Kilmallock Church

Happy Friday to you

Bless all today and keep safe from harm in this hot weather and travelling.

Guardian Angel, guard me from harm.
Protect me in sleep without cause for alarm.
Keep me safe through the darkness of night,
and wake me gently with God's morning light

We celebrate two feasts for St. John the Baptist: his birthday on June 24th and his martyrdom on August 29th. John was described as a new or returning Elijah (major prophet) in Matthew’s Gospel. He prepared the way for Jesus, preaching and baptising with water.

Born in Judaea to priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth (a relative/kinswoman of Jesus’ mother Mary). John’s parents were elderly and this was a miraculous birth. As Zechariah didn’t believe he was to be blessed with a son he was struck mute until John was born.

Both Jesus and John had an angelic annunciation, a conception and marvellous birth and predictions of their great destiny in infancy. Even in his mother’s womb John recognises Jesus (who was also in his mother’s womb) and leaps for joy.

No Mass from Lourdes tonight - sorry. Our intentions are being remembered and prayed for

Sir Thomas More was an English Catholic who was beheaded when he wouldn’t renounce the pope as head of the church. Thomas’ father was a lawyer and although he was drawn to priesthood followed his father’s profession. He got married and had a large family.He became King Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor and a close advisor.

The king’s first wife of 18 years, Queen Catherine of Aragon, did not have a live son, so Henry decided his marriage should be annulled and he should be free to remarry. The pope in Rome denied. Henry was furious, and he declared himself head of the Church in England and commanded that all of his subjects publicly swear to follow his authority instead of the pope. Because Thomas could not support the king’s decision, he resigned from government ending his career and his friendship with the king.

Without his salary, Thomas’s family was reduced to poverty. Although Thomas had never openly opposed the king and no longer served in the government, he was called in to take the oath. When he refused, he was arrested and charged with treason. He was held in the London Tower, cold, damp cell and underfed for 15 months. Although advised by friends and family members to just take the oath, he followed his conscience and refused. He was beheaded, his head set on a spike as an example to others who would oppose the king.

Despite his treatment Thomas never spoke harshly of the king, nor did he complain about the suffering he endured in prison. Thomas’ last words, “I die the King’s good servant, and God’s first.” He was canonised 19th May 1935 by Pope Pius XI 400 years after his death.

Longest day in the year, sunshine and Father’s Day. Thinking of all dad’s and wishing them a lovely day. Remembering all dads in heaven watching over us. God bless everyone.

Today’s Gospel reminds us ‘Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.’ In Jesus' time, sparrows were primarily used as cheap food for the poor and as low-cost sacrificial offerings at the Temple. Because they were abundant and tiny, they had virtually no economic worth and were sold for a fraction of a penny. The sparrow is a powerful symbol of God’s intimate knowledge, providence, and protective care. Because sparrows were common, inexpensive, and considered insignificant, Jesus used them to remind humanity that even the most "worthless" or overlooked creatures are deeply valued, seen, and sustained by their Creator.

This thought provoking ‘Interview with God’... everything we wished we had known, but in our rush to ‘live’ and ‘experience’ life, we often don’t realise until we are older and wiser

The concept behind this quote reminds us that the God of the good times is the exact same God in the bad times. Instead of just observing God from afar, walking through the valleys allows you to experience Him as an anchor.

Valleys are seasons of struggle, uncertainty, and grief. While painful, the "fertile soil of the valley" is where we experience God’s faithfulness firsthand, leaning on Him for strength, comfort, and peace.

Travel prayer. May God protect all travelling to Lourdes and other places and bring them home safely.