Our Lady and St. Benedict
  • Home
    • Church History
  • Mass Times
  • Homilies
    • Second Sunday of Easter
    • Homily; Maundy Thursday 2021
    • Homily; Good Friday 2021
    • Homily; Easter Vigil & Easter Day 2021
    • Palm Sunday
    • Fifth Sunday of Lent
    • Fourth Sunday of Lent
    • Third Sunday of Lent
    • Second Sunday of Lent
    • First Sunday of Lent
    • Ash Wednesday
    • Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
    • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Baptism of Our Lord
    • Epiphany of the Lord
    • Homily; 1 Jan 2021; Mary Mother of God
    • Christmas Midnight Mass
    • Fourth Sunday of Advent
    • Third Sunday of Advent
    • Homily 2nd Sunday of Advent
    • Homily; 1st Sunday of Advent
    • Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
    • Thirty-third Sunday
    • Thirty-second Sunday
    • All Souls
    • All Saints
    • Thirtieth Sunday
    • Twenty-ninth Sunday
    • Twenty-eighth Sunday
    • Twenty seventh Sunday
    • Twenty-sixth Sunday
    • Twenty-fifth Sunday
    • Twenty Fourth Sunday
    • Twenty-third Sunday
    • Twenty-second Sunday
    • Twenty-first Sunday
    • The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    • Nineteenth Sunday
    • Eighteenth Sunday
    • Seventeenth Sunday
    • Sixteenth Sunday
    • Fifteenth Sunday
    • Fourteenth Sunday
    • St Peter & St Paul
    • Twelfth Sunday
    • Trinity Sunday
    • Pentecost Sunday
    • Homily for Tuesday Wk 6 Easter
    • Seventh Sunday of Easter
    • Sixth Sunday of Easter
    • Fifth Sunday of Easter
    • Fourth Sunday of Easter
    • Third Sunday of Easter
    • Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • The Presentation of the Lord
    • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Holy Family
    • Mary Mother of God
    • Second Sunday of Advent
    • First Sunday of Advent
    • Remembrance Sunday
    • Thirty-first Sunday
    • Twenty-fourth Sunday
    • Twentieth Sunday
    • Eighteenth Sunday
    • Seventeenth Sunday
    • Sixteenth Sunday
    • The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
    • The Most Holy Trinity
    • Seventh Sunday of Easter
    • Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Thirteenth Sunday
    • St John the Baptist
    • Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Transfiguration of the Lord
    • Cemetery Mass
  • Newsletters
    • Second Sunday of Easter
    • Easter Sunday 2021
    • Palm Sunday
    • Fifth Sunday of Lent
    • Fourth Sunday of Lent
    • Third Sunday of Lent
    • Second Sunday of Lent
    • First Sunday of Lent
    • Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
    • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • The Baptism of the Lord
    • Second Sunday after the Nativity
    • The Holy Family
    • Fourth Sunday of Advent
    • Third Sunday of Advent
    • 2nd Sunday of Advent
    • 1st Sunday of Advent
    • Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
    • Thirty third Sunday
    • Thirty second Sunday
    • All Saints
    • Thirtieth Sunday
    • Twenty-ninth Sunday
    • Twenty-eighth Sunday
    • Twenty-seventh Sunday
    • Twenty-sixth Sunday
    • Twenty-fifth Sunday
    • Twenty Fourth Sunday
    • Thirty-third Sunday
    • Twenty-second Sunday
    • Twenty-first Sunday
    • The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    • Nineteenth Sunday
    • Eighteenth Sunday
    • Seventeenth Sunday
    • Sixteenth Sunday
    • Fifteenth Sunday
    • Fourteenth Sunday
    • St Peter & St Paul
    • Twelfth Sunday
    • The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
    • Trinity Sunday
    • Pentecost Sunday
    • Seventh Sunday of Easter
    • Sixth Sunday of Easter
    • Fifth Sunday of Easter
    • Fourth Sunday of Easter
    • Third Sunday of Easter
    • Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • The Presentation of the Lord
    • The Baptism of the Lord
    • The Epiphany of the Lord
    • Fourth Sunday of Advent
    • Second Sunday of Advent
    • First Sunday of Advent
    • Thirty-first Sunday
    • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Twenty-fourth Sunday
    • Twenty-third Sunday
    • Twentieth Sunday
    • Eighteenth Sunday
    • Sixteenth Sunday
    • The Most Holy Trinity
    • Sixth Sunday of Easter
    • Fourth Sunday of Easter
    • Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • St John the Baptist
    • Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
  • Coronavirus
    • Caritas Middlesbrough helpline
    • Live streaming
    • Home Prayers
    • Our Advent Journey to Christmas sheet
    • Blessing of Advent Wreath
    • O Antiphon thought for each day
    • The Tablet
