Photo was taken yesterday at Drishane, Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)

Millstreet has been host to the hugely successful International Horse Trials throughout the week. The horses and riders were put through their paces yesterday during the cross country course.

Thought on Sunday – August – 28/08/2016

Thought Today is by Fr. Bernard Cotter

‘Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely.’ (Luke 14:1)

It’s no fun to be watched, to have your actions checked against what you say. Jesus had been preaching love and tolerance, now his fellow-guests wondered if he would let his true feelings slip. Just a sideways comment or a flippant remark would be enough to confirm their suspicion that he was not all he seemed. The leading Pharisees were acutely aware of tiny errors that revealed infidelity to law-keeping. They were master-observers.

Jesus remained consistent however. He not only believed in humility, he preached it – and he lived it. The Pharisees saw that Jesus was true to his word.

Consistency is a hard standard to measure up to. It’s much easier to preach one thing and live another. But we don’t get away with it when our actions are being monitored, when we are watched, as is often the case.

Lord, help me to remember that what I do and say has an impact on others, and that my words and deeds have to match.