Understanding the Jesus story - Year B - St Agnes' Parish
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3rd Sunday in Lent Year B 6-7 March 2021
Understanding the Jesus story
If there is one incident in Jesus’ life that leads us to question his judgment, the story of him taking a whip and
angrily driving people out of the temple must rank as a strong contender. We have heard in recent weeks
that Jesus can be forthright in challenging people – even calling pharisees ‘hypocrites’ to their faces! But our
major image is of a patient and forgiving Jesus rather than someone striking out at people with a raging
temper.
So, how are we to understand this story? A good place to start is another story of Jesus visiting the Jerusalem
temple with his mother and father when he was a twelve-year old boy. On that occasion, Jesus becomes so
caught up by the temple experience, he misses the caravan taking his family back to Nazareth. When his
parents realise Jesus is missing, they hasten back to find him among the temple priests and elders, engaging
with them about the meaning of the Scriptures.
Now, for traditional Israelites the temple was the holiest of all places on earth, enabling people to experience
the presence of the living God in their lives in an unsurpassed way. This must have been Jesus’ boyhood
experience, as is evident in his response to his confused parents: “Why were you searching for me? Did you
not know I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49).
So, when Jesus returns to the temple some twenty years later and finds it filled with hawkers, merchants and
other traders, he is incensed that greed and money-lust have turned his ‘Father’s house’ into a marketplace.
However, rather than directing his anger to the little people who are simply trying to make a living, surely
Jesus should have confronted the temple priests who no doubt benefited financially from this defilement of
God’s house.
Jesus has this opportunity to respond to the chief priests when they challenge him over his table-turning,
whip-lashing behaviour. In answer to their question: “On what authority do you do this?” Jesus’ strange
response confounds everyone: “Destroy this temple and I will raise it up again in three days.”
Somehow, this is a moment of insight for Jesus. He begins to realise his mission of communicating God’s love
and forgiveness will result in the destruction of the other temple – his own body – on a cross. Yet, God’s glory
will always shine through and triumph beyond suffering, cruelty and death itself.
This is the paradox St Paul writes about in his letter to the Corinthians. He realises how preaching a crucified
Christ is folly to Jews and Greeks alike. Yet Paul also knows
we must acknowledge our own sinfulness and stupidity if we
are to experience God’s power and wisdom.
Too often, we are like the temple traders, busy with our own
pursuits rather than seekers of the living God. Too often, we
ignore God’s covenant because we are afraid to witness to a
crucified-and-risen Christ who heals our weakness and failures
with divine love and mercy.
Gerard Hall SM
© Majellan Media 2021
OUR VISION
"Everything is to be oriented towards the praise and glory of God."
OUR MISSION
The St Agnes' Parish Community strives to make our Vision a
reality by a commitment to:
holiness in the image of Christ. minister within the faith community.
proclaim the good news of the service of all, particularly those
salvation. in need.
Bishop Greg’s Lenten Talk Series No Mass on Friday 12 March
This year’s Lenten talks will focus on Reflections on COVID- There will be no 12.05pm Mass in St Agnes’ Church on
19. The talks are being held on the following Tuesdays in Friday 12 March as our priests will be attending
St Carthage’s Cathedral: Prodencio Bognay’s Ordination to the Diaconate. This
9 March will at 5.30pm in St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore.
16 March Please keep him in your prayers over the coming
It will not be live-streamed, but will be recorded and on week.
YouTube by close of business on the following Thursday. Parish Publications
Lismore Diocese You Tube Channel link is on the back page
of the parish newsletter. 2021 Services Directory
The updated 2021 Parish Services Directory outlines all
the services our parish is involved in. Everyday through
our services we reach some 14,000 people in our
community. You only need to look through the offerings
in this directory to realise that we really do reach
people at all stages of their lives and will continue to do
In today’s gospel, Jesus drives the traders out of the temple so for many years to come.
saying, ‘Stop making my Father’s house a market place!’
Jesus cleanses the temple because values have gone astray.
Vision, Mission & Values Booklet
This cleansing is symbolic of reform and renewal. We are This booklet outlines the Parish Vision, Mission and
the Church—it is through our actions and works that we are Values that guide and direct our efforts to think, act and
the hands and feet of Christ in our world today. Caritas communicate like Jesus Christ.
Australia’s annual Lenten campaign theme for this year is Copies of both of these publications are available on the
‘Be More’, which comes from the words of St Oscar Romero parish website and in printed form from the Presbytery
‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more.’ This is a Office.
wonderful invitation to rethink what is important to us,
what renewal or reform is needed in our own lives and as a Australian Catholics Magazine
community. Hearing of how, with some support from There are still copies of the informative quarterly
Caritas, communities are able to be architects of their own magazine published by the Jesuits available from the
development, brings about a change in us. We are invited church and chapels. These magazines are free. The
to be part of the story of working in partnership for a better articles included are: A disciple in the waiting; Dreaming
world. of a Reconciled Australia; A Life of Waiting (living in a
Please take home a Project Compassion box and/or a set of refugee camp); Holding onto Hope (spending time with
donation envelopes and support Caritas Australia this asylum seekers in detention).