    • Seized by the Holy Spirit by Abbot General
    • Letter to Daniel
    • Joyce Rupp reflection
    • The Rev Julie Nicholson
    • Noah's Ark story part 1 >
      • Noah's Ark story part 2
      • Noah's Ark story part 3
      • Noah's Ark story part 4
    • Wind beneath my wings; Bette Midler
    • Lockdown poem
    • Our Lady and the child Jesus
    • Pope Francis Rosary
    • Seven gifts sheet
    • Women & the post-covid church
    • Jesus images
    • Ark
    • Why I'm not opening church's yet
    • Abbot primates five blessings
    • Holy Spirit
    • Angelus & Come down O Love divine hymn
    • Simon & Garfunkel song
    • Trasna Poem
    • The seven I am titles of Jesus
    • Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat by Simon de Myle
    • Angels Unaware
    • Be still and know that I am God
    • Extraordinary moment of prayer
    • Halik
    • Don't be fooled
    • Home picture
    • The Last Supper
    • Iona Gate
    • Caravaggio 1
    • Caravaggio 2
    • Poems 1
    • Poems 2
    • School
    • Leeds
    • 5th Station, Simon of Cyrene carries the Cross
  • Hospitality & Outreach
    • Climate Change Zoom event 24/04/21
    • Middlesbrough Food Bank
    • The Sick and the Unwell
    • The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
    • ​Together Middlesbrough and Cleveland (TMC)
    • Zimbabwe missions appeal >
      • Mashambanzou Bulletin September 2020
  • Gallery
    • Bernard's bench 2020
    • Cherry tree in blossom 2020
    • 2016 in our Church
    • Church Photos
    • Historical Photos
  • Contact us
  • Caristas Newsletter
  • 100 Club Winners
  • GDPR - Privacy Notice
  • Justice & Peace
  • Knitting for Refugees
  • Parish Hall for hire
  • Rosa Ampleforth
  • Safeguarding
  • Useful Links
​Last Sunday gospel of the Good Samaritan..on Wednesday met one of our guests in the Grange for a catch up..she remarked warmly of redecoration of entrance lobby & the inscription on the wall..”what inscription ?” I asked..like priest in gospel last Sunday I have walked by & not noticed..
    “..listen carefully my child, to the Master’s instructions, & attend to them with the ears
     of your heart..”  [ prologue ]
..essence of Benedictine & gospel spirituality..in welcoming & serving the guest & the stranger, as Abraham does in our 1st reading, we welcome Christ..
Christ meets Christ in person & in service..
 
“I beg you if I find favour with you, do not pass your servant by..”        ; Lord have mercy
“..let me fetch a little bread for you & you shall refresh yourselves before going further..”
                                                                                                                         ; Christ have mercy
“..that is why you have come in your servants direction..”                      ; Lord have mercy
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins & bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
 
 
..whenever you find two women together, the moment is always pregnant..with child..full of conversation & fruitfulness..with wisdom spontaneity & depth..a short & powerful gospel, so familiar it is too familiar, & we didn’t really listen to it..”we know it”..like a Mum knows her son loves her, but how she savours hearing him tell her the 3 key words 12 times a day..it is presence & voice..Mary & Martha..intimacy & response..prayer & ministry..I worry & fret for poor Martha, seemingly put in her place, in her shoe box, by Jesus as he gives accolade/affirmation to Mary..& she “chose” it..” & you didn’t ..Mary sits there, humble & self effacing?..or inwardly grinning like a Cheshire cat, at hearing the nuisance of a sister well & truly put in her place..& by Jesus..game set & match to Mary & in straight sets..now read it again & allow 2 words to emerge to rebalance story & wisdom of it..Mary sat & listened..Martha was distracted by her ministry of welcome & hospitality..& I’d like to suggest family community & parish life needs both..the quietly reflective & the energetically active..each seasons/inspires the other..at Bamber Bridge 20yrs ago we had an elderly parishioner I took Communion to each week..she had been a primary school teacher all her life, lived on her own & on retirement at Mass daily
