2 nd April, 2006

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B

S: Good morning - as we get closer to Easter we’re on the topic of reconciliation. This word reconciliation is really at the core of what Christian Life is about.

B: Our word of life for today comes from Psalm 50 “Have mercy on me god, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence.” So we’re asking God to forgive us for any wrong we might have done and we’re also conscious of reconciliation Services that are going on in our churches at the moment so if you can do take the opportunity to attend or take part in one.

S: I certainly believe that reconciliation is at the heart of Christian life but I also know that it’s very difficult to either give or to ask for forgiveness. We know where we need to make up and while there is much talk at the moment of world reconciliation and this is important, it really only works if we are reconciled in our personal lives. So what I’m really saying is how we handle reconciliation locally affects how we handle it globally

B: Our reflection for today is along those lines...

Lord,

Let your forgiveness reach my heart

so that I am joyful in knowing that nothing in the past

may be a barrier between us.

And let this forgiveness flow through me

so that I too can forgive those who have

treated me badly or thoughtlessly.

Forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

S: Bishop Murray’s Lenten Pastoral entitled ‘Keep your lamps lit’ will be available this weekend. The full text of the pastoral is available on the Diocesan website, and a small number of printed copies of the full version will be available through your local church. However, Bishop Murray has also written a summary version of the pastoral and there is one of these being distributed to every home in the Limerick Diocese.

The title of the pastoral comes from the theme chosen by the Shrine at Lourdes for this years pilgrimages: Keep you lamps lit.

In the pastoral Bishop Murray reflects on our modern world and reminds us that as with any relationship we cannot keep our relationship God in the private sphere. The Christian message is one of meaning and hope, meaning and hope to be shared. We need to take up opportunities to develop our relationship with God and put some ‘soul’ back into society. Bishop Murray points out that the role of Christians is not to impose their vision on others but to live it.

B You’ve been listening to “Just a thought” with Brenda Cribbin…….

S: and Seamus Madigan. 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

B: We look forward to your company again next week, so take care…..

S& B: Bye ………

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