Dear friends in Christ

The Gospel of this Sunday tells us of how God—the Divine Sower—usually brings great outcomes out of small beginnings. For instance, He chose a few men to begin the work of evangelisation. For the most part they were simple fishermen, unlettered, and with evident defects. They had few material resources, yet they represent how God chooses what is weak in the world to shame the strong. Looking at it from a human standpoint, it is impossible to explain how these first disciples could have spread the teaching of Christ to the whole known world in such a short time; there were so many obstacles and so much opposition to overcome. In the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus urges His followers to have faith and to be confident that the preaching of the Gospel will be carried out in spite of everything, and often from tiny beginnings.

We need faith combined with courage to proclaim Jesus crucified and risen. If someone approaches you and asks: 'Do you adore someone who has been crucified?' Do not hang your head in shame or blush. Use that reproach as a chance for glory and let your eyes and the look on your face show that you are not ashamed. If they whisper again in your ear: ‘What! You do adore someone who has been crucified?’ reply: ‘Yes, I adore Him’…I adore and glory in a crucified God who with His cross reduced the devils to silence and took away all superstition. For me the Cross is the trophy of God’s love and kindness. (St John Chrysostom).

I wish you all every blessing for the week ahead!

Msgr kevin Hale