..kept her cottage spotless ;her health deteriorated until she was living downstairs in one room with coal fire in some squalor..only thing she kept immaculate, statue of Our Lady & child Jesus..in front of it a thick candle always lit whatever time of day I went..”who it is lit for today Mary?” I would ask..”for Joan a neighbour going to Royal Preston Hospit for tests; for Bill at no 10 whose wife walked out last weekend ; for Mildred Smith’s granddaughter who is taking A levels on Tuesday; for young John next door who has just got his first job”..a Mary by name a Mary by nature, who had been an outstanding Martha & then took up the cross to become a Mary..& try convincing the housebound restrained Mary in Bamber Bridge she has chosen the better part..so what is Luke up to in way he words his gospel?..he writes at a time & at a moment in the life of the emerging faith community where the role & the voice of women was being questioned criticised & suppressed..it was the classic response when insurrection change reform & revolution is spilling out & disturbing boundaries, when the later Church was to state “Roma locuta..causa finita “ Rome has spoken..the matter is closed”..” Mary has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.” The contemplative life of a nun of Stanbrook is to be preferred to active life of a Mercy Sister working/living among young women victims of human trafficking in Kings Cross…really?..& listen to John on same story..our Martha plays central role in drama of raising of Lazarus “now Jesus loved Martha & her sister & Lazarus” she is named first & is introduced as the “beloved” by John the beloved disciple
..the favourite..it is Martha who meets & greets the latecomer Jesus with an expression of faith & then a wonderful discussion about the resurrection..”yes Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God” Martha the model believer..the very profession of faith other 3 gospel writers put onto lips of Peter the rock, John puts onto lips of Martha..wow!..it is in John’s gospel that the real service of women in early faith community is acknowledged & celebrated..not cooking up a high tea in back kitchen but diekonei [servant discipleship]..the Samaritan woman at the well is the first missionary..Mary Magdalen first to see the Risen Christ & commissioned to go to frightened rabbits in upper room to tell & to convince them ..notice no attempt to silence women or restrict them to quiet, behind the scenes, homebound ministries..wow indeed!..”they understood Jesus to commission all Christians, women as well as men, to express their faith in the performance of all manner of diaconal ministries.”[ Sandra Schneider ]..so what do you now think is the “one thing needed” that Jesus seeks from Martha?..& is it the same thing he asks for from Mary? or something different?..from a nun of Stanbrook or a Mercy Sister in KX?..& pray what does he ask for now from you & from me?..one thing.. “perhaps to engage with the text to wrestle with it until finally although wounded, to limp away with a blessing”[ Anne Thurston ] my teacher in feminism & in theology..her limp & my limp..& will you have the faith & honesty to limp away home from this Mass with a blessing?..                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      [16thSunYrC ;Lk 10;38-42]                                                                                
 
Website by Gabriel Media Limited
  • Home
    • Church History
  • Mass Times
  • Homilies
    • Second Sunday of Easter
    • Homily; Maundy Thursday 2021
    • Homily; Good Friday 2021
    • Homily; Easter Vigil & Easter Day 2021
    • Palm Sunday
    • Fifth Sunday of Lent
    • Fourth Sunday of Lent
    • Third Sunday of Lent
    • Second Sunday of Lent
    • First Sunday of Lent
    • Ash Wednesday
    • Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
    • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Baptism of Our Lord
    • Epiphany of the Lord
    • Homily; 1 Jan 2021; Mary Mother of God
    • Christmas Midnight Mass
    • Fourth Sunday of Advent
    • Third Sunday of Advent
    • Homily 2nd Sunday of Advent
    • Homily; 1st Sunday of Advent
    • Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
    • Thirty-third Sunday
    • Thirty-second Sunday
    • All Souls
    • All Saints
    • Thirtieth Sunday
    • Twenty-ninth Sunday
    • Twenty-eighth Sunday
    • Twenty seventh Sunday
    • Twenty-sixth Sunday
    • Twenty-fifth Sunday
    • Twenty Fourth Sunday
    • Twenty-third Sunday
    • Twenty-second Sunday
    • Twenty-first Sunday
    • The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    • Nineteenth Sunday
    • Eighteenth Sunday
    • Seventeenth Sunday
    • Sixteenth Sunday
    • Fifteenth Sunday
    • Fourteenth Sunday
    • St Peter & St Paul
    • Twelfth Sunday
    • Trinity Sunday
    • Pentecost Sunday
    • Homily for Tuesday Wk 6 Easter
    • Seventh Sunday of Easter
    • Sixth Sunday of Easter
    • Fifth Sunday of Easter
    • Fourth Sunday of Easter
    • Third Sunday of Easter
    • Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • The Presentation of the Lord
    • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Holy Family