Lenten season themed “Be More”. You can donate through
Parish boxes and envelopes, by phoning 1800 024 413 Help Us Plan for our Future
or by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion. We are in the next stage of planning for the St Agnes’
Catholic Parish Strategic Plan 2021-2026. Thank you to
Project Compassion Prayer those parishioners who contributed to our recent
survey. We now have some themes collated from the
God of all peoples and nations,
data collected and we would like to validate the
As you accompany us on our Lenten journey,
messages we are hearing. All parishioners are welcome
may our fasting strengthen our commitment to join in this next step of Strategic Plan Feedback Focus
to live in solidarity, groups to be held on Sunday 21 March in the St Agnes
our almsgiving be an act of justice, and Parish Hall. Groups will convene after each mass on the
our prayers anchor us in love and compassion. Sunday - 7 30am, 9 00am and 5.00pm. Each session will
Through living simply and loving generously, be 45 minutes. For planning purposes contact: Brooke
may we care for our global family and our Bloomfield at Parish Administration on 6588 7444 or
common home, as we email: brooke.bloomfield@stagnesparish.org.au.
“Aspire not to have more, but to be more”.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Ladies Morning Tea
St Oscar Romero We invite parishioners to please join us for a cuppa and
chat at Caramels at Cathie at 10.30am on 11 March.
Up-to-date information on St Agnes’ Catholic This is a ladies morning tea hosted by Star of the Sea,
Parish is available on our parish website Lake Cathie each month. We are a friendly and welcom-
ing group and especially invite all ladies who are new to
www.stagnesparish.org.au
our parish. For enquires phone: Suzanne on 6584 8192.
www.stagnesparish.org.au. ST AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE
Women in the bible
A reflection on one unnamed
Remember in Prayer
Recently Deceased: Kenny Jamieson, Yvonne Walter,
When you google ‘Women in the Bible’ it comes up with Bishop Bede Heather, Gerry Cruzabra, Eduardo Cueto,
the names of women we seem to know well… from the Rex Kneller.
Old Testament, names like Sarah, Miriam, Ruth and Esther Anniversaries: Simone Vella, Gwen Daley, Bill Skane,
(among others); and from the New Testament, the three Dianne Byrnes, Betty Rennie.
Mary’s (the mother of Jesus, from Bethany, and Other Mass Intentions: Piper Grace Gosling, Amelia
Magdelene) and Elizabeth and Martha. Monica Doyle, Tom and Barbara Payne, Tony Yardley,
Yes, these truly are wonderful and blessed women with William Cavanagh, Hilton Dodds, Phyllis and Edward
much to teach us about love, service, generosity and Dunn, Julia and Edward O’Brien, Eileen Monahan, Phil
more! Today, however, as we approach International Moore, Trixie Davidson, Florence Shergold, Florence
Women’s Day on 8 March, I wanted to honour and reflect Turner, deceased members of Dunn, O’Brien and Reilly
on one unnamed biblical woman whose faith and trust in families, Br Michael O’Connor, Beryl Thomas, Marjorie
Jesus changed her life forever. Carnie, Jeanne Levy, Deb Kelly, Huntley O’Connor,
The woman who touched the cloak of Jesus after suffering Barbara Grant, Geoff Porter, Shirley Daborn, donor
12 years of bleeding, was cured as soon as she touched its
intentions, masses for the sick, masses of thanksgiving.
hem. Unnamed though she is, this woman and her story
appear in three of the Gospels (Matthew 9: 20-22; Mark 5: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
25-34; Luke 8: 43-48). Her ‘bump into Jesus in the street’ Important Mass Protocols
healing certainly made an impression on someone! It must The number permitted to attend church services is
have been told, and retold, by many people over many determined by the 2 sq metre government regulations.
years until it was included in the Gospels when they were It is compulsory to book in for all Masses at the
actually written down. This is amazing when you really chapels and churches. To make a booking, go to the
think about it! parish website www.stagnesparish.org.au and follow
The woman’s bleeding made her ‘unclean’ under the Law, instructions, or phone the Presbytery on 6583 1024.
so she could not approach Jesus directly, she was invisible We ask attendees please arrive at least 10 minutes
to all! Jesus, as he became aware of her touching, not any prior to the commencement of Mass to allow enough
part of him, but rather the edge of his cloak, fully time for the allocation of distanced seating and to
understood her and the power of her faith as she drew, minimise movement once Mass has started.
trustingly, on his power to cure her. Church Entry and Exits: All three church doors will
Prior to meeting Jesus, she had been unsuccessful in now be open before and after Mass. However, please,
finding a remedy for her condition, despite numerous please, please only enter by the Presbytery side door
attempts. Afterwards, she was a woman renewed, made so Covid check in can occur and sanitise your hands.
both physically and spiritually strong because she dared to Seating: Be aware of social distancing, sit in
reach out to him. allocated seats or where instructed to sit.
