Chinese Mass：Every Sunday 2:15 p.m.
Our Lady of the Assumption RC Church, Assumption Priory, Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green E2 9PB (map)
After Mass you are welcome to join the community for a tea gathering
Bible study/sharing every Saturday (2:00-4:00 p.m.) at Notre Dame De France Church, 5 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX (near See Woo Chinese Supermarket, Leicester Square tube station)
Talk and discussion meeting First Tuesday of every month (4:00-6:00 p.m.) at Notre Dame De France Church
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[1st Reading – Is.22:19-23; Ps.137; 2nd Reading – Rom.11:33-36; Gospel – Mt.16:13-20]
YOU ARE THE CHRIST
It was easy for the disciples to tell Jesus what “others” said about him. But when it came for them to speak about their own relationship with Jesus, they seem to have found some difficulties!!! In fact, while everyone was ready to repeat what “others” have said… it was only Peter who “spoke up” and said what was their (and in particular his) experience of who Jesus was.
It happens quite often in our own life too – whenever we speak about Jesus, God or our faith. We find it quite comfortable and easy to repeat what “others” say about these things, or what “others” have experienced or written, but when it comes to speak about our own experience… We often struggle with difficulties to speak about our own experience of Jesus, God, faith and we hardly have the courage to speak up about what we have experienced in our spiritual sphere. To understand more fully why this is the case we might want to consider the following reasons:
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We are “shy” or maybe we think it falls under “pride” to talk about these things (which is hardly – and never is – the case)…
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We do not have a true relationship with Jesus…
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There might also be some other hidden agenda lurking within us…
Peter’s own experience of Jesus is that he saw in Jesus the “Christ, the Son of the living God”. We all know very well that Peter later denied Jesus (three times!) and there was also a time when Jesus called Peter directly to his face ‘Satan’ because Peter did not let the Father of Heaven guide him in his thoughts. But when Peter was personally asked about Jesus, Peter talked about what was his own experience and not that of others… Jesus not only appreciated Peter’s sincerity and declaration, but he also made him a rock upon which he (Jesus) was to build his church. It is a Church that will stand firm as long as it is built on solid ground and have the presence of the Lord!!!
So too, Jesus is asking us this same question: “Who do you say I am?” He wants us to be conscious of ourselves and see what relationship we cherish with Him. He wants us to consider if we are true followers of Christ. He wants us to be aware of our worthiness and to give us the “keys of heaven” if we are worthy to act in his name. In the same way that he knew Peter was not perfect, he also knows we are not perfect but he wants us to co-operate with him and recognise him for what and who he is! But unless we create a true relationship with Jesus, we will never get to know him well. He knows of our forgetfulness too – that is why he will ask us the same question again: “Who do you say I am?”
“Lord, when you created us, you knew that we were fragile human beings and that we will give in to the temptations of the wicked one. At the same time you came into the world to be with us and to give us the help we need to create a relationship with you and with the Father. Lord, help us be that rock upon which we are worthy to carry your Church. Thank you Lord!”
Fr. Jesmond Pawley, OFM Conv.
(Permission to reproduce on this site by Fr. Jesmond, St. Patrick’s RC Church, Waterloo http://www.stpatrickwaterloo.org.uk/ )
Tags: assumption, bethnal green, catholic, centre, chinese, church, london, mass, our lady, religion, st patricks, westminster, worship
London Chinese Catholic Community UK 