Teresa Lee - Thomastown Parish

39, Newtown Terrace, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Died on Saturday 28th December, 2013. Removal to Church of the Assumption on Tuesday 31st December for Funeral Mass at 11am followed by burial in St. Mary’s New Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

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Reflection

The literal meaning of the word, Gospel, is good news. Does this mean that, even as it is spoken, that word becomes truth brimming with joy and mercy. We should never attempt to separate these three graces of the Gospel: its truth, which is non-negotiable; its mercy, which is unconditional and offered to all sinners; and its joy, which is personal and open to everyone.
This message can never be gloomy or indifferent, for it expresses a joy that is completely personal. It is “the joy of the Father, who desires that none of his little ones be lost” (Evangelii Gaudium No 237). It is the joy of Jesus, who sees that the poor have the good news preached to them, and that the little ones go out to preach the message in turn (ibid., 5) The joys of the Gospel are special joys.
I say “joys” in the plural, for they are many and varied, depending on how the Spirit chooses to communicate them, in every age, to every person and in every culture. They need to be poured into new wineskins, the ones the Lord speaks of in expressing the newness of his message.