As a woman today, I ask myself ‘How can I reach out in Singing: There is no singing.
faith the way this woman did, to seek out Jesus and be Holy Communion: Only be given on the hand.
fully known by Him?’ Masks: Optional.
By Megan Barber, Communications Coordinator for
St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Weekly Resources
Tony Worner, Leader of Lay Formation, sends a weekly
email to parishioners with links to various resources,
From the Catacombs - here & beyond including the coming week’s readings with a reflection
Episcopuss Wisdom… From the Catechism… on these, information of upcoming on-line prayer and
formation opportunities, and information that may
help in growing a person’s faith and/or spirituality. If
you do not presently receive this, and would like to do
so, please contact the Presbytery with your email de-
tails or email Tony tony.worner@stagnesparish.org.au
Parish Safeguarding Support Committee
‘We would not have had the courage to believe in a God Thank you to those parishioners who have volunteered
who loves humanity, if we had not known Jesus. What to be part of our PSSC. Should you swish to register
kind of God is prepared to die for people? What kind of your interest to be on this important committee please
God loves always and patiently, without demanding to contact the Presbytery Office on 6583 1024 during
be loved in return? ’ Pope Francis Tweet office hours by Wednesday, 10 March.
PARISH NEWS St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE
www.stagnesparish.org.au
Mass Times in St Agnes’ Catholic Parish
Please remember to book for all Masses through the
website www.stagnesparish.org.au or
phone the Presbytery Office on 6583 1024 Monday to Friday.
Monday: No Mass
Parish Priest Tuesday:
Father Paul Gooley 9.30am Residential aged care only
Assistant Priest 11.00am Residential aged care only
Father Peter Wood 12.05pm St Agnes’ Church
Assistant Priest Wednesday:
Father Roland Agrisola 9.30am St Francis of Assisi Chapel (celebrated as Sunday Mass)
Deacon Elect 6.00pm St Bernard’s Church (celebrated as Sunday Mass)
Prodencio Bognay Thursday:
Presbytery Office 12.05pm St Agnes’ Church
47 Hay Street: PO Box 23 4.30pm Christ the King Chapel (celebrated as Sunday Mass)
Port Macquarie 2444 Friday:
T (02) 6583 1024 12.05pm St Agnes’ Church (No Mass on 12 March 2021)
E pastoraloffice@stagnesparish.org.au Saturday:
Web: www.stagnesparish.org.au 6.00pm Vigil Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Lake Cathie
Office Hours: Sunday:
8.30am - 4.30pm 7.30am St Agnes’ Church
Monday to Friday 9.00am St Agnes’ Church
5.00pm St Agnes’ Church
Reconciliation: (Please book for Reconciliation)
Friday 11.30am - 12 noon
Saturday 11.30am - 12.30pm
Baptisms:
Held each Sunday in St Agnes’ Church. Please contact the Presbytery Office,
or visit the Parish website for more information.
READERS AND COMMENTATORS ROSTER
Week commencing 14 March 2021
7.30am: Anne O’Brien Tuesday 12.05pm: 16 March
Jennifer Campbell Volunteer
DOGMA Greg Grace
9.00am: Cathy Hawtin Thursday 12.05pm: 18 March
“During Lent, let us find concrete Wayne Evans Volunteer
ways to overcome our Sandra Hartas
Indifference” 5.00pm: Suzanne Savage Friday 12.05pm: 19 March
Pope Francis Jodie Rich Anne O’Brien
__________________________ Tess Koning Aland Wheatland
Liturgical Celebrations Suggested Live Streaming of Masses
Third Week of LENT Lismore Diocese - Bishop Greg Homeming. Sunday 8.00am.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxOjNyku4JCIO8vfeTq-fQ
Monday 8 March
St John of God (Collect only) Daily Mass on Demand
Optional https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYRq7AjVimr-hcHFJD_HVaQ
Tuesday 9 March Mass for you at Home
St Frances of Rome (Collect only) Sunday 6.00am streamed on Channel 10.
Optional Reflections:
Saturday 13 March Lismore Diocese YouTube Channel
(Anniversary of election of Pope Fr Paul Daily Reflections
Francis, 2013)
DIOCESAN INVESTMENT FUND NOW PAYS 0.45%
The Port Macquarie office of the DIF is open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 1.00pm.
Phone Veronica or Mary for any enquiries on 6583 7439
All enquiries outside these hours phone 1800 802 516.You can also read
