The words spoken by Jesus in today’s Gospel are among his most moving invitations to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed. He invites us to come and find rest in his love. His invitation is all the more moving when we read it in context. Jesus’ heart has gone out to the people who are harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd, but he has just been rejected by the leaders, the very ones who are failing to care for the people and, in God’s name, are laying burdens on them that are too heavy to carry. Jesus invites us to come to him. We still have to suffer the burdens of life, but if we come to Jesus we will find that the yoke sits easily on our shoulders and we can carry the burden, for it is fitted to us, and Jesus is carrying it with us.

Living each moment, even in Pandemic - hints from Julian of Norwich

As the weeks have turned into months and we now start to live with spikes and outbreaks of Covid19, have you noticed any change or development in your prayer? It is interesting to note that Julian’s often quoted  “All will be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well” is a great reminder of hope and trust at a time when things are not yet quite well!

This week we celebrated the Solemnity of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It is a moment when we can pull out all the stops to immerse ourselves in the love of God poured into our hearts by the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We pray for an experience of joy that only the risen Jesus can invite you and me into.  What will be your response?  Could this be a time when we can revel in joy – a joy that we have been released into; into our own full potential as human beings?

On Sunday 14^th June the Church celebrates the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. It is a providential opportunity for us to reflect on the meaning of this feast for us, at a time when we still cannot welcome the whole local community to celebrate the Eucharist. We miss the deep and richly graced Eucharists that we enjoy here in the Retreat House.

Since the COVID 19 Pandemic started, I have remained at home most of the time. During this time,  I have been able to spend much time with mind and heart work, as well as physical work.

One of my physical works has been cleaning windows at Marymount Spirituality Centre, Castle Hill. I have discovered that the many windows of the Centre are very different in size and shape, as well as in colour and glaze. All the windows give benefits such as light, beauty, warmth through the sun in winter, and fresh air when open.

In the gospel for Pentecost Sunday, we are told that Jesus “came” to the disciples. They were full of fear and behind doors that were locked for fear of their fellow Jews. Little wonder! Their master and friend had been murdered. Their hopes and dreams for a new world had crumbled. They were lost and cast adrift without the one who had become such a friend to them. Given that they were Jesus’ closest friends and followers they must have wondered if they were the next to be murdered. What must have been going through their minds and hearts, as they huddled together paralyzed by their fear?

As we come closer to the end of our Easter season, we can recall many post resurrection events from the gospels. The other day I had an interesting experience down by the dam. It was a very good reminder of not only where we look for Jesus but how even when we think we have him in our sight, we must always be prepared to look further. Luke’s version of the scene at the empty tomb comes to mind. You will recall the two men in dazzling clothes questioning the terrified women about where they are looking for Jesus.

A reflection on the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter We have reached the climax of Jesus’ farewell speech to his disciples. Three times Jesus insists on covenant love as being the essential response required of us: ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments’(14:15). ‘The one who receives my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me’(14:21). ‘Those who love me will keep my word’(14:23). Three times he assures us that we will not be left alone: ‘I will ask the Father and he will give you the Spirit to be with you for ever’(14:16). ‘I will come back to you ... I will show myself to you’(14:18,21). ‘My Father and I will come to you and make our home in you’(14:23). Each time he assures his disciples that this intimate communion with the Spirit, with himself, and with the Father is something that those who reject him (‘the world’) cannot experience. It is a communion possible only for those who respond in love to what God is offering.

6 day Guided Retreat 11-16 May 2020

Presenter: Fr Michael Fallon msc

In keeping with the silent and contemplative nature of our retreat work, St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre is offering a reflective online retreat experience on "Paul's Letter to the Galatians".

In recent weeks, there have been two main themes running through the daily readings: the constant overtures of a longing and compassionate God to God’s children and the growing hostility and threat to Jesus’ life as the authorities sought to have Jesus killed. As this latter theme grows in intensity, we hear God’s outpouring of love and longing.