FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH OF THE HOLY FAMILY
The Sixth Week of Ordinary Time
Dear parishioners,
‘We have a wisdom to offer’
In the second reading for this Sunday, St Paul writes, ‘We have a wisdom to offer those who have reached maturity, NOT A PHILOSHY OF OUR AGE, it is true, still less of the masters of our age, which are coming to their end’ (1Cor 2:6)
St Paul tells us that God’s laws are for eternity, and God’s Law is the teaching of The Church. It is not for the world to tell The Church what to believe, but for The Church to offer the world the Wisdom of all ages from the Sacred Tradition. In the current crisis of faith inside and outside The Church, it is the light of our faith which has been darkened by conformity to the world around us and by putting aside Church teaching ‘Because the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life’ (Prov 6:23). It is not the Teaching of The Catholic Church which needs to change direction, but rather continual submission to the sinful thinking and practice of the world.
What may seem reasonable to us in the society we live in because sin has been normalised, are not God’s laws: these we cannot change. St Paul writes to Timothy, ‘Some people have missed the way to these things and turned to empty speculation, trying to be teachers of the Law: but they understand neither the words they use nor the matters about which they make such strong assertions’ (1Tim 1:6). If we say God’s laws must change to suit us, then we are making ourselves into little gods, no longer turning to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Moses and his son Jesus Christ, whose Commandments are recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
We hear today Christians who say the church should change and follow the ever- changing morals of the world around us. But rather than become absorbed by the values of the world, it would be wiser if we tried to understand Holy Wisdom and ‘offer’ it to the world. We should love the Commandments of God, as Jesus did and turn to them for the light they give us to guide and help all people through the darkness and suffering of this life. With the psalmist we can and should joyfully proclaim, ‘your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path’ (Psalm 119: 105)
Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to turn to Him in sorrow for our sins, not to submit to values which are alien to a wisdom passed on to us through the generations. ‘Here is a saying that you can rely on and nobody should doubt: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’. (1Tim 1:15)
One such who has given witness to Holy Wisdom is Harrison Butker, an American footballer who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National (American) Football League. He is a young world-class athlete, husband, father…and practising catholic. In a feature for EWTN, Butker gave testimony to his Catholic Faith. From among all the ‘philosophies of our age’ around him and the myriad and illusory choices of this modern world, Harrison has chosen the Catholic Faith as the lamp to lighten his path through life. To anyone interested, take a look at this short piece on Youtube and let us continue in The Apostle’s hope that the masters of our age, are coming to their end:
NFL Kicker Harrison Butker and his Return to The Catholic Faith
God bless
Fr Jonathon
UPCOMING EVENTS
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES in October. Please contact the parish office if you are interested in joining us.
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM .
We have now taken all the bookings and will be in touch soon.
Escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland, 15th March 2023. £699.00 per person sharing. Price includes flight, all transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with full board. All entertainment and excursions included. Day trips to Westport, Ballintubber Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Fr. Peyton Centre & National Museum. Special St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations. Single supplement £150.00. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.
A DAY WITH MARY
St. Joseph’s Church, Orchard Road, Bromley from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Please bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee provided.
Notice from Marriage and Family Life South East
BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE
This Saturday morning online session on February 18th is aimed at couples with average-to-good marriages who would like to improve their relationship further and gain insights into their communication and the call of the Church to the married. No personal sharing! Email Carole on mflkent@rcaos.org.uk or phone 07983 524 727.
GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER
SycamOre is an online course exploring our Catholic faith and suitable for individuals and couples alike. It runs throughout Lent, with weekly one-hour sessions on Tuesday evenings from 8-9.00 pm starting on February 28th. For more details or to register, visit the website: Growing in Faith Together — Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis (rcaos.org.uk)
CELEBRATE PARENTING FOR FAITH
A new online course for those with babies and toddlers, 5 weeks from February 23rd – March 23rd. 8.00 pm, 45 mins. https://www.celebratetrust.org/
And a reminder to you that our marriage preparation courses are available by emailing
THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB takes place from 12.30 p.m. this Thursday.
PARISH NOTICES
PARISH YOUTH NOTICES
DEATHS
MASSES AND INTENTIONS FOR THE SIXTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
FEBRUARY PRAYER FOR CATHOLIC FAMILIES