gaining fame and respect in the area, reading from the Old Testament scroll. (He’s from Nazareth, and he knows how to read!) He was not from the priestly class, yet by the time he comes back to Nazareth on this particular day, Jesus had already assumed the role of a religious teacher by speaking in the local synagogues. Then he reaches beyond that role and announces he is the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy about the anointed one sent by God. This happens very early in Luke’s Gospel, and Jesus is starting off with a bold proclamation, unapologetic about his back ground and upbringing. He is setting the tone for the work he has come to do. Questions of the Week  Who do you know from a back ground of no reputation who has made a positive impression or impact on you? Maybe they were from a tiny town, or went to a little known college, or didn’t go to college at all, or in some way rose above their station.  Which of Jesus’ lines about what he was anointed to do strikes you as most exciting or hopeful? Why?