A Moment to Pause - a short daily audio reflection rooted in Sacred Scripture

Good morning. Thank you for joining all of the Oblate family today for a time of reflection and prayer. We join Frankie MacDonald in Glasgow this week.
Let's begin. In the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
And let's remember Pope Leo’s request for us all to pray this month for peace, especially peace in our families as we asked Our Lady: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Our Lady Queen of peace pray for us.Today's gospel is taken from Saint John's Gospel, chapter 16, and the reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 16 two and they remind us of the challenges faced by Saint Paul and his disciples.And the gospel reaffirms how Jesus will send the Holy Spirit and describes, in Acts, the conversion and how the conversion came to Saint Paul's jailer.I'm just back from Hungary, and I'm reminded how the church leaders in Hungary were imprisoned for living the Christian vocations 80 years ago.And moreover, they were still oppressed in their  Christianity up until 36 years ago.That is, until the fall of the totalitarian regimes repressing religious belief.And in some countries, this is still going on.Can we be as strong in our faith, as the clergy were in 1946 through to 1990?Can we too defy the norms of an increasingly secular society that subtly attacks religion by indifference?Can we express our religion and ignore the slights or exclusion from the rest of the herd because we are openly followers of Jesus?Can we support our brothers and sisters and keep them in our daily prayers, particularly those who are expressing their views of the gospel in the face of oppression?Can we challenge society's stance that the birth of Jesus is celebrated for a maximum of a weekin December?And all things Christian should just be put away until the following year?You know, Jesus didn't say celebrate my birthday and then have the rest of the year off!
He's asking us this in the gospel: He's asking us to speak the truth, to stand up for him to declare the truth of the gospel.He's asking us to stand up and be counted, to live our lives in a way that reflects his teaching, so that others may know Jesus not only through our words, but through our actions too.It's very easy to think that the clergy has this task of spreading the gospel, but so do we.This is especially true given the falling numbers of active clergy at home and throughout Europe.It's up to us to take up this challenge and do what we can to be the arms, the legs, the voice, and the presence of Jesus in society today.And as we remember that as Pentecost approaches, let's ask the Holy Spirit today for the help to live as God's children and to follow his teaching.
And again, as we say: Come, Holy Spirit,fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
And now, as we end our time of reflection today, let's not forget our brothers and sisters who are infirm and housebound at this time:Our  Lady of Lourdes, Help of the sick. Pray for them.
Thanks again for joining us in reflection and prayer today.

Good morning. Thank you for joining all of the Oblate Familytoday for our time of reflection and prayer with Frankie MacDonald in Glasgow this week. 
Let's begin.In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.And let's remember Pope Leo’s request this month for us all to pray this month for peace, especially as we see the Hail Mary while remembering all our brothers and sisters who are living in conflict,and commit them to the protection of Our Lady.Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.Amen. Our Lady, Queen of peace for us.Today's gospel is taken from Saint John's Gospel, chapter 15, and it's quite challenging.It describes how Jesus will send the Holy Spirit to help us face the challenges of hostility to the gospel and to ourselves as messengers of the gospel.
It reminds us that we too need to witness the truth, and the Holy Spirit will be with usand support us in that.
We know that hostility and indifference to religion is evident in society today, and it's discouraging that so many have fallen away from the church, and it's all the more important for us not to be discouraged and to persevere.
It's very easy to think that the gospel describing the difficulties faced by the early church doesn't apply to these times that we live in, but we couldn't be more wrong as these challenges are still very much present.Lives of Christians are endangered in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia.We in Europe and in the Western world face indifference and scorn for expressing our faith.The views we express from the gospel can, on the one hand, be seen as relics of the past, earning us the status of being quirky or in the other hand, just a attract direct derision and hostility.It's possible that we can be indifferent to indifference and persevere through hostility.
Are we not called upon to live our lives in a way that allows people to see that we not only follow God's Word, but live it too?
As Pentecost approaches, let's ask the Holy Spirit today for his help, to live as God's children and to follow his teaching:Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
And as we end our time of reflection today, we remember our sisters and brothers who are ill and infirm at this time. Our Lady of Lourdes, Help of the sick. Pray for them.Thanks again for joining us in this reflection.
 
