5 /6 November 2016 32 Sunday in Ordinary Time: West Green - ST John Vianney Church
5 /6 November 2016 32 Sunday in Ordinary Time: West Green - ST John Vianney Church
5 /6 November 2016 32 Sunday in Ordinary Time: West Green - ST John Vianney Church
West Green
4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
Parish Office Tel No: 020-8888-5518
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: West Green - St John Vianney Church
Our website: http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk/
(SJV Parish Centre 020-8888-5518)
Dear Parishioners,
Our first reading today from 2 Maccabees is written in a time of
persecution. The Emperor Antiochus Epiphanes in 167BC introduced a
law in which it was forbidden to practice your own religion. Hellenisan,
the culture of the Greeks was to be practiced by everyone under the pain of death. It is
here we take up the story of the martyrdom of a mother and her seven sons.
In their hour of death they drew strength from the belief of everlasting life or
resurrection to new life. This is one of the clearest such texts in the Old Testament telling
of the belief in life after death. The Sadducees, who raised the question to Jesus, didnt
believe in the resurrection. This is why they pose what seems like an unanswerable
question for Jesus. As ever, Jesus is able to take a question asked in order to trap or
confuse him, and turn it back on the questioner. He then goes on to answer the truth.
Jesus tells us that there are two distinct ages life as we know it now and life with God in
heaven. We cannot limit the life in heaven, to the same values we have here and now life
with God will be on a much more magnificent level and our vocabulary and our minds are
not capable of understanding here and now.
In the Creed we say: We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the
world to come. Belief in the afterlife is so vital. Without it our lives here are a journey to
nowhere! God has made us for life with him eternally. God so loved the world that he
gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have
eternal life. (Jn 3: 14-15)
We know that this world cannot fulfil our deepest hopes and longings. St Augustine
say: For you have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts will never rest, until they
rest in you.
During the month of November, as we pray for all our departed relatives and
friends, we could need to think of our own deaths! This need not be a negative or morbid
exercise. It can be very positive. Thinking about death and coming to terms with the fact
can result in a true love of life. When we accept that reality of death, we can see each new
day as a gift of life. This life can indeed become very precious! It can be very liberating.
SUPPORTING PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS: In the context of todays readings, I ask
for your support in the Post-Card Campaign for Christians in the Holy Land. Your
signature will be a show of solidarity. Thank you.
CALAIS: Between the time of my writing and your reading, I will have been to
Calais. I had a good day delivering the food to Bro. Johannes of Catholic Workers; visited
what remained of the jungle; there were hundreds of children left, who were sent all over
France. The supply depot for goods was very interesting. Verbal report to follow.
Thats all for this week. Fr Joe
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Let my prayer come into your presence.
Incline your ear to my cry for help, O Lord.
First Reading:
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 16
I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of
your glory, O Lord.
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Stay awake, praying at all times
for the strength to stand with confidence
before the Son of Man.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Luke 20:27-38
Communion Antiphon:
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall
want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives
me repose, near restful waters he leads me.
PARISH TEAM
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest
Fr Damian Ryan, Assistant Priest
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Adm/Secretary
Birthday
Antonia Ononogbo
Michael James