Good morning – as this is my first reflection, my name is Luke Guimond. I am a new-ish member of St. Joe’s and a member of the parish council. When I was asked which weekend in November I wanted as my début, my answer was easily the Solemnity of Christ the King. This was because the parish I grew up in was Christ the King parish, so I am wearing red (the parish’s colour) and have dawned my CTK parish pin as a result. More profoundly, the readings speak of how we are meant to act as followers of Christ. Continue reading Luke Guimond: Reflection for Solemnity of Christ the King
Category Archives: Reflections
Eleanor Rabnett’s Reflection for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 16-18, 20, 26, 28-31
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel: Matthew 25: 14-30
This weekend’s readings speak loudly to me about “Love”, both how we are loved by God, how we receive that love, then share it with all who we meet. In preparing for today’s Reflection, I noticed that in each of the readings we are presented with the gifts of the Trinity: Creator (in the Proverbs), Jesus, our crucified Saviour (in Matthew’s Gospel), and the Holy Spirit (in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians) And so will focus on the readings in that order. Continue reading Eleanor Rabnett’s Reflection for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
John Rietschlin’s Reflection for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Full .pdf of John’s reflection is located at the end of this post.
As I reflected and prayed with this Sunday’s readings, I was struck by a common thread shared by all three scripture texts. The authors in each of these passages challenge their readers to reflect on their personal assumptions around who might find favour with God. To put it in more modern language, Isaiah, Matthew, and Paul are saying, “Get out of your self-righteous comfort zone!” Let’s look a bit more closely.
Continue reading John Rietschlin’s Reflection for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eleanor Rabnett’s Reflection for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Wisdom reminds us that God is in the process of making all things whole. I recall how last weekend Fr. Robert spoke of how God is gentle, full of love and forgiveness. I am reminded of the potter who continues to spin the wheel, so that the emerging form comes from within the clay itself – with the potter’s hands being there simply to allow form to come into being.”
Paul’s Letter to the Romans speaks to me of our own weaknesses, and how often we might not know how to pray. When that happens the prayers that we are trying to offer are also offered for us by the Holy Spirit. Bishop Blaise Cupich of Chicago in a 2020 homily stated: “the power of the Spirit is to take what is there and build on it… to bring us together as one body – interdependent on one another, one family.” Community…
Continue reading Eleanor Rabnett’s Reflection for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Roshene Lawson’s Reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings tell us about Jeremiah and his struggle to answer his calling to share God’s message to people who weren’t necessarily ready to hear it. He is being persecuted for what he is saying because his words mean people have to change how they behave and it’s not going over well. He’s not keen on what this means for him personally and he laments his own doubts and fears but ultimately puts his faith – his belief, in God’s love and message and continues on.
Continue reading Roshene Lawson’s Reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fr. Robert’s Christmas Reflection & The Parish Bulletin
For a child, the anticipation of Christmas is a time of excitement and joy as they count down the days for the up coming feast. All of this excitement slows down to a quiet whisper as the child experiences the ‘not yet’ moment. Getting up early on Christmas morning and tiptoeing to the front room to see the Christmas tree which outstretches its arms in a protective gesture of the many gifts waiting to make a child’s delight.
All of these sights and sounds of Christmas are not for everyone. Our world still hungers for peace and a sense of belonging. Our Lord, like many people today, has experienced being a refugee in the land of Egypt. Climate change, political unrest and wars have forced people to flee their country of origin –becoming refugees and migrants as they journey towards an uncertain future.
On the night Our Lord was born, angles came to bring news of great joys to shepherds tending their sheep in the dark of the night. Their message was about the arrival of the Messiah, the one who is to lead the people of Israel through the troubled times they were experiencing. In our modern world we need to recognize this announced savior who comes to save and liberate. The role of a true leader is to gather people not only in good times but also in times of darkness, uncertainty, and trials. These are individuals, who do not loose they focus in times of confusion but are able to lead with conviction. For these leaders the needs of the people come first. Our Lord is such a leader.
The Lord tells us over and over again that he will not abandon us in our time of need. In Scripture the words, “BE Not Afraid” is re-stated many times. How is the Lord present today? He makes his presence felt through the disciples he sends to give witness of his love and concern. I can see this in the people who are struggling with either crushing heat during the summer or the bitter cold being experienced by Canadians in the western part of the country. Although the situation can seem dire, the Spirit of the Lord continues to inspire people, ordinary people, who reach out to those in need in bringing hope in times of darkness. This year, more than ever, we are all called to be pilgrims of hope in communion with one another. May the star of Bethlehem be your guide to the Christ Child this night and always giving you strength to be authentic witnesses to the Gospels we live.
Fr. Robert Laroche, OMI Continue reading Fr. Robert’s Christmas Reflection & The Parish Bulletin
Mark McCormick’s Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent 2022
Welcome to the first day of Advent! We’re beginning our annual 28 day pilgrimage towards Christmas. It’s a familiar journey for us, yet each year we are called to find new and fresh insights along this well-traveled path. Continue reading Mark McCormick’s Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent 2022
Reflection for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
We are pleased to share with you the reflection from the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time from Nov 12-13.
So, we’re already celebrating the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary time. Next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King, the end of our annual liturgical cycle. In the final weeks of each liturgical year, the church Continue reading Reflection for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reflections for 29 Sunday of Ordinary Time
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reflection for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary time
Reflections on the good Samaritan
Printable Bulletin
