10th February 2008 - FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 2008
When I was growing up just after midnight or even before a prayer at bedtime would come onto to the television and then the continuity announcer would announce the Station was going off for the night and would be back on sometime in the middle of the morning. The National Anthem would be played and then things would close down and there was silence and peace for the night and people could go to bed.
Today we have no such luck, 24 hour a day television and radio. Noise from all sides and people rightly complain there is no chance to be still or silent, no time to reflect. On this First Sunday of Lent we meet Jesus in the desert, there above all because he needed to get away to be able to talk deeply with the Father. He had to escape family and friends in Nazareth, the noise of the carpenter's shop to be alone and to get the strength he would need for his public ministry. In the desert he was as the gospel tells us tempted by the devil who promise him so much. But despite his hunger and thirst he could not and would not deny what God his Father wanted him to do. Only after the 40 days were over did he return to begin the final and most dramatic part of his life.
We, Christians of the 21st Century need also to become quiet again before the mystery of God. We need to be disciplined enough to turn off those televisions and radios and allow God to speak to us in the silence. Some people say God never speaks to them, but how can God get a word in, they are either glued to the television screen or are saying many formal prayers and not giving God a chance to speak to them. I have just returned from a Month's retreat in Glenstal Abbey run by the Benedictines. In the rule of Benedict which they follow it begins with the following, 'Listen carefully my son, to the master's instruction and attend to then with the ear of the heart'. May we live those words and allow space for God to speak to us this Lent, remembering that God is found not out there but in here. Amen.
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Homilies Archive
2009 HOMILIES
25th December 2008
Christmas
21st December 2008
14th December 2008
8th December 2008
Immaculate Conception
7th December 2008
2nd Sunday of Advent
30th November 2008
1st Sunday of Advent
23rd November 2008
Christ the King
16th November 2008
2nd November 2008
All Souls
1st November 2008
All Saints
26th October 2008
12th October 2008
5th October 2008
28th September 2008
21st September 2008
14th September 2008
7th September 2008
31st August 2008
24th August 2008
17th August 2008
15th August 2008
Assumption
10th August 2008
3rd August 2008
20th July 2008
13th July 2008
29th June 2008
22nd June 2008
1st June 2008
23rd March 2008
Easter Sunday
22nd March 2008
Easter Vigil
2nd March 2008
24th February 2008
17th February 2008
10th February 2008
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