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

Hello again, and welcome to A Moment to Pause.In today's Gospel John chapter 10, 31 to 42, Jesus is facing mounting hostilitywith Jewish leaders attempting to stone him for blasphemy.He speaks again of his own identity as being the one whom the father has consecrated and sent into the world. He says, I am the Son of God.If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me.But if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works so that you may realise and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.Jesus's claim that he and the Father are one enrages his listeners, and they try to arrest him.To escape arrest, Jesus leaves the hostile environment of Jerusalem going to the place where John first baptised.There many come to him and believe in him.Tension and conflict over Jesus's identity as the true temple and Son of Godis increasing, and while he is rejected by religious authorities, his message and works find root among others.Lord Jesus, may your message be rooted in our hearts and find a home in us. Glory be to the father, and to the son, and to the Holy Spirit.Amen.
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Hello, everyone. Welcome to a Moment to Pause today, the 26th of March.Today's gospel John Chapter 8 5:1-59 is focused on the identity of Jesus.A little earlier, he had presented himself as the light of the world, using at least three times the expression “I am”, that forcefully recalls God's name as it was revealed to Moses.Jesus goes on to say, “if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”And he goes on to say that he has been sent by God, His father, to bring men and women freedom from sin and death.Jesus's words shocked those he was talking to, and even the reference to Abrahambecame a source of conflict.“Amen. Amen. I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”The Jews were outraged by the seeming blasphemy.They picked up stones to throw at him, but he hid and went out of the temple area.We see that at varying times, your disciples were also shocked,confused, and challenged by your words.We pray for open hearts and minds and a faith in you that sustains us at times when we are struggling to understand.Help us to see with new eyes.Help us to see as you see.

Welcome to a Moment to Pause.Today we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.It was a humble, hidden event. No one saw it.No one except Mary knew of it.When Mary said her "yes" to the angel's announcement,Jesus was conceived, and with himbegan the new era of human history.Mary, although disturbed by the difficulties this announcement presented her with, responded,“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”Mary's ‘yes’ mirrors that of Jesus's ‘yes’ in the Garden of Gethsemane,being overwhelmed with suffering, he prays that “if it is possible that this cup passed me by”, yet following this request, he prays nevertheless, “not as I will, but as you will.”Let us pray for the grace at times of difficulty, struggle, and uncertainty in our lives, to place our trust, as Mary did in the will of God for our lives.Mary, our mother, pray for us.
Thank you for joining us this morning. 
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Hello. Welcome to a Moment to Pause with Pauline Thomas.
In today's gospel passage, John chapter 8:21 to 30,Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and warning themthat they will die in their sin because they rejectand fail to believe that he is the “I am the promised Saviour.”He is using the divine name, “I am”, claiming equality with God.He highlights the division between his heavenly origin and their worldly unbelieving mindset, noting that his lifting up on the cross will reveal his unity with the Father.Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man,then you will realise that I am,and that I do nothing on my own.But I say only what the Father taught me.The one who sent me is with me.He has not left me alone because I alwaysdo what is pleasing to him.”On hearing this, many came to believe in him.Lord Jesus, lifted up on the crosswith a heart full of love for us.We are called to a personal response.We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ.For by your cross you redeemed the world.
Thank you for joining us this morning.

