26th October 2008
In the last ten years or so there has been an immense search for meaning in many people's lives. People are basically looking for happiness, for contentment, for a sense of belonging and stability. There is also a deep sense of fear in people's lives, fear of the future, fear of what may be around the corner. At the same time there has been an explosion of new forms of belief and spirituality, an increase in the number of those believing in horoscopes, tarot cards, and fortune tellers.
Those in the gospel today who ask Jesus the question about what is the greatest commandment of the law get a rather clever answer from Jesus. His reply is short and yet leaves them in no doubt. Basically they are called to love God and to love their neighbour as they love themselves. That answer is as relevant today to our society as it was to those who Jesus addressed it to. There has been a huge fragmentation in our Country, much of it down to the effects of the Celtic Tiger. The prosperity may have made many people materially comfortable, yet it robbed them of their relationship with God, with the Church, and most of all with one another. People today feel alienated and alone.
For the last few weeks we have been monitoring the numbers coming to mass here on Sundays. The results tell us that only between 10 and 12 per cent of this parish are attending Sunday mass. In other parishes the numbers are even worse, with some places scoring less that one per cent. These numbers are truly astonishing and yet they confirm what many people have known for a long time. The society in which we are living is in free fall. The remedy for all this angst is a return to what Jesus Christ spoke about in the gospel today, love God and love one another. In other words get your priorities right, and live the 10 commandments. If you follow them you will find happiness. 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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