Meals played an important role in the society in which Jesus lived. More than a time for sharing nourishment, they were a time to share ideas and to model different aspects of social relationships. In Luke's Gospel, the places that a person ate (at the home of a tax collector, 5:29), the people with whom a person ate (sinners, 5:30), whether a person washed before eating (11:38), and as is the case here, the place that a person sits while eating are all important. The narrator says Jesus tells a parable, but it is wise advice to both guests and hosts about finding true happiness at the heavenly banquet. Jesus warns guests to wait before taking their places at the table lest they be asked to move if someone more important arrives. This is more than just a lesson about dinner etiquette. It is advice on how to find your true place in the Kingdom of God. Jesus advises hosts not to invite people who would be expected to repay them to dinner but to invite those who could not repay: the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. This is where real blessings can be found. In these sayings, Luke gives us not only advice on how to approach the end times but also on how to live according to Jesus' vision of a good society. Luke's Gospel also advises us how the Church must be part of bringing about this society. It is yet another example in Luke's Gospel of the reversal the kingdom brings about.
A BIG THANK YOU FROM FATHER STEVEN: Thank you For all the kind messages, cards and gifts I received ahead of my move to Rome. Your generosity is warmly appreciated. It was wonderful to see so many people come to celebrate Fr. Steven and his four years ministry with us last weekend. He will be greatly missed. We look forward to hearing all about Rome and wish him all the very best in his new ministry as Spiritual Director at the Beda College. For those who would like to keep in contact with Fr. Steven please use his Diocesan email address: steven.billington@dioceseofleeds.org.uk MASS INTENTIONS : If you would like Fr. Steven to continue to pray for your intentions please do contact him on the above email address to arrange this.
Today's Gospel reading is the third of three parables in chapter 13 that deal with the theme of the unexpected reversals brought by the Kingdom of God. The other two parables are about the tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree and the small amount of yeast that makes a large batch of dough rise. As this parable opens, Luke reminds us that Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem. This journey makes up the entire middle of the Gospel. He is teaching as he goes. A question from the crowd gives Jesus the chance to make a prophetic statement. A few weeks ago, the question “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” led to the parable of the Good Samaritan. The question about will only a few be saved uses typical Christian language about salvation but also expresses the Jewish concern about whether everyone who calls himself a Jew is faithful to the covenant. Jesus answers that they must strive in the time remaining to enter through the narrow door because many will be trying to get in but won't be strong enough. He then moves to a parable about another door. Once all those entering the master's house are in and he locks the door, there will be no way for others to get in. Those left outside may knock, but the master will say he doesn't know them. Unlike the Gospel reading from a few weeks ago where Jesus was teaching about prayer, and we were told to knock and the door would be opened, in this parable, the master will not open and say he does not know us. People from the north, south, east, and west will take our place inside. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets will take their place in the Kingdom of God. Those who do not make it through the narrow door will be cast out to where there is wailing and grinding of teeth. The image of the door is replaced in the final verses of the parable with the image of the heavenly banquet. Two passages from the Book of Isaiah influence the conclusion. Isaiah 43:5-6 speaks of God bringing Israel's descendants back from the east and from the west, the north and the south. And Isaiah 25:6 speaks of the Lord providing a feast of rich foods and choice wines for all peoples on his holy mountain. The answer to the question if only a few will be saved is no. Many will be saved, but many who thought they would will not be saved. The parable is a prophetic warning to repentance to enter the kingdom.
Thank you for allowing us to come to your church and sell the olive wood religious articles, the result of which was very beneficial and rewarding for our needy Christian families . Your help is a great support for us, and for our Christian families in the Holy Land and we don't have enough words to thank you and your parishioners, but we will make sure that you are always in our prayers. If anyone has missed the carvings display, You can place an order online directly from them at www.tbng.co.uk God bless you all. Love and blessings from The Bethlehem Nativity Group and may the Peace of our Lord be with you always.
Pathways Bereavement Café: Due to low numbers the Bereavement Cafe will no longer meet on the first Sunday of the month. Please be assured that Bereavement support is still available from the Bereavement Team on an appointment only basis via the Parish Office. If you need any support surrounding grief of any kind please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Join March for Life UK, Saturday 6th September , London. The right to life underpins every other right and without it every other right is rendered meaningless. Abortion denies the most vulnerable in our society of their most basic right which is why this year's theme is “Human Rights For All Humans.” Join thousands at this family-friendly event to recognise the value of life from conception and stand up for all those who have been impacted by abortion. https://www.marchforlife.co.uk/ or email: info@marchforlife.co.uk.
The Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill is expected to have its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Friday 12 September . Right To Life UK has launched an Easy action tool to help you write to a few Peers with a tailored message to highlight key concerns with the Bill. Please take action now and visit www.righttolife.org.uk/aspeers to ask Peers to oppose assisted suicide - it takes just 30 seconds!
: Time for prayers, questions, input from a priest and social time. There are two groups meeting simultaneously; under 18s and over 18s. Fridays 6.30pm-8.15pm: 19th September (Hinsley Hall), 17th October (Hinsley Hall), 14th November (Cathedral Hall), 19th December (Hinsley Hall). Under 18 participants must complete and return a permission form prior to attending. For permission forms and to notify of attendance (all participants) please contact Vocations Promoter, Fr Simon Lodge simon.lodge@dioceseofleeds.org.uk .
Please note that our Parish telephone number has now changed to 01924 253677.
ALPHA has now finished for this year 2024. We will be back with another programme in 2025.
Concern is not enough! More than 6 million adults live in absolute poverty in Britain. This means they are destitute and are deprived of basic human needs such as food, sanitation, health or shelter. But poverty isn’t the only sort of deprivation; chronic loneliness and isolation is a significant and growing problem. According to the Office of National Statistics, Britain has become the loneliness capital of Europe. In our parish poverty and isolation are prevalent but what can we do about it? Contact the SVP on 07526 099 523 and help us work together to help tackle these problems.
Pathways Bereavement Café: Due to low numbers the Bereavement Cafe will no longer meet on the first Sunday of the month. Please be assured that Bereavement support is still available from the Bereavement Team on an appointment only basis via the Parish Office. If you need any support surrounding grief of any kind please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Join March for Life UK, Saturday 6th September , London. The right to life underpins every other right and without it every other right is rendered meaningless. Abortion denies the most vulnerable in our society of their most basic right which is why this year's theme is “Human Rights For All Humans.” Join thousands at this family-friendly event to recognise the value of life from conception and stand up for all those who have been impacted by abortion. https://www.marchforlife.co.uk/ or email: info@marchforlife.co.uk.
Pathways Bereavement Café: Due to low numbers the Bereavement Cafe will no longer meet on the first Sunday of the month. Please be assured that Bereavement support is still available from the Bereavement Team on an appointment only basis via the Parish Office. If you need any support surrounding grief of any kind please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Global Healing - care for our common home, a film commissioned by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (33 minutes long).
DISCOVERING FAITH IN UNEXPECTED PLACES.
View our parish gallery which provides highlights of our parish community events and activities