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Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 19 April 2015


Fr Robin Gibbons

Fr Robin Gibbons

Do you sometimes wonder if we don't make faith a bit too difficult for ourselves? I do! It's amazing how often I seem to get caught up in making detailed explanations of the scriptures or some slightly complicated aspect of church teaching. I know that doctrine is important, don't get me wrong, As a theologian I am very aware of the many years I have spent studying and learning the things of God in order to help both students and my parishioners get a grip on their faith. What we need are theologians of deep practical faith who can talk about these things as Jesus did, in simple ways that carry the weight of great knowledge.

Looking at our readings this Sunday I've been struck just how very simple the message about the Risen Christ really is! In Luke's gospel the proclamation is so clear, Christ had to suffer, then rise from the dead and repentance for forgiveness of sins is preached throughout the world in His name! We honor and remember this every time we come together in His peace to break the bread and hear the word.

I keep on forgetting that Christ is with us, it's a professional blindness, as a priest I can get so used to celebrating the Eucharist and preaching each Sunday, let alone all those many other times, that I forget my task is not only to 'do this in memory of Him' for others, but also to enter into the mystery myself. His word is for me too; his living bread is also my nourishment. It's one of those things that those of us in ministry need to keep an eye on; we also are the flock and need feeding by the shepherd too!

But back to the simplicity of the Easter proclamation! It's noticeable that with all the increased persecution of Christians in the Middle East let alone elsewhere that those being put to death are not singled out in terms of their Church, but for their belief in Jesus as Christians. It's what we call the 'ecumenism of suffering'. When things are difficult I now think of all those new martyrs. They are the witnesses of the glorified Jesus who has been raised from the dead. God's love has been perfected in them! May the Spirit open my mind to understand the scriptures and believe as they believe!

Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Great Britain.

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