Seventeenth Sunday in ordinary time

Give us this day our daily bread? It is almost a strange thing to think about, asking God for our daily bread. There is nothing abstract about the request: just as the text says – our daily bread. There is almost an assumption in our Western world that the table will always be set, that the bread bin will always be full and that we will never be forced to face the dilemma of Mother Hubbard; the cupboard will never be bare!

The Father reminds us of the fragile nature of our existence. We assume that we are in control and progressing all the time to a more secure future. But our lives can be turned upside down in an instant. Do you remember what happened in the weeks after Easter? The volcano in Iceland erupted and the whole of Europe was thrown into chaos. Many people have their own stories to tell about the event; it powerfully reminds us that we are not always as confident in our human achievements as we would like to be.

The readings remind us that we live in a far from perfect world. But Our Father who is in heaven knows this and cares for us in our fears and uncertainties. Just like praying for our daily bread we often overlook on how much we depend on our loving God. When we pray do we really think that God hears us and enters into dialogue with us? Or is prayer no more than wistful thinking: “I’ll give it a shot, what can be lost?”

“Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened up to you.” The Word of God invites us to trust in our heavenly Father. Christ reminds us that if we, who do not always act for the best, do good things, how much more will his father do for those who ask of him in faith?

“Our Father in Heaven, may your name be held holy, give us this day our daily bread.” Let us believe that God cares for us in a real way; not in a conceptual way. Let us never be afraid to ask, seek and knock. We have it on good authority that the father is there waiting for us to call on him.

Fr Tom Cahill, Intercom

DAILY READINGS

You can access the daily readings on the parish website:

The next blood donation session will take place in
St Michael’s Parish Centre
on Friday 6th August at 2-4.30pm and 5.45-8pm.

In order to maintain the vital supply of blood to our hospitals, the Blood Transfusion service needs the support not only of existing donors, but also of new donors. If you are considering being a blood donor please come along to this session – your donation could save a life.

ANNUAL ST OLIVER PLUNKETT LECTURE

AN INVITATION TO ALL

For the 7th year running the
Annual St Oliver Plunkett Lecture
will take place on
Sunday 8th August 2010
at 7.00pm in St Oliver Plunkett Church
Glenveagh Drive, Lenadoon, Belfast BT11 9HX.

Irish News columnist Breidge Gadd will follow in the steps of Cardinal Seán Brady and Rev. Harold Good
when she delivers a lecture entitled
“Christianity 2020
– A corporate strategy for the next ten years”

For her part Breidge said she was looking forward to
“what will be a unique experience for me,
and hoping that at the event we can have
a conversation rather than a one-sided soliloquy.”

YOU ARE ALSO INVITED TO ...

The success of the St Oliver Plunkett lecture over the past six years has resulted in two other events being held earlier that week to which you are also invited:

All three events are free of charge
and are open to everyone.

Feast Day of St Joachim and St Anne,
the Grandparents of Jesus

Sunday 25th July
Happy Feast day to all Grandparents

The Catholic Grandparents Association
would like to remind you that everyone is welcome to the National Grandparents Pilgrimage
at Our Lady's Shrine in Knock
on Sunday, 12th September. 
Further information on www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.com

Mass Times