19 Sunday OT 2008

It is not too unusual to hear people say that they are searching for something in their life. They might have more friends that they need, they might have more material things than they need. But there is something that they don’t have. Something that makes sense of everything. Something which is at the heart of everything. Something that that brings everything together. Their happiness seems incomplete, their striving seem to have no end. St Augustine’s, the great Christian thinker of 4th Century, thought along these lines. Before he became a Christian he was successful in his career, he was a great thinker, he was praised by people. The more that he went on, the thing that he realised that he was really looking for was God in his life, the true God, God who made sense of everything, God who was at the heart of everything. He thought he could find the happiness and contentment that he was looking for by having more friends, more distractions, more money, more praise, getting answers from the philosophy of his day. But the more he touched these the things the more dissatisfying they became , everything wouldn’t make sense until he found God in his life. In his book the Confessions, Augustine writes Late have loved thee beauty so ancient and so new – late have I loved thee all the time I was looking for you in all sorts of places and you are here within me.

In the first reading of today’s Mass the prophet Elijah is also looking for God. he thought he would find him in the storm, in the lightening. But he finds him in the gentle breeze. All of us are looking for God, even when we have found him we are looking for his presence. Sometimes we expect him to show him in mighty things but very often he shows himself in small things, in the gentle breeze. And when we have found him does there not come in our heart a profound sense of peace, that all the pieces of our life fall into place, the thing that we are really looking for has been found.

Prayers of the Faithful 19th Sunday in OT

Priest

God is ever faithful and true. In the Mass in which he offers himself as the Bread of Life we ask him to listen the needs of His people.

Intercessor

For the Church, that she may fulfil her role to bring the Gospel to the nations – especially to people who have not known the one true God.

Lord hear us

For people who are victims of random acts of violence: young people in cities, holiday makers abroad, people caught up in wars.

Lord hear us

For those on holiday at this time for safety when they travel and for peace and rest when they are away.

Lord hear us

For those who seek God in their lives and who have to wander long roads to find him.

Lord hear us

For peace between Russia & Georgia – for an ending to the violence and the bloodshed that has taken many lives and struck fear into people’s hearts.

Lord hear us

For all who have died, especially Molly Fletcher and all our relatives and friends whom we remember in prayer.

Lord hear us

Priest

You give us bread for our daily lives, the thing that sustains us. Give us a deeper trust in your holy Eucharist, which is bread come down from heaven and which is the food our hearts and souls year for. Top Comment on this Homily