Dear Friends in Christ

St Matthew, this Sunday, reflects in his Gospel the words of the Prophet Isaiah who said that the Messiah would give light to the whole world. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light….Like the newly risen sun, Jesus brings the radiance of Truth to the world, and a supernatural clarity to minds which no longer want to remain in a state of darkness, ignorance and error. St Matthew also tells us that once Jesus began His public life, the first men to receive the powerful influence of his light were those disciples whom he called as he walked along the sea of Galilee. Their names are rehearsed in the Roman Canon of the Mass. We often wonder why this long list of Saints has been retained in the first of the Eucharistic Prayers; it is so that we call them to mind so as not to forget their example and their sacrifice. The early Christians loved to remember those who had handed the Faith on to them. When someone does us a great service or a great act of kindness, we can never stop thinking of them and thanking them. It is the same with the Apostles and the Saints: their memory is kept alive by us so that we never forget that we have received the most precious gift of Faith because of their endurance. Let us ask Our Lady for the fortitude and simplicity needed to live like those first Christians, in the middle of the world without being worldly, and to be the light of Christ within our own profession and environment.

God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org