Sunday Reflection July 4th 2021

14th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

‘A prophet is despised only in his own country’ Jesus is rejected in his own town. A carpenter is a carpenter surely! We know all about his family! How could one of our own possibly have such wisdom? It’s a familiar story. We tend to look to far away hills for inspiration while the treasure is under our feet. God is present in the everyday. His face shines through ordinary people. His voice is heard in unlikely places. ‘There is a divine message in everything’. We would do well to take a second look at those closest to us. There is more to them than meets the eye. How did Jesus react to being rejected by His own people? He didn’t castigate His listeners. He didn’t rant or rail. He didn’t force His message on anyone. He simply withdrew quietly and took His message to another region. The preacher depends on the disposition of the congregation. There can be no preaching to hearts that are closed. If people decide that they won’t understand, they won’t understand. We can either help or hinder the work of Jesus Christ. We can open the door wide to Him or we can shut it in His face. It is interesting to note the sequel to this unpleasant episode. After His rejection Jesus never returned to Nazareth again!

Mí Iúil

Mí Iúil, mí an fhéir thirim, mí na laethanta saoire, mí imeacht na gcuach, críoch an tSamhraidh. I mí Iúil bí linn, A Thiarna

[Month of July July the month of haymaking, holidays, the departure of the cuckoo, the end of Summer .Lord,be with us during this month. ]

SUMMER PRAYER Father, Creator of all, Thank you for Summer! Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank you for the beauty we see all around us and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy the beauty of the world . Thank you for the increased time we have to be with our friends and family, and for the more relaxed pace of the Summer season. Draw us closer to you this Summer. Teach us how we can pray no matter where we are or what we are doing. Warm our hearts with the awareness of your presence and guide our path each day with your loving care. Amen.