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Irish Capuchin Franciscans

3 days ago

Be not Afraid (Matt 10: 26-33)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues his instruction of the Apostles. Three times, Jesus says “Do not be afraid.” This is a phrase repeated 365 times in the bible.

Once upon a time, it took courage of a sort not to go to church in holy Ireland. People who did not go to church were regarded as odd, or maybe worse. How things have changed! Now it takes courage to witness to Christian beliefs and ideals. One has to swim against the current of popular opinion stirred up by social media brain-washing and cynical agnosticism. God knows how fear can paralyze us so he continually exhorts us to have courage, to have confidence. If people opposed Jesus and called him diabolical names, why should we be surprised if we have to put up with a little mockery? We are in good company when we are with Jesus.

Here’s a story about Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Her Missionaries of Charity spend an hour in prayer before going out to help the poor. One morning, a young Sister going out looked very sad. Mother Teresa gently called her aside. “Did Jesus say ‘Go before me,’ or ‘Follow me’?”

Sister’s face changed and she smiled. To follow Jesus is to walk with him, filled with the great, much needed virtue called hope. You may be familiar with this hymn.

“Do not be afraid, I go before you always. Come follow me and I will give you rest.”

And there is song by Rodgers and Hammerstein in Carousel: When you walk through a storm hold your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark.

At the end of the storm is a golden sun and the sweet silver song of the lark.

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone, you’ll never walk alone.”

The Good News will triumph

Pope Francis, speaking to a group of newly ordained priests compared them to aeroplanes: they make news only when they crash! The News never reports that nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine planes landed safely today. The wonderful contribution of the Church to education, culture, medical care, feeding the hungry, working for justice and peace, etc. is being airbrushed out of history. Jesus tells us not to be afraid. ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

Br. Bryan Shortall OFM Cap blessing the lilies on the feast of St Anthony in Merchant's Quay Church Dublin. Bryan was the main preacher at this year's novena. ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. A beautiful feast in the liturgical calendar. A day for us to emerse ourselves in the burning Love of God manifest in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Love we receive from God we, in turn, are called to radiate into the world. The eternal cry of the soul is simple and heartfelt: O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place ALL my trust in you. (Picture: Stained glass image of the Sacred Heart, Capuchin Friary, Church Street, Dublin 7) ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

The harvest is rich, the labourers are few (Matthew 9:36-10:8)

Today we return to Matthew’s Gospel which is constructed around five great sermons.  Firstly, the Sermon on the Mount outlined the masterplan of the kingdom of God.  Today’s Reading is from the second sermon, which is the instruction of the apostles.

Jesus always urged us to see what is good in people rather than what is bad.  “Blessed are the pure in heart they shall see God.”

 Jesus practised what he preached.  He had an extraordinary ability, the eye of an artist, to see potential in unlikely people.  By the grace of God, Simon Peter, a man with a fiery temper, who once pulled out a sword to slice off the ear of a soldier, was chosen to be the first pope.  The brothers, James and John, were known as the Sons of Thunder.  Once, they offered to call down fire on a Samaritan town which rejected Jesus.  The cheek of these brothers!  They did not ask Jesus to call down the fire but they would do it!  Yet Jesus saw their potential.  James became the first of the apostles to be martyred.  John lived longer than the others and became the contemplative who inspired the Gospel of John and other writings.  Simon, a nationalist zealot, learned how to work with Matthew, who collected taxes for the despised Romans.  An unlikely team became wonderful missionaries.

 A motto in advertising is to think globally but act locally.  The missionary strategy of Jesus was to work with the small group in the limited area of Galilee and Judea.  The mission would extend worldwide after Pentecost.

The harvest is rich, the labourers are few

I was ordained a priest sixty years ago. The first Sunday I faced a congregation, the Gospel was the one we have today.  Jesus felt sorry for the congregation because “They were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.”  I can still remember a strange feeling when I looked at the congregation. Would my life be for people who are harassed and rejected? “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.” And we are ageing.  Pray earnestly for vocations to the priesthood. 

Christ is counting on you (Cursillo motto)

Br. Silvester O'Flynn OFM Cap. (Sunday Reflections) ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

Three Capuchins taking a cappuccino break in Ards! The Wild Garden Cafe is now open daily for the best coffee and cakes for miles. #ardsfriary #ArdsFriaryBeach #ardsfriarywalk #ardsfriarytrail ... See MoreSee Less