Clonard Solemn Novena Day 2

Gospel Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

The message
Imagine the disciples’ panic. There they are in the boat all by themselves when a storm begins to rage. It’s so bad the boat is in danger of sinking, and they are full of fear. All seems lost… and then they see Jesus walking towards them, on the water.
Eager as ever, Peter asks Jesus if he can walk towards him on the water, and Jesus invites him to come. So he sets out, but the wind rises, and he panics and starts to sink. Even Peter, the most important figure in the early Church, has a faith that falters in the midst of the storm. But Jesus saves him, and then criticises him for his weak faith. As soon as they get into the boat, the winds calm, and the awestruck disciples acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God.

The message is clear: The boat represents the Church, and the disciples represent all believers, while the storm represents the difficulties and doubts the Church is facing. Only when they let go of fear and trust in him, do the disciples recognise who Jesus truly is and his power to save them. Trust in Jesus and an adventurous faith can overcome doubting fear.

The lesson
These are tumultous times for the Church. It’s as if it is caught in the midst of a terrible storm, with scandals and crises crashing against it from every side. The Ryan and Murphy reports have shaken people to the core. An aggressive secularism ridicules belief in God. More and more Catholics have given up the practice of the faith.
But the storm had been brewing for a long time. The Church had big problems long before Ryan and Murphy came along. It lacked good leadership. It was too priest-centred and clerical. It failed to make use of the talents of lay people. It didn’t encourage an adult faith. It has lost a whole generation of young people.

In the Gospel story, Jesus called Peter to face the storm and not to lose his nerve. He challenges us to face this storm head-on too, knowing that without him all will be lost.

The challenge
As Christians, we know that Jesus is with us in the midst of the storm in which we find ourselves. But he is more than with us; he calls on us all to face that storm. What might facing the storm mean today? It means speaking up and saying what we know to be wrong in the life of the Church today: the minimal role offered to women; the clerical culture that is still so strong; a leadership that seems lacking in vision; a (sexual) morality which ignores the experience of people.

Facing the storm means speaking the truth about what is wrong in the Church and doing so in love. It means trusting totally in Jesus. It means letting go of fear. Peter was ready to venture all on Jesus’ word. Are we?

The Prayer
““Lord, help us to trust in you. Strengthen our faith so that we can speak your truth without fear. Amen.”

--- Prayers for the Mass ---

Opening Prayer
Almighty God,
our hope and our strength, without you we falter.
Help us to follow Christ and live according to your will.

We ask this through the same Christ our Lord

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
accept the gifts of your Church.
May this Eucharist
help us grow in holiness and faith.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Concluding Prayer:
Gracious God,
You renew us at your table with the bread of life.
May this Eucharist increase our faith
And lead us to the peace that you alone can give.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

	Thur June 17 A Time for Letting Go of Fear





Gospel Matthew 14:22-33 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” The message Imagine the disciples’ panic. There they are in the boat all by themselves when a storm begins to rage. It’s so bad the boat is in danger of sinking, and they are full of fear. All seems lost… and then they see Jesus walking towards them, on the water. Eager as ever, Peter asks Jesus if he can walk towards him on the water, and Jesus invites him to come. So he sets out, but the wind rises, and he panics and starts to sink. Even Peter, the most important figure in the early Church, has a faith that falters in the midst of the storm. But Jesus saves him, and then criticises him for his weak faith. As soon as they get into the boat, the winds calm, and the awestruck disciples acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God. The message is clear: The boat represents the Church, and the disciples represent all believers, while the storm represents the difficulties and doubts the Church is facing. Only when they let go of fear and trust in him, do the disciples recognise who Jesus truly is and his power to save them. Trust in Jesus and an adventurous faith can overcome doubting fear. The lesson These are tumultous times for the Church. It’s as if it is caught in the midst of a terrible storm, with scandals and crises crashing against it from every side. The Ryan and Murphy reports have shaken people to the core. An aggressive secularism ridicules belief in God. More and more Catholics have given up the practice of the faith. But the storm had been brewing for a long time. The Church had big problems long before Ryan and Murphy came along. It lacked good leadership. It was too priest-centred and clerical. It failed to make use of the talents of lay people. It didn’t encourage an adult faith. It has lost a whole generation of young people. In the Gospel story, Jesus called Peter to face the storm and not to lose his nerve. He challenges us to face this storm head-on too, knowing that without him all will be lost. The challenge As Christians, we know that Jesus is with us in the midst of the storm in which we find ourselves. But he is more than with us; he calls on us all to face that storm. What might facing the storm mean today? It means speaking up and saying what we know to be wrong in the life of the Church today: the minimal role offered to women; the clerical culture that is still so strong; a leadership that seems lacking in vision; a (sexual) morality which ignores the experience of people. Facing the storm means speaking the truth about what is wrong in the Church and doing so in love. It means trusting totally in Jesus. It means letting go of fear. Peter was ready to venture all on Jesus’ word. Are we? The Prayer ““Lord, help us to trust in you. Strengthen our faith so that we can speak your truth without fear. Amen.” --- Prayers for the Mass --- Opening Prayer Almighty God, our hope and our strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and live according to your will. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord Prayer over the Gifts: Lord, accept the gifts of your Church. May this Eucharist help us grow in holiness and faith. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Concluding Prayer: Gracious God, You renew us at your table with the bread of life. May this Eucharist increase our faith And lead us to the peace that you alone can give. We ask this through Christ our Lord. div>
Day2 morning Homily part1 Fr.Dan Baragry

Day2 morning Homily part2 Fr.Dan Baragry ..... RESET VIDEOS

Day2 evening Homily part1 Fr. Michael Murtagh

Day2 evening Homily part2 Fr. Michael Murtagh ....... RESET VIDEOS
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Intention for the unity of the Church early sessions 7.00am session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the St Matthew’s Church of Ireland congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship 8.15am session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Bangor Abbey Church of Ireland congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship 9.30am session And we ask Our Lady to pray for Ballygomartin Rd Presbyterian congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship 11.00am session And we ask Our Lady to pray for Crumlin Rd Presbyterian congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship 2.00pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Ballyholme Methodist congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship “All, with one accord, devoted themselves to prayer, together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus” (Acts of the Apostles 1.14)	Intention for the unity of the Church evening sessions 3.30pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Woodvale Methodist congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship 6.30pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Sandy Row Methodist congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship 8.00pm sessions And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Woodvale Presbyterian congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship 9.30pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Westbourne Presbyterian congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship 11.00pm session And we ask Our Lady to pray for the Ballycarry Presbyterian congregation with whom our unity pilgrims have met in faith and friendship “All, with one accord, devoted themselves to prayer, together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus” (Acts of the Apostles 1.14)
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