The readings of Isaiah are so moving during Advent, calling us to consider our relationship with God in new ways. Isaiah invites us to consider a relationship with God on a very deep and personal level, to feel comforted, loved and protected. Isaiah offers us a God who rejoices in us and celebrates us with banquets of rich wines and choice food. There is a constant exhortation not to be afraid. “Fear not, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41: 13).

I have read these words every Advent for years, and focused on the words, “Fear not.” But one morning as I looked at this passage, I noticed the beginning of it: “I am the Lord, your God who grasp your right hand.” It was fairly specific. Not that I was reaching out to God, but that God was reaching out to me – and grasping me by my right hand. How wonderful. I relaxed into that image and tried to picture that. What would it be like to have God hold my right hand? Terrible! I couldn’t do anything! I am right-handed and if God is holding onto it, how would I get all of my things done? I am a busy, busy person (sometimes so busy that I am coming and going at the same time). With my right hand un-usable, I couldn’t drive, use the computer or grab my mobile phone. If I really ponder the image of the Lord grasping my right hand, it takes me several minutes to get beyond, “I can’t get anything done!”

Then I pause in my mental distress and hold this dilemma up to God as an offering: “What now, God?” I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand… I will help you.” I can see that the passage means that I can’t do it all alone. I am strong, busy, independent and apparently somewhat arrogant. I want to do it all myself. How do I share my life and work with a God who at the moment seems to be hampering my progress?

That’s where the Isaiah reading adds, “It is I who say to you, ’Fear not, I will help you.” I really, really don’t have to do it alone. I can step off my self-imposed pedestal and join the rest of the human race in asking for help. I can ask God every morning to open my heart in new ways for the freedom to accept what God wants for me – not what I want for me. I can realize that God stands ready, cherishing me every moment, holding my hand and offering me a banquet.

I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand;

It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.”

Maureen M Waldren, Online Ministries of Creighton University USA

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, and with it, this year, the 40th anniversary of the opening of the new church in 1978. We welcome our Archbishop George Stack at 11 o’clock Mass.

The word “church” finds its origin in the medieval Greek kurikon = the Lord’s house, while the Latin ecclesiaFrench eglise, Welsh eglwys etc come from the word for an assembly. So the “real” church is not the building first but the People – us – who then gather in the Lord’s house. Therefore, as we celebrate 40 years of the building, let us also remember and celebrate the people who have come together in the church over those 40 years and several years before in what is now the hall. They have been – we are – the living stones of the living Church.

Here is part of Preface 1 from the Mass for the Dedication of a Church. It is very rich in our understanding of the Church, so please let us in all 3 Churches – one Church! – take some time to read and pray over it slowly as part of our celebrations.

In this visible house that you have let us build
 and where you never cease to show favor
to the family on pilgrimage to you in this place,
 you wonderfully manifest and accomplish
the mystery of your communion with us.

Here you build up for yourself the temple that we are
and cause your Church, spread through the world,
to grow ever more and more as the Lord’s own Body,
till she reaches her fullness in the vision of peace,
the heavenly city of Jerusalem.

And so, with the countless ranks of the blessed,
in the temple of your glory we praise you,
we bless you and proclaim your greatness, as we acclaim...

Fr Matthew