SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
EVANGELIUM VITAE by Pope John Paul II (Pt. 14)
CHAPTER II - I CAME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE
THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE CONCERNING LIFE
"The life was made manifest, and we saw it" (1 Jn 1:2): with our gaze fixed on Christ, "the Word of life"
29. Faced with the countless grave threats to life present in the modern world, one could feel overwhelmed by sheer powerlessness: good can never be powerful enough to triumph over evil!
At such times the People of God, and this includes every believer, is called to profess with humility and courage its faith in Jesus Christ, "the Word of life" (1 Jn 1:1). The Gospel of life is not simply a reflection, however new and profound, on human life. Nor is it merely a commandment aimed at raising awareness and bringing about significant changes in society. Still less is it an illusory promise of a better future. The Gospel of life is something concrete and personal, for it consists in the proclamation of the very person of Jesus. Jesus made himself known to the Apostle Thomas, and in him to every person, with the words: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6). This is also how he spoke of himself to Martha, the sister of Lazarus: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die" (Jn 11:25-26). Jesus is the Son who from all eternity receives life from the Father (cf. Jn 5:26), and who has come among men to make them sharers in this gift: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10).
Through the words, the actions and the very person of Jesus, man is given the possibility of "knowing" the complete truth concerning the value of human life. From this "source" he receives, in particular, the capacity to "accomplish" this truth perfectly (cf. Jn 3:21), that is, to accept and fulfil completely the responsibility of loving and serving, of defending and promoting human life. In Christ, the Gospel of life is definitively proclaimed and fully given. This is the Gospel which, already present in the Revelation of the Old Testament, and indeed written in the heart of every man and woman, has echoed in every conscience "from the beginning", from the time of creation itself, in such a way that, despite the negative consequences of sin, it can also be known in its essential traits by human reason. As the Second Vatican Council teaches, Christ "perfected revelation by fulfilling it through his whole work of making himself present and manifesting himself; through his words and deeds, his signs and wonders, but especially through his death and glorious Resurrection from the dead and final sending of the Spirit of truth. Moreover, he confirmed with divine testimony what revelation proclaimed: that God is with us to free us from the darkness of sin and death, and to raise us up to life eternal".22
30. Hence, with our attention fixed on the Lord Jesus, we wish to hear from him once again "the words of God" (Jn 3:34) and meditate anew on the Gospel of life. The deepest and most original meaning of this meditation on what revelation tells us about human life was taken up by the Apostle John in the opening words of his First Letter: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us-that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us" (1:1-3).
In Jesus, the "Word of life", God's eternal life is thus proclaimed and given. Thanks to this proclamation and gift, our physical and spiritual life, also in its earthly phase, acquires its full value and meaning, for God's eternal life is in fact the end to which our living in this world is directed and called. In this way the Gospel of life includes everything that human experience and reason tell us about the value of human life, accepting it, purifying it, exalting it and bringing it to fulfilment.
To be continued.
PARISH NOTICES
LIVE STREAMING.
This has now started and you will see notices in the church to guide you on filming areas. Please remember that all readers, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, sacristan’s and anyone who needs to enter the sanctuary must complete a consent form, which are in the porch, and given to Fr. Innocent or placed in the box in the porch. We cannot be held responsible if you knowingly appear on camera and have chosen to not sign a consent form. Please speak to Fr. Innocent for more information.
INFORMATION FOR THE NEWSLETTER.
Notices for the weekly parish newsletter need to be emailed by Tuesday evening to bostallpark@rcaos.org.uk.
UPCOMING UCM MEETING.
22nd February at 11.30 in the hall.
Anyone interested in joining would be most welcome.
CHURCH CLEANING.
Every Friday after 10am Mass. Led by the UCM group. All volunteers welcome.
LUNCH CLUB.
The next meeting will be on the 6th March 2025 at 12.30pm in the hall.
PARISH MASS BOOKS.
The Lectionary has now changed. Due to this change, the Mass books that we have will need to be changed which comes at a large cost to the parish. We have purchased part 1 of cycle C but we still need donations for the remaining 5 books which will cover all 3 cycles. We have received £1,755.00 so far and donations can be made in the usual ways.
GIFT AID BOXES.
The new gift aid envelopes will be available soon and will need to be requested which is a new system.
If you require gift aid envelopes for you weekly donations, please email bostallpark@rcaos.org.uk or speak to Melissa who will arrange this. If you are a standing order or contactless donor, you will not be issued any envelopes but can use the generic gift aid envelopes which are in the porch for any second collections, mass intentions or fundraising. Please ensure your name is clearly stated so the gift aid can be claimed. Gift aided donations allow the parish to claim an additional 25p per £1 donated at no additional cost to the donor. If you would like to join the scheme or if your details have changed, please email the parish office, speak to Melissa.
Archdiocesan Jubilee Celebration Day at The Friars, Aylesford on the 7th June 2025. Led by Archbishop John Wilson, Please see the poster in the porch for information. If you are interested in a parish coach, please contact the parish office.
YOUTH FESTIVAL MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE 2025.
4th-11th August 2025. The full cost of the pilgrimage is £770. A deposit of £150 needs to be paid immediately to secure your place. Please feel free to share this information with friends & family, who may benefit from this. Please contact Noeleen for payment. Please see the poster in the porch for more information.
https://marian-uk.com/onlineBooking1.asp?id =Medjugorje&tour=7028
Contact Noeleen on 0203 808 5156.
PILGRIMAGE TO PENTECOST.
This is a structured six-session programme consisting of personal booklets & talks designed to guide individuals and parish groups through a spiritual pilgrimage towards Pentecost and the Jubilee Celebration at The Friars, Aylesford. The first session will be on the 7th March in the Hall at 6.30pm.
DEANERY PILGRIMAGE.
5th July 2025 at St. John Vianney’s Church. More details to follow.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION.
Please note that the next First Holy Communion class will be on the 2nd March and the next Confirmation class will be on the 26th February. Confirmation candidates are also reminded that they need to attend the youth Mass on the 23rd February at 11am.
DEATHS
Please pray for the souls of Kathleen Fitzpatrick who died recently & Tom McCormack who died on the 28th January. May they rest in peace.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK