5th February, 2006

Fifth Sunday - Year B

S: Good morning - we’re on about our search for meaning and how all of us find meaning in life in so many different ways.

B: Our word of life for today comes from Mark’s Gospel - Picture this - Jesus is after a full day, healing the sick. He is tired and the disciples come to him and say ‘everybody is looking for you’ and He answered ‘Lets go elsewhere’.

S: It sounds kind of strange really doesn’t it? That Jesus would want to take off when so many people needed his help, but I guess the point is that all of us can be looking for a quick fix solution to our problems - but maybe it takes a bit longer. So life’s real meaning, I think is to be discovered in ordinary everyday existence and experience, it is never confined just to life’s dramatic happenings and circumstances, and our reflection this morning is called God's Love.

B: God's Love is ever boundless. It spans a worldwide chart;

Yet reaches down to you and me and dwells within our heart.

God’s love is ever faithful, steadfast through every day.

A love that never will forsake – He’ll be with us always.

God’s love is never changing. He’s every day the same.

He loves us now. He always will. Glory to His name!

God’s love is never-ending, lasts through eternity.

Forever and forever more, His love for us shall be.

S: You know Brenda, people find meaning in all sorts of places and events - some like to go to Lourdes or Knock, more prefer to wander back the fields or climb mountains and more like to just do voluntary work. Whatever it is or wherever it is, I do hope that you can find that place, that relationship, that work where you can find real meaning.

B: Speaking of going places the Diocese are organising a couple of pilgrimages this year and one we’d like to point out to you this morning is the Youth Pilgrimage to Lourdes. So, if you are aged 16 and upwards and interested in going to Lourdes this summer you might get in touch as soon as possible with Aoife or Karen at the Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre on 400133. The pilgrimage departs on Sunday 18 th June and returns on Monday 26 th. You will fly to Paris, and take a bus journey to Lourdes, spending two nights at La Rochelle on the way! You will then spend six nights in Lourdes. In fact, you will be in Lourdes a day before the main Diocesan Pilgrimage arrives. This will give you a chance to get a tour of the hospital in Lourdes and to help with preparations for the arrival of the pilgrims from Limerick. The whole package cost €700. Again if your interested contact Aoife or Karen on 400133.

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 take care…..

S& B: Byee……….

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