The Rich Man and Lazarus . . .

Well, after my 'day of decadence' yesterday what more salutary lesson could there be than today's Gospel reading at Mass - the story of the rich man and the beggar at his gate. This is one of those readings that is always guaranteed to make me squirm in my suburban comfort.

You can bet that when I went to the supermarket today, I made a bee-line for our local Big Issue seller who always stands at the entrance to our local shopping centre. He must have wondered what was up as I gave him my very 'bestest' smile and greeted him like a long-lost friend (not that I usually ignore him, of course).

"My son, remember that during your life you received good things, just as Lazarus received bad."

"Save us from the blind pursuit of wealth; make us sensitive to the needs of others"

2nd Sunday of Lent . . .

I always find it interesting when the Gospel is one of those very well known passages that we think we know well, as in today's account of the Transfiguration in St Luke's Gospel. Usually I find, that there is something in the homily that makes me look at it from a different aspect. Today at Mass our PP was talking to the children about the Gospel account and rather than concentrating on the vision of glory shown to the disciples, he chose to emphasise the words of God the Father, 'This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.'

These words echo the words of God the Father at Our Lord's Baptism in the Jordan, 'This is my beloved.'

On both occasions we are reminded of who Jesus is; this man being baptised by John and this same man at the top of Mount Tabor, is of course the Son of God.

In a way, the words and the instruction to 'listen to him' are linked to the vision of glory because it only by listening to the words of Jesus and following them that we stand a chance of experiencing that glory for ourselves.

All honour to you, Mary! . . .

Well, it may not be a Holy Day of Obligation in England and Wales but we certainly had more than usual at our morning Mass today, and we were fortunate to have our organist available to play for us and we sang two beautiful Marian hymns. It really felt like a Feast Day.

The first reading today of the fall of Adam always makes me smile to myself. I expect that's probably not the expected reaction but it always makes me think of young children in the playground. When challenged for doing something they shouldn't, the first child says, 'it's not my fault, he made me do it' and this is repeated by the next child and so it goes on . . .

What a contrast between this reading and the Gospel telling the story of the Annunciation. A reading that is so familiar but never fails to move me whenever I hear it.

Sorry, this post is rather disjointed, I just wanted to try and put down in words some of my musings on today's feast. I hope you all had a Blessed Feast Day.

A little more serious - honestly! . . .

Oh upside down pudding
your troubles never stop,
‘cos upside down pudding,
your bottom is your top!!

The homily at the 10am Mass today was directed at the children and our parish priest spoke about the human tendency to wish for or even expect to be rewarded for our good behaviour (the Gospel, you remember, was about James and John asking to be seated on Jesus' right and left in heaven)

Fr was explaining to the children how Jesus turned the world upside down with his teaching and that his answer was that none of us should expect to be rewarded in this way but rather we should follow Christ's example and serve others.

I gather that at the earlier Mass, Fr had used the example of the 'upside - down pudding' to explain how when Jesus came he turned the ways of the world upside down - what looks like the top of the pudding, and is very ordinary- looking, is turned upside down to reveal a delicious and attractive topping. In the same way, when we follow Christ's example rather than the 'ways of the world' we see the very best way to live our lives.

It reminded me of the silly rhyme the Pater Familias always quoted when I used to make this pudding years ago (sadly, we're all watching our figures now and such puddings are now rare in our house - strictly high days and holidays only!)

I couldn't remember the rhyme so had to email the PF as he's away on a business trip in foreign climes. He replied straight away but said to make sure I credited the source!

Mmmm . . . . I'm feeling a little peckish now.