In this Easter season we are taken back to some earlier teachings of Jesus particularly in John chapter six, where Jesus declares, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." This assertion by Jesus encapsulates a profound spiritual truth and a call to a deeper understanding of his mission and identity. Firstly, when Jesus refers to himself as the "bread of life," he is symbolically expressing that he is the sustenance for the human soul. Just as bread provides nourishment for the body, Jesus provides sustenance for the spirit. He is the source of spiritual nourishment and sustains our spiritual life. Moreover, by stating that his flesh is the bread, Jesus hints at the sacrifice he will make for humanity's salvation, highlighting the intimate connection between his sacrifice and the eternal life he offers, challenging us to embrace this concept involves fostering a deeper comprehension of Jesus' role in our lives. One approach could be through teaching and reflection on the significance of Jesus' words and actions. We ought to contemplate the metaphorical meaning of Jesus as the "bread of life" and what it means for our spiritual journey and how it can help deepen our faith. Additionally, personal reflection and prayer can aid in internalising this concept. To engage in prayerful meditation on Jesus' words, asking for a deeper understanding and a greater openness to receiving spiritual nourishment from him, can facilitate a more profound embrace of this truth. Furthermore, emphasising the importance of partaking in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, where we symbolically consume the body and blood of Christ, can reinforce the idea of Jesus as the bread of life. By participating in these rituals with reverence and understanding, we can experience a tangible connection to Jesus as the source of our spiritual sustenance. Ultimately, we need to embrace Jesus as the bread of life requiring both intellectual engagement with the concept and a heartfelt openness to experiencing his presence in our lives. Through teaching, reflection, prayer, and participation in the sacraments, we can deepen our understanding and appreciation of Jesus' role as the source of eternal life.
St Cyprian’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will be held on Sunday 5th May 2024 at 11.30am, immediately following the Parish Mass. All members of the church Electoral Roll are requested to be in attendance. The meeting ought not to last more than 40 minutes. If you have a burning desire to serve St Cyprian's more fully why not offer to join the Parochial Church Council? We will endeavour to stream this meeting on Zoom.
Hymn singing. One of many things it is impossible to get right are the hymns at Mass. the lament that 'we didn't know them' or 'they were dreary' or 'we had that hymn only five years ago, why repeat it?' Here's what Dietrich Bonhoeffer had to say about hymn singing: "Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak and pray the same Word at the same time; in other words, because here they can unite in the Word. There should be singing, not only at devotions, but at regular times of the day or week. The more we sing, the more joy will we derive from it, but, above all, the more devotion and discipline and joy we put into our singing, the richer will be the blessing that will come to the whole life of the fellowship from singing together. It is the voice of the Church that is heard in singing together. It is not you that sings, it is the Church that is singing, and you, as a member of the Church, may share in its song. Thus all singing together that is right must serve to widen our spiritual horizon, make us see our little company as a member of the great Christian Church on earth, and help us willingly and gladly to join our singing, be it feeble or good, to the song of the Church." ~from LIFE TOGETHER by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Thank you. A very big thank you to all who continue to support us financially. It is no exaggeration to say that it is humbling to witness such generosity. I realise it's not easy and that there are many demands upon our resources. By giving to the church, we strengthen our life together and then are enabled to go out and take the gospel to those in need of both spiritual and material support. You can give, via this link, to our ‘give a little’ donation site. If you have online banking, you can transfer money via the Church bank account, the details of our bank account are; NatWest plc., Baker Street Branch. Sort Code: 56-00-14. Account: St Cyprian’s Parochial Council. Account Number: 12138126.
Your Priest & friend, Fr Michael
What is Prayer? I used to pray that God would feed the hungry or do this or that, but now I pray that God will guide me to do whatever I'm supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I'm praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things. St Teresa of Calcutta