10 th September, 2006

23 rd Sunday - Year B

S: Good morning - today we’re on about how we use the gift of speech. So, what’s important for me in life? What do I speak up about?

B: Our word of life for today comes from Marks Gospel where the people are in admiration of Jesus and say, "he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak". And it is true to say that if we have faith, Jesus does have an effect on our lives especially in what we see as important.

S: Yeah, I guess at times we can get lost and we can make Gods of power and prestige of expensive consumer products, of lifestyles we can’t afford, of the television, of my privacy, my home - Jesus invites us to break free of all of this, to break free of these things that enslave us and to choose him as he has the real message of life. So let us choose Jesus and not be afraid to speak up for what we believe.

B: We have a reflection for you this morning about using your voice...

Each one of us has a voice, which we can raise at home, or at school or at work, or among our friends, to make sure that innocent and helpless people don’t get picked on.

Let’s ask God to give us the courage to raise our voice when we have to.

Father give us eyes to see when people are in trouble and give us the courage to speak out in their defence.

S: Each one of us has a voice, which we can raise at home, or at school or at work, or among our friends, to let people know that violence and anger and hatred and revenge are wrong. Let’s ask God to give us the courage to raise our voice when we have to.

Father, help us to understand that care for others, and forgiveness, and peace are the ways to a better world, and give us the courage to say so, even if others don’t agree with us.

B: Each one of us has a voice which we can raise at home, or at school or at work, or among our friends, to let others know that Jesus lived and died to save us and show us how to live really happy lives. Let’s ask God to give us the courage to talk about our belief in him, even if others might laugh at us.

Father, give us a faith that is strong enough to stand up to those who don’t believe the things that we do, and who laugh at our beliefs. Give us a voice to shout out how much you love us and we love you.

S: This morning, we are all faced with a choice. We can keep silent about the things that are really important, like peace, and forgiveness, and friendship and especially the love of God, or we can use the voice that God has given us to tell others how good life can be when God is a part of it.

B: Before we go this morning we’d like to remind you that the Milford Harvest Fair takes place today, so if you can make it to Milford your support of this very worthy cause would be most appreciated. 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 Henry Street. You can also download your own copy of this reflection 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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