(10 April, 2005)
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER– YEAR A
S: Good morning today we’re on about how God is with us especially through the difficult times. The past week has had its share of those for many of us. I guess it’s been a sad week really, but also one of great gratitude for the life of John Paul II.
B: Our word of life for today comes from the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, “Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us”. Initially Jesus was a stranger to these two disciples, a stranger who did not seem to understand why they were upset yet he listened to their story and this made all the difference.
S: To listen to another’s story is so important isn’t it? Whether it be the story of someone who has lost a loved one, a story of someone who is ill or feeling down or a story of someone who may feel betrayed – to listen can be so much more helpful than it seems. I think great listeners do gain the trust of the person telling the story, just as Jesus gained the trust of the two disciples, who invited him to dinner. Maybe as a general rule we’re not great listeners and we could make a fresh beginning here.
B: Our reflection this morning is called new beginnings and comes from Helen Stiener Rice:
How often we wish for another chance
To make a fresh beginning,
A chance to blot out our mistakes
And change failure into winning.
And it does not take a new year
To make a brand new start,
It only take the deep desire
To try with all our heart.
To live a little better
And to always be forgiving
And to add a little “sunshine”
To the world in which we’re living.
So never give up in despair
And think that you are through,
For there’s always a tomorrow
And a chance to start anew.
S: You’ve been listening to "Just a thought" with Seamus Madigan...
B: and Brenda Cribbin. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at 66 O’Connell Street. If you would like a copy of this reflection you can download it by clicking on www.limerickdiocese.org
S: You can also continue to sign our book of condolences for the late Pope John Paul II on our website – again that’s at www.limerickdiocese.org . We look forward to your company next week, so in the mean-time take care...
S & B: Bye………….
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