Webmaster • February 15, 2025

Today's gospel reading is the beginning of what is often called the Sermon on the Plain. We find a parallel to this passage in Matthew 5:1-7,11 that is often called the Sermon on the Mount. As these titles suggest, there are differences and similarities between these gospel readings. When spoken from the mountaintop in Matthew's Gospel, we can't miss the impression that Jesus is speaking with the authority and voice of God. The mountaintop is a symbol of closeness to God. Those who ascend the mountain see God and speak for God; recall the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments. As Luke introduces the location of Jesus' teaching, Jesus teaches on level ground, alongside the disciples and the crowd. Luke presents Jesus' authority in a different light. He is God among us. Another distinction found in Luke's version is the audience. Luke's Sermon on the Plain is addressed to Jesus' disciples, although in the presence of the crowd; Matthew's Sermon on the Mount is addressed to the crowd. In keeping with this style, the Beatitudes in Luke's Gospel sound more personal than those in Matthew's Gospel—Luke uses the article “you” whereas Matthew uses “they” or “those.” There is also a difference in number: Matthew describes eight beatitudes; Luke presents just four, each of which has a parallel warning. The form of the Beatitudes found in Luke's and Matthew's Gospel is not unique to Jesus. Beatitudes are found in the Old Testament, such as in the Psalms and in Wisdom literature. They are a way to teach about who will find favour with God. The word blessed in this context might be translated as “happy,” “fortunate,” or “favoured.” As we listen to this Gospel, the Beatitudes jar our sensibilities. Those who are poor, hungry, weeping, or persecuted are called blessed. This is, indeed, a Gospel of reversals. Those often thought to have been forgotten by God are called blessed. In the list of “woes,” those whom we might ordinarily describe as blessed by God are warned about their peril. Riches, possessions, laughter, reputation . . . these are not things that we can depend upon as sources of eternal happiness. They not only fail to deliver on their promise; our misplaced trust in them will lead to our demise. The ultimate peril is in misidentifying the source of our eternal happiness. The Beatitudes are often described as a framework for Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. We are challenged to examine our present situation in the context of our ultimate horizon, the Kingdom of God.

Saints Alive

By Webmaster • April 25, 2025
A talk by Richard Atkinson featuring 25 Holy men & women of Yorkshire for the Jubilee Year & beyond will be held in the Church on Tuesday 29th April after Mass. The talk is free to attend though donations will be greatly appreciated towards Church funds. Refreshments in and a chance to discuss in the hall afterwards.

The Century Club

By Webmaster • April 25, 2025
The Century Club raises “extra funds” to support the liturgy and activities of the parish. In the past it has paid for tables and chairs in the Parish Centre and for the Church organ. It contributed to the cost of new lighting, and paid for some refurbishment costs of the Parish Centre kitchen. It has also paid for the refurbishment of the Chapel. Recently it has made a contribution to the cost of solar panels on the presbytery roof. Membership is not limited to 100 but in recent years it has remained around 80 or 90. From time-to-time members move on and so we are always keen to see new members join. All you have to do to join is to commit to pay £5 per month by standing order for membership. In return you will be allocated a number. Every month all members’ numbers are entered in a prize draw. There are three monthly prizes: £100, £50 and £30. Every year there is a Grand Draw for a first prize of £1000, with five consolation prizes of £50. Every number is in the draw for each prize. The odds on a win are far more attractive than in some draws we could mention and the profits go to enhance the life of your parish! If you would like to join, contact Pete Mahon on 01924 250542, or email the parish office at mail@peterpaul.org.uk

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER 27 APRIL 2025

By Sue Jameson • April 25, 2025
Part of the mystery of Jesus’ Resurrection is that he appeared to his disciples not as a spirit but in bodily form. We do not know exactly what this form was like. Earlier in John’s Gospel, when Mary of Magdala first encountered the risen Jesus, she did not recognize the figure standing before her until Jesus spoke her. In Luke’s Gospel, the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them. We know from readings such as today's that in his resurrected body, Jesus was no longer bound by space; he appeared to the disciples in spite of the locked door. And yet, on this resurrected body, the disciples could still observe the marks of his Crucifixion. In today's Gospel, Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun. As Jesus was sent by God, so too does Jesus send his disciples. This continuity with Jesus' own mission is an essential element of the Church. Jesus grants the means to accomplish this mission when he gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit binds us together as a community of faith and strengthens us to bear witness to Jesus' Resurrection. Jesus' words to his disciples also highlight the integral connection between the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness and reconciliation are gifts to us from Jesus. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can share these with others. This is another essential aspect of what it means to be Christ's Church. The Church continues Jesus? ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation. Thomas, the disciple who doubts, represents the reality of the Church that comes after this first community of disciples. All but the first disciples of Jesus must believe without seeing. Like Thomas, we may doubt the news that Jesus, who was crucified and buried, appeared to his disciples. It is part of our human nature to seek hard evidence that the Jesus who appeared to the disciples after his death is, indeed, the same Jesus who was crucified. Thomas is given the opportunity to be our representative who obtains this evidence. He gives witness to us that the Jesus who was raised is the same Jesus who had died. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are among those who are blessed for we have not seen and yet have believed.

