Symposium - What are our bodies for?
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- Written by Luuk Jansen OP
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At this months symposium Fr. Alan O'Sullivan OP gives a talk entitled: "What are our bodies for?"
The Brilliant Glory of Jesus
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- Category: Weekly reflections
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- Written by Damian Polly OP
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2nd Sunday of Lent
Luke 9:28-36
For me, two lines stand out in St Luke's account of the Transfiguration. The first is 'Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep'. This instantly reminds me of another time, following this event, when Peter, James and John are found sleeping by Jesus; in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Transfiguration and Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane are very much linked and not just because Peter, James and John were found to be sleeping during both events. For Peter, James and John, Jesus' closest disciples, the glory of the Transfiguration is to be a time of preparation for the horror of the garden. Archbishop Fulton Sheen puts it very well: 'To believe in his Calvary, they must see the glory that shone beyond the scandal of the Cross'.
Diaconate Ordinations 2013
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- Written by Luuk Jansen OP
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The Irish Dominican friars rejoiced today as three of their brothers were ordained to the diaconate in Saint Saviour's Dominican church, Dominick Street in Dublin. The ordaining prelate was Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin. Our brothers were joined by many friars of the province, families and friends, representatives of the Dominican family in Ireland and local parishioners from the Dominick Street area to witness the joyful liturgy of ordination.
The three brothers Colm Mannion OP, Luuk Jansen OP and Matthew Martinez OP joined the Order together in 2007. The ordination ceremony to the diaconate today is another step on the road to priesthood.
Thanks to Fr. Gerard Dunne OP for providing the photos on the Irish Dominican Vocations blog.
A Time to Renew our Faith
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- Written by David McGovern OP
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1st Sunday of Lent
Luke 4:1-13
As the season of lent begins it is a time for us to renew our faith through prayer, acts of penance and charitable works. Perhaps the biggest threat to this renewal is surrendering to temptation. We are confronted with persistent temptation in our lives and just like Adam and Eve we yield to the temptation often with sinful and tragic consequences.
In today’s world we are living in a very individualistic, consumerist society, a society where immediate gratification is the norm. So, many of us yield unthinkingly to the temptations that are presented so appealingly to us. We search through various social network sites to find out the latest gossip and to see who’s doing what with whom; we flick from TV channel to TV channel trying to watch several programmes at the same time. As a result of being overwhelmed with sophisticated advertising and marketing strategies we have developed a mentality that is governed primarily by the pleasure principle; everything must be convenient, pain-free and instant. Because of this when we are confronted by temptations that have sinful outcomes, we have limited experience of dealing with them adequately. For example, we are abrupt with people rather than being patient because we don’t want to listen to them or take them seriously. We tell lies rather than speak the truth because it is more convenient for us to do so.
Prayer - A Look Towards Heaven
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- Written by Matthew Martinez OP
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Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
On Ash Wednesday, when we begin the Liturgical Season of Lent, the Church presents us with a Gospel that highlights the importance of prayer and fasting. As Christians, we believe that it is of utmost important that we develop a relationship with Our Lord, through prayer. Prayer allows us to communicate with God, where we are able to always be in contact with the one who created us and who knows us better that we know ourselves. Prayer also takes humility on our part, where we are able to trust in God and know that whatever God wants for us in life will bring us true fulfillment and ultimate happiness. In prayer, we simply raise our minds and hearts to God, and in so doing allow ourselves to be wrapped in His love and protection. St. Therese of Lisieux put it beautifully when she explained that, “prayer is a surge of one's heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” As we move into Lent, let us recommit ourselves to spending time in prayer every day, opening our hearts to the love of God.
Do Not Be Afraid
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- Written by Luuk Jansen OP
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5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Luke 5:1-11
This Sunday’s Gospel ends with Jesus saying to Peter “Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch”. Subsequently Peter, but also Andrew, James and John left everything and followed our Lord.
But why did these ordinary fishermen suddenly leave everything behind and follow this man Jesus? The beginning of the Gospel narrates that they are working away washing their nets and don’t even seem to be part of the crowd pressing around Jesus.
It also seems clear that at least John and James, here mentioned as the Peter’s partners, were probably well off. In Saint Mark’s account we read that they left their father in his boat with the hired men: they had some kind of a fishing business going on. We also know that there was a thriving fishing business in Capernaum. And moreover on Jesus’ instruction they had caught so many fish that both the boats began to sink because of the size of the catch. But instead of securing this treasure, they left it all behind and followed Jesus...