#prayer #podcast #faith #bible #scripture #gospel #christian #catholic #church #reflection #peaceful #ambient #listening #quiet 

We join Kirk Jacob for this morning’s short audio reflection on the Sixth Sunday of Easter.
Today is Sunday, 10th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is from the Scriptures of John 14:18 – ‘I will not leave you Orphans’. Good morning. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
On this 6th Sunday of Easter, I am drawn to the Scripture phrase: ‘I will not leave you Orphans’. Both Mum and Dad died in their 60s and as a result, my source conversations with them have ceased in this earthly life. So being an orphan feels real for me. 
I recall after my Dad’s funeral when I felt in denial that I was going through loss and grief. I was trying to be stoically strong! I went into work, not feeling myself, just pushing everything and everyone away. It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t cried enough for my beloved Dad. I remember needing to take time out for a few days. So, I did it and chose to spend a few days in the nearby New Forest, thanks to a good friend and just giving permission for grief to surface. I felt numb walking in the forest though I allowed myself to cry and cry! Unlike, the case with my late Mum, I felt I had grieved her loss more easily. Each of us has to deal with grief in our own way. We are living in a world which falsely tells us that grief makes us look weak! Jesus reminds us today that we are never alone and that ‘he will send another Helper- to be with us forever’. 
We pray: Lord Jesus, send your Helper, Holy Spirit of Truth into areas of our lives that resist your love. Amen. Stay Blessed! 

We join Kirk Jacob for this morning’s short audio reflection during the 5th week of Eastertide.
Today is Saturday, 9th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is from the Scripture of John 15:20:  ‘a servant is not greater than his master’. 
Good morning. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks to His Disciples, his inner circle, reminding them of the importance of SERVICE. He  shares these words:  ‘A servant is not greater than his master’.  So, how do we understand servant-master relationships in Society? Or is it a taboo subject left only for the privileged classes of society? Our Oblate Founder, Eugene De Mazenod came from an Aristocratic family. He had 12 servants serving his every need in Aix at France. Did he learn anything from his servants or was he just someone who gave the orders since he felt he had an entitlement to it? As a boy, Eugene gave away the coat on his back to a poor fellow charcoal boy which certainly wasn’t in becoming of his aristocratic status. So, we see an interweaving nature between servant and masterhood classes in Eugene’s life.  I felt something of this nature as well as I grew up in a middle class household in Madras, India with 8 children and being looked after by my late parents/ sometimes grandparents.   We hired an ‘Ayya’ ,a term of respect for our servant helper, who I recalled sometimes lived at our home. Besides helping our Mum, our Ayya looked after us when we were sick with chicken pox and when our parents were at work. So, their role was at times like a surrogate grandparent. Maybe you have your own story as well.  Lord Jesus, we say ‘THANK YOU’ for help us draw meaning from your Servanthood. Amen. Stay Blessed!  

We join Kirk Jacob for this morning’s short audio reflection during the 5th week of Eastertide.
Today is Friday, 8th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is on the Scripture text of John 15:14 – ‘You are my friends if you do what I COMMAND you’. 
Good morning to you. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
Oh! Boy.. what a challenging Gospel as Jesus looks you and me in the eye with a deep compassionate heart saying: ‘You, Kirk, You Mary, You Dave, You Jackie, your own name.. are my friends if you do what I COMMAND you!’. It leaves me feelingrestless hearing this direct soulful words of Jesus. The Command is to open my hearts to Jesus’ Unconditional Love.   I don’tknow about you the listener, I find myself struggling with that word: ‘command’ even though I understand the need for it.Parents, Teachers, people in Authority give commands to subordinates, children, young people under them normally yield to their authority albeit with some resistance. Though we know fully well that it's not the case always. Recent news here at some schools in England, we witnessed some students reacting violently to authority and authority figures, using knives and kicking out at Teachers and fellow pupils in primary and secondary schools, Police and Army (in some cases) have had to be brought in to places meant for learning. A sad state of affairs. This thinking may have been alien to you and me in our growing up years.  
We ask you Lord Jesus to help us follow your commands of love to neighbour, self, country respecting other’s boundaries and sharing our resources globally. Amen. Have a blessed day!
 

We join Kirk Jacob for this morning’s short audio reflection during the 5th week of Eastertide.
Today is Thursday, 7th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is on the Scripture text of John 15:10 – Abide in my love. 
Good morning to you. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
The word: ‘ABIDE’ occurs 3 times in today’s Scriptures.           What comes to mind is that  famous Hymn ‘ABIDE WITH ME’ – a tear bringer at funerals! I did a little research on this hymn – thanks to ‘Uncle Google’! In 1847, an Anglican cleric and poet Henry Francis Lyte composed it. Writing it shortly before dying with TB, Henry’s prayer reminds us of that transit journey moving from this earthly life to divine presence. The hymn is supported by William Monk ‘s ‘Eventide’  tune.  ‘ABIDE WITH ME’ is really a prayer seeking God to remain present at the hour of our death whenever that moment is in God’s time. 
Here is a reminder of those lyrics: Be present to how you feel hearing it: 
"Abide with me, fast falls the eventide. 
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide. 
When other helpers fail and comforts flee, 
Help of the Helpless, Oh, abide with me." 
And Its richness is summed up in the last verse’s last two lines: "In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me". 
Jesus prayer for each of us today: May his Joy abide in us so that our joy may be full. Do we really get it? 
We bring our time of reflection to a close. I invite you to: ‘Be the very JOY that you have been possibly been waiting for many a year! Amen.