Hello everyone, and welcome to a Moment to Pause. I’m Pauline Thomas, and I’ll be with you through this coming week.In the gospel reading today, John chapter 8:1 to 11, we hear of the woman caught in adultery brought before Jesus by her accusers, who cited the scriptures to condemn her.
Jesus, the Word of God, neither judges or condemns her, but completely rehabilitates the woman, restoring her hope and dignity.We learn from this story that God always leaves room for new beginnings,always offering and finding pathways that lead to freedom and new life.Through her encounter with Jesus, the woman's life is changed.Rather than being judged or condemned, she is given the opportunity to live a new and different life.God never stops believing in us and is always calling us to new life in Christ.Let us call to mind those we know of who have been stripped of their dignitywho live in fear and suffer oppression at the hands of others.Bless us that we may live this day in a spirit of kindness, tolerance and compassion, that we be open to the new life you offer us day by day.
Amen.
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Welcome to A Moment to Pause.
I'm Pauline Thomas, and I'll be with you through this coming week.
Today's gospelfor this, the fifth Sunday of Lent,is from John, chapter11:1 to 45.In this gospel passage,we hear of the raising of Lazarus.We see the grief of Marthaand Mary when they say to Jesus,if you had been here,our brother would not have died.Jesus feels their grief with them.He wept with them,but calls them to believe in his words.“I am the resurrection and the life.”Have faith.Jesus stood at the entranceto the tomb of Lazarusand told those gatheredto take away the stone.Then he cried out with a loud voice,“Lazarus, come out!”The man who had died came out, his handsand feet bound with linen strips,and his face wrapped with a cloth.Jesus said to them,“unbind him, and let him go.”Amid grief,even when it seems that death has won,Jesus says, “take away the stone”.Today too,we hear these words spoken to us.Take away the stone from your heart.Christ lives.Let us pray for the graceto place our trust and faith in Jesus,so that his new life rises up in us.
Amen.
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Good morning and thank you for joining the Oblate Family Podcast: A Moment To Pause, for today’s time of reflection and prayer during Lent. We listen to Fr Dermot for today’s short 90 second podcast.
In today's gospel reading from John we see that even some of the authorities are beginning to see a different side to Jesus...some of the police and a Pharisee called Nicodemus. But they are quickly rebuked and castigated.
Already the persecution of those who follow Jesus. It's not easy to stand up for Jesus and what he stands for - dignity, respect, mercy, reconciliation, forgiveness, compassion - when what we see and hear is force, might, threats, violence and the brutality and slaughter of war.
We pray today for all who are slaughtered, maimed, displaced, or silenced by oppressive leadership and by systems that choose power over people. May the Lord strengthen all who work for peace, justice, and the protection of human life.
We pray silently....
Thank you for joining us this morning.
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Good morning and thank you for joining the Oblate Family Podcast: A Moment To Pause, for today's time of reflection and prayer during Lent. We listen to Fr Dermot for today's short 90 second podcast.Today is the 4th Friday of Lent.When people try to live as God's sons and daughters they're going to meet opposition. We see this in the reading today from the book of Wisdom. and they'll meet opposition because they go against the current of the way in which many around them live. Going against the current of what we see around us - ways of behaving using force, threats, violence, ...In the part of the world I live there are no physical threats but there is slander, mockery, intimidation when it comes to Christian living. Why does this take place?Because the way of life of the followers of Jesus disturbs the fixed ways of society... where power, greed, prestige, force and might, war, reign.... people in power can be disturbed by the way of mercy, of forgiveness, of reconciliation, of care for others of the followers of Jesus.We pray silently....God our loving Father, Give us the courage to live the life Jesus gave us, because we know you are our Father and we are your sons and daughters and you love us.
Amen.
 
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Good morning and thank you for joining the Oblate Family Podcast: A Moment To Pause, for today's time of reflection and prayer during Lent. We listen to Fr Dermot for today's short 90 second podcast.
Good morning everyone once again. And today we have the feast of Saint Joseph.Joseph. It's always associated with Mary and Jesus, consciously or unconsciously.For what do we often hear when someonegets an unexpected fright or shock?Jesus, Mary and Joseph.A cry, an exclamation, a prayer to the family, the Holy Family for help.Some years ago, Pope Francis spoke about family.He said something we know, but we don't often think about. He said there is no perfect family. We do not have perfect parents. We are not perfect. We do not get married to a perfect person.Neither do we have perfect children. In the family there are difficulties because difficulties are overcome by love. We are not perfect by no means.And it is with our imperfections, with our failures are difficulties,our weaknesses, our sins that God loves us.Like a parent saying to their son or daughter, I don't like the way you carry on. I don't approve of how you areor what you're doing, but you are my son. You're my daughter and I love you.00:01:38:21 - 00:01:40:11I love you.That's how God is with us. God, you love us so much. Help us to be more aware of how dear we are to you.We be silent for a few moments.In the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
 
 
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Good morning and thank you for joining the Oblate Family Podcast: A Moment To Pause, for today's time of reflection and prayer during Lent. We listen to Fr Dermot for today's short 90 second podcast.
Good morning everyone. Once again, we're together on this Wednesday, the fourth week of Lent. And in today's reading from Isaiah, we read, “Does a woman forget the baby of her breast or fail to cherish the child of her womb? Yet even if these forget her, I'll never forget you.”
We live in a world where war, terror, force or might are common place. We don't know what tyrants or dictators who have no respect for others  are going to do next. So many people are afraid, uncertain of what the future is going to bring them, or their children or their grandchildren. We need to know deep within ourselves that we matter, that we're important, that we're worthwhile. That we are so dear and precious to God, who is there for us, with us, in us and around us.
"Does a woman forget the baby at her breast, or fail to cherish the child of her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you."
We cry out to God, help us to know that you care about us so much.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.