    • Mary Mother of God
    • Second Sunday of Advent
    • First Sunday of Advent
    • Remembrance Sunday
    • Thirty-first Sunday
    • Twenty-fourth Sunday
    • Twentieth Sunday
    • Eighteenth Sunday
    • Seventeenth Sunday
    • Sixteenth Sunday
    • The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
    • The Most Holy Trinity
    • Seventh Sunday of Easter
    • Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Thirteenth Sunday
    • St John the Baptist
    • Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Transfiguration of the Lord
    • Cemetery Mass
  • Newsletters
    • Second Sunday of Easter
    • Easter Sunday 2021
    • Palm Sunday
    • Fifth Sunday of Lent
    • Fourth Sunday of Lent
    • Third Sunday of Lent
    • Second Sunday of Lent
    • First Sunday of Lent
    • Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
    • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • The Baptism of the Lord
    • Second Sunday after the Nativity
    • The Holy Family
    • Fourth Sunday of Advent
    • Third Sunday of Advent
    • 2nd Sunday of Advent
    • 1st Sunday of Advent
    • Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
    • Thirty third Sunday
    • Thirty second Sunday
    • All Saints
    • Thirtieth Sunday
    • Twenty-ninth Sunday
    • Twenty-eighth Sunday
    • Twenty-seventh Sunday
    • Twenty-sixth Sunday
    • Twenty-fifth Sunday
    • Twenty Fourth Sunday
    • Thirty-third Sunday
    • Twenty-second Sunday
    • Twenty-first Sunday
    • The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    • Nineteenth Sunday
    • Eighteenth Sunday
    • Seventeenth Sunday
    • Sixteenth Sunday
    • Fifteenth Sunday
    • Fourteenth Sunday
    • St Peter & St Paul
    • Twelfth Sunday
    • The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
    • Trinity Sunday
    • Pentecost Sunday
    • Seventh Sunday of Easter
    • Sixth Sunday of Easter
    • Fifth Sunday of Easter
    • Fourth Sunday of Easter
    • Third Sunday of Easter
    • Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • The Presentation of the Lord
    • The Baptism of the Lord
    • The Epiphany of the Lord
    • Fourth Sunday of Advent
    • Second Sunday of Advent
    • First Sunday of Advent
    • Thirty-first Sunday
    • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Twenty-fourth Sunday
    • Twenty-third Sunday
    • Twentieth Sunday
    • Eighteenth Sunday
    • Sixteenth Sunday
    • The Most Holy Trinity
    • Sixth Sunday of Easter
    • Fourth Sunday of Easter
    • Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • St John the Baptist
    • Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
    • Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
  • Coronavirus
    • Caritas Middlesbrough helpline
    • Live streaming
    • Home Prayers
    • Our Advent Journey to Christmas sheet
    • Blessing of Advent Wreath
    • O Antiphon thought for each day
    • The Tablet
    • Seized by the Holy Spirit by Abbot General
    • Letter to Daniel
    • Joyce Rupp reflection
    • The Rev Julie Nicholson
    • Noah's Ark story part 1 >
      • Noah's Ark story part 2
      • Noah's Ark story part 3
      • Noah's Ark story part 4
    • Wind beneath my wings; Bette Midler
    • Lockdown poem
    • Our Lady and the child Jesus
    • Pope Francis Rosary
    • Seven gifts sheet
    • Women & the post-covid church
    • Jesus images
    • Ark
    • Why I'm not opening church's yet
    • Abbot primates five blessings
    • Holy Spirit
    • Angelus & Come down O Love divine hymn
    • Simon & Garfunkel song
    • Trasna Poem
    • The seven I am titles of Jesus
    • Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat by Simon de Myle
    • Angels Unaware
    • Be still and know that I am God
    • Extraordinary moment of prayer
    • Halik
    • Don't be fooled
    • Home picture
    • The Last Supper
    • Iona Gate
    • Caravaggio 1
    • Caravaggio 2
    • Poems 1
    • Poems 2
    • School
    • Leeds
    • 5th Station, Simon of Cyrene carries the Cross
  • Hospitality & Outreach
    • Climate Change Zoom event 24/04/21
    • Middlesbrough Food Bank
    • The Sick and the Unwell
    • The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
    • ​Together Middlesbrough and Cleveland (TMC)
    • Zimbabwe missions appeal >
      • Mashambanzou Bulletin September 2020
  • Gallery
    • Bernard's bench 2020
    • Cherry tree in blossom 2020
    • 2016 in our Church
    • Church Photos
    • Historical Photos
  • Contact us
  • Caristas Newsletter
  • 100 Club Winners
  • GDPR - Privacy Notice
  • Justice & Peace
  • Knitting for Refugees
  • Parish Hall for hire
  • Rosa Ampleforth
  • Safeguarding
  • Useful Links