30 th October 2005 – 31 st Sunday, Year A

S: Good morning, Today we’re on about service – and how important it is to give of ourselves to our community

B: Our ‘Word of Life’ for today comes from Matthew’s gospel “The greatest among you must be your servant”. The background to these words of Jesus comes from where he has just embarrassed the Scribes and Pharisees who loved to show off in public and now Jesus addresses that same public and tells them to live by different standards, that of humble service, saying that service is the real mark of a Christian

S: I suppose it really comes down to remembering that not everyone needs to know if you do great things and just being who you say you are is important. I guess we’ve got to be sensitive to the needs of others as best we can.

This week we have seen a great deal in our media about the tragic reality of child abuse that took place at the hands of trusted people. The level of hurt that exists, because of this abuse is enormous. We pray is a special way this morning that with justice and love, those who have been hurt will experience peace and healing in their lives. In learning from the mistakes of the past we hope that none of us will be complacent now or in the future when it comes to the protection of children. Structures that are now in place to protect children must be supported by everyone.

B: We as a society and as Church must be there to support each other, especially the hurt and vulnerable, in whatever way we can. Bishop Murray has put before us the model of The Good Samaritan. He says “we must be available to listen, to learn, to understand and to offer whole-hearted help”.

We have a short prayer this morning about how God cares about people through us...

Father,

we ask you to send the Holy Spirit into our lives.

Open our ears - to hear what you are saying to us in the things that happen to us and in the people we meet.

Open our eyes - to see the needs of the people around us.

Open our hands - to do our work well and to help when help is needed.

Open our lips - to tell others the good news about Jesus and bring comfort, happiness and laughter to other people.

Open our minds - to discover new truth about you and the world.

Open our hearts - to love you and all people

as you have loved us in Jesus. Amen

S: Tonight, and tomorrow night many young people will be celebrating Halloween and we would ask you all to be very careful and not get involved in anything stupid or dangerous.

B: Tuesday is also the feast of All Saints - we all have our favourite Saints and people we know who have been saints to us. We thank God for them.

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 or by e-mailing smadigan@limerickdiocese.org. If you would like your own copy of this reflection you can download it by clicking on limerickdiocese.org

S: We look forward to your company again next week, so in the meantime - take care…..

S& B: Byeeeeee……

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