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| Fr Michael Liston and Ann Kiely - SS102fm 14 Nov 2013 |
On this weeks programme, Fr Michael Liston makes a welcome return to the SS102fm and comes on to share with us about the launch of his new book "Come and See: The Story of Lourdes". We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some liturgical odds & ends and some local notices.
If you would like to listen to the podcast of the programme you can listen HERE.
If you could like to listen to Fr Michael's interview excerpted from the main programme HERE.
A Prayer for the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan
Creator God,
This is an awe inspiring planet,
wonderfully but fearfully made.
In Typhoon Haiyan we see again
the vulnerability of humanity
to the full force of nature’s energy.
We pray for all those affected:
Those who have lost loved ones,
Those who have had to witness mass burials,
Those who make up the faceless millions affected,
Those who need shelter, water, food, sanitation and medicine.
We pray for the emergency response teams:
For safety and strength as they assess the damage,
For communication lines to be restored,
For a quick and effective response to their findings,
For the resources required to be made available,
We pray for the long term recovery and resilience work:
That the growing intensity of typhoons would not be ignored,
That the erratic nature of recent monsoon rains would be noted,
That this vulnerable nation would not carry the challenge of climate change alone,
That the international community would respond with generosity and with justice.
Amen
You can donate to the appeals for aid:
Come and See - The Story of Lourdes
Often if we are to be able to look again/hear again what our faith is all about we have to be open to a different experience - out of the ordinary - and we have to be invited to come and see and hear things in a new way.
Lourdes has been part of Fr Michael's life since 1963 when he hitchhiked to Lourdes and worked in the City of the Poor for two weeks. It began a relationship with Lourdes which has continued right up to today when Fr Michael was always curious about the events of Lourdes.
As Bishop Donal Murray notes in the foreword this book is the fruit of many years of during which the author has pondering in his heart the story of Lourdes and about being a pilgrim in Lourdes. It is a story of a person passionate about Lourdes. Lourdes shows the church and the world as they ought to be where the sick and the marginalised have first place in the community where the young enthusiastic volunteers learn to be at the service of all.
The book is split into two parts - the history of the events at Lourdes and then a series of reflections on the meaning of Lourdes and pilgrimage. The story of Lourdes is one of gentleness, friendship, wonder and a reminder to penance being a small part of it. It is a story of a parish response to an event out of the ordinary led by some of the youngsters - the poorest of the community - who led the way.
People bring their pain and sufferings to Lourdes but yet it is a place of peace, friendship grounded in the original relationship between "It" and Bernadette. There is a huge opportunity to hear afresh the story of our faith in a new way.
You can listen to Fr Michael's interview about Lourdes and his new book HERE.
And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, "As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." And they asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?" And he said, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!' and, `The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once."
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
As the liturgical year comes towards its end the Church considers apocalyptic Scriptures. This week's Gospel from Luke reveal the full significance of the Resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead was a world changing event that altered everything in the human experience from religion to politics to nature.
Reflections on this weeks gospel:
Liturgical Odds & Ends
Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 1; 33rd week in ordinary time
Saints of the Week
November 22nd - St Cecilia (patron of music and musicians)
November 23rd - St Columban (aka St Columbanus) (abbot & missionary)
Mariah Culaty joins us this week to speak about her recent trip to Belarus with Munster Chernobyl Aid. Each year in May between 6 and 10 Arctic trucks head to Belarus visiting and helping various orphanages and hospitals by carrying out humanitarian aid, consisting of clothes, toys, baby equipment, building and medical supplies. The trucks are funded, loaded and driven by volunteer workers from every corner of Ireland.
