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

Welcome to our morning reflection with Mary O'Brien in Dublin on Wednesday 15th April of the 2nd week of Easter.
Our gospel today is from John 3:16 to 21. It opens with the text:“God loved the world so much that he gave his only son,so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life.”
I think this is one of the most powerful words in Scripture.One of the most challenging and most reassuring texts.Through this action, God reveals his love for each and every one of us.Love, at its very best, is always life giving.God's love for us is beyond that.The gospel tells us this we are to have eternal life.We are to be now and forever held in the light and love of God.This gift calls us to respond by trying,as best we can, to live out the commandment of Jesus, to love one another as he has loved us.I'd like to finish with the first part of a prayer I often say:I kiss the wounds of your sacred head with sorrow, deep and true.May every thought of mine today be a perfect act of love for you.So may the Lord bless us all and keep us safe this day.In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.Thanks for joining us this morning. 
 
#john316 #scripture #gospel #god #love 
 

"What does it mean to be reborn in the spirit?"
Welcome to our morning reflection with Mary O'Brien in Dublin on Tuesday 14th April of the 2nd week of Easter.
In name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen. Welcome to our morning reflection.Our gospel today is from John three 7 to 15, and is a continuation of a discussion between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus appears to be strugglingto understand what reborn in the spirit might mean.Jesus says, “if you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things?”For me, this text is about listening with hearts of faith.Nicodemus will have heard of the things Jesus did, the miracles, the cures, the raising of the dead.He is both surprised and perhaps shocked. As a teacher of the Jews he thought heknew about the things of God.Jesus says that the only way to truly understand these things is to be born again, through water and the Holy Spirit.Sometimes we also might see through the eyes of old ways, old ideas.This morning we pray that, guided by the Holy Spirit, we may have an open heart, an open mind,a listening ear.I thank you for joining us and may you be blessed this day.In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Welcome to our morning reflection with Mary O'Brien in Dublin on Monday 13th April of the 2nd week of Easter.
Our gospel today is from John chapter three, verses 1 to 8.In this gospel, Nicodemus, a Pharisee, is trying to understand who Jesus is. He says, “Rabbi, no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.”Jesus knows that Nicodemus is searching and points to baptism as a way to enter the kingdom of God. When we receive water in the spirit, we are open to being led by God. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.That is how it is with all who are born of the spirit, guided by the spirit. Nicodemus must be ready for his life to be led in a different direction.Lord, as we journey through life, may we keep listening and searching for the Spirit's call in our lives, and may we be open to following the path along which you lead us. Thank you for joining us, and may you be blessed this day. In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Welcome to a Moment to Pause with Rob Doherty on Divine Mercy Sunday.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit  Amen 
Good morning, welcome. 
Today’s Gospel is from John Chapter 20, verses 19-31 “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’’ 
In the Gospel, the risen Jesus always does two things: he shows his wounds, and he says, “Peace be with you.”  The wounds are not just proof—it’s a sign that his love has not changed. The cross is not erased. His love remains.  And when he shows his wounds, he meets the disciples in their failure. They had run away—but he does not blame them. He offers forgiveness.  Then he says, “Peace be with you.” Not just a greeting, but a gift.  The wounds show his love. The peace shows what that love brings. 
Lord Jesus, you come to us with your wounds and your peace. 
When we feel our failures and fears, remind us that your love is greater. 
Show us that your wounds are signs of love, and fill our hearts with your peace. 
Help us to trust in your mercy and to begin again with you. 
Amen. 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 
Amen 
Thank you for joining us today. 

Welcome to a Moment to Pause with Rob Doherty during Easter.
 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 
Amen 
 
Good morning, welcome. 
 
Today’s Gospel is from Mark Chapter 16, verses 9-15 
‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News’. 
 
Reflection 
In the Gospel, we hear how Jesus appeared again and again after Easter— to Mary Magdalene, to two disciples on the road, and to the Eleven. And Paul reminds us there were many more who saw him. 
But what’s striking is this: even then, it wasn’t easy to believe. They doubted. They hesitated. Even good news can be hard to take in. 
It was only when Jesus stood among them that their fear turned into faith. 
We weren’t there—but we share their story. And today we’re invited to trust that this good news is true, even when it feels almost too good to believe. 
 
Lord Jesus, 
you came to your disciples in their doubt and fear. 
Come to us when we struggle to believe. 
When good news feels too much to trust, 
fill us with your peace. 
Help us to believe in your resurrection 
and to live in its hope. 
 
Amen. 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.   
Amen 
Thank you for joining us today. 

