My Thoughts on 13/04/2021

Every walk of life has its own jargon. Terms that express ideas and concepts that people working within that walk of life understand and use to communicate.

Christianity is no different. We use words like grace that often need to be defined. Here is one that you might have some across; ‘mystagogy.” This ancient term means the study of the mysteries. The word comes from the Greek ‘to lead through the mysteries”. The mysteries is the ancient term for the sacraments.

Mystergogy is the time between Easter Sunday and Pentecost when new baptised Catholics will reflect on their experience of conversion, learn more about the Church, and consider how they might get involved in ministry and outreach. Neophytes (newly planted), a name given to the new baptised will need the ongoing support of the community so that the faith newly planted in them can grow deep roots. This Easter season is an ideal time for us all a fresh sense of inspiration from the sacramental life that we celebrate and it is a good time to reflect on being part of the Christian community.

In the first reading today from Acts which we also heard on Sunday, Luke describes the early Christian Community thus:

“The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.”

How do, we as a parish, grow in unity, heart and soul? How do we, as a parish, support those who have joined us as new Catholics? Do we recognise the needs of each other? Are we able to respond to those needs? Are we, as a parish community, testifying to reality of the resurrection?