NEWSLETTER INSERTS - ON THIS SUNDAY'S READINGS

On Isaiah 66:18-21:

'The first reading today imagines the role of the chosen people of God to be a sign to a wider community of the universal diversity and unity of his family, to live in a way that gives God glory and brings others to right worship with them. This continues to be the role of the Church today - to model a unity that transcends differences; to be a people who direct their praise to God's glory and whose members have a desire that others come to faith in Christ too'.

Fr Billy Swan

On the Second Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7.11-13.

'The gift of God's love is beautiful but dangerous in the sense that it changes us when it is received. The Gospels are unsettling for those who wish to stay the same! Like a loving parent, God's love is always inviting us to grow, mature, develop and change to become the people He has created us to be. This is the spirit of today's reading from Hebrews where it speaks of God training the ones he loves. Sometimes that training and growth involves suffering. This is why we must be patient with our trials and tribulations and hope that, in time, they will bear fruit "in peace and goodness''.

Fr Billy Swan

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30. 'The Narrow Gate'

'Since we know neither the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that, when the single course of our earthly life is completed, we may merit to enter with him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where people will weep and gnash their teeth'.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1036.

'Thus from celebration to celebration, as they proclaim the Paschal mystery of Jesus until he comes, the pilgrim People of God advances, following the narrow way of the cross, toward the heavenly banquet, when all the elect will be seated at the table of the kingdom'.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1344