As Catholics we should define ourselves as what we are and what we believe in, rather than what we are up against. Marriage was created by God from the beginning as "two becoming one." Two becoming one mentally, spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and then and only then physically.  Sadly many people start the other way around, beginning with the physical.  Is it any wonder after a few years they look at each other and say "I do not know what I saw in you."  And they split. Intimacy seems to be missing in many relationships.  If it were not for the many good friends I have, both men and women, with whom I am intimate, "I would not be half the man I am."  For this intimacy the physical is not present. Consequently it can go to a much deeper level.  Give intimacy a chance in your life.

Scandal is not a word you hear much these days. Jesus was very hot on it, especially leading others astray and more especially still, if they were children or people of weak faith. Most of us would never think of leading others astray, least of all children, but let's look a little deeper. Do I really use every chance to instruct or advise, or even to show people what is right? Do I work with my children to show them God's way? Do I pray with them every day?  Is my life an example that others would like to follow?  Am I a good role model for my son or daughter? These are the things we say at the beginning of mass "What I have done, and what I have failed to do." As St Francis Says: "All that is necessary for evil to thrive is for good people to do nothing." Be pro-active in the field of the Lord especially in your own family.

Again Jesus is on one of his favourite themes: SERVICE. He came into the world as a suffering servant who does not want anyone to be lost. There are many people in this parish who have put themselves at the service of others. They give of themselves tirelessly and unselfishly for the benefit of the parish and others.. They are the ones who make the parish what it is. Thank you very much. I ask YOU, would you like to do something for the service of others? If everyone does something, no matter how little, for the benefit of the parish/others we really could become a model parish of the church in action. Please consider, offer don't wait to be asked.

Last week I said Jesus is TRUTH.  I say this because faith is not as simple to understand. Basically, am I a person who speaks the truth all the time? If so then I believe in God. God is also ACTION.  Positive action.  This is the challenge of James in the second reading.  Often I try to bluff my way out of a situation, when in fact I am as guilty as sin itself. What do I have to show for the faith I claim to possess. Do I give my children good example? Do I know what my children are watching on any screen? Do I know their friends? Do I guide my children? Do I/we pray as a family? Do I teach them the faith? FAITH WITHOUT ACTION IS DEAD

When we come to God's word we must come with an open mind and a needy heart. Apparently what 98% of motivational speakers say is Gospel based. They may not admit that, but if you look closely and listen attentively, you will also agree. Life so often is boring because we see the obvious and never dream the dream. Martin Luther had a dream and thank God, it has become a reality. We have come a long way and we still have a long way to go, so we need to dream on. The science fiction of yesterday is today's reality, how much more so with our Heavenly Father. With Him all things are possible.

Is your life dreary, lack lustre, aimless, depressed or tired? "Take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them that you may have life and enter and take possession of the land that the Lord  the God of your fathers is giving to you." As a Catholic and priest, I have always found that when I feel down, the law of the Lord is a fantastic consolation. It makes me look outside myself. It expands my horizons. Makes me look beyond the horizon, think outside the box and lifts me up. When I look inside and see my true potential, God draws me out of myself. He lifts me up, diminishes my depression. Otherwise I look inside and I see sadness, no future, depression. The Pharisees were worried about washing hands and pots and pans. Jesus says be a fantastic lover and never count the cost.

Greetings to you. I take this opportunity to thank you for the love and care you have given me while Fr. Jack has been away. Thanks, be to God that he is back from his holiday. When am here at St. James, I feel like I am at home. Thank you for loving your Church. It is my prayer that you continue loving your God no matter how hard it is for us to understand his ways and words sometimes.  Let us remain with Him because He is the best choice of our life. So like Joshua, Let us say "As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord".  Like the Israelites, let us say "We have no intention of deserting the Almighty God and serving other gods". I promise you my prayers.  Amen.

In our different cultures, success can often be a game of numbers.  A successful television programme is one that has a very large viewing audience. If the numbers watching declines, the programme is in trouble.  Democracy is based on majority vote. The candidate with the most votes gets elected. Every political party is anxious to maximise their vote on election day. In all kinds of ways, numbers matter in our society. The schools with the biggest number of graduates going on to University are considered the better schools.  If some event that is organised only attracts a small crowd it is considered a failure. Today’s gospel suggests that Jesus was not too concerned about numbers.  Jesus puts Himself at our disposal. Jesus wants us to look again at our personal relationship with Him and choose to follow Him more closely or to follow someone else.

 

What a difference our attitude towards life makes to our enjoyment of life. This is the positive approach of one woman: Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes, we have plenty of food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry, we have plenty of nice clothes to wear. And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds. They were so warm and so comfortable last night. I know that many have no beds. My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy towels and dirty lavatory. They are so convenient. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly, it has served us faithfully for many years.  It is full of enough leftovers for a few meals. Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many things over the years. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says you have richly blessed my family. I shall do them all cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

UBUNTU is a very nice story from Africa... The motivation behind the Ubuntu culture in Africa... An Anthropologist proposed a game to the African tribal children... He placed a basket of sweets near a tree And made the children stand 100 meters away. Then announced that whoever reaches first would get all the sweets in the basket. Then he said 'ready steady go! ‘.. Do you know what these children did? They all held each other's hands, ran together towards the tree, divided the sweets equally among themselves, ate the sweets and enjoyed them. When the Anthropologist asked them why they did so, They answered..."Ubuntu" Which meant- 'How can one be happy when the others are sad?' Ubuntu in their language means- "I am because we are" A strong message for all generations. Let all of us always have this attitude and spread happiness wherever we go. Let's have an "Ubuntu" Life.... .

Today we see Jesus not doing all the work by himself, he tells the disciples to feed the people. He tells his disciples to make the people sit down in groups of 50. He tells them to distribute the food. He tells them to pick up the scraps left over. Jesus, it seems, is big into management. But then when the disciples do what they are told, Jesus takes over and does great things. And that is the way it should be. If only we did what Jesus tells us then I am sure the world would be a much more wonderful place. But we so often want to do things our way. In this story, we see the limitless generosity of God abounding. Be generous with your time, treasure and talent and great things will happen to you.