A Celtic Journey with St. John of the Cross
We would like to share with you two beautiful musical reflections in honour of Our Lady and St John of the Cross recorded by Kerrie O’Connor and friends in our Chapel. We vacated the Chapel one afternoon while they did all the hard work!! The first one is available on youtube and the second will be available for the feast of St John of the Cross on 14th December. We hope you will enjoy. https://youtu.be/R2YGDeZ0haE
Prayer & Reflection
for Women
From time to time we host days of prayer and reflection for women interested in exploring a vocation to Religious life. For further information please contact us at: carmel@roebuckcarmel.com
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Sunday Reflection
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Romans 5:12-15
Matthew 10:26-33
Chapter 10 of Saint Matthew’s Gospel is central to the Mission of Jesus which is building up the Kingdom of God. At the start of this Chapter we read about the choice and the call of twelve disciples whom Jesus called Apostles. His disciples were those who heard the word of God and took to heart. His apostles were those who committed themselves more fully to preaching the Good News and building up the Kingdom on earth.
Having chosen them, Jesus then sent them out with instructions on how to minister in his name. They are to proclaim the Good News, to heal the sick, to drive out evil and announce peace. All of this will draw attention to them and much of that attention will be in the form of opposition and rejection. Of course they will draw attention to themselves. St Francis de Sales once said that “A spoonful of honey will draw more flies to it than a barrel of vinegar!”
Jesus was sending them out as ‘sheep in the midst of wolves’. He warned them of the persecutions to come and even of the possibility of death for his sake. Did the apostles recall any of the Prophets of the past who hesitated answering the call? Jeremiah’s “Lord, I am too young ……too weak ….. too afraid” must have echoed in their minds. But Jesus gives them the same reassurance as he did to Jeremiah; “What you are to say will be given to you.”
So also when we fear death for the sake of the Kingdom is there not something given which we cannot explain? In our day we think of the courageous strength of Saint Titus Brandsma, Blessed Benedict Daswa and the Algerian Cistercians, who were called to die and were given the Faith and Hope. A similar call is being made to us and the same warnings and the same reassurances! The opposition and rejection will come too, but perhaps, not from very obvious sources or forces, such as the communism of old or the strictly anti-Church regimes that still rule in the world.
Opposition to us, our beliefs and principles lurk in institutions, which we often rely on, and in a very sinister and aggressive media. The Lord’s words give us strength; “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul”. Weakness of Faith in the gospel will come from a darkness within ourselves, the darkness of our lack of self-confidence and courage. But, do not be afraid; “Why, every hair on your head has been counted” and you are precious in God’s eyes.
Opposition will come from outside of ourselves: from sick and evil people who fear the light of goodness. They dread that the light will expose their darkness. But we are told “Do not be afraid. What is now covered will be uncovered and everything now hidden will be made clear.” It seems that Jesus answers all the difficulties expressed by his disciples with “Do not be afraid”. It is said that the phrase “Do not be afraid” is repeated in the Scriptures so often that it almost corresponds to the number of days in the year!
Finally, the Lord reminds us that perseverance will be rewarded and that we will be closely identified with Him and his Mission and his sufferings. He will declare us to the Father in heaven as his true disciples, his friends.
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