REQUIEM MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS

By Webmaster • April 25, 2025
Please join Bishop Marcus in the celebration of Holy Mass to pray for the repose of the soul of His Holiness Pope Francis, Tuesday 29 April 5.30pm , Leeds Cathedral. The venerable tradition of praying the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father, followed by “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord…” is encouraged, especially in our Catholic schools, as is the recitation of the Rosary for the repose of the soul of the deceased Pope.

WEDNESDAY LUNCHES

By Webmaster • April 24, 2025
Our next lunch will be on Wednesday 30th April . Please sign up in the Narthex if you would like a lunch.

CAKE SALE FOR PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

By Webmaster • April 24, 2025
There will be cakes and buns on sale after both weekend masses this weekend 26th/27th of April in support of Rachael Flood attending the Leeds Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Rachael Flood.

THE CHOSEN Season 3

By Webmaster • April 23, 2025
THE CHOSEN Season 3 – Following our past highly successful TV series and discussion groups, our groups will continue on Thursday 1 May at 7pm. All are welcome!

CELEBRATION OF MARRIED LIFE

By Webmaster • April 23, 2025
Celebration Mass for Married Life for couples and their families celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th wedding anniversaries this year. There will be an opportunity for couples to renew their marriage vows. If you are celebrating the anniversary of your wedding and you would like to take part, please fill out the application form which is available at the back of church. Saturday 17 May , Leeds Cathedral, 12 Noon.

A big thank you

By Webmaster • April 23, 2025
Cards, Presents, and the Easter Offerings Many thanks to all who have very generously given me cards and Easter gifts; they are much appreciated. As you are probably aware, the Christmas and Easter Offerings make up a large part of a Priest’s income; many thanks for your kindness. Wishing you and your families a Happy Easter.  Fr Steven

EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD 20 APRIL 2025

By Webmaster • April 18, 2025
Today we begin the Easter Season, our 50-day meditation on the mystery of Christ's Resurrection. Our Gospel today tells us about the disciples' discovery of the empty tomb. It concludes by telling us that they did not yet understand that Jesus had risen from the dead. Thus, the details provided are not necessarily meant to offer proof of the Resurrection. The details invite us to reflect upon a most amazing gift, that is faith in Jesus and his Resurrection. Each of the four Gospels tells us that Jesus' empty tomb was first discovered by women. This is notable because in firstcentury Jewish society women could not serve as legal witnesses. In the case of John's Gospel, the only woman attending the tomb is Mary of Magdala. Unlike the Synoptic accounts, John's Gospel does not describe an appearance of angels at the tomb. Instead, Mary is simply said to have observed that the stone that had sealed the tomb had been moved, and she runs to alert Simon Peter and the beloved disciple. Her statement to them is telling. She assumes that Jesus' body has been removed, perhaps stolen. She does not consider that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Simon Peter and the beloved disciple race to the tomb, presumably to verify Mary's report. The beloved disciple arrives first but does not enter the tomb until after Simon Peter. This detail paints a vivid picture, as does the detail provided about the burial cloths. Some scholars believe that the presence of the burial cloths in the tomb offers evidence to the listener that Jesus' body had not been stolen (it is understood that grave robbers would have taken the burial cloths together with the body). The Gospel passage concludes, however, that even having seen the empty tomb and the burial cloths, the disciples do not yet understand about the Resurrection. In the passage that follows, Mary of Magdala meets Jesus but mistakes him for the gardener. In the weeks ahead, the Gospel readings from our liturgy will show us how the disciples came to believe in Jesus' Resurrection through his appearances to them. Our Easter faith is based on their witness to both the empty tomb and their continuing relationship with Jesus—in his appearances and in his gift of the Holy Spirit.
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