7th July 2013 - 14th Sunday in Ordinary time (Year C) - Focolare (Part 2)

As some of you will have noticed, we didn't do a post on last weeks show as the show was a repeat of the week before due to technical issues at West Limerick 102fm HQ. This week we have part two of the Focolore shows with an interview with Paula Murphy, Martina Gorham and Catherine Treacy and their families about life as a family involved in Focolare.

We also have a short reflection on this weeks gospel as well as the saints of the week and some local notices.

You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.

Exploring Focolare - Meeting some families

On 23rd June we were joined by Grégoire Murphy on the programme to introduce us and our listeners to the Focolare movement. On this weeks programme we are joined by Paula Murphy and her family and friends who share with us what it means to them as a family to be involved with Focolare.

Focolare was founded by Chiara Lubich in Trent, Northern Italy in 1944. During the Second World War, Chiara and a group of her friends, would read the Gospel together as they took refuge in the air-raid shelter each night and started to put the Gospel into action in their lives. The word Focolare means 'hearth' and those involved in the movement came to be known as focolarini, 'people of fire'. This nickname is appropriate because "there, even in the midst of the appalling destruction of the war, there was a joy, a light" (Susan Gately, God's Surprise).

In living the Gospel, especially the call of John 17:21 "Father, may they all be one", the Focolare movement involves a strong inter-faith dimension and follows a communitarian spirituality which places a "deep emphasis on the communitarian dimension of Christian life" (See HERE). You will find more about Chiara HERE and the history of the Focolare movement HERE.

You can listen to that June 23rd interview HERE.

John and Ann Keily and the Murphy, Gorham and Treacy families

On this week’s programme we are joined by Paula Murphy, Martina Gorham and Catherine Treacy and their children who shared the support they received from Focolare in nurturing their families’ faith.  At each gathering, the families gather to celebrate the Eucharist and family members go into their own particular group depending on age and gender to receive a little teaching and share how they can apply this to their lives.  The families then have a picnic together and a time for recreation.   

The Focolare meetings are an important way of helping adults and children to live the Gospel in a practical authentic way. For example, the children spoke about the Baby Jesus project where Focolare made little cribs with the Baby Jesus to give to people during Advent as a form of evangelisation. The children also showed us how to roll the Cube of Love and how this helps them to live the Gospel message of love in their everyday lives.

You can listen to this weeks interview excerpted from the programme HERE.

Gospel - Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

"Cary no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!'" (Lk 10: 4,5)

What does it look like to be a Christian missionary? How would you recognise one who witnesses to God in the world? In this Sundays Gospel, Jesus sends out seventy two out to prepare the way for him. And this is how he tells them to be:

No purse, no sandals: Rely on the hospitality and kindness of others,

'Whatever house you enter': bring peace with you.

How would it be if I witnessed to God in these simple actions this week - what would that look like in my family, my community, my work? What if I brought not answers, but listening - not solutions but trust in others goodness?

Our call is not to force God into peoples lives. Our call is to prepare the way for Jesus, by being witness to his love and his trust in people.

"...do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20)

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans
Homiletic and Pastoral Review


Liturgical odds and ends

Liturgy of the Hours - week 2

Saints of the Week

July 8th - St Killian
July 9th - St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
July 10th - Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz
July 11th - St Benedict of Nurisa
July 12th - St John Gaulbert
July 13th - St Henry of Bavaria

Popes Intentions for July 2013

General Intention - That the World Youth Day taking place in Brazil may encourage all young Christians to become disciples and missionaries of the Gospel.

Mission Intention - That throughout Asia continent, doors may be opened to the messengers of the Gospel.