4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 28th 2011

On this weeks show we meet Fr Michael Liston who we hope is going to be a regular contributor to the show. Fr Michael takes us through a poetical reflection on parts of west Limerick and the need to have hope especially at this time. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday Gospel as well as our Saints for the week, some reflective music, our prayer space in the day and some chat.

Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12

This weeks gospel is a very familiar gospel - the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount with the preaching of the Beatitudes or as it was once described Christians political manifesto.

If ever a gospel needed to be used in lectio, this weeks gospel would be one because it is such a gospel that we think we are familiar with. But each time we read it, it hits us again just how strange is this message being preached where those who are being called Blessed are those whom society still today considers as the misfits or the out siders with the corresponding question as to why Jesus is highlighting them to us.

The need to reflect on what it means to be "Poor in spirit" or "meek", "merciful" and the corresponding rewards which are promised to us should cause us to stop in amazement upon hearing the Word proclaimed to ask ourselves what on earth it could mean.

Further reflections available here, here and here.

Saints of the Week

We have a busy week ahead with some heavy hitting saints and feasts in the liturgical calander.

January 31st - St John Bosco – Priest – Founder of the Salesians
February 1st St Bridget – Abbess – Secondary Patron of Ireland - (452-524) Mary of the Gael
February 2nd - Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (World Day for Consecrated Life) 
February 3rd - St Blaise – Bishop (Blessing of Throats)
Febuary 4th - St Andrew Corsini (Carmelite Bishop) - First Friday
February 5th - St Agatha – Virgin martyr

As always, thanks for listening

John, Lorraine, Shane, Michael K, Fr Michael