Fr Matt's Blog - reflections on Church, life and books

 'And the Word became flesh, and dwelt in our midst'. One of my pleasures over the past few years has been reading Stephen Fry's retelling of the Greek myths in his books Mythos, Heroes and latterly Troy. I both love Fry's wry humour and observations as he tells the stories of the deities such as Zeus and Hera, or the great heroes such as Achilles or Hector. But what sticks with me is the way in which the deities are presented as meddling in human affairs. Zeus is particularly guilty of this, he can hardly pass a beautify face in the street without getting himself (and her) into some form of trouble: Zeus's wife Hera is particularly unforgiving not just of Zeus, but also of his unwitting victims as well. The deities of Greek mythology take as well as give, but they do so out of caprice not love, and demand a high price in return. Today, as we read once again the prologue of John's Gospel we hear the words  'And the Word became flesh, and dwelt in our midst...

Today in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church is the Feast of the Holy Family. A reminder that the vast majority of Jesus's life is hidden to us. But what we do know is that his mother and earthly father are marked by a particular holiness. His mother of course was born without sin, and Joseph was an older man who had children by a previous marriage. (The brothers and sisters of Jesus referred to by the Gospel writers.) He too was known for his particular holiness, and had been chosen by the Holy Spirit to serve as Jesus's earthly father. Our families play a unique role in our formation as human beings, for good or for ill. (I'm thinking in particular of Philip Larkin's poem 'This be the verse', which whilst caustic in language, shows us a particularly Freudian view of the early formation of the human character, and the role our parents play in that process.) For Jesus to have been in the house of such a holy couple is important. because they blessed him an...

  Greeting We watch for the light if Christ dawning on Christmas Day. We are in darkness now, but the Lord will give us light. All:       O Lord you give us light. You dispel our darkness.   Carol: Hark the herald-angels sing Hark! The herald-angels sing "Glory to the newborn king; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled" Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald-angels sing "Glory to the new-born king"   Christ, by highest heaven adored Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb: Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! The herald-angels sing "Glory to the newborn King"   Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness![10] Light an...

  Longest Night/   Blue Christmas Service   Hymn:  O come, O come, Emmanuel O come, O come, Emmanuel! Redeem thy captive Israel That into exile drear is gone, Far from the face of God's dear Son. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.   O come, thou Wisdom from on high, Who madest all in earth and sky, Creating man from dust and clay, To us reveal salvations’s way. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.   Greeting The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. All:      And also with you.   The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone. For the yoke that was weighing upon them, and the burden upon their shoulders, you have broken in pieces, O God, our Redeemer.   Today we sit on the Eve of the longest nigh...