We join Kirk Jacob for this morning’s short audio reflection during the 5th week of Eastertide.
Today is Wednesday, 6th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is on the Scripture text of John 15:4 ‘Abide in me and I in you’. 
Good morning to you. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
This morning we take a few deep breaths and notice the cool and warm air entering and leaving our bodily being. …(quiet moments). We imagine a fruit that is close to our hearts where we are one with this special fruit both in its texture and taste… 
Similar to the fruit, think of a specific area in your life as it is just now where you experience ONENESS with the Risen Lord Jesus? You feel his Presence truly abiding in you and you dwelling in Christ?  The Hebrew word is Shekina.. it points to that indwelling sacred space of oneness with your God and this space is not even for your spouse or partner! A clue could be by recognising feelings of stillness remaining long after the event has passed…(quiet) 
A Young man Eugene De Mazenod experienced this oneness  when he accepted Jesus as His Lord and Saviour which in turn lead him to being co-operator of His Saviour. It started on a Good Friday in 1807, tears rolling down his face and it was a turning point for him and the Oblate family when he felt drawn to share Jesus’ love with others! So, notice where your turning point has been and where you feel this deep embrace of Christ which stirs your heart to share the Good News? Today: Give gratitude to Jesus for that Shekina presence: being of ‘one heart, one soul for his Mission’ through the gift of your life. Have a Blessed day!

We join Kirk Jacob for this morning’s short audio reflection during the 5th week of Eastertide.
Today is Tuesday, 5th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is on the Scripture text of John 14: 28: "Let not your hearts be troubled." 
Good morning to you. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
Today, we remember those who carry anxious hearts in our communities. In beautiful Bedford, I live close to a prison.  Just the other day on the high street, I spotted a young woman handcuffed, standing still and swaying a bit as she was intoxicated with some drug. 3 Police officers were guarding her from the public and just trying to get her to stand still. 
Today, with the huge availability of illicit drugs so cheap and accessible in shops even on our high streets, we do wonder how the loved ones of those trapped in addiction get directly impacted and pick up the pieces for the challenges left by loved ones. We stop for a few moments today.. place a hand on our heart.. hold a wee thought for the stranger in our midst who needs to feel love and be accepted especially if our internal voice may feel to be judgemental and critical.  
Lord Jesus, we thank you and bless you for giving us your deep inner peace today. Let not our hearts be troubled when pain enters into our filters of what we let in and what we keep out.             We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Today is Monday, 4th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is on the Scripture text of Acts 7:58: Lord Jesus receive my spirit. 
Good morning. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
Today is the feast of the English Martyrs. Not very far from our Oblate Parish at Tower Hill is located a little enclosure near the Tower of London which holds a little memorial plaque wiith St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher. The spot of their martyrdom.Lord, we thank you for the deep faith of our Martyrs. We equally remember our Oblate Martyrs of Pozuelo, Spain, Laos and elsewhere. 
Today’s 1st Reading focuses on the stoning of Stephen by Saul, later to be known as St. Paul after his conversion. Stephen cried out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’.  
We think of people in difficult war torn and violent conflicts who call out loudly today: ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’.  
We think of countries like Tanzania whose natural resources like gold are being robbed openly by greedy Corporates based in powerful countries like UAE, America, Israel and our own. They too pray: ‘Lord Jesus, receive our spirits’. 
We think of those in deep despair due to heavy debt, living with a life threatening illness or even accepting complex dimensions in their given sexuality as they feel hopeless, and sometimes consider suicidal thoughts. We listen to their voice as they whisper: ‘Lord Jesus, receive our spirits’.  
So, Lord Jesus, we ask you to receive our spirit as we surrender this day to You. Amen.    

We join Pat Hughes for this morning’s short audio reflection during Eastertide.
Sunday 3rd May Gospel Reading John 14:1-12Good morning. I would ask you now to close your eyes and say “Welcome, Jesus to be with me this day. “Over the last few days we have explored and prayed this Gospel reading of John 14:1-12.  It is part of the Farewell Discourse at the Last Supper where Jesus explains his relationship to the Father and promises that those who believe in Him will do the works that He has done if they but model Him and remember He is the Way, the truth and the life.Jesus begins by saying “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. In these days of seemingly endless worries about the world it is difficult to not let our hearts be troubled. If we think back to what the disciples were about to face… Jesus’ passion, death and seeming absence as the disciples fled  Jerusalem, it would seem we have learnt nothing.We  have only to remember that Jesus kept his promise and sent the Holy Spirit , a time we will celebrate soon at Pentecost !Let us remember meantime, to model Jesus , to know and trust in Him, and the Father and the Holy Spirit. To keep Hope in our hearts and our lives and to spread the Good News.May we all have a blessed Sunday .Thank you for praying together.