Welcome to a Moment to Pause with Rob Doherty during Easter.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Good morning. Welcome.Today's Gospel is from John chapter 21, verses 1 to 14.In today's Gospel the risen Jesus Christ comes to disciples who had failed him and returned to their old lives. After a long, fruitless night of fishing, they stand empty handed, tired and discouraged.It is in this moment that Jesus appears. At his word, their nets are filled and their calling is renewed.Then he invites them. Come and have breakfast. He does not reproach them, but restores them through his presence and a shared meal.In the same way the Lord meets us in our failures not to condemn but to invite us back into communion, especially in the Eucharist.Lord Jesus Christ.You come to me in my weakness and meet me in my failures.When my efforts feel empty and my heart is tired, I stand on the shore of my life and call me back to you. Feed me with your presence. Restore what is broken within me. And draw me again into communion with you in the Eucharist. Amen.In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you for joining us today.

Welcome to a Moment to Pause with Rob Doherty during Easter.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit  Amen 
Good morning, welcome.
Today’s Gospel is from Luke Chapter 24, verses 35-48 ‘The disciples were startled, frightened and thought they saw a spirit’. 
Today's Gospel account of the risen Lord appearing to his disciples makes clear how hard they found it to accept what they were seeing. When Jesus stood among them, they were startled and afraid, unsure whether it could truly be him, almost as if they were looking at a spirit. The resurrection was so overwhelming that they struggled to grasp it, standing there in a mixture of wonder and disbelief.  
There is something of that same hesitation in us. The message of Easter is so extraordinary that we, too, can find it difficult to fully take it in. It is often much easier to relate to the suffering of Christ than to the mystery of his resurrection. Perhaps this is because suffering is something we know so well in our own lives.  
Dear Lord. Let the truth of the Gospel take deep root in my soul, shaping my thoughts, words, and actions. Fill me with the joy and peace that come from knowing I am loved. Help me to live each day in the light of Your grace, and to share this hope with others, so they too may believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.   Amen 
Thank you for joining us today. 

Welcome to a Moment to Pause with Rob Doherty during Easter.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Good morning and welcome.Today's gospel is from Luke chapter 24, verses 13 to 35.
The Lord's encounter with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus reveals something of how he accompanies each one of us.They were heading away from Jerusalem, moving in the wrong direction. And yet he comes alongside them. Does he immediately interject and tell them they're heading in the wrong direction? No. He walks with them first and listens.
It's the same with us. He invites us to speak, to share what is on in our hearts and listens with patience. Then, gently, he opens up a wider horizon, helping us to notice what we may have overlooked. To understand more deeply and to see the path ahead more clearly, and that maybe we have taken a wrong turn and are heading in the wrong direction. He then gently guides us back towards where we are meant to be walking.
Dear Lord, in times of darkness we see your guiding light illuminate our paths, dispel our fears, and grant us the strength to navigate the shadows. May your love and wisdom shine upon us, leading us to hope and clarity. Embrace us in your warmth as we trust in your divine purpose. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you for joining us today.

Welcome to a Moment to Pause with Rob Doherty during Easter.
Good morning and welcome.Today's Gospel is from John chapter 20, verses 11 to 18.There is a strong focus in this morning's Gospel on the tears of Mary Magdalene. She stands outside the tomb weeping. She weeps because she cannot find the one she loves.We recognise that experience: when someone dear to us has died or is alive but feels lost, distant or beyond our reach, grief rises within us. We, like Mary at the tomb, weep. Yet Mary's story does not end in loss. In her searching, something unexpected happens. The Lord she is seeking finds her.He calls her by name,“Mary.” And in that moment, everything changes. This is the quiet promise at the heart of the Gospel: while we might not always succeed in finding those we long for, the Lord is never beyond reach.He is always there, always already seeking us before we seek him.Dear God, I come before you with a heavy heart, seeking your comfort.The pain of losing a loved one is overwhelming.And I ask you to wrap me in your arms and bring peace to my soul.Help me find solace in knowing that you understand my heartache.And you are with me through it all. Amen.In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.Thank you for joining us today.
 

Welcome to a Moment to Pause with Rob Doherty during Easter.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Good morning and welcome. Happy Easter.Today's Gospel is from Matthew chapter 28, verses 8 to 15.At Easter, we are invited to personally encounter Jesus and then to carry that outward.Like the women at the tomb, like the apostles in Jerusalem, like the many witnesses who saw the risenLord, we are invited to meet him and then not keep that encounter to ourselves.The joy of Easter is never meant to be remained enclosed. It longs to be shared, to be spoken, to be lived. Faith spreads not by force, but by witness.Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of salvation through your son, Jesus Christ.Fill my heart with compassion for those who have yet to know your love.Give me courage to speak your truth with gentleness and grace and wisdom, to know the right words at the right time.Open doors for me to share the good news and let my life reflect the hope and joy found in you.Strengthen me through your spirit so that I may plant seeds of faith and trust you to make them grow.In Jesus name, Amen.In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Thank you for joining us today.#Easter #HeIsRisen #wordmadeflesh ✔ Subscribe for daily prayer with the Oblate family.✔ Comment your prayer intention.✔ Share this with your parish, family, or prayer group.