Photo was taken at Kilumney, Co.Cork (Irl)
With the weather remaining fine and dry for much of September, blackberries were in plentiful supply. Many people made the most of the bumper crop using them mainly to make jam.
Thought on Thursday – October – 16/10/2014
Thought For The Week
‘The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.’ ~Henry Martyn
Next Sunday is Mission Sunday. It is celebrated every year during the month of October. We live active and busy lives. The only world that often matters is the community we live in and the bits and pieces that make up our everyday lives. We sometimes forget that there is a bigger picture out there of which we are a tiny part but nevertheless a very important part. Mission is always looking outwards, reaching out beyond ourselves, our home, our community, our parish, our diocese, our nation.
We often think of missionaries as just priests and sisters but we also include many people who have taken time out and who have decided to give some months or longer to work with the underprivileged in various parts of the world. 80% of the world’s population lives in poverty, so the challenges are extensive. Mission Sunday is all about celebrating the work of missionaries, remembering them in our prayers and asking God’s blessings on all the good work they do. Mission is not about having all the answers. It is embracing and respecting so many different beliefs and viewpoints about God. Mission Sunday celebrates the uniqueness of every single person no matter what their beliefs. We are asked this week to pray for all missionaries and all countries across the world.
When a stone is thrown into a pool of water, the ripples can be seeing circling out and out. When the water is perfectly still, the effect looks even better. As we journey towards Mission Sunday next weekend, we also celebrate your contribution and like the ripples in the water your contribution is valued, respected and so important. Mission Sunday is recognising that these ripples are happening in every part of the world. Great things are happening and will continue to happen.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
