20^th Sunday Ordinary Time

This week’s Gospel is from Matthew 2: 13-22

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in you stop them.^, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

“Woe to you, blind guides who say, ‘Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.’How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it, and whoever swears by the sanctuary swears by it and by the one who dwells in it, and whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.”                   NRSV

Jesus keeps the strongest language to condemn those who confuse the externals of religion with what might be at its heart. Let God lead you in your time of prayer, be prepared to let go even of habits, rituals and externals – all so that you may better hear the voice of God.

Sacramental Retreat  

Today the students who will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist in the coming weeks met together at the Parish for a retreat day. We reflected on readings of Pentecost and took part in art activities which will be displayed in the church for  the ceremonies. We all enjoyed a sausage sizzle cooked by Father Joseph and the parishioners.

Please pray for all the children who will be receiving their sacraments over the